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How to prune black raspberries that arched over and rooted
loredo
Posts: 2
in Fruit & veg
Hi bramble lovers-
I started a bramble patch with black raspberries a few years ago. Last summer was its third summer, and its first with a yummy and productive batch of fruit. I pruned it as recommended in the early spring and early summer (I have a brambles pamphlet, and the AHS pruning book and the Fruit Gardener's Bible). Unfortunately, I was traveling a lot in the late summer and early fall, and neglected the patch. Several of the canes quickly grew long enough to arch over, in some cases with the tip reaching the ground and rooting. In late fall, in hasty prepping for the winter after the first hard frost, I did clear out old canes, but I didn't know what to do about the arches, esp. the ones that rooted, and I just left them.
Now it's early spring, and I don't know what to do with the long arches, esp. the ones with rooted tips. None of my resources cover this. I'm guessing I should prune back the large arches to a few feet tall. Is this right? And what about the rooted tips? Should I dig them up? Can I prune those arches so each end is now its own plant?
Have mercy on this repentant bramble neglecter, and guide me! I've provided an image below.
Thanks!
Tom
I started a bramble patch with black raspberries a few years ago. Last summer was its third summer, and its first with a yummy and productive batch of fruit. I pruned it as recommended in the early spring and early summer (I have a brambles pamphlet, and the AHS pruning book and the Fruit Gardener's Bible). Unfortunately, I was traveling a lot in the late summer and early fall, and neglected the patch. Several of the canes quickly grew long enough to arch over, in some cases with the tip reaching the ground and rooting. In late fall, in hasty prepping for the winter after the first hard frost, I did clear out old canes, but I didn't know what to do about the arches, esp. the ones that rooted, and I just left them.
Now it's early spring, and I don't know what to do with the long arches, esp. the ones with rooted tips. None of my resources cover this. I'm guessing I should prune back the large arches to a few feet tall. Is this right? And what about the rooted tips? Should I dig them up? Can I prune those arches so each end is now its own plant?
Have mercy on this repentant bramble neglecter, and guide me! I've provided an image below.
Thanks!
Tom
0
Posts
If you don't want them taking over your world, remove or pot up the newly rooted tips to chop up for compost, plant elsewhere or give away as you see fit. Blackberries are renowned for self propagation by layering, hence the proliferation of wild ones in hedgerows.
They're definitely black raspberries, purchased from a nursery. They are summer fruiting (I believe two different varieties).
It is obvious which ones fruited last year.. so prune those out now. Cut last year's growth where it has rooted into the ground, and then tie or weave it in along your wires so that it can fruit this year. If you have a bit growing back up from the tip rooting.. feel free to dig them up and transplant/give away. Or else just check them on the compost pile once they are dried and dead.