What is a key pruning practice for renewing raspberry canes to maximize fruit production?

What is a key pruning practice for renewing raspberry canes to maximize fruit production?

• A. Prune only after harvest for everbearing, removing all canes.
• B. Remove old (biennial) canes and keep 4-7 of the strongest new canes each year.
• C. Cut all canes to ground level each year.
• D. Do not prune to preserve fruiting canes.

Answer: (B)

Raspberries fruit on canes that grew the previous year, so renewing the canes each season is essential for strong, consistent production. After harvest, remove the old canes that bore fruit and leave only a small number of the strongest new canes to carry fruit next year. Typically keep about four to seven of the best new canes, and remove the rest. This concentrates the plant’s energy on productive canes, improves air circulation, and reduces disease risk, leading to better yields. Cutting all canes to the ground or not pruning at all would either wipe out next year’s fruit or invite overcrowding and decline in quality.