Planting Bareroot Canes

 

VERY IMPORTANT to Prune cane to 4 inches tall.

If you do not prune, you will get growth at the top of the cane only. This will suppress growth from lower down the cane and from the roots.  The growth that comes from the roots and lower section of the cane will produce more berries and a better crop and will promote a healthier plant.

 

Plant as shallow as possible, bringing flexible roots to within 1/2

inch of surface. This will get oxygen to the roots and they will

develop new canes from the roots.

 

Water in well at planting time so that soil is tight round roots. Air holes around roots will cause that section of root to die.

 

Plant 2-3 feet apart.

 

Buds that are already developed will produce a cane in 3 - 4 weeks.

 

Canes that do not have buds, will develop buds and produce new

canes in 5 - 9 weeks.

 

Water as needed so soil is moist, but not soggy...and fertilize. Any balanced fertilizer will work if you are planting in the ground.

 

Raspberry canes will do best if planted directly into the ground. If container planting or planting in a raised bed, follow the directions on the back of this page.

 

 

If you are planting in a container or raised bed: DO NOT use Miracle Gro, Virgo, Fox Farm, Jiffy, or any similar potting mixes meant for flowers, vegetables, or marijuana. Do not use landscape mixes that contains over 20% compost or manure, or mixes that do not contain stone grit.  It is in our experience that these mixes are too wet and will root-rot and kill or stunt your raspberry plants. 

 

When planting in containers it is very important to have the right potting soil and fertilizer, or it will kill your plants.

 

Potting soil in containers needs to have very good drainage. 30% grit (3/8”- Pumice, fine crushed gravel, coarse sand (not contractor or play sand), ¼” decomposed granite or very fine pea gravel). Then add 30% 3/8” – 1/16” -  fine bark, 10% peat, 10% perlite, 10% garden soil and, 10% compost (mix well).

 

In raised beds, add  stone grit as mentioned above to your garden soil along with 10% peat or compost.  If you add too much compost, your soil will get too wet and will settle in winter, likely root rooting your plants. 

 

Fertilizer needs to be low salt in containers. Organic fertilizers like fish, alfalfa, bat guano, kelp, bone meal and rock phosphate are OK, just keep the nutrients balanced, and watch the nutrient level so you do not add too much or too little. Do not use "hot organics like blood meal or fresh chicken manure under 1 year aged. Chemical fertilizers should say on the label "for container growing". Do not use 10/10/10 or 16/16/16 and similar fertilizers in containers as they are high salt and will burn your plants in containers.