Hi Tui, we have had a good raspberry crop this year but still have had many partially formed or deformed fruits, as in the photos. Any suggestions please? Thanks.

Hi Bob, there could be several reasons for partially formed fruit. It can be caused by incomplete pollination, a sudden change in temperature and inconsistent watering. If the weather is cold, wet and windy the bees do not fly and this affects pollination. High temperatures can also affect fruit formation, and if the plant dries out at any stage,  fruit quality will be affected. Another cause could be dry berry caused by mildew. Remove the partially formed fruit as they won't come to much. Feed your raspberry canes with Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic regularly which will help the plants cope with temperature fluctuations - hot and cold. Mix 30ml in a 9L watering can and apply around the plants. Apply garden mulch around your berries such as Tui Mulch & Feed, to help conserve soil moisture. Water regularly and consistently throughout the growing season. Fertilise your berries in spring when they start flowering and again when they have finished fruiting with a fertiliser that is high in potassium (K) such as Tui Novatec Premium fertiliser, this helps with fruit formation and flavour. If you suspect mildew is causing the problem improve air circulation around your plants and talk to your local garden centre about a suitable control. Have you checked your berries for caterpillars? That could also be the cause of deformed fruit. Ask your local garden centre for a suitable control if you can see any caterpillar evidence. The Tui Team.