Growing Small Fruit. Strawberry Botany. June-bearers. Strawberries Fragaria x ananassa. Fruits We ll Cover Today. Types of Strawberries

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1 Fruits We ll Cover Today Growing Small Fruit Carol O Meara Alison O Connor Colorado State University Extension csuhort.blogspot.com Strawberries Raspberries Blackberries Blueberries Currants Serviceberries Jostaberries Gooseberries Grapes Strawberries Fragaria x ananassa Strawberry Botany June-bearing Everbearing Day neutral Types of Strawberries June-bearers Produce one crop each year (late June to early July) Flowers are set the previous fall (like lilacs) Tend to be less hardy in Colorado due to springtime temperature swings and late spring frosts Most popular for making jam and freezing Cultivars to consider: Honeoye, Guardian, Kent, Redchief, Delite, Jewel, Mesabi, A.C. Wendy, Cabot, Bloominden Gem, Carskill and Geneva Avoid planting: Dunlap, Fairfax, Robinson and Red Star 1

2 Ever-bearers Two fruit cycles (early summer and fall) More reliable than June-bearing due to better tolerance of cold weather Plants may fruit lightly between heavy crops Berries are smaller in size Cultivars to consider: Quinalt, Ogallala and Fort Laramie Avoid planting: Ozark Beauty and Rockhill Day Neutrals Bloom and set fruit all summer and into the fall; cycles last around six weeks Blossoms will stop in hot weather Plants are sensitive to drought and heat adequate irrigation is necessary to continue production Fruit is small Cultivars to consider: Tribute, Tristar and Fern Buying Strawberries Consider purchasing plants that are virus-indexed, which can increase yield by up to 75% more fruit More expensive Buy clean nursery stock do not propagate or take cuttings from other plants due to disease and insects Plants can be purchased bare root in spring Renovate beds every two to four years Cultural Requirements Site selection: strawberries require at least 8 hours of sunlight and protection from wind Soil type: well-drained soil, high in organic matter if your soil is too claey, plant in raised beds Do not plant (within four years) in the garden following strawberries, raspberries, solanaceous crops and vine crops were planted due to soil-borne diseases Cultural Requirements Strawberries must be planted at the proper planting depth crown just above soil Cultural Requirements Mulch is very important since strawberries are very shallowly rooted Will help stabilize soil moisture Will reduce weeds surrounding the plants In summer use grass clippings, weed-free straw or other organic material Black plastic can be used if growing ever-bearing or day-neutral plants Winter mulch Use two inches of weed-free straw at the beginning of December Cover with bird netting if in a windy area 2

3 Planting June-Bearing Cultivars June-bearers will set a lot of runners and are planted in a matted row system Plant strawberries inches apart in rows 4-6 feet apart Allow runners from the original plant to fill in the space; ultimately 5 or 6 plants per square foot Remove excess runners during the season Prune off runners outside of the matted row and all new runners after September 1 Matted Row System between plants 4-6 between rows Care of June-Bearers First Year Remove all flowers the first year following planting Flowering too soon will reduce root establishment and affect yield in year two Depending on growth, consider a light application of fertilizer in June, July and August (1 cup of per 100 square feet) Care of June-Bearers June-bearing plants need about 1 of water/week during flowering and fruit set Can reduce water when in vegetative state Fertilize following fruit cycle Iron chlorosis (yellowing leaves) is a symptom of over watering Renovating June-Bearing Beds Every two to four years, you need to either replant or renovate the beds Replanting may be a better option due to decreased chance of disease? Following fruiting, mow foliage to 2 tall Create strips of plants 8-10 wide (remove inner strips) Allow runners to spread into cleaned area Remove all runners after September 1 3

