[Grubbypaws]

I now know what trellis to buy and that I definately need netting. What I dont know is what variety I should buy.

I will only have room for 6 canes so I need to make the right decision. Polka sounds good but doesnt seem to have an RHS award. Has any one any opinions as to which is the best variety?

Bye the bye I dont usually spend so much time on line (honest) but everytime I try and get out into the garden the heavens open!!

[beansticks]

If you want a summer variety,i can strongly recommend Glen Ample.I dont grow autumn varieties so cant advise on them.

[SG6]

I would say that you first have to decide if it will be summer fruiting or autumn fruiting.

Summer fruiting bear more fruit but there is a little more to growing them as you have to keep 2 years growth. What grows this year will bear fruit next year. 

Autumn fruiting bear less fruit but "pruning" is simple, let them grow, let them fruit in winter chop them to ground level. Repeat the process next year. 

I go for the autumn varieties as I am basically lazy. I have Joan J and Galante.

[beansticks]

The summer varieties only have two lots of growth for a few weeks.As soon as they have fruited you cut that cane at ground level,this makes room to tie the new canes in.The old canes will be woody in appearance the new ones will be sappy and whippy.

[sclarke624]

I have Autumn bliss, its their first year.  They are very nice.  Mine started fruiting at the beginning of June because of the way I was told to leave them which was at about 18" high.  I now have new growth and am still picking berries from the older sticks.  You can prune some to the ground and leave some and get early berries on the ones not pruned to the ground.  Oh and going back to your only space for 6...........mine are in pots probably 18-24" wide.  Nursery said I could put in pots so I did, I'll see how this goes, might be an idea for you if you have no room.  Autumn bliss don't need tying in.

Is Joan J the one with no thorns?

[Nobbie]

When I planted my raspberries I went with 10 Malling Admiral (summer fruiting) and 5 Autumn Bliss (Autumn fruiting!) on the recommendation of 'The Fruit Expert book. I've been a bit disappointed with the Autumn Bliss as they are not as tasty as the Malling Admiral and tend to bear the fruit lower down and hide it well making them a pain to pick. In fact I've barely bothered picking them the last couple of years as my freezer is full of the Malling admiral by the time they start ripening.

The Malling Admiral on the other hand have been fantastic, good vigourous canes which grow over 9' tall before I cut them back to a pickable height. Tasty good sized fruit and very prolific. I picked them on Friday and went away for the weekend, When I picked them on Monday I got 10lbs of fruit!!! My freezer is going to be very full next year . I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this variety. They do seem to like a regular watering and a bit of growmore as the fruit is developing. I laid some trickle pipe under the mulch which seems to do the trick. One possible problem is that if your in an exposed position they can be a bit susceptible to wind damage in late may/early june which will reduce the crop. Mine got caught last year.

[peterjf]

its got to be autumn bliss , mmmmmmmmmmmm Christmas trifle mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Grubbypaws]

Is no one growing Polka? when comparing it to Autumn blis T&M say 'As well as beating Autumn Bliss on flavour, Polka will crop at least 2 weeks earlier and will be ready to harvest from late July through to October'. Sounds good to me!

[DD.]

At up to 3 quid a cane - you can whistle!

My Autumn Bliss were given to me and now I've got 32' of them. More than happy.

[Grubbypaws]

I have not been given any and will have to buy them.

At T&M autumn bliss and Polka cost the same per cane.  Which should I go for since there is no price difference?

[love-my-plot]

Hiya
I got mine from poundstretcher. They cost £1.99 for 3 canes 2 yrs ago ..... and have now  become 17 bushes and still spreading lol

If you have a poundstrecher or Instore near you, try them first.
Mine are Autumn Bliss and the fruit is gorgeous!

[Deucecoup]

My wife was given 3 Glen Clova canes this year so next year we should have some

[SG6]

Go for Polka.
It is heavier fruiter then Autumn bliss, can up to twice as much fruit.
Autumn Bliss is one of the parents of Polka, so it will be an improvement on it.
Polka can fruit in the third week of July and may carry on until the first frost occur.
It also has better disease resistance.

Have a look at the Ken Muir site as they sell it but they also give information.