Q-
Two years ago after planting Autumn Britten bare root plants I extended the row 4 feet and would allow suckers to fill in the extension. Late last fall there was finally evidence of new plants in the extension area. This year there are exuberant canes but no buds, flowers, or berries on these canes. Thus, my question: Is there such a thing as sterile raspberry canes?
A-
My first thought is you have a mix, possibly another later fall variety or a summer variety. Autumn Britten has destinct foliage, do all the plants look the same? There is also the possibility of divergence, the plants have developed or changed to something else. This is very rare and I have never seen this in any of our plantings. Finally, there are several diseases and viruses that could be effecting the plants. Do you have them planted near an old planting? If the plants are slightly shorter or not as vigorous that could be the problem. Please see the following link to Cornell's Berry Diagnostic site. Nate Nourse
http://www.hort.cornell.edu/department/faculty/pritts/BerryDoc/raspberry/raspeberryparts.htmQ-
On inspection the unwanted canes are not Autumn Britten and most likely Taylor primocanes based on cane thorns.
The original site was planted with Taylor raspberries which subsequently were removed because of not being winter hardy. It was thought they were inappropriate for the location and replaced the following year with Autumn Britten & Caroline plants. It is curious that no Taylor plants appeared in the reworked area and they show up in the four foot extension that was prepared a couple months after the fall bearers were planted. Gardening is full of surprises.
