Raspberry Help

[lfcjohn]

i have some raspberry canes on the allotment i have just taken over, they are about 3ft tall and are starting to bud. i don't know if they are summer or autumn fruiting and was wondering if any could tell me should i prune them down or just let them go for this year
many thanks

[Hazel at the Hill]

Personally, LFC, I have no idea, so it's just as well that there are so many rather more knowledgeable grapes on the Vine - just wanted to say hellooooooo and welcome - do enjoy your stay!

[Nicos]

Hello LFC- welcome to the Vine!!
I'd leave them cos I think that that is this years fruiting growth.

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi LFC!

I'd suggest leaving them alone this year and see what happens!

Rasps come in 2 main types, summer fruiting (which fruit on last years growth, so you dont cut them back in spring, but do cut back the fruited growth AFTER they have fruited in late autumn, leaving the new canes that have sprung up to fruit the following year) and Autumn fruiting, which need to be cut back each late winter (Feb) as they fruit on this years growth!

If you arent sure which type you have got, then leave them alone and see what happens, if they fruit early, then they are summer fruiting, and you can mark them (tie a coloured tie onto the ones that fruit early to identify them) and cut back those canes that have fruited come the autumn, and if they dont fruit or fruit late, then they are autumn fruiting, so tie another coloured tag onto them and cut back in feb next year.

It probably means you may not get a great harvest this year, but should mean you know whats what for next year and get a good crop then!

Hope this is of help!

Oh, and a warm welcome to the madhouse! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

[Cyberus]

I was going to ask the same question!

I'll start a new thread though, in the hope I can elicit some fresh responses

[NEWTO THE PLOT]

I too have the very same puzzel as cyberus and lfcjohn just never got round toposting question yet but i think what msD said is making good sence and unless some proves it wrong thats gonna be my course of action.