Should I prune my Autumn Bliss raspberries?

[Herbsandveg]

I have 7 Autumn Bliss raspberry canes that were planted in my fruit plot in April, and have just recently finished fruiting. The canes showed almost no growth at all in the first couple of months, but gradually grew very healthily, and now stand around 3-4ft high with plenty of shoots radiating out from each plant's base. The plants are neatly spaced around a framework of canes I erected prior to planting, and could be equally neatly fastened in to form a very healthy framework for next year, but would this be the right approach to take with them? I was wondering whether I should prune them at this stage and, if so, by how much? I'm really pleased with how these turned out and want to give them the best care I can muster, but what should I be doing at this stage? Could anyone help me, please?...

[rustylady]

You need to cut out the canes that carried fruit Herbs.

[Bigmallly]

I don't think they need cutting down till around Feb.

[Herbsandveg]

Pruning update...

You need to cut out the canes that carried fruit Herbs.

But when, and by how much, and do I give the other shoots a bit of a trim at the same time?......Thank you, though, for bringing me thus far...

[Herbsandveg]

I don't think they need cutting down till around Feb.

Thank you, Mally. Didn't see your reply at first before I replied to RustyLady
...

[Bigmallly]

Extract from RHS:


Autumn-fruiting raspberries

Cut back all the canes to ground level in February. Reduce the number of canes slightly in summer if they are very overcrowded.

[Herbsandveg]

Extract from RHS:


Autumn-fruiting raspberries

Cut back all the canes to ground level in February. Reduce the number of canes slightly in summer if they are very overcrowded.

All of 'em? ALL of 'em....Blinky neck!..

Thank you for that, anyway, Mally...(Even if it was a total surprise to me!)...

[Bigmallly]

Having never grown them, I would be tempted to wait till around Feb, see what they look like then decide if you want to leave the new growth...........By which time you may have more knowledge.

[veggiechicken]

Herby, I planted a dozen new Autumn Bliss raspberries this year. They sent up a few new stems, still in leaf, but didn't fruit. I'm going to leave them on the plant as it doesn't seem right to me to cut off their only little bit of growth. If there are new shoots coming up in spring, then I may take off this year's growth.
You don't have to do what I'm doing, because I don't always follow the book, just follow my instinct

[Nes]

Autumn rasps fruit on the current year's growth, so by cutting down this year's canes, you are making room for next year's canes and fruit. I've read elsewhere that Feb is the month to do it - before new growth starts. That said, I'm sure I read somewhere that if you leave this years canes alone, they will fruit earlier than otherwise, giving a more staggered harvest if you cut some and leave others. Not that I've tried this approach yet...

[Herbsandveg]

Blimey O'Riley!

Blimey, I'm more than a tad undecided now! Err...I think I'll resort to the usual approach when slightly flummoxed ie stick the kettle on and have another cup Yorkshire Tea!...

[Tripmeup]

My advice is the same as BM's.... Leave them until around February; works for me..

[Herbsandveg]

My advice is the same as BM's.... Leave them until around February; works for me..

Right, that settles it! (Until someone else says something else...)...

[bearded bloke]

I grow Autumn fruiting raspberries For Mrs.BB pruning as the others say should be in the Spring,the generally accepted approach is to trim all growth back to 6" (150mm if your a youngster ),but the advice note that came with the bare root plants (from T&M) said to cut back all (to 6") except the strongest stem & to cut that one back to 2ft (600mm),this single stem will then give an early crop & should be cut back to 6" when either it finishes fruiting or as soon as the new growth starts fruiting.

[Thelma Sanders]

I'll be chopping mine to the ground in the next few weeks, then they get a good weeding and a compost mulch. That's their winter blanket