Poor raspberry growth - Ask Extension
Hi! We bought a house in November that has a truly massive raspberry patch, carefully fenced in from animals. I've been eagerly waiting for raspberrie...
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Poor raspberry growth #875500
Asked July 01, 2024, 1:17 PM EDT
Hi! We bought a house in November that has a truly massive raspberry patch, carefully fenced in from animals. I've been eagerly waiting for raspberries, but I'm finding that the berries are either very small or nonexistent (see attached pics). The patch gets decent sun. I have not fertilized it, and being up in Bethel, we do have fairly sandy soil. The patch is crowded, but all of the offshoots outside of the patch are also this way and they have plenty of room. Being so well fenced in, I have to assume this patch was intentional and has produced in the past - but I'm unsure what the problem is.
Virus-wise, the leaves of the plants look quite healthy. I don't see a single sign of yellowing, browning, bug spots, or even lighter green. The plants are quite robust. I shared some plants with a friend of mine and now I'm worried their plant won't give them good berries next year!
Could this be a fertilizer issue?
Anoka County Minnesota
Expert Response
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-raspberries-home-garden
The patch will need renewing this fall and that maybe part of the reason for lack of fruit. The fruit stem in your hand didn’t get pollinated probably because of all the rain. Bees don’t fly in the rain. Rain also washes away nitrogen so your plant might benefit from a berry fertilizer.
https://extension.illinois.edu/small-fruits/caring-raspberries#:~:text=Apply%20about%20two%20ounces%20of,1%2C000%20square%20feet%20of%20planting.
The patch will need renewing this fall and that maybe part of the reason for lack of fruit. The fruit stem in your hand didn’t get pollinated probably because of all the rain. Bees don’t fly in the rain. Rain also washes away nitrogen so your plant might benefit from a berry fertilizer.
https://extension.illinois.edu/small-fruits/caring-raspberries#:~:text=Apply%20about%20two%20ounces%20of,1%2C000%20square%20feet%20of%20planting.
Thanks so much! The patch definitely does need attention, it looks like it's been left to its own devices. Can you tell me what you mean by 'renewing'?
https://garden.org/frogs/view/17029/#
Please read over both information sheets and decide how much work you want to do. Also pace yourself as much as you like. Take on a manageable section at a time. Renewal can be as little as cutting down all the brown canes and all 2 nd year canes here after or as great as making a new bed and moving canes.
Please read over both information sheets and decide how much work you want to do. Also pace yourself as much as you like. Take on a manageable section at a time. Renewal can be as little as cutting down all the brown canes and all 2 nd year canes here after or as great as making a new bed and moving canes.
