Raspberry Canes

[anton002]

I planted out my canes about 4 weeks ago (autumn fruiting ones ) but there is no sign of life atall ,they where pruned to about 10-12" should i cut them down to 2 inches to promote new growth from the roots?

Any input much appreciated
Thanks

[Martin H]

It's their first year so they will be slow to start. My established ones are only just showing a bit of green this week.

I don't think it will make much difference whether you cut them down or not, but you don't want the plants to make much growth from the old canes once they do start. There's a risk the plants will try to produce an early crop from the old canes so don't let them. You want all the energy to go into the new canes that will fruit this autumn.

[anton002]

Thanks Martin

I will give them abit longer and may scratch the stems to make sure they are not brown under the bark,so once i see new canes should i cut the old cane right back to the ground ?

[Martin H]

The stems might already be dead but that doesn't mean the roots are too.

You can cut the stems to an inch or two now, or you can wait until growth starts, or you can just leave them. Raspberries are tough.

[BUFFS]

just make sure they are planted nice and deep to allow the lowest buds to grow and put out their own root systems, and it is still early for growth given our recent weather so let nature do things at its own speed..

[Jay22]

Mine were really late last year too, I had almost given up hope and all of a sudden the green leaves started to appear.

[Gillykat]

Thanks for the info - I just planted my nine canes today. They're about 12 inches long and been in pots of compost overwintering in the polytunnel. A couple have signs of green buds but all have new roots beginning so I think they'll be ok.

I'll just keep them pampered this first summer and not expect too much I've still got some established canes next to the greenhouse which are good fruiters

[vixylix]

ah this makes me feel better - my new canes were planted a few months back and all except one are showing no signs of growth whatsoever. One of them popped up a lovely green stem back in early feb - but this is now looking rather brown and shrivelled. I'm hoping they will kick back in to life soon!!

[Gillykat]

We'll probably be cursing their rampant growth in a few months' time as they threaten to swamp the rest of our beds

[vixylix]

here's hoping!

[BUFFS]

Thanks for the info - I just planted my nine canes today. They're about 12 inches long and been in pots of compost overwintering in the polytunnel. A couple have signs of green buds but all have new roots beginning so I think they'll be ok.

I'll just keep them pampered this first summer and not expect too much I've still got some established canes next to the greenhouse which are good fruiters

no need for pampering, they are as tough as old boots, planted deep, in good, fertile soil with some posts and wires to tie them to, you will find you will be digging up offshoots everywhere as they like to spread. I put a 2ft deep barrier down around mine to contain the escape committee. in the winter only cut the fruited stems to the ground, and tie in the unfruited ones onto the wires (these always look fresh and fruited stems look tatty and worn out) to hold them steady through the winter, these will fruit earlier next year and just as these are finishing the ground cut ones will be starting to produce, giving you a crop time from the start of july to the frosts in November/December. I have done this for over 8yrs now and have no problems so go for it and good luck..