Autumn Bliss

 My Autumn Bliss raspberrry bushes, about thirty, have produced excellent
crops for the last 6/7 years. This year about half of the bushes are short
in growth and have light green leaves. They are not producing, although the
remainder are producing an excellent crop. The bushes are pruned back to
ground level every February.
Are they lacking the proper fertiliser, or just getting beyond it? Any
advice would be welcome.
Alistair

 Alistair Macdonald said:

As my oldest raspberry planting is over 15 years old and still producing,
I doubt that yours is "just getting beyond it."   It's some problem with
disease or fertility or (not knowing your layout at all) possibly a growing
competition with trees for resources after seven years.  (And I can tell you
from experience that trees can send out roots a surprisingly long way to tap
into richer, better watered territory.)

--
Pat in Plymouth MI
    
"So, it was all a dream."
"No dear, this is the dream, you're still in the cell."  
 
email valid but not regularly monitored
  

 Thanks Pat for your advice which I think may be relevant to my problem.
Within six feet of my raspberry row I have a vigorous Golden Delicious, and
equally vigoroue Bramley and this year a heavily laden peach tree. If their
close proximity is causing the problem and I have no wish to dispose of the
fruit trees, what kind of feeding (for next year) would compensate?
Alistair in Kent

 Alistair Macdonald said:

Yes, trees growing up near the raspberries will compete for water and
nutrients!  Depending on which direction they are in relation to the
raspberries, they will also "compete for light" -- that is, cast shade.

I fertilize my raspberries in spring with a balanced organic fertilizer mix,
plus a thin layer of alfalfa pellets topped with a mulch layer of shredded
leaves (saved from the previous Autumn).  They also get some overshoot
of the (organic) lawn fertilizer I apply a couple of times during the summer.

It may be wisest (if you have the space) to start another row somewhere
farther away from the fruit trees.

In my opinion, in terms of crop value for space and effort, raspberries
would come first, followed by the peach, with the apples last.

--
Pat in Plymouth MI
    
"So, it was all a dream."
"No dear, this is the dream, you're still in the cell."  
 
email valid but not regularly monitored
  

 Thanks again for the advice. I think you have hit the nail on the head. I
would appreciate it if you could describe the <balanced organic fertilizer
mix> After pruning at the beginning of the year I apply phosphates, bone
meal and Growmore, and give regular Miracle Grow feeds during the growing
season. Is this enough or should I be better following your mix? If so what
exactly  does it consist of?