Raspberry cane blight
Canes that leaf out in spring and then die suddenly, usually while carrying fruit. Dark patches appear near the base and the cane snaps cleanly when bent. It enters through wounds, so most of the prevention is about not making them.
Caused by: Leptosphaeria coniothyrium · also called cane blight
Described view
Raspberry canes in a row showing both causes: a cane with dark purple-brown lesions at the base splitting into papery bark with the growth above it stunted and wilting, and separately a cane whose new leaves are yellow between fine green veins while the cane itself is sound
What brings it on
Infects through damage at the base of canes — hoeing injuries, cane midge damage, wind rub against wires. Wet conditions favour it, and stressed or crowded plantings suffer most.
source
Sourced guidancehigh confidence
- Royal Horticultural Society: Raspberry cane blight
- Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board — AHDB: Cane fruit — cane diseases
Checked 2026-08-13
Usually seen: June, July, August
Preventing it
Ordered by how much difference each measure actually makes, not by how often it is repeated.
- Avoid damaging the base of canes. Hand-weed rather than hoeing around the row, and tie canes in so they do not chafe against wires.
source
Sourced guidancehigh confidence
- Royal Horticultural Society: Raspberry cane blight
Checked 2026-08-13
- Do not plant raspberries where raspberries have recently grown, and buy certified virus-free stock.
source
Sourced guidancehigh confidence
- Royal Horticultural Society: Raspberry cultivation
Checked 2026-08-13
- Thin canes to the recommended number per metre so air moves through the row and the remaining canes are strong.
source
Horticultural consensusmoderate confidence
- Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board — AHDB: Cane fruit — canopy management
Checked 2026-08-13
Dealing with it once it is there
- Cut affected canes out at ground level and remove them. Do not compost them in an open heap.
source
Sourced guidancehigh confidence
- Royal Horticultural Society: Raspberry cane blight
Checked 2026-08-13
What it affects
On sprays and treatments
GrowingHQ does not tell anyone what to apply, at what rate, or how often. Pesticide approvals differ by country, change without notice, and the product label is legally binding — it is also the document you are holding. What is described here is cultural and physical control, which is what a home grower can act on without a label in front of them.
Plant-specific guides
Where this is one of several causes that look alike on a particular plant, GrowingHQ publishes the differential rather than the general answer.