Unlike my
childhood memory of Granny Allen’s ramble of raspberries, full of blooms, bees,
and berries, I have intentionally kept my inherited cluster of raspberries
small. These amazing plants have
tolerated moving to several locations as my landscaping has evolved over the
years. The neglected collection of
crowns and canes continue to survive regardless of my inattention, still able
to produce a tasty source of edible entertainment for the grandkids, filling
their mouths more than their cups, with tasty berries.
My
only attempt at pruning my berry patch was taking a shovel to a wandering
sucker that ventured too far from its designated home, never giving much thought
to how mindful pruning practices could improve fruit production. As with all plants we nurture in our garden,
it is important to know your plant. With
intentions of creating a bountiful crop to create Granny’s preserves, a better
understanding of my mistreated patch is priority!
Raspberries are unique because they have perennial
roots and crowns that can live for many years.
The canes or stems that produce the flowers and eventually berries are
biennial. Biennial canes live for two
years then die.
Primocanes (that will flower and fruit the
following year.) are new shoots that arise in the spring from the main crown,
or new suckers that rise from roots away from the main plant.
Floricanes are the second season canes that die
after producing fruit. Most berry brambles produce fruit on floricanes.
Primocane vs. Floricane
Varieties Most varieties of blackberries and raspberries are floricane
fruiting, or summer-bearing, which means they produce berries only on the
second-year growth, the floricanes. The fruit appears in early- to midsummer.
Primocane varieties are also known as fall-bearing or everbearing plants.
Ever-bearing varieties produce fruit on the floricanes in the summer, but they
also produce fruit on the primocanes. The primocane fruiting occurs at the tips
in early fall or late summer in the first year. They will then produce fruit
lower on the primocanes the following year in early summer. If you are growing
this type of berry, it is best to sacrifice the early summer crop by pruning
back primocanes after they produce in the fall. Cut them down close to the
ground, and you’ll get fewer but better-quality berries the following year.
Read more at
Gardening Know How: Primocane Vs. Floricane – Distinguishing Between Primocanes
And Floricanes https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/fegen/distinguishing-primocanes-vs-floricanes.htm
There are two types of raspberries. Summer or June Bearers and Ever Bearers, also
known as Fall Bearers.
Summer/June Bearers produce vegetative, non-fruiting primocanes the first growing
season. Flowers and berries will form on
these canes the following year. During
the second growing season, the floricanes produces its fruit, then the cane
dies to the ground.
When pruning
Summer/June bearers, it is easy to identify the dead canes and prune it back to
the crown. Cutting out dead canes is recommended after harvest when the canes
are dry or in the early spring, before new growth starts. Prune out spindly canes and thin the crown,
leaving 2-4 of the strongest canes, cutting them back to 4-5 feet in
height. Remove unwanted suckers that are
sprouting outside of your designated area.
Summer Bearing – June
Bearing
Fall/Ever Bearers, if pruned correctly, have the potential to produce two crops in one
Fall Bearing –
If you desire a
larger crop of berries in the fall, cut Fall Bearer canes at ground level. This
Raspberries are
forgiving and with a small amount of time and attention they will produce a
bounty of berries. To the delight of my
grandkids and satisfaction of knowing this would have pleased Granny, I
approach my berry patch armed with sharpened shears, knowledge, and confidence
with intention for an abundance of berries for Granny’s freezer jam.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgQIHo6_y74