Root Rot

Wilting and death of canes or branches appears in early spring through late summer, often coinciding with warm, dry spells. Leaves on infected stems turn yellow or bronze, develop scorch symptoms, and wilt before the canes die. When you excavate the root system, you'll find most larger-diameter roots are dead with sharp color transitions from healthy white or bright-green wood to reddish-brown rotted tissue. In low-lying areas of plantings, you may see disease pockets where multiple plants fail together.

Root rot caused by Phytophthora thrives in poorly drained soils, so drainage is everything. Never plant in wet sites or areas with hardpan; if you must garden in heavy clay, build raised beds at least 12 inches high and amend with compost or bark mulch to improve aeration. Use certified disease-free planting stock and never reuse soil from previous plantings of small fruits. Once plants show symptoms, there's no chemical cure, so removing severely infected specimens protects healthy plants nearby.