Pest & Disease Control for Jostaberry Plants
Every plant has the future potential for disease and insect damage. Factors such as location and weather will play a part in which issues your plants encounters. If available, disease-resistant varieties are the best option for easy care; and for all types of plants, proper maintenance (such as watering, pruning, spraying, weeding, and cleanup) can help keep most insects and diseases at bay.
NOTE: This is part 7 in a series of 10 articles. For a complete background on how to grow jostaberry plants, we recommend starting from the beginning.
Aphids
They are the size of a pinhead and vary in color depending on the species. Clusters on stems and under leaves, sucking plant juices. Leaves then curl, thicken, yellow and die. Produce large amounts of a liquid waste called “honeydew”. Aphid sticky residue becomes a growth media for sooty mold.
Control
- Consult County Extension Agent
Cane Borers
Small white grubs that bore into stems, causing wilting of the upper portion of the cane. Adult is a long-horned beetle. Larvae indicated by sawdust.
Natural Control
- Prune below the wilted tip and destroy the affected part.
Other Control Options
- Consult County Extension Agent
Red Spider Mites
Pinpoint size, many different colors. Found on undersides of leaves. Severe infestations have some silken webbing. Sap feeding causes bronzing of leaves.
Control
- Consult County Extension Agent