4 Planting Ever-bearing and Day Neutrals Strawberry Hill Planting These plants have fewer runners, so using a hill system is best Plant strawberries 12 apart in a double or triple wide bed; remove runners as they develop Care of Ever- and Day Neutrals First Year Remove the first flush of flowers Allow flowers to develop after July 1 Remove runners Care of Ever- and Day Neutrals Periodically remove all runners Fertilize lightly throughout the growing season (not just once) Use ¼ cup per 100 square feet Start a new patch every three or four years (replant) Harvesting Strawberries Pick berries every day during peak season If berries will be eaten immediately, then pick only red fruit Pinkish fruit may be picked if eating in a few days Major Pests and Disease Iron chlorosis Drought and winter injury Hail Aphids Spider mites Spotted wing drosophila Powdery mildew Botrytis grey mold Verticillium wilt Various viruses BIRDS! Rabbits Deer 4

5 Spotted Wing Drosophila It s bad in terms of small fruit production Relatively new pest to Colorado (confirmed in Larimer County in 2012) A fruit fly that attacks maturing fruit (not spent fruit) Attacks fruit crops including raspberry, black raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, peach, cherry and grapes Spotted Wing Drosophila Spotted Wing Drosophila The female deposits eggs into ripening fruit The eggs hatch into a small white maggot (ew!) that you probably wouldn t notice until you re eating the fruit The maggots consume the ripening fruit and turn it into a soupy mess; then they pupate and become adults What Should You Do? 1. Pick fruit often at least once or twice a day 2. Do not let fruit drop to the ground below plants keep the garden sanitary and free of spent fruit 3. Insecticidal sprays are an option, but make sure they are listed for edible crops 1. Organic options include spinosad or pyrethrin 4. Use traps to determine threshold levels Spotted Wing Drosophila Traps Sturdy lid with 12 (3/16 ) holes drilled in it Make lure: yeast, sugar, water and dish soap; change weekly; pour 2 into the trap container *Red traps are more attractive to SWD; use a red lid or red tape if the container is clear **Traps can be hung or sunk into the ground, depending on the crop 5

6 After Trapping You can learn to identify the adults or bring them to your local Extension Office for confirmation If you have SWD in your small fruit, then management and cultural conditions will need to be addressed The SWD adults are at their peak populations in late summer/early fall Could consider changing to earlier season crops like June-bearing strawberries and summer-bearing raspberries Raspberries Rubus ideaus (Red Raspberry) R. occidentalis (Black Raspberry) R. neglectus (Purple Raspberry) Many other subspecies Types of Raspberries Fall-bearing (primocane fruiting) First year canes Summer-bearing (floricane fruiting) Second year canes Fall-bearing Raspberries Berries are produced on primocanes (new canes grown that year) at the top and fruit their way down the cane Sucker freely and profusely For best yields, prune all canes (to the ground) in the spring Use a lawnmower Suggested cultivars: Autumn Britten, Polana, Jaclyn, Caroline and Heritage Not suggested: Joan-J and Himbo-Top Summer-bearing Raspberries Summer-bearing Raspberry Pruning Do not prune primocanes (new canes that year) In spring, remove canes larger than ¼ in diameter to approximately 10 canes/foot For larger fruit size: tip canes to 5 feet For greater yield: Do not top the canes Prune all floricanes (the ones that bore fruit) to the ground in mid-summer following fruiting Suggested cultivars: Nova, Boyne and Killarney 6

7 Not Sure What Type You Have? Prune everything to the ground in spring and see what happens You will lose potential fruit, but it s important to know the type of raspberries you have for routine maintenance Raspberry Culture With good growing conditions, a patch may last up to 15 years Plant in full sun (at least 8 hours), away from windy spots Soil should be well drained with good organic matter Do not plant on poorly drained sites Do not plant following strawberries, other raspberries, solanaceous crops or vine crops were planted in previous four years Planting Raspberries Planting Raspberries Plant in a hedgerow, apart with 4-8 feet between rows (8-12 will increase yield) Soak roots of bare root plants prior to planting Cut new plants to 6 tall Use frequent, light irrigation until plants are established Keep canes in check by removing any suckers that appear outside the hedgerow Irrigation Light, frequent watering Need 1-3 inches of water per week during fruit formation Drip irrigation reduces disease Hedgerow Training System Narrow row with free-growing canes Clip canes when dormant to allow 6 inches between suckers Keep largest canes Top canes at inches tall 7

