Short and Stumpy Raspberry Plants

SoultoSqueeze

Hi,

I planted some raspberry canes in February and so far some have already began setting fruit (to my surprise since they’re autumn fruiting ones!). However, the plants themselves look very short and stumpy.

I have 3 Polkas and 1 Joan J. As they are primocanes, I’m not sure if I’m just being impatient and that we will grow bigger throughout the season, OR if there’s an issue that’s stunting their growth. I’m worried this may affect its production...

Any suggestions?

BobTheGardener

I think you didn't cut them down far enough and they are now producing sideshoots from last year's stems.  These do bear an early crop but at the expense of the normal, autumn crop, which is reduced.  Look at the base and there should be some new stems which started growing this year and won't have any sideshoots or flowers.  These are the ones you want to encourage as it is those which produce the 'proper' late crop.  Don't worry too much though as all raspberries take a year to establish properly and only start cropping properly from their 2nd year.  Just make sure you cut all canes right back to the ground in February next year and normal service will be resumed!

SoultoSqueeze

BobTheGardener said:

I think you didn't cut them down far enough and they are now producing sideshoots from last year's stems.  These do bear an early crop but at the expense of the normal, autumn crop, which is reduced.  Look at the base and there should be some new stems which started growing this year and won't have any sideshoots or flowers.  These are the ones you want to encourage as it is those which produce the 'proper' late crop.  Don't worry too much though as all raspberries take a year to establish properly and only start cropping properly from their 2nd year.  Just make sure you cut all canes right back to the ground in February next year and normal service will be resumed!

Thank you so much Bob!!

Will remember to do so next year! 

Lizzie27

I planted 'Polka' too and mine's short and stumpy as well. In fact only 3 out of the 6 I planted have survived. I don't have any flowers yet either. I'm not sure that these primocanes need cutting down to the ground in Feb, I need to look them up again.

Nollie

I planted 6 Joan J in February and cut them right down to soil level and the cane stubs were soon covered in falling leaves (had to mark with a plant label where they were). All this is new growth, must get those supports in!

SoultoSqueeze

Lizzie27 said:

I planted 'Polka' too and mine's short and stumpy as well. In fact only 3 out of the 6 I planted have survived. I don't have any flowers yet either. I'm not sure that these primocanes need cutting down to the ground in Feb, I need to look them up again.

When I first bought my Polka, the label said there was no need to prune and to just plant them as there were but I still cut them slightly shorter anyway (as advised by friend). Maybe I should have cut it to the ground, will try it next year and see if it makes a difference! 

Nollie said:

I planted 6 Joan J in February and cut them right down to soil level and the cane stubs were soon covered in falling leaves (had to mark with a plant label where they were). All this is new growth, must get those supports in!

Nollie, your plants look so healthy and luscious!