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Raspberry Cascade Delight – Loose

Raspberry ‘Cascade Delight’ (Rubus idaeus) is the perfect pick for gardeners chasing big flavour, big yields and peace of mind in the garden. Supplied as a loose pack of 25 bare-rooted canes, this generous bundle is ideal for establishing a productive berry patch, creating a fruiting hedge, or planting in rows for a reliable summer harvest. This summer-bearing raspberry fruits on tall, upright second-year canes, producing large, glossy, conical berries with a sweet, juicy flavour, perfect for fresh eating, desserts and preserving. Thanks to their firm flesh, the berries hold well after picking, reducing waste and lasting longer in the kitchen. It’s one of the few raspberries that handles heavy or poorly draining soils, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a root rot-resistant variety. Plant in full sun and enjoy vigorous, almost thornless canes that are easy to manage and benefit from simple support. With its reliable performance across a wide range of climates, ‘Cascade Delight’ is a top choice for serious berry growers.

Description
Additional information

Description

Raspberry Cascade Delight (Rubus idaeus)
Raspberry ‘Cascade Delight’ is a summer-fruiting raspberry from the Rosaceae family, bred in the USA and known for its large, sweet fruit and strong tolerance to heavy or poorly draining soils. Supplied as a loose pack of 25 bare-rooted canes, this floricane variety produces a single main mid-season crop on second-year canes, featuring large, conical berries that are glossy, firm, and hold well after picking. The fruit is well-suited for fresh eating, preserving, and baking.

Plants grow to approximately 1–1.75 metres high and 50 cm wide, with tall, upright canes that are nearly thornless and benefit from light support to improve harvesting and airflow. They are suitable for garden beds, fruiting hedges along fences or trellises, or large containers.

‘Cascade Delight’ performs best in cool, temperate and arid climates. Like most floricane raspberries, it benefits from exposure to a winter chill, which supports proper bud development and strong fruiting in the following season.

When to Plant
Plant from winter to early spring while the plant is dormant. Avoid planting in frozen or waterlogged soil. If you cannot plant immediately upon receiving, store the canes in a cool, dry place and plant as soon as possible to avoid stress.

Where to Plant
Plant in a permanent position with full sun to part shade, either in the ground or in a pot, ensuring good airflow and well-drained soil. In hot regions, afternoon shade is beneficial to protect the leaves and fruit. Choose a site sheltered from strong winds to prevent cane breakage and stress. While more tolerant of heavy soils than most raspberries, avoid areas that remain waterlogged.

Soil Requirements
‘Cascade Delight’ thrives in rich, moist soil and is more tolerant of heavier or moisture-retentive conditions than most raspberries. For best results, ensure:
• pH: Moderately acidic to near neutral, ideally with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. It can tolerate up to 6.8.
• Drainage: While more tolerant of damp soil, it’s still best to avoid prolonged waterlogging. Improve structure with organic matter if needed.
• Enrichment: Enrich the soil with well-rotted compost or aged manure to improve fertility and moisture retention.

Training
Raspberries need support due to their long, flexible canes. A trellis, wire, or fence works well in both garden beds and large pots.

As the first-year canes, called primocanes, grow, tie them to one side of the support. These canes do not fruit in their first season, but prepare to produce the following year. Once they reach 1.2–1.5 metres tall, tip-prune just above a node to encourage side shoots, which will help boost next year’s harvest.

In their second year, these canes become woody floricanes and carry the main summer crop. Tie the new primocanes to the opposite side to keep fruiting and non-fruiting canes organised and easy to manage in a continuous cycle.

How to Plant
• Soak the canes in a bucket of water for up to an hour before planting to rehydrate the roots and help them establish more easily.
• Dig a hole large enough to allow the roots to spread out comfortably. Position the cane so the crown is just below soil level, no more than a few centimetres deep.
• Space plants about 40–60 cm apart within the row to allow them to form a productive hedgerow while maintaining airflow. Leave 1.5 metres between rows to ensure easy access for maintenance and harvesting.
• Fill the hole with soil and firm it in gently. Water thoroughly and apply mulch around the base, avoiding direct contact with the crown.

Growing in Pots
If planting in a pot, choose one that is at least 40 cm deep and wide with good drainage, and fill it with a premium potting mix enriched with compost or organic matter. Follow the same planting and care steps as for growing in the ground. Plant only one cane per pot to reduce overcrowding, allow adequate airflow, and ensure the plant has enough space to develop a strong root system.

Care and Maintenance
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during spring and summer when plants are actively growing. Always water at the base to avoid wetting the foliage. While Cascade Delight is more tolerant of heavier soils than most raspberries, the soil should not remain waterlogged.
• Feeding: In early spring, apply a complete fertiliser such as fish emulsion, blood and bone, compost or well-rotted manure to support strong cane and root growth. A light summer feed with a high-potassium fertiliser such as tomato food or sulphate of potash can help support fruit development and overall plant health, particularly in pots. No feeding is needed in autumn. In winter, apply compost and mulch to nourish the soil and protect the roots from temperature extremes.

Harvesting
‘Cascade Delight’ produces one main crop each summer on second-year canes. Fruit ripens mid-season, depending on your local climate. Pick berries when they are fully coloured, plump and come away easily from the cane. Harvest every few days in the cool of the morning for the best flavour and shelf life. With firm flesh and excellent texture, Cascade Delight is ideal for fresh eating, desserts, preserving and freezing.

Pruning
‘Cascade Delight’ produces fruit on second-year canes, known as floricanes. After harvest, or in winter to early spring, cut back all fruited floricanes at ground level, as they will not fruit again. Keep the 6–8 strongest first-year canes and tie them to one side of the support. As these primocanes grow and reach 1.2–1.5 metres, tip-prune just above a node to encourage lateral branching and support better fruiting next season.

Pests and Diseases
Common pests include aphids, spider mites, fruit flies, and birds. Control with insecticidal soap, netting, and prompt harvesting. Diseases such as Botrytis and rust can appear in humid conditions. Ensure good airflow and remove infected material.

Safety
Raspberry fruit is edible, but other parts of the plant, such as leaves, roots, and canes, should not be consumed. Although considered near thornless, the canes may still produce small thorns, so it’s best to handle them with care and supervise children and pets around plants.

Supplied as bare-rooted canes.

