[barbarella]

Do autumn fruiting raspberries need staking or not?

I have just received my order of 12 canes of Polka autumn fruiting (primocane) raspberries and the cultivation notes from Mr Fothergill which seem to cover all types of raspberries says I have to set up a post and wire system.  However, I've got a magazine article which says the autumn fruiting kind don't need staking.  Obviously, I don't want to go to the time and expense of building a support system if isn't necessary so would appreciate advice please

[DD.]

I don't stake mine and the general recommendation is that they don't need it.

[Poolcue]

Not initially.With mine this year I plonked down some canes and used some string just to keep the canes tidy and added some netting over the canes to discourage the birds.

[mumofstig]

I've never supported mine in any way - they start to get untidy towards the end of the season - but that's when they get pruned to the ground anyway 

[JayG]

I just use a couple of strings either side to keep the row a bit more upright than it would otherwise be as there is a narrow path on one side and the rest of my main veg plot on the other - I'm not blessed with acres of space and can't afford to have them take up more than their allotted area either below or above ground (and as most growers probably know raspberries only offer a crop of tasty fruit to try to divert people's attention away from their plans for world domination!) 

[barbarella]

Ha ha!  Thanks everyone - your replies and sage advice are music to my ears!

[Yorkie]

Ha ha!  Thanks everyone - your replies and sage advice are music to my ears!

Hadn't realised we answered about sage too