Raspberries?

[fruit&vegvirgin]

hi there, I've got 3 raspberry canes coming soon. I'm confused about how much support they will need - should I grow them in a triangle up canes and wires, or will they be ok against a wall?

[Lesley Jay]

They don't actually need any support. Most of the plot holders at my allotments just grow them unsupported. However I like things to be tidy. I have a double row of raspberries with wooden stakes at intervals with metal loops on them. Then I run a wire through the loops and when the raspberries are full of fruit and heavy they lean on the wires. I hope that is clear - not easy to explain!

[fruit&vegvirgin]

thanks Lesley - me, I'm more of the free and easy (ok, untidy, not to mention lazy!) school, so unsupported it is for me!

[sewer rat]

to support or not to support ?

Hi FVV
There is an article in this months GYO about growing rasp canes in a pot - they reckon that it depends on whether the rasps are summer or autumn fruiting. Good luck - and I can relate to the free and easy school too !
Cheers
Rat

[fruit&vegvirgin]

I'll look out for that rat, have just subscribed!

[poultrychat]

Hi fruit&vegvirgin,

Generally it is the autumn raspberries that don't need support

[Lesley Jay]

I only grow the autumn varieties.

[andrewo]

Canes

I just use bamboo canes, just to keep them flopping over in the wind and that way I can grow herbs beneath and other things. It also makes it vastly more easier when picking and stops the canes from interwining with each other. Also bamboo canes are so cheap.

Andrewo

[FoxHillGardener]

I use those metal spiral supports for my summer fruiters. Hold them up lovely they do.