Small raspberry fruits

[Free as a Bird]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone tell me why my Autumn Bliss raspberries are producing masses of very small, coarse fruits (i.e. with large drupelets) that almost fall apart when picked? It's particularly annoying because all my allotment neighbours seem to have the usual large berries on the same variety. As far as I know I do all the right things - cutting them down in late winter etc.

I'd be really grateful for any advice.

THANKS!

[Free as a Bird]

[Free as a Bird]

P.S. Apologies if this has been raised before - I did search but it's a huge topic!

Thanks again 

[macmac]

I had the same conversation with another plotholder yesterday. It's the first year it's happened 

[Deb P]

Mine got smaller and smaller and then just failed to come up at all this year despite regular feeding and mulching...? they are just getting a bit long in the tooth?

[saddad]

Virus perhaps? Some of mine do it too... 

[Free as a Bird]

Thanks everyone - I think old age may be the problem. And for the raspberries too...

[Robert_Brenchley]

It could well be virus. Replace the canes, and that'll probably solve it.

[caroline7758]

Now that my Joan J, new this year, have started fruiting with lovely big, healthy fruit, it's made me realise that my Autumn bliss are running out of steam, too.

[goldendaisy123]

My raspberries are doing the same - how long do Autumn raspberry canes last?

[tricia]

my Autumn bliss are running out of steam, too.

My Autumn Bliss have run out of steam too after about 7 or 8 years. They will be replaced with Joan J once the A.B. roots have been removed and the area built up to make a raised bed with the used contents of this year's pots and home-made compost - not something I can do myself - so a job someone else will be doing for me!

Tricia

[KittyKatt]

They might be hungry and they may have also been thirsty before the recent rain. I've got Autumn bliss and I had the same problem earlier this year. I grow them in raised beds approx 1m x2m. They got very dry this summer, so I gave them a good drink (about 4 gallons of water per sq metre) and also gave them an extra feed with a handful of slow release ericaceous feed per sq m and also a handful of growmore per sq m. A month later I have a good crop of huge tasty raspberries!
Hope this helps
KittyKatt

[Free as a Bird]

Thank you to everyone who's replied. KittyKat you could have a point about hunger and thirst - I do tend to take my raspberries for granted and neglect them a bit while cossetting everything else. This year was very hot and dry as you say. Glad you had success with yours!

I think I'll replace the canes anyway and look after them a bit better.

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP.