Cutting Raspberries Back Now?

[Dez]

Hi Folks, I went to cut back my rasps (Rubus Idaeus 'Tulameen') to the ground as I have every year - just a little late this year. I noticed that the canes appear to be budding.

My questions are:

1) Should I leave them?

2) Are there varieties that you don't cut back

3) If I wanted to transplant to a new areas, is now a safe time to do it, and will it sacrifice this year's harvest?

Many thanks,

[Thelma Sanders]

Tulameen is a summer fruiting raspberry, so don't cut back too far if you want fruit this year.

You can dig them up with a good root ball to minimise any shock, replant quick as you can, being careful not to break too many stems f you want fruit this year.

[Alison]

If they're Autumn ones then by not cutting them back you get a smallish summer crop from last years stems but it will reduce the Autumn crop. I used to leave about 50% when I only had Autumn ones but now I have a lottie with a huge summer row I don't need to so would cut back now if I'd not already done it so the plant doesn't waste further energy. If they're summer ones then the stems will be he ones that fruit this year so leave well alone.

[WendyC]

The three suppliers I looked at had them listed as summer fruiting. So the only canes to prune out are the ones which fruited last summer. They will be very dead looking and brittle by now. The canes which grew last summer will fruit this summer, so don't prune them out.
All raspberries need pruning. You just remove the canes which have fruited.

[Kirk]

Tulameen are summer fruiting raspberries so you should not be cutting them back every year. The canes on those in effect get cut back every alternative year after the cane has fruited.

You will have to keep track of new canes, 1 year old canes and older canes (if any).

Half sounds that you really wanted Autumn fruiting ones, these you do cut back every year. If so try something like Polka or Joan J.

As they are sprouting new growth I would not suggest moving them at present, unless you want to relocate, prune and in effect start again from this year in a new bed (= no fruit this year from them).

[Alison]

Both types should be pruned every year and the easiest way to know what to do is prune the canes that have already fruited. This is easiest when he plants are still in the green as you can spot the younger growth without any difficulties. I thought summer ones would be difficult before I had any but actually they're a doddle.