The fruits of the blackberries are special in that they usually only ripen on the blackberry tendrils with a time delay from the end of July until autumn. Sometimes, however, it can also happen that the blackberries present do not want to ripen at all.

Often only parts of the blackberries are not ripe

It may seem strange to you that only certain parts of the blackberries on your blackberry plants do not want to ripen. This can be explained by the fact that blackberries, like raspberries, belong to the so-called aggregate drupes, whose fruits are composed of many individual fruiting bodies and seeds. If the blackberry gall mite sucks on individual fruiting bodies, only the affected parts will no longer mature. However, the remaining part of a blackberry fruit is usually no longer attractive for picking.

Manual countermeasures

An important measure to combat the blackberry gall mite in its winter hiding place is the pruning of the infested blackberry plants. The tendrils should be cut back as far as possible in autumn and the dried cuttings should be burned in a controlled manner. Only significantly smaller numbers of the mite can overwinter in the vicinity of the blackberry plants.

Spray with biological agents

Although chemical agents to combat the blackberry gall mite are available in specialist shops, they sometimes pollute the fruits intended for collection in summer. But there is also a spray that allows you to consume the fruit without hesitation after washing it. For this you need the following things:

  • a bottle of ordinary rapeseed oil
  • a spray bottle with a fine nozzle
  • some water to dilute the oil

Add just enough water to the rapeseed oil in the spray bottle to give it a sprayable consistency. Ideally, spray the young shoot tips of the blackberry tendrils with this liquid in spring. Blackberry gall mites that have been hit will die off without the plant or its fruits being affected by the oil.

tips and tricks

Pests can sometimes only be controlled for a short time in your own garden if they are constantly immigrating from neighboring gardens. If there are blackberry plants from neighbors near your blackberries, simply point out the problem with blackberry gall mites to the neighbors. He will probably be grateful to you for this information and the pests can be pushed back more comprehensively.

Category:

Vegetable garden