Reubens write-off?

[Losos]

I had forgotten that I planted a couple of Ruebens (and a few 'layers'/cuttings) a few years ago.
I haven't seen them for a year or two so I'm guessing they just withered away and died.
They were feeble growers and poor croppers due to seeming to be out of synch with UK seasons.

FB I expect you have come across these 'mites' before, if you have (and you successfully banishd them) it would be nice to know how.

There seems to be no chemical control methods and since they 'drift' in on the wind very little apart from complete removal of canes for a year.

[starloc]

For the red berry mites, spray twice a week with oil such as sunflower, or better still neem and it gets rid of them

the Reuben blackberry....i wouldnt even bother unless you have space to waste!, I bought some years ago....sounded a good idea!,
get somthing like bedford giant, himalyan giant or oregon or merton thornlelss they all crop well..

Nobody had had much luck with them...

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...d-fruit-2.html

[Losos]

For the red berry mites, spray twice a week with oil such as sunflower, or better still neem and it gets rid of them

Thanks for the tip I'll definately try that.

I must say that actualy the first year crop was good, five canes with maybe 30 berries and all big & juicy. Just a shame that more than half the crop ruined by the dreaded 'Red Berry Mite' which I'm almost certain came from an old wild bramble on our back garden hedge. We've been attacking it and hope to have it out by winter but it's big and partly on our neighbours land as well.

I was really strugling to understand what the problem was but the guy at Pomona Fruits was very helpful and explained it all in great detail.