Joan J Primocane Red Raspberry Plant
Description
Large, delicious, and easy to pick. This thornless raspberry variety produces high yields of tasty, firm berries from stout canes. A terrific choice for northern fruit-gardens. Joan Squire x Teri-Louise. Cold-hardy. Fall-bearing (everbearing) primocane with a summer crop. Floricane berries ripen in July. Primocane berries ripen in September through frost. Self-pollinating. May be covered by USPP #18,954 or other patents.
Note: Do not plant Red, Gold or Purple raspberries within 75-100 feet of Black raspberries. Black raspberries may be more susceptible to viral diseases carried by aphids to and from nearby raspberry plants.
After planting, be sure to prune the bare-root canes back to about 2 inches above the ground. (This does not apply to potted raspberry plants.) Do not skip this step! It is a crucial factor in encouraging the roots to send up new growth during the growing season. It is in the nature of raspberry plants to send up new growth as suckers or basal shoots from below the ground. This means the canes that you plant may not be where you find signs of life or new growth. When it’s time to grow, you will see new sprouts emerge from the ground around where you planted the cane, and this growth is coming from the raspberry plant’s root system.
Characteristics
Bloom Color | White |
Fruit Color | Red |
Fruit Size | Large - Extra Large |
Hardiness Zone Range | 3 - 8 |
Pollination | Self-Pollinating |
Ripens/Harvest | July And September |
Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
Soil Composition | Loamy |
Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 6.8 |
Taste | Sweet |
Texture | Firm |
Years to Bear | 1 - 2 |
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
This variety is self pollinating.
Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow raspberry plants in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Questions & Answers
Thornless is relative! They don’t have big stiff thorns but are still spiney and prickly. Don’t expect smooth stems and handle with care!
I don't see why not! I might even suggest adding some sort of (temporary) support structure above the barrel, like a tomato cage or something similar, so the raspberry canes can be propped up when they're heavy with fruit.
Very important, they grow fast and tall.
It depends on when you want the plants to produce. If you cut all the canes down at the end of the year, then you'll get one concentrated harvest of berries in the late summer/fall of the next year. I cut the second-year canes down and leave the first-year canes standing so I get berry production spread out through most of the spring, summer and fall. Either way, make sure you have a good trellis system set up for the canes because they break easily.
Yes they do...just like a child - 'train them in the way to grow'.
Pruning for shape is good idea, so they don't overtake the other plants.
JM 5-4-19
No I would wait untill fall.
Yes, but not vigorously. You would be well-served to buy some bagged composted manure at your local garden center, spread it where you’re planting your berries, and spade it in before planting. Makes it easier for the roots/rhizomes to spread over time, and gives the plants the stuff they need to put up vigorous canes with lots of fruit.
Are they thornless?
Yes, no thorns on mine from Starks Brothers....do not be worried that they come as "small sticks"...they grow quickly asking very little other than some sun, water, and fertilizer in spring. Otherwise, leave them alone and you'll have berries the first year (small amount) but by year 2 on, a very good crop.....sweet, big and not like anything in the store. They spread a bit (like any variety) so put in an area where that is ok....and I love Stark Brothers, my family (Maine) has used them for years; great plants and if rarely an issue, they stand behind you...
Enjoy!
We planted some last spring, they produced last summer for us. The berries were some of the best tasting we’d had. They kept producing most of the season, once the drought and heat really set in they suffered ( we didn’t do a good job of watering though either), a shade cloth probably wouldn’t hurt once you get into July/august. We’re hoping they’ll come back this year.
I understood I was to pick off the newest of the suckers so the rest of the plant could retain the nutrients and the berries be larger. If they are off the plant, replant to another area. I have done this several times, looking great.
Jeanine 5-4-19
Customer Reviews
I am very pleased with these raspberry cuttings and their ease of planting, strength of the canes and vigor.
I also tried Heritage, Latham and Anne yellow and all of them had small crumbly, bad quality berries that looked dark and insects always seem to get ahold of first. I never get anything from those and plan on just ripping them out and sticking to Joan J.
I am also trialing Encore and Prelude because I read those are great for the midwest but I just planted them this spring so I have to wait until next year to see if those are worth it.
Sounds like just what we were looking for.
Thornless
“Preferred variety and northern zone ”
I chose this because it seemed more affordable for a pack of 3.