For decades we have grown raspberries in the same spot in our backyard garden. Until last year we have always had a great crop. Last year and this year there is definitely something wrong. Some of the canes look like they are drying up. The forming blossoms are wilting. There is a dearth of new shoots. What could be the matter? Is it something in the soil? Should we establish a new bed in a different spot? About half the new canes still look healthy. Would it be okay to transplant them to the new location or would they bring the problem with them?
Have a look at this. http://ipmnet.org/plant-disease/pla...pha=Select&host_text=raspberry&submit=++Go!++ And this. http://uspest.org/pnw/insects (Use Chapter drop down menu to go to Small Fruit and then after that Section drop down menu to go to Cane Fruit)
Raspberries are prone to accumulating diseases after many years in the same location. I've experienced this problem several times myself, and it is described in many books/articles on raspberries. The best cure is to start a fresh row as far away from the current one as practical, using new plants. This doesn't have to be expensive. Since raspberry plants are easily divided, you can start with just one plant of each desired type and expand the new row over several years. The old row can be left to produce some fruit until the new plants are productive. This also gives you the opportunity to try out new varieties.
Thank you for your advice. Sorry it took so long to reply. We've been away. I think you made some good points but I'm beginning to wonder if that snowy cold winter we had in 2008 to 2009 is what did the damage. When I dig up the old plants the roots are all rotted away. We are getting some new canes and they look healthy. I think we will use them to start a new bed in a more sheltered spot and see what happens. If they don't work out, we'll probably do what you suggest. We love our raspberries! Thanks again. Mary Anne
