I received my free raspberry canes from GW magazine (I think) in the post today. They are bare root, sealed in a plastic bag. My question is, what do I do with them now? Are they ok to be put into the allotment now, even though there are frosts about? Should I pot them up in compost and keep them in the unheated greenhouse?
Quote from: PJW_Letchworth on January 23, 2009, 00:11:33
I received my free raspberry canes from GW magazine (I think) in the post today. They are bare root, sealed in a plastic bag. My question is, what do I do with them now? Are they ok to be put into the allotment now, even though there are frosts about? Should I pot them up in compost and keep them in the unheated greenhouse?
If they look really dry in the bag open it and sprinkle with a bit of water.
I would wait until the ground is free of frost (even if its just temporary) then dig them in. They are really tough and will not mind frost
after they are planted.
Keep them as they are in the unheated greenhouse until you can plant them - I would not put them in a warmer place as they might start to grow prematurely and then any soft new growth might get damaged by a late frost.
Cut back any stems that you think have already fruited:
"New canes grow up from the perennial rootstock and produce fruit in their second season. Cut back canes after fruiting and tie in new growth for fruiting in the following year. "
I was going to ask about this, too. I have some fruit canes from Homebase (blackcurrant, gooseberry, tayberry) which have fat rootballs in compost, wrapped in plastic, and have a few leaf buds on the stems.
I also have some of the dry raspberry canes already mentioned - same freebie deal!
With the former, should I make sure that the rootballs stay moist? I don't have the bed ready for them yet and it could be another week before I get them in the ground. Should I pot them up in the interim, or leave them wrapped and waiting?
Likewise, with the dry raspberry canes - how long can they wait?
if it was me, I'd soak the raspberries overnight in a bucket then heel them in 'til I could plant them :)
I'm with manics. Heel 'em in.
Mine arrived today too. My four year old got all excited and had to open the "big parcel". He was very disappointed - "What you want sticks for mummy?" he said ;D
Hehe, Pippy! It was good, wasn't it? Great big brown paper parcel about 3 feet long - with a few gnarly sticks in it... :D
Thanks for the advice, peeps. I'll heel in the raspberries tomorrow as you suggest. What do you think about the blackcurrants etc, with the rootballs? Same?
Thanks for the info everyone. I think I'll have to put them in the greenhouse as the bed on the plot isn't ready yet.
:o I think I must have missed this Gardener's World offer :'(
Try this ....
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/plants1/product/pwr85489/1.html/?oc=GWRW;RA=gwmx
I think you may still be able to order if you are quick?
Thanks Pippy :D
Just ordered! thanks :)
I already have 1 pot of autumn bliss raspberries - can someone confirm that I need to cut all the canes down to the ground? Don't want to do it and find out that I shouldn't have done!!
Becs
Yes cut autumn fruiting raspberries down. They fruit on this years stems!
Old Bird
;D
I initially ordered two lots of canes then when reading the advert again, it stated only one freebie per person. I thought I'd just wasted a couple of quid on postage but to my surprise, two lots turned up. Incidentally, did anyone elses postie cram them through the letterbox? My father also bought some for me so now I have 9 canes! Happy days ! Just got to stop the pesky birds stealing the fruit!
Thanks 'old bird' :)
Quote from: PJW_Letchworth on January 26, 2009, 14:05:50
I initially ordered two lots of canes then when reading the advert again, it stated only one freebie per person. I thought I'd just wasted a couple of quid on postage but to my surprise, two lots turned up. Incidentally, did anyone elses postie cram them through the letterbox? My father also bought some for me so now I have 9 canes! Happy days ! Just got to stop the pesky birds stealing the fruit!
Yes, I must have the same postie as you. Mine were also crammed through the letterbox ::)
Jo.
I've 'heeled in' the bare-rooted raspberry canes, as advised. Should I do the same with the ones that have root balls? (Currently the root balls are wrapped in plastic and I think still have some moisture in them, judging by the weight.)
Quote from: hellohelenhere on January 26, 2009, 18:55:09
I've 'heeled in' the bare-rooted raspberry canes, as advised. Should I do the same with the ones that have root balls?
Yep!! ;)