Bex, indeed they can! They were my first foray into growing fruit about 12 yrs ago. I only had a concrete yard, so tried some in 2 large pots. I went on hol for 2 wks that yr and asked a friend to water them. She did so every day, with the feeder jar on the hose, and I came back to a veritable jungle that yr, and loads of raspberries. They were Autumn (primocane) ones, and have moved with me every time. They have had a permanent spot in a real fruit cage now for 4 yrs, and still give me loads. Think I got about 5lbs that first yr from 2 pots. Got about 20lbs last yr, right up into Nov, but the last few weren't very nice or juicy so the birds got them! Have a go. The primocanes don't get so big or need as much support as the summer ones (though I didn't know that then!). And if you only cut half right back and trim the rest, you get a smaller early crop from the 2nd yr canes! Great! But bet you won't leave enough for jam!Oops, don't know how I made this italic. Sorry!
...more on fertilisers, Steven: if you have soft fruit (such as delicious raspberries) they love potash - which just happens to occur in wood ash. So if you have a bonfire (organic purists would shudder), fireplace etc., just shovel some on about now and let the rain wash it in. Potassium helps flower and hence fruit formation.
Now, a question. I have the opportunity to plant some raspberries and quite fancy autumn-fruiting ones as they're easier to manage. I have some old Autumn Bliss (somewhere else) but is there a good new variety which crops more heavily and/or tastes better and/or is more disease/pest resistant?
Answering the original question that will be three canes in the same pot. Shake off the soil, it won't hurt at this time of year, and split them up. IF it's obvious when you shake off the soil that it's one plant then just plant it. If not, and I'd put money on it. then plant hem as you like together or as single plants. I think the chances of a raspberry putting up three shoots all smack bang up to each other like that are nil.
i managed to get 5x tulameen and 5x autumn bliss from B&Q for £3.98 per 5 canes - so its worth checking if you have a local. as its right at the end of the dormancy period for them, some places might have canes they want to get rid of and reduce the price.
much like Jim Macd says above, you'll find once you take the soil away they may or may not be single canes. i had 8 single canes and one plant with 2 canes out of the 10 i bought. as for growing in pots, this is my first year of growing them but i have 2 canes in a 46cm wide pot - time will tell if they do any good!
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Thanks Dove. I'm really excited now! Can't wait for it to settle in and grow!
Oh, it's not italic now sent! Blinkin computers
...more on fertilisers, Steven: if you have soft fruit (such as delicious raspberries) they love potash - which just happens to occur in wood ash. So if you have a bonfire (organic purists would shudder), fireplace etc., just shovel some on about now and let the rain wash it in. Potassium helps flower and hence fruit formation.
Now, a question. I have the opportunity to plant some raspberries and quite fancy autumn-fruiting ones as they're easier to manage. I have some old Autumn Bliss (somewhere else) but is there a good new variety which crops more heavily and/or tastes better and/or is more disease/pest resistant?
Polka is superb - heavy cropping lovely large fruit that hold their shape in the freezer, and great flavour
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Great - thanks. Looks like Polka is favourite. Now I need to find some before it's too late to plant them. And then steel myself to cut them down!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
RHS seems to be cheaper that Fothergills and Thompson & Morgan at £24 for 15 canes. Anyone know anywhere better/cheaper?
Answering the original question that will be three canes in the same pot. Shake off the soil, it won't hurt at this time of year, and split them up. IF it's obvious when you shake off the soil that it's one plant then just plant it. If not, and I'd put money on it. then plant hem as you like together or as single plants. I think the chances of a raspberry putting up three shoots all smack bang up to each other like that are nil.
i managed to get 5x tulameen and 5x autumn bliss from B&Q for £3.98 per 5 canes - so its worth checking if you have a local. as its right at the end of the dormancy period for them, some places might have canes they want to get rid of and reduce the price.
much like Jim Macd says above, you'll find once you take the soil away they may or may not be single canes. i had 8 single canes and one plant with 2 canes out of the 10 i bought. as for growing in pots, this is my first year of growing them but i have 2 canes in a 46cm wide pot - time will tell if they do any good!