[Growster...]

We 'inherited' several raspberryplants when we took over the plot, and some have turned out like this: -

Can anyone identify them at all please, or are they a standard type which have reverted?

They taste fine actually, but there's very little to get your teeth into!

[Trillium]

Often berries like that are the result of lack of water (and yes, raspberries need a lot of water to crop nicely) and often lack of nutrients, sometimes even lack of pruning.

They'll taste okay but they don't grow as well as they could. Suggest after cropping, you start pruning out the stalks that fruited this year, give the lot a good manuring and some wood ashes if you have them or potassium, and see that they get lots of water next year once they start greening up.  I think you'll find next year's berries larger.

[Growster...]

Thank you Trillium - that fits in exactly with what I've been told about the plot's history; i.e. no work for up to ten years, definitely no nutrients provided, lots of plastic, carpet etc and rubbish and a very sterile soil!

TLC it is then - we'd already pruned them in early spring and let them all start afresh from the ground level.

Wood ash won't be a problem either!

[sunshineband]

They look just like the wild raspberries we used to find in the woods.

Those wouldn't have got much in the way of water or nutrients either I suppose 

[Old Tom]

I was going to dig out all the rasps that I inherited but since I tastes a couple yesterday I think I`ll be following your advice too. Thanks.

[Pompey Spud]

With raspberries of 10 yrs plus, I'd be inclined to dig them all up and start with new canes of the variety you want. I'd suggest they're way past their now.

[brown thumb]

y ea i thought they looked worn out but be fore you go ripping them out cut them back feed etc water well next year and give them a another chance you could be surprised

[Growster...]

Good advice all - thanks!

We're now going to keep them where they are, boost them as above, and also get some new ones as Pompey says.

[Trillium]

Some wild varieties tend not to make large berries, but if it was put into an allotment, then most likely its a cultivated variety that's simply struggled over the years.

[Swing Swang]

I'd grub them up too - ten years+ is enough for them. Time for disease-free named cultivars.

[Growster...]

Actually Swing Swang, we tend to agree, after discussing it last evening...

There are so many new strains out these days, it seems a pity not to take advantage of them, and just let the failing ones fade away!

[DD.]

If it helps, I came across these people, who seemed very reasonable on price.

http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/Raspberry-Canes

I never got around to it, but my intention was to replace my poor performers with a selection of early, mid & late summer fruiting. (Autumn ones are fine).

They seem to be very reasonable on price, although I'll stress that I've not actually tried them. I'll perhaps have another try, come the autumn.

[Growster...]

If it helps, I came across these people, who seemed very reasonable on price.

http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/Raspberry-Canes

I never got around to it, but my intention was to replace my poor performers with a selection of early, mid & late summer fruiting. (Autumn ones are fine).

They seem to be very reasonable on price, although I'll stress that I've not actually tried them. I'll perhaps have another try, come the autumn.

Thanks for this DD, I'll have a good look at these!