Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Autumn Fruiting Raspberry Issue

TraTra Posts: 38
in Problem solving
Hello,
Last year I planted Joan J canes (autumn fruiting). They harvested exceptionally well with large juicy berries. 
However, this year there seems to be an issue - the berries that have formed are very small and there seems to be discoloration on the canes and leaves and I was wondering if this could explain why the berries are so small and scant.
I attach a picture...leaves green at top but lots of dry leaves at base upwards....last year the lines were thick and full - this year scant and not looking to great.
Photo shows a section but this is similar to a number of the canes.
I have read it could be cane blight or root rot......
If this is the case would i need to dig them out? I planted them last year!
Many thanks


Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    It might be that the hot weather we had back in Spring was too much for newish plants to cope with. They do like lots of water. I don't think it's too serious, I would just cut off the brown leaves and/or canes and keep them well watered, especially during this present very hot spell.
    If it's any consolation, my raspberries aren't doing very well this year either!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • TraTra Posts: 38
    Thanks Lizzie, we've had quite a lot of rainfall this week and I checked the raspberries this morning and they seem to be much happier and have fruited more with some berries a little larger but not as large as they were last year - i think you could be right ref the spring heat impacting them - thanks so much - would you feed your raspberries?
  • SuesynSuesyn Posts: 664
    Last year my summer fruiting raspberries were pathetic, the plants looked like your Joan J @Tra and we had no fruit from them. I just watered and then mulched with home made compost and left them to get on with it and this year they have been fine. I suppose its unrealistic of me to expect them to produce consistent volumes of fruit when growing conditions can be so variable.
    Our autumn fruiting raspberries are Polka, they are on the allotment and never get watered as we have to take any water from home and at the moment we're picking about 500grams every day from the oringal 10 canes we planted about 4 years ago. 
  • TraTra Posts: 38
    Thanks Sue - I'll start mulching with compost - it does seem to be a strange time for raspberries - mine are so young so was a bit puzzled but as you say the season can be so variable - Polka sound like a good variety - have to say in their first year Joan J produced spectacular results and I suppose I shouldn't expect a repeat performance so soon - thanks so much!

  • SuesynSuesyn Posts: 664
    When we lived in our previous house I bought fruit trees and raspberry canes from a specialist local nursery. I was guided by them as to which varieties they recommended and duly planted them carefully following the instructions. The summer fruit ones did fine but the 'autumn' fruiting never produced any fruit at all. After about three years I discovered that they weren't actually autumn fruiting but late summer and by cutting them all down in February I had been preventing them from fruiting. I now do my own research before I prune anything as different varieties of the same plant can need different treatment (clematis being one that immediately springs to mind). 
  • SlrinstallationsSlrinstallations Posts: 8
    Hi I’m living in Spain and we get a very tiny insect that causes this type of damage called spider mites they end up with a very fine web but are difficult to see I use a magnifying glass 
Sign In or Register to comment.