dividing and giving raspberries

[insahmniak]

Everywhere I've read about raspberries I come across a statement something like, "As tempting as it is, don't plant gifted raspberry plants. Purchase disease-free plants...."

We're moving our raspberries this weekend and I have hundreds to give away. Is it irresponsible to give them? I don't want to propagate disease of course. But I don't want to compost these if they'd be good to pass along to someone.

Is it really that risky to plant gifted raspberries?

Any thoughts?

[gmvh]

I've not heard that but I've also not spent any time researching raspberry gifting. I have gifted raspberries, from my next door neighbor, and have not had any problems - other than them growing out of control! Until you mentioned the disease part, