[barley]

I planted 3 varieties of new raspberry canes in the autumn

my question is should I cut them down to ground level or leave them as they are approx. 12 inches tall

[mumofstig]

Which varieties are they? or do you at least remember whether they are Summer or Autumn fruiting?

[barley]

I had Octavia ( summer fruiting till august )

Heritage ( autumn fruiting )

and Erika ( primocane ) didn't say if it was autumn or summer fruiting

[moose]

Barley the primocane (Erika) variety are autumn fruiting. Summer fruiting types are floricane.

[barley]

thankyou moose

never grown raspberries before , so a complete novice

the canes came bare rooted and were about 12 inches tall - they aren't showing any signs of life yet although it is very early yet  , that's why I wasn't sure if they needed cutting down

[Goosegirl]

As you probably already know, the autumn ones are all cut down before winter and the summer ones just have their old fruiting canes cut down the the new canes tied in. As I don't always get round to cutting my summer ones down when I should, I use two colours of string (one each year) so I know which the old ones are - can't rely on the fruit stalks being still there as a guide in spring. You wait until you have your first rasps then try walking past them without picking at least one straight off the cane - oh deepjoy! 

[mumofstig]

If you know which are which  leave the Octavia alone, and cut the Heritage and Erika down to 3 or 4 inches.

[barley]

thanks all x