fruiting cane question

Absolutely. In fact, you could say that it kinda has to be, in most cases. In most varieties, older wood doesn't produce fruiting canes, 'though there are exceptions.

Each node on this year's fruiting cane will give rise to a fruiting cane next year. That's why there are so many pruning schemes like cordon & spur, or cane & renewal spur. Otherwise the fruiting wood is too far out from the trunk.

HTH

that confirms what I'm experiencing this year then: fruiting canes that were last years fruiting shoots. In the mean time I've been growing specific non-fruting shoots this year--from the lower trunk--for next years fruiting cane. but it's not growing as vigorously as I hoped, probably because most of the nutrient is going into the fruit above, and because it is in the lower canopy with less sun, etc. In this case then, I may hack off the lower shoot--which is probably a nutrient sink--and refocus on another healthier shoot as next years fruting cane(s).

sound about right?

Jeff

Depending on your pruning (trellising) method, you probably want the upper canes anyway. Exceptions would be if you have a need to replace the trunk, or are in a climate that makes it likely that the trunk will be damaged a certain percentage of years.

Be sure to get next years fruiting cane up in the sunlight this year, because this is necessary for it to develop the fruiting buds for next year. It also needs growing time to harden off so it can survive the winter.

HTH