Rampant Raspberries

Ado · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:53 pm Post subject: Rampant Raspberries

Hi

I planted 3 raspberry plants in mid 2010, approx 2 feet apart. I was out of the country for much of late last year and this year, and by now the plants have grown into one monster plant, about 6 feet long and 2-3 wide. Canes are about 3-4 feet long. Photo attached.
They fruited earlier in the Summer so I think that they might be early-fruiting but I can't get near to them to find a label and confirm this.
Any advice as to how and when to prune these plants would be much appreciated, before they take over the entire allotment.

Ado

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:56 pm Post subject:

if they fruited in Summer then the canes tha have fruited should be cut out now or when the leaves have dropped off. The canes that grew this year will fruit next year.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

walltoall · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:38 am Post subject: Rampant Raspberries

Adding to Ml. Brenock's advice, I used to grow lots of raspberries years ago in NS rows about four feet apart. I maintained the walks with a motor mower and had a highly organised system. Yours are out of control because raspberries send out their roots in all directions and whenever they feel like it send up a shoot. it's the nature of the plant. In your restricted space, I'd be in there with a clippers and a secateurs right now wickedly cutting back the growth into a line. Also, yours will already be migrating next door and any other doors they can reach. Fun times ahead. I have seen raspberries controlled by underground shuttering, long time ago, can't remember how deep, probably about 18" to 2' I'd imagine. You'll be fighting these for the foreseeable future.

michael brenock · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 10:47 am Post subject:

i should have added tha if t5here was no fruit on the canes tthis summer it may indicate a virus is present which causes over vigorous growth of canes nand no fruit. If that is the case then the only solution is digging out the whole lot.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

Ado · Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 7:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks to you both for your advice.

Looking at your 2nd posting Michael, there was very little fruit this Summer, esp given the amount of growth so maybe I do have that virus.

Anything I can do to prevent it happening again if I put in new plants?

And can I compost these plants if I dig them up?

Every answer I get seems to generate more questions!

Thanks again

Adrienne

michael brenock · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 9:55 pm Post subject:

if there was no fruit and if the canes were healthy in the spring there should have been fruit. If there are old canes peesent that did not fruit then the chances are high that you have a virus present and there is no cure but dig them out and replace them
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)