8 Trellising 2-Wire Trellis Two-wire system holds canes from soil In spring, prune out weak canes, leave strongest Limit to 10 canes per fourfoot row The T-Trellis Popular for fall-bearing raspberries Wires are at knee-height and the wire forms a box Canes grow within the box Colorful Raspberries Gold: Fall Gold, Anne, Honey Queen Black: Jewel or MacBlack Purple: Royalty (not very successful) Blackberries vs Raspberies What is the difference between blackberries and raspberries? Blackberries retain the receptacle when picked; raspberries do not and are hollow on the inside Blackberry/Red Raspberry Hybrids They are generally considered types of blackberries, since the receptacle comes off with the fruit: Boysenberries Loganberries Tayberries Not commonly grown in Colorado Hardiness? Water needs? 8

9 Blackberries Select either erect types or semi-erect types Training blackberries are not hardy to Colorado (winter kill at 13 degrees F) Erect blackberries have stiff arching canes that are somewhat self-supporting; they may be killed in fluctuating springtime weather Suggested cultivars: Prime Jan and Prime Jim Semi-erect blackberry plants are thornless, but trellising is required Suggested cultivars: Triple Crown and Chester Thornless Planting Blackberries Erect cultivars: space 2-3 apart Semi-erect cultivars: space 5-6 apart Cultural needs are similar to raspberries in terms of fertilizer, irrigation and planting Trellising Blackberries Blackberries, regardless of type, need to be trellised Use a two-wire system with one wire 18 above the first wire Refer to Garden Notes #762 for pruning information based on variety being grown at Blueberries The holy grail of small fruit Coloradoans desperately want to grow blueberries, but we have so many hoops to jump through Soil ph Soil type and texture Arid climate Cold climate Blueberries: The Truth They are very difficult and not a forget it plant You have to commit to growing the blueberries and adapting your growing conditions You will never grow blueberries in Colorado s native soil. NEVER. Growing Blueberries in Colorado 1. Blueberries must be grown in an acidic substrate (like peat moss) 2. The root zone must be kept moist all year long (even in winter) 3. Shrub tops must be protected from dry winter winds and wrapped in burlap or sheets during the dormant period 4. Need two plants of different varieties for cross-pollination 9

10 Are Blueberries Practical? It depends on who you ask but they are not for the beginning gardener In the long run, it s probably cheaper to buy blueberries in bulk when they are on sale The plants themselves do not produce high volumes of fruit (if they fruit) They are not waterwise You re essentially growing the plants in a container what happens to the root system long term? Blueberries? There are other small fruits that are easier to grow, need less water and maintenance and are just as satisfying MINOR FRUITS Currants Gooseberries Jostaberries Ribes spp. Woody perennial shrubs 3 to 6 Most are self-fruitful Planting Ribes Plant in early spring Space 3.5 to 4.5 feet Loose soil, part shade (like sun but too hot) Very hardy to zone 3 Head back branches to 5 inches at planting 10

11 Care of Ribes All Ribes do best in fertile, loamy soil with good drainage. Optimal ph of 6.2 to 6.5 is desired Plant on northern facing slopes & plant 1 to 2 LOWER than previously grown. Mulch Pruning Fruit produced on spurs on 2 or 3 year old wood (gooseberries on year-old) Prune in late winter Remove wood older than three years Thin young branches Remaining plant should have 3 upright canes Gooseberries Self-fruitful European types susceptible to Powdery Mildew American types more tart Borne singly Can tolerate poor soils Gooseberry cultivars Acceptable Comanche Hinnomaki Yellow Welcome Hinnomaki Red Invicta Pixwell Avoid Downing Colossal Red currants Red Lake Wilder Cherry Perfection Jhankeer Van Tets White Grape White Imperial Currants Black currants Alagan Ben Nevis Brodtrop Consort Crusader Black Currant Jellies Pastries High in vitamin C 11

