Autumn Britten Raspberries

[dvdstdh]

I started a couple of rows of Autumn Britten Raspberries after reading much rave reviews about them. They have been a big disappointment. They have white spots on them. also very mushy and very tart. I bought the plants from a highly rated nursury. Anyone out there have experience with this variety? I would appreciate your comments. Thank you so much. We live in West Central Minnesota

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum. Glad you are here.

I do not have any experience with those so I will not venture a guess. I don't know where you are located or what kind of weather you had this fall. My weather was wet, cool, and very little sun. I am not using this fall as typical for my area so I will withhold judgment on several things I tried for my fall garden. Practically nothing worked the way it should have, probably more from the lack of sunshine than the excess rain.

 

[4grandbabies]

I would definately contact the nursery where they were purchased! I suspect tat ridgerunners suggestion about this years weather could be a factor. Most nurserys are very willing to discuss any problens you have with their plants, especially the first year.

 

[dvdstdh]

thanks for the replies. I am planning on contacting the nursery after the holidays. We did have a very difficult growing season up here in Minnesota. Cold spring, dry cool summer and a very wet fall. Tough conditions. I am also wondering if there is a possibility they sent me the wrong variety because everthing I had read about this variety was very positive. We will see. Thanks people. dvdstdh:/:rainbow-sun

 

[Lavender2]

Welcome to TEG, dvdstdh! ...

I have considered adding some ever-bearing raspberries.... have grown June/Summer-bearing for several years.
I have also been checking out Autumn Britten, for it's sweet firm fruit... agree with the suggestions to check out the possibility of yours being mislabeled.
(Always be sure to pick at prime ripeness... over-ripe berries will be mushy, under-ripe will be tart or sour.)

White spots on the berries can be caused by a couple of things, but most likely 'white drupelet disorder' (if the white spots were on the 'sun' side of the fruit) This is caused by hot or very sunny days while the fruit is forming or starting to ripen. It is just a pigment problem and does not affect the flavor or quality, they just don't like as nice. I have noticed this occasionally on mine, even during what we consider cool weather...

Stink bugs can cause white (sometimes dry or tough) spots in a random pattern all over the berry.... check to see if spots are also on berries not exposed to the sun, shaded by leaves and on the north sides of the plants.

Good luck with your berry patch! It's one of my favorite things to grow... and jam ... and munch on while working in the garden!

 

[Rosalind]

I have Autumn Britten in Massachusetts, and mine turned out great despite the cool summer--although you said yours was dry? Ours was very soggy and cold.

I suspect mislabeling as well though, because my Autumn Brittens were definitely NOT tart at all, even when picked seriously under-ripe in anticipation of a hard freeze. Even the ones I picked after the hard freeze did not come out mushy.