Raspberries.

caboroig

My plants are in their third year and this years new canes are some eight feet tall. I can only net them to six feet and wonder if chopping two feet off will cause any problems. Any advise appreciated.

oliveoyl

I thought you were supposed to cut them all right back around Oct/Nov time, to about 12" every year.

Here you go: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingraspberries2.shtml

nodwah

Are they summer or autumn fruiting?

either way oliveoyls right chop the canes that fruited right down and tidy up the new ones for the coming season.

wearside_2

You can safely chop this years new canes down to 6 feet. They will still fruit as normal.

In respect of the other replies, the canes that are chopped down to 12" are the ones that have fruited that year, not the new canes as they do not fruit until the year after they have grown!

jabba4

In respect of the other replies, the canes that are chopped down to 12" are the ones that have fruited that year, not the new canes as they do not fruit until the year after they have grown!

That's summer fruiting raspberries. Autumn fruiting raspberries need cutting down to the base every year after they've finished fruiting (January/February time).





As an aside, when you cut the tops off the canes, plant the top 12" or so of the 'cut-off' cane. You'll gain a load more plants for nothing. It's better than throwing them away.

caboroig

Thank you all for your help. Looks like I`ll have even more plants this year.

jennyo

I really pruned both autumn and summer fruiting Rasps last year and got the best crop ever, so have done the same this year, will just have to wait and see, didn't know about planting the top bit though but will do it next time I cut them back.