Raspberry plant

Hi, I have three raspberry plants that I brought last year. One of them has produced has a shoot, (new stem?) that has white and green leaves. The main plant is healthy and producing fruit and even on the new stem the leaves appear healthy. I can find no sign of damage, pests or infection of any kind. Anyone got any idea what has caused this and if it should be removed, (its been there for anout 8 weeks now and is not affecting any of the other soft fruit plants).

Re: Raspberry plant

Reply from Clockhouse Nursery

Nature is indeed a funny old beastie.
Variegation in plants has its origins in breading strains of plants that have developed, curious, but non-harmful viruses.
It looks to as if one stem of your raspberry has either developed one of these type of viruses or has mutated into some kind of genetic throw back (Chimera). In much the same way as variegated plants sometimes produce non-variegated stems.
Treatment is the same. Remove it.
If your feeling creative, take a cutting from that section, and cultivate it over five or so years. If the variegation remains and they fruit successfully over the entire period, you may have a new variety on your hands.
Here is a picture of a chimera tomato leaf.

Re: Re: Raspberry plant

Reply from Sue West

Thanks Clockhouse nursery, you have pretty much confirmed what I was thinking. Other than the strange colouration, the plant is heathly and I think quite attractive. Am i right in thinking that as it has been there for over two months, it should have its own roots. If so, would it be okay in a pot or tub if I seperate it from the main plant? Can I do this now, or should I wait until the end of the season, I don't want to stress the main plant and lose the crop? Any help you could give would be greatfully recieved :0)

Re: Raspberry plant

Reply from Clockhouse Nursery

To be honest if it was me I would just cut it of at ground level, bin it and continue to cut off any further growth that may occur. I wouldnt risk major disturbance of root system as you could harm your main plant. Maybe if it still persists you could mark the stem and try remove some of the root when the rest of your canes go dormant.
Maybe better (if you want to try and keep it) to try taking a cutting. Remember, as this is an unstable variant of the plant it could simply revert back to growing green shoots or maybe not produce fruit.

Re: Re: Raspberry plant

Reply from Sue West

Hi, you mentioned taking a cutting from the plant, could you advise me on when and where to take this from and how to care for it. I don't have the heart to cut it down, what a softy, so I would like to give it a chance and see what it does.
thank you
Sue