[pete1977]

Can anyone tell me if I should tip prune my summer fruiting rasberries?  I  think they must have enjoyed the darlek contents a little too much as most of them are huge (over 8ft) should I just tip prune them back to the top wire (about 6'6") or is that a big no no?

Also, is 7-8 strong growing canes per plant ok or will these suffer later in the season? is less more in terms of fruiting?

thanks for taking the time to read

Pete

[Jamie Butterworth]

Im not sure, because i know that summer fruiting varieties fruit on last years growth, if they are getting way too big then id be tempted to cut them down to the top of the wire like you say

[gillie]

The 'official' way is to bend the top of the cane over and twist it round the top wire.  However whenever I have tried this the cane has broken so now I leave them unless or until they are in danger of getting tangled in the fruit cage roof.

[Ma and Pa Snip]

Ours are the same, I topped them out at the end of last season.

The canes will still send shoots over the fence so I will either lean them onto the top wire or will remove that bit of growth before it gets too big.
I do the same with the blackberries.

Have done it for the past 4 years and cropping hasnt suffered, in fact from last years crop I counted 9 pots of raspberry jam, and 15 blackberry,  still in the cold store yesterday. Thats besides what we ate fresh last year.

[Kristen]

Ours are the same, I topped them out at the end of last season.

me too.

[pete1977]

thanks for the advice.

I will incoreperate a trim in to my normal routine for the new wood while i'm cutting out the old in futre. but, for now i'm  going to cut them back; just for ease of picking and becuase no one told me this would be very bad

Many thanks again,

Pete