Trellis is a supporting open frame used for training raspberries. Trellising affects plant growth rate, competition with suckers, harvesting methods, fruit quantity and quality, disease and insect pest management.
- Red and yellow raspberry (within row 2-3 ft, between rows 10 ft) with low trellis.
- Black raspberry (within row 3-4 ft, between rows 10-12 ft) have spreading and drooping habit with low trellis.
- Purple raspberry (within rows 3-5 ft, between rows 12 ft similar spacing for erect raspberries) more vigorous than black raspberry does not require trellis.
Primocane fruiting types(first year canes bear fruits)
Fruits produced on tops of long canes tend to lean to ground hence need support, temporary trellising during harvesting to facilitate movement between plant rows. T-trellis is commonly used. A T-trellis consists of a T-shaped wooden or metal posts, seven foot long, and three foot long cross arms with screw eyes for holding twine rope or wire. The post is set up into a three foot deep hole in the center of each row, which is slightly wider than the post diameter. A 3 foot PVC pipe can be set into the hole immediately after they are dug to prevent them from collapsing. The holes are dug 25-30 feet apart within rows. The posts can be removed and used the following year while the buried PVC pipe is left in the ground. Canes are cut close to the ground after harvest in late summer.
Floricane fruiting types(second year canes bear fruits)
Canes remain intact in winter through the next growing season, needs support for both floricanes and primocanes, V-trellis is commonly used to separate fruiting and vegetative canes. V-trellis consists of two posts placed on the ground at 20-30 degree angle opposite each other at the outer margins of the plant row forming a V-shaped structure. Floricanes are tied to the outside and primocanes grow in the middle of the V-shape. Floricanes are cut after harvest. Primocanes that will bear fruits the following year are thinned to avoid competition.