Additional information

Botanical Name	Rubus idaeus
Quantity in Pack	25 Canes
Harvest Time	Harvest occurs in summer, with fruit typically ripening mid-season. The timing may vary slightly depending on your local climate and growing conditions, with berries maturing earlier in warmer regions and later in cooler climates.
Planting Time	Plant from winter to early spring. Ensure the soil is workable, not frozen or waterlogged. Protect young plants from frost by covering them with frost cloth or planting them in pots so they can be moved into the ground when conditions are suitable.
Planting Depth	Plant so that the roots sit approximately 10 cm deep, with the crown positioned just below the soil surface, no more than a few centimetres. Avoid planting too deeply, as this can cause rot, or too shallow, which may expose the roots. Ensure the hole is wide and deep enough to comfortably spread the roots. The crown is the point where the roots meet the base of the canes, often slightly swollen and marked with small buds. This should sit just below the soil surface after planting.
Planting Width	Plant 40–60 cm apart within rows, with 1.5 metres between each row.
Soil	Raspberries grow best in rich, moist and well-drained soil. While ‘Cascade Delight’ is more tolerant of heavier or moisture-retentive soils than most raspberries, it’s still important to avoid sites that remain consistently waterlogged, especially during active growth. A moderately acidic to near-neutral pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is ideal, though it can tolerate levels up to 6.8. Improve fertility, structure and moisture retention by incorporating well-rotted compost or aged manure. In heavy clay soils, ‘Cascade Delight’ is a more forgiving choice, but improving the soil with organic matter is still recommended to encourage healthy root development and airflow. In sandy soils, mix in generous amounts of compost, aged manure or coco peat to help retain moisture and nutrients, and apply mulch to reduce evaporation. Well-prepared soil supports vigorous cane growth, strong root systems and reliable harvests. When growing in pots, use a high-quality, free-draining potting mix enriched with compost or organic matter to support healthy growth and moisture control.
How to Plant	Choose a sunny spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In areas with extreme heat, some afternoon shade can help reduce plant stress, particularly in exposed locations. However, avoid planting in areas with too much shade, as this can reduce fruit production and lead to weak, leggy growth. Good airflow is also important to help prevent disease. If planting in a windy location, consider installing a windbreak to shield plants from strong, damaging gusts. This protects the canes and supports healthy growth. Before planting, you can soak the roots in clean water for up to an hour to rehydrate them, especially if they appear dry or shrivelled. This step is optional but can support quicker establishment. Avoid leaving roots exposed to the air for extended periods, as this can lead to drying and poor performance. Dig a hole wide and deep enough to comfortably spread the roots. Position the plant so the roots sit about 10 cm deep, with the crown just below the soil surface, no more than a few centimetres. This promotes strong root growth for better establishment and drought resilience, but avoid planting too deeply, as this can lead to cane rot or poor growth. Space plants approximately 40–60 cm apart within rows, with 1.5 metres between rows to allow for airflow and ease of maintenance. Backfill the hole with the original soil or a mix of soil and compost, then gently firm the soil around the roots to remove air pockets. While Cascade Delight is more tolerant of moisture-retentive soil than most raspberries, it still performs best in soil that doesn't remain waterlogged. Raised beds can also improve growing conditions in damp areas. Water thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. In areas with drier conditions or low humidity, improve water retention by mixing in organic matter like compost or coco peat at planting and applying mulch to help keep the soil cool and moist. Finish by applying a generous layer of mulch, such as straw, sugarcane, or compost, around the base of the plant. Keep mulch a few centimetres clear of the crown to prevent rot. If planting in a pot, choose one that is at least 40 cm deep and wide with good drainage, and fill it with a premium potting mix enriched with compost or organic matter. Follow the same planting and care steps as for growing in the ground. Plant only one cane per pot to reduce overcrowding, allow adequate airflow, and ensure the plant has enough space to develop a strong root system. Optional: Our canes are carefully prepared and usually arrive at a suitable planting height, often around 15–20 cm, though some may be shorter. They are ready to plant as they are and do not need trimming. If preferred, you can trim to around 15 cm for ease or uniformity, but this is optional and will not affect performance.
Watering	Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing and fruiting season in spring and summer. Inconsistent or insufficient watering can lead to small, dry or misshapen berries and may reduce the overall yield. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, as this can encourage fungal diseases. Use a watering can, hose or irrigation system to apply water slowly and evenly. While Cascade Delight is more tolerant of heavier or moisture-retentive soils than many raspberries, it still performs best in conditions that are not waterlogged. If your soil retains water, improve drainage by adding organic matter such as compost, or plant on a slight mound to encourage water to drain away from the roots. Raised beds or containers with drainage holes can also help prevent excess moisture from building up around the root zone. In containers, check the soil regularly, as pots tend to dry out more quickly than garden beds. Adjust your watering routine based on the weather and growing conditions. During winter, water only when the soil is dry, particularly in drier climates, as the plant is dormant and needs minimal moisture. Avoid watering during frost, as frozen soil may prevent absorption and can damage the roots.
Fertilise	Apply a complete fertiliser in spring to support new growth. This will provide essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for strong growth and healthy development. In summer, use a high-potassium fertiliser to support berry production. This helps produce larger, healthier fruit. Apply according to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overfeeding. After the fruiting season ends, stop fertilising. The plant enters dormancy and does not require additional nutrients during this period. Instead, add a layer of compost and mulch such as straw, sugarcane or lucerne around the base of the plant. Compost will slowly release nutrients as it breaks down, while mulch helps protect the root system, retain moisture and prepare the plant for the next growing season. In following years, apply a complete fertiliser each spring to support healthy growth and fruiting. Even when compost or manure is added in winter, a spring feed helps maintain plant vigour and optimise yields.
Pruning	Raspberry ‘Cascade Delight’ produces fruit only on second-year canes, known as floricanes. These are the canes that grew the previous season and spent a full year developing. Once they produce fruit in summer, they will not fruit again and should be removed. Pruning can be done in winter once the leaves have dropped, or immediately after harvest in summer. Both timings are suitable and will not affect the next season’s yield. Winter pruning is often preferred in cooler climates, as it makes it easier to distinguish between the spent floricanes and the new season’s canes, known as primocanes. Floricanes appear woody, grey-brown and brittle, while primocanes are more flexible with green to reddish stems. Removing floricanes after harvest can also open up space and light for the developing primocanes, reduce the risk of pests and diseases, and help the plant direct energy into new growth and root development. At pruning time, thin the primocanes to the 6–8 strongest canes per plant and tie them neatly to one side of the support structure to improve airflow and ease of access. As primocanes grow through spring, tip-prune them when they reach approximately 1.2–1.5 metres, cutting just above a node. This encourages lateral branching and helps set up a stronger, more productive crop for the following summer.
Harvest	Raspberry ‘Cascade Delight’ produces a single main crop each summer on second-year canes. The harvest period typically begins mid-season and varies slightly depending on local climate. In warmer regions, fruit may mature a little earlier, while in cooler areas, ripening may be slightly delayed. Berries are ready to harvest when they are fully coloured, evenly plump, and detach easily from the cane with a gentle pull. Avoid picking under-ripe fruit, as raspberries do not continue to ripen once harvested. For best results, harvest every few days during the fruiting period, ideally in the cool of the morning to preserve firmness and reduce the risk of bruising. ‘Cascade Delight’ is valued for its excellent fruit quality and firm texture, which helps the berries hold well on the cane until picked. With their vibrant flavour and reliable size, the fruit is ideal for eating fresh, using in desserts, preserving, or freezing for later use.

Raspberry Cascade Delight – Loose

Description

Additional information

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