[AllotmentNoob]

Hi everyone,
I became the proud owner of plot 38 this past Sunday and am looking to get some rasberries in the ground asap.

However - TOTAL BEGINNER.  I have a really basic (probably stupid sounding question).  The rasberries I have bought, came in two pots.  The two pots each contain a clump of canes (5 in each).

I have been advised to plant in a nice neat row and train them (if necessary between some wire, although I am told they are self supporting.

What I need to know is, do I pull the canes apart?  A chap I met at the allotment, seemed to have planted his as individual canes spaced neatly in a row.  He has lots of success.  So, do I need to take them bunch of canes from the pot, and split them apart?? IF so how do I go about this without damaging the rasberry canes!

Any advice appreciated!  thanks from a young novice!

[mumofstig]

Give them a good soak in a bucket and then they should pull apart easily, so you can plant in a nice row

Are they autumn or summer raspberries?

Summer raspberries tend to need a bit of support and won't need pruning when planting
Autumn fruiters don't need support but need pruning now

more advice here   http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=148

[AllotmentNoob]

Thanks so much for the info- how long should i soak them for? Can i drown them by accident?? They are Autumn Bliss rasberries- what did you mean with regards to pruning, as currently they just seem to be bare stick like canes? Thanks for your help! 

[JayG]

Submerge the roots for anything from an hour to overnight - it's only to make sure they are properly hydrated, although having been potted they are probably OK.

Plant them at the same depth as they were in the pot (should mean that the roots are no more than about 2 inches under the surface of the soil.)

Autumn Bliss are autumn-fruiters which are cut down after fruiting, but assuming you've only got one short cane per plant I'd be inclined to leave it on to help you remember where they are!

I do provide support for mine, mainly because I'm permanently pushed for space so have to stop them leaning too far over from their alloted space!

[mumofstig]

The soaking will allow the roots to be pulled apart because the soil witll loosen on the roots.
That RHS site recommends cutting them back to 10inches on planting.
They will fruit on the new shoots that will grow this year