General Information
Raspberry canes are of the genus Rhubus. Their multifoliate leaves grow on a single cane that grows up from the roots of the parent plant. The canes can grow fairly tall and can be spiny or spine-free, depending on the variety. Each year the raspberry roots send up new shoots (or suckers) from the ground, which will be the fruiting cane for the following year (as the old cane is cut down). Raspberry canes produce fruit from June until the Autumn, depending on the variety. We despatch canes from November/December until March or April (depending on the season). They are sent bare root, and, unless specified, as standard canes which have been cut down to about 18 inches.
Summer fruiting raspberry canes will need to be tied to a wire for extra support and to protect from winds, when they are tall enough. They will not produce fruit in their first year of planting as the old cane is cut down, but you should expect fruit the following seasons on the new shoots that grow up from the ground. Autumn fruiting raspberry canes are primocanes and need treating slightly differently. They are shorter so do not need support wires and can be grown in a bed system rather than in rows. They also fruit on their first year canes. We can also supply long canes in most varieties which have not been trimmed down, and these will produce fruit on that cane in their first season. They will, however, need plenty of extra care to help them establish and fruit, and postage costs will be considerably more.
We contract grow high grade raspberry canes for the NSA in isolated fields, and then plant stock from these fields into our own propagation beds. The bed of canes is dug through the winter months, with some remaining root material left to produce canes for the following year. The canes are despatched from November, or December for autumn raspberry canes, until March/April (depending on the season). We offer a selection of different varieties, both organically and conventionally grown, so you can choose the characteristics that suit you best.
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Planting
LOCATION AND SOIL
Raspberry canes prefer well-drained loamy soils or lighter well-watered soils. They will not like heavy, clay soils that are not free-draining, so try growing in a raised bed or ridge to aid drainage in these situations. Neutral pH soils suit the canes best, although they can survive in a moderately acidic soil better than some plants. They are best planted in full sun to aid fruit ripening, but a more shady position is also suitable. As the canes can grow quite tall, thought should be given to protection from strong winds.
PREPERATION
Prepare an area of ground with well-turned soil, down a spades depth, in rows 5-6 feet apart (1.7+ metres). Allow enough room for canes to be planted 18 inches (45 cm) apart. Compost can be mixed into the soil during the preparation stage, but as the canes do not like too much moisture held around their roots, we do not recommend putting too much wet compost or fresh FYM directly around or in a trench under the roots. As they are very shallow rooting, it is better to mulch the canes after planting.
SUPPORT
Summer fruiting canes will need to be supported. This can be done with poles of about 2 metres in length, placed well in the ground at the end of each row. Support wires can then be secured between the poles, and the canes tied loosely to the wires. Autumn fruiting canes should not need support.
PLANTING METHOD
Dig a trench about 5-6 inches (12-15cm) deep and place the canes at 18 inch (45 cm) intervals. Fill back the trench and firm the soil down very well around the canes, ensuring that the top of the root is 2 inches (5 cm) below ground level. Do not plant them too deep. Water well while establishing, but do not saturate. The ground surface can be covered in a light mulch after planting and renewed each spring, but try to keep it away from the cane base, and do not dig in as roots near the surface will be damaged. Autumn varieties need not be planted in rows, as they grow in a bed system, with the original canes planted 24 inches (60cm) apart. Each cane will spread outwards from the original cane, so after 2-3 years you should have a bed of canes around 2 metres wide - so leave them plenty of room!
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Fruiting and Cropping
PRUNING AND CARE
In their first summer (at the end of May or early June) standard canes (not long canes) should be cut down to about 2 inches (5cm) above ground level. This is to encourage new canes to emerge, and helps a strong root base to form to produce strong canes in the future. Long canes should produce fruit in their first season, and do not need to be cut down in their first summer. Each year thereafter, the fruiting cane can be cut down at the end of the season after fruiting, to encourage new cane growth for following year. Take care not to damage the new cane growth that will emerge from the ground within a few feet from the existing canes.
Autumn Bliss and Autumn Treasure are primocanes and fruit on their first year canes. The canes do not need wire supports and grow well in a bed system. The fruited canes should be cut off at about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above ground level in early spring (February) to allow new fruiting canes to emerge. Some canes can be left long for earlier fruiting, although new cane growth may not be as vigorous as a result.
POLLINATION
Raspberry Canes are self-pollinating, and do need the aid of bees and other insects to pollinate.
FRUIT PROTECTION
Birds will try to get their share of your raspberry fruits. There are various methods to help prevent this, like netting and bird scarers, or you may want to invest in a fruit cage.
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Pests and Disease
Raspberry canes are susceptible to attacks from both aphid and soil nematode borne viruses, so it is important to start with clean PHPS certified stocks and a clean site. We also find that garlic sprays are generally good at deterring insects from visiting the plants.
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Feeding and Watering
Raspberry Canes will not like it too dry, so keep them watered (but not saturated) in dry weather. They may also benefit from some organic fertiliser scattered on the ground in the spring, followed by a ½ - 1 inch (1 - 2.5 cm) mulch of well rotted farm-yard manure or compost.
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