First year raspberry canes do great. Second year canes stay dry and dont flower

Question: I have had a raspberry garden for 10 years.  However, over the last 4 years I dont get much fruit and something no berries at all.  The first year canes look good and are healthy and grow to 6 ft. plus feet long. But next year, the canes stay dormant, dry and don't flower or bear any berries.  In a raised bed, good consistent water and great sunlight.  I am about ready to give up and tear out the plants and start over.  I will be thinning out the new canes this week.

Any suggestions?  Photos below.

responder: Judy K Arapahoe County Master Gardener Replied July 08, 2024, 9:51 PM EDT
response: Hello Paul, Sounds like the light and water are good. I do have several questions. Do you, by chance, know the type of raspberries you have and/or the name of the cultivar? There are a few different types: summer bearing (floricane) and fall bearing (primocane). Also, what type of soil were they planted in? Heavy clay? Sandy? Any organic matter added to the soil at planting time?

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 10:59 PM EDT
response: Hi  Exstension, Thank you for the reply and questions.  I don’t know the type of raspberry. Bought the plant from local landscaping/nursery store, probably was Nick’s Nursery in Aurora.  I have summer bearing  Floricane bush. So last years new growth should produce berries this year. But it does not happen.  The canes are dry and brittle.  Please keep asking the questions and let me know if more photos will help.  Best regards  Paul. Sent from my iPhone On Jul 8, 2024, at 7:51 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 10, 2024, 4:06 PM EDT
response: Paul,  Thank you for your response. Four years of low fruit production would seem to indicate a recurring problem.   Summer bearing raspberries do have some winter hardiness issues in Colorado with our temperature fluctuations during the winter and spring.   You may be pruning the plants correctly, but just as a reminder pruning summer bearing canes should be done as follows: 1. Primocanes (new canes the first year) are not pruned. 2. In spring (February/March), prune as follows: • Remove spindly canes, leaving stocky canes ¼ inch in diameter and larger. Thin stocky canes to about ten canes per foot of hedgerow. • For larger fruit size, tip canes at a convenient height where they will be self-supporting, typically around five feet. Canes may be tied in clusters to a trellis. • For larger yields, do not tip canes. Canes may be tied in clusters to a trellis. 3. Mid-summer when the fruiting is finished, remove all floricanes (flowering/fruiting canes) to the ground. This will make room for a new crop of floricanes.   Fertilizing the plants should be done in the spring when growth starts and repeated in June. If using compost or manure apply this in the fall or early winter. Don't spread too early as you do not want to encourage new growth.   Winter desiccation can be a problem with raspberries. We do have drying winds and little moisture during some winters. You may want to do some fall and winter watering during such times. Here are some hints for preparing for winter: https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/fruits/1222-preparing-raspberries-winter/?_gl=1  There are a number of pests of raspberries mostly affecting the fruit. There is one insect, the cane borer, that can be a problem. Here is information:  https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/insects-diseases/1478-raspberry-cane-borer/  Finally, raspberries are prone to a number of viruses. It may be time to remove the patch when the fruit becomes small, and the patch is less productive. Start the new patch in another area of the garden using new, virus-free plants.  I hope you will find this information useful. If you have further questions please respond to this email.