Raspberry Canes

[Welshie]

Hi all,

Took over a lotty in Jan 06 and had about 20 raspberry canes - pretty neglected ones at that.

Cut them all down to about 3-4 inches above ground and come summer they all grew on nicely. However not ONE produced any fruit!

I now don't know if they are summer or autumn ones and whether I did something dramatically wrong.

I'm on the verge of cutting them right down again but is that the right thing to do? How can you tell a summer from an autumn one??

Please help, as I love raspberries..................

Thanks,
Welshie

[PAULW]

Welshie
It sounds as if these are the summer fruiting type, these will fruit next summer on the canes that grew this summer after fruiting the canes that gave the fruit are the ones to prune at the end of the season,

[Alison]

I'd give them a vote for being summer ones too, as these fruit on the previous year's growth you mustn't cut them back or you'll be in the same situation as this year ie lovely growth but no fruit. Assuming we're right and they are summer ones (not just a bit shy!) then you should get a harvest next year. Fingers crossed and let us know.

On a related note, although you don't want to be cutting them back (apart from any damaged canes), you do want to be providing them with a support system - put a search in and you'll find quite a few posts relating to this, think Mrs Dobby started one a month or so ago. Good luck.

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Welshie!

It does sound like everyone else has already said that they may well be summer fruiting rasps, in which case they fruit on the previous years new growth, so dont cut them back this year at all! What I believe you do is cut back the limbs that have fruited the february after they have fruited, and leave the new limbs that have grown, as these will produce the fruit for the following year, clear enough?

The thread I started about rasps is located here

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ead.php?t=3367

I hope there may be at least a little helpful info on there!

[nick the grief]

Yep definately sounds like Summer fruiting Raspberries. Tie them in & they should fruit next summer. then you can cut the old canes out & tie in the new ones.

[Welshie]

Many thanks for your comments they are much appreciated.

I'll take your advice and leave well alone for this year and look forward to a bumper crop of my favourite fruit.

Is there anyway you can identify summer and autumn plants - not just the time they fruit of course?

Once again, thanks,

Welshie

[Lesley Jay]

Welshie this could just be me but I have found that summer fruiting varieties seem to have thinner canes than the autumn varieties. No doubt everyone will think LJ is mad!

[Alison]

I worked it out from the label on the canes when I bought them but probably not that much help for you..............................

[nick the grief]

............... No doubt everyone will think LJ is mad!

I didn't say anything

[Lesley Jay]

Oh blimey!! I walked straight into that one didn't I????

[Mrs Dobby]

A case of 'open mouth to change feet' methinks there LJ!!

Worried about NTG tho now, he doesnt usually take it so easy with such a good opening! lol!