Double Cropping autumn fruiting raspberries

twopenny

Because I had fruits right into November and then the weather was so wet I couldn't get to them I haven't pruned Autumn Bliss.

Thought I'd get to it this dry week but the old canes they are producing leaves and perfectly healthy while I have some new mostly weedy looking canes growing.

Just looking this up I came across double cropping.

Is this worth trying or will I weaken the new canes? On the other hand more leaves with both maybe it would strengthen the new canes?

Should I feed if I keep both? I've got growmore and blood fish and bone. Also some Phostregon.

Only ever had summer fruiting before and that was straightforward. Old canes died so had to come out.

Farway

I did try double cropping, maybe not as expertly as I should've, but although it worked my guess is I had that year's crop spread over a couple of months instead of a good crop over a few weeks in the Autumn

It was OK for me because I only ever wanted a handful on my breakfast but if expecting two lots of jam making then could be disappointed, or plant double the number of canes?

Bit like a fruit tree, you'll only get X pounds of fruit off it, your choice if you thin & get fewer but large apples or loads of small 'uns

My canes have more or less died out now, just the odd escapee pops up in the lawn grass at times

I have read they all succumb to virus in the end

RAS

Yes to double cropping, although my autumn raspberries did not like last spring's drought, and I couldn't lug enough water.
I find they come in towards the end of the summer ones, then there's a short break before the new canes fruit. They keep going until after the first frost (which kills the flowers) or until the wet renders the fruit manky.

twopenny

Wonderful thanks. Nice to know it's a real thing.

I tend to nibble a handful at breakfast or when I'm working in the garden so don't need huge crops but continuous so it sounds perfect.

I'll clip off the top bit that fruited and see what turns up.

terry2

I used this system for many years in my previous house (as I recall it is called the american system).  However you do put more strain on the plants, so you need to make sure you add lots and lots of compost and fertiliser.  I used to get enough fruit during the second (summer) fruiting that I eventually gave up growing summer fruiting raspberries.

twopenny

I have finally got a second shoot growing from the base of the canes so next year shouldn't be a problem. Famous last words!

Also 'runners' popping up. I'm wondering if I can sever these when big enough and replant of if they won't crop?

I used to do it all the time in my old place with summer fruiters but the produce wasn't that good. I think that may have been the soil though and lack of attention from me.

I'd be interested to know

Farway

twopenny said:

I have finally got a second shoot growing from the base of the canes so next year shouldn't be a problem. Famous last words!

Also 'runners' popping up. I'm wondering if I can sever these when big enough and replant of if they won't crop?

I used to do it all the time in my old place with summer fruiters but the produce wasn't that good. I think that may have been the soil though and lack of attention from me.

I'd be interested to know

I've relocated the runners and it works, which I suppose is how nurseries propagate them?

Returning to the "not as good" though I do wonder if, like strawberries virus or disease gets to them in the end and best clear out & start again?

twopenny

Thanks farway. Only way to find out is to try.
Lovely plump ones last year and I kinda liked that. I have time to pay them more attention now I have a smaller garden and no social life lol.

twopenny

Well the veg bed is now over run with raspberry canes new and old.
I picked the first 2 yesterday even though they are Autumn bliss!
Where I cut a third off last years canes to show which were the old ones I have multiple fruiting shoots. The new canes will be later but have buds already.
So far so good.

Slinky

We've got Joan J which had a very good crop last Autumn for their first year. I've got a few coming along for summer fruiting and all the signs that the Autumn crop should be good with lots of new canes popping up.