12 Red Currant Tart Jellies White Currants Sweetest Fresh eating Jostaberries Hybrid of gooseberry and black currant Nearly black, large berries (red also available) Plant both black and red jostaberries for best fruit production Harvest when berries are fully colored and soft Currant sawfly Not controlled with Bt Defoliator Pests of Ribes Currant aphid Causes red blistering on leaves Currant sawfly Monitor by shaking plant & check for egg masses on interior of plant (2 generations per year) Rake and remove debris (over-wintering cocoons) Currant aphid Control since aphids can transmit viruses Syringe off plants Maintain nutritional vigor of plant Plant in sun exposed areas and open the interior of the plant by pruning 12

13 Currant Borer Currant Borer Overwinters as a ½ -long larvae at base of the cane Use parasitic nematodes (Steinernema spp. applied as a drench Destroy any canes prior to mid-may Monitor insecticides provide little control Biotic Disorders of Ribes Under most conditions, insects and diseases not a problem. Anthracnose Leaf spot Powdery Mildew WPBR Currant borer Currant Sawfly Currant Aphid Serviceberries (Amelanchier alnifolia) Also known as Saskatoon berry Blueberry-like fruit better suited to growing than blueberries in Colo. Cold Hardy Drought resistant Get BIG 6 to 18 feet tall Three-season plant Serviceberry Serviceberry Planting Certified pathogen-free stock VERY fussy disturb roots as little as possible to avoid transplant shock Needs loose soil Space plants 3-feet apart Full sun 13

14 Serviceberry Care Prune to single trunk or shrub start when young Drip irrigation Fertilize yearly in early spring Prune out damaged branches in dormancy Smoky Pembina Northline Thiessen Honeywood Cultivars Biotic Disorders of Serviceberry Grapes Vitis spp. Fireblight Pearslug Spotted Wing Drosophilia Rabbits/Deer/Birds Witches Broom Rust Mummified Fruit NO LABELED PESTICIDES AVAILABLE!!! USE IPM APPROACH Common problems include: Poor drainage Poor quality vine purchase Planting too late in the season Poor use of irrigation Inadequate control of weeds and diseases Site preparation Remove all trees, stumps, rocks, wire, etc. Deep rip may be needed Soil test & space appropriately Site selection Do not plant in lawn Gently rolling terrain Lean soil Likes drier conditions 14

15 Planting Grapes Plant bareroot in spring Soak roots 3 hours Plant at depth they grew in nursery Space 6 to 8 feet apart Set up trellising immediately After planting strongest cane back to 2 or 3 strong buds; remove all other canes. Trellising A trellis consists of one, two, or three tightly stretched wires secured to firmly set posts. Must be substantial enough to carry the weight of the vines Turnbuckles at end allow take up of wire slack Training young grapes In spring of second year, select a vigorous, straight cane and remove all the rest. Tie cane securely to the uppermost wire with string. Cut the cane off just above the wire. As the buds begin to swell, retain 4 to 6 buds near each wire; rub off (remove) all remaining buds. Later, remove all flower clusters that form on the shoots. Cordon training, spur pruning best for our area Many systems (4 cane Kniffen) Pruning Grapes It s all about the buds Cordons are arms Spurs are shoots from last year Inverse relationship between bud count and fruit production Leave only two buds per spur Spur pruning Cut between nodes to avoid drying of bud 15

16 Grapes after pruning Biotic Disorders of Grapes Powdery Mildew Crown gall Botrytis bunch rot Verticillium wilt Viruses Cutworms Grape berry moth Leafhopper Thrips Abiotic Disorders of Grapes Water management Winter Injury Frost Injury Cultivars for Table Grapes Himrod Interlaken Canadice Concord Niagara St. Theresa Golden Muscat Reliance Valiant Concord St. Croix Cultivars for Juice Ok, let s talk wine Few viniferas can take the rollercoaster temps Hybrids are hardy for Front Range Produce sweeter wines 16

17 Cultivars for wine - reds Cab Franc St. Croix DeChaunac Chancellor Chambourcin Marechal Foch likes sandy soil Pinot Noir (if you re lucky) Cultivars for wine - whites Aurore Gewurztraminer Sigerrebbe Seyval Blanc Vignoles Thank you! 17