[ms0118]

Help!

I bought a raspberry plant a couple of weeks ago and got round to finishing the bed I am going to put them in yesterday. 

There were 10 canes poking out of a black plastic bag and I assumed that there would be 10 seperate canes inside however they all seem to share the same rootball.  I attempted to seperate the canes but it felt like I was ripping the plant apart.

So my question is do I plant the whole thing in a big clump or am I right to seperate them out and plant them individually?

Thanks for your help!

[GreenOwl]

I would separate them and plant them individually.

[mumofstig]

give the roots a good soak and then run under tap to help separate the roots with as little damage as possible

[cousdude]

yeah soak in water - could just be the roots were all packaged together really tightly and maybe even grew around eachother a bit...

[woodburner]

Some of mine were joined together, I cut them so that both bits have roots. When I seperated them all out I found in one bunch there was a long root with no cane, but it had a shoot! I don't know if it will survive or not but I planted it anyway. 

[Paul Plots]

Had the same experience: -

soak
separate
plant.... cutting if need be

Cross fingers after watering in well..

[ms0118]

Thanks for the advice - I will dig them up this weekend and split them out, any idea how far apart they need to be planted?

[mumofstig]

Place the plants about 45cm (18in) apart, and cover the roots with soil 5cm (2in) above the existing soil mark on the stem. This will encourage more vigorous rooting. Work a handful of bonemeal per square metre (3ft) into the surface of the soil. Firm down the soil by lightly treading it down and water if the soil is not moist.