"redclay" wrote in message
...

Sandy & Sheila Sanderson wrote in message
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I'm seeking advise on how to bring our raspberries back into a
disciplined
way of fruiting.

They have been allowed to go untended for a few years and now, end of
April,
are full of new green shoots.

If last year is anything to go by fruit will be few and far between.
Raspberries are like blackberies, they fruit on year old wood. Start on
by
pruning them back to maybe four canes per crown. Pull out many of the
offshoot plants. Once this is done you can train them with tomato
cages...After you cut into them hard feed them with some 10-10-10.

Careful!
Autumn fruiting razzers fruit on this year's growth. Summer fruiting razzers
fruit on year old growth.

If they are summer-fruiting the old wood will be producing leaves and
flowers right now. Wood that has previously fruited will not and can be
removed. (Another test is that fuiting wood will be slightly supple whereas
old wood will be brittle.)
Don't remove any new growth - this will either be your autumn crop or next
year's summer crop!
Support the canes on wires between posts and expect another poor crop.
Once you get to the autumn you can think about dividing the plants and
re-planting at 18" intervals in fresh soil. Given space they will thrive.
They love sun and potash.