Raspberries and blackberries have similar growing and fruiting habits. The perennial root system grows for several years. The canes are biennial (live for two years).
The first-year canes are called primocanes and do not produce fruit. The second year, the primocanes become floricanes which fruit and then die. Primocanes are produced each year so plants have both types of canes present simultaneously.
Primocanes should be tipped by removing the top two to three inches to promote branching and fruiting.
The species and fruiting habits of the plant determines how the plant should be tipped. Plants that do not fruit on primocanes are referred to as “everbearing”. Plants that produce fruit only the second year are called “traditional”.
Here are guidelines for tipping blackberries and raspberries:
- Traditional blackberries: tip at 4 feet
- Everbearing blackberries: tip at 25-30 inches; tip laterals at 25-30 inches as well
- Black Raspberries: tip at 3 feet
- Purple Raspberries: tip at 36-40 inches
- Red Raspberries: do not tip
