How do you tell which bit of growth on a raspberry is the bit thats going to fruit?
By Tosh
Essex,
United Kingdom 
Hello everybody! What a lovely weekend its been! I'm trying to get my old mothers vegetable/fruit patch sorted out - its been a bit neglected over the years but has about 15 raspberry canes and a couple of TayBerries. Last year I just cut down stuff indiscriminately in the hope of finding out what was what, but this year have got canes that have fruit on, which have leaves in sets of three and some that have no fruit or flowers, with leaves in sets of 5. Will the 5 leaved canes produce fruit next year or are they useless (as I am!) . Please help - I don't want to cut out the wrong bits! Hope you all had a productive weekend!
24 May, 2009
Answers
We cut out all the dead stems and tie the others in, especially the tall young ones with no fruit as they are inclined to be floppier and with the weight of rain etc, apt to fall out. Mind you, ours are growing along a fence. Perhaps a more professional gardener with give you more advice.
24 May, 2009
No that's fine, enjoy your fruit.
25 May, 2009
Thanks Telme & Pilot.
25 May, 2009
Just been out to count the leaves..yep, the 5 leafed stems are the ones that will fruit next year! Never spotted that before. I cut down the old ones either at the beginning of autumn, or in spring - no idea if it makes a difference.
24 May, 2009