raspberrys

[tomatoada]

How high do Autumn Bliss raspberrys grow?  I have been told they are self supporting by one friendly gardener but advised they need supporting by another.   Any info.welcome.

[tomatoada]

[mat]

How high do Autumn Bliss raspberrys grow?  I have been told they are self supporting by one friendly gardener but advised they need supporting by another.   Any info.welcome.

Hi Maggie

I planted Autumn Bliss in my garden 13 years ago now.  Mine reguarily grow to 5ft tall (occasionally 6) and found they do need very light support - i.e. they are next to a fencing panel and I place one length of string around them from fencing panel to fencing panel (at about a height of 3.5-4ft) to stop them falling forward too much.  Other than that and cutting them down to the ground in spring (as soon as they show signs of growth) I do nothing but pick and eat them.  They are yummy; you have bought a good variety.

They wouldn't totally collapse if I didn't place the string in front of them, but they do fall forward slightly and when heavy with fruit the tops end up doubled over..

mat

[derbex]

I didn't support mine this year, but next year I think I will, no fence but otherwise the same as mat rune a rope or 2 around to 4 posts/sticks.  It's more to stop them flopping about and to keep them off the ground than anything.

Jeremy

[chrispea27]

I totally agree with the others.Only support to keep them off paths when heavy with fruit. They do seem not to like heavy rain at all most of the fruit going moudy in these sort of conditions.

[jonny211]

Hiya,

I've inherited some raspberry stalks when I took on my first plot (only this weekend!). Do I need to do anything with them before they start growing back?

Also can they be transplanted to another part of the plot or don't they like being moved?

Many thanks.

Jon

[sandersj89]

Pruning depends on whether they are autumn or summer fruiting. I only grow autumn fruiting and these you cut back to ground level in November to January, the fruit is borne on the new growth each year.

Summer fruiting need different treatment.

If moving them prepare the ground well, add lots of manure and move when the plants are dormant, such as now. The sooner the better as the new buds will soon be starting to show.

Jerry

[grawrc]

Summer fruiting canes bear fruit on the canes produced last season, so if they are summer rasps and you chop them down you'll get no - or very little -  fruit. Autumn bearing fruit on this season's canes so need the old ones chopped right back about now.

If you can't decide which they are I would chop back anyway. If you get no fruit (or very little) in summer they're summer rasps. If you get a good crop they're autumn rasps. Then treat accordingly.

[jonny211]

Many thanks, I think the gentlemen on the plots next to mine must've cut them back to near ground level as my plot has been vacant for a while. I'm guessing that makes them Autumn bearing.

Trouble is with my lack of experience I didn't know they were raspberries until the site manager pointed them out to me  ;)

Thanks again.

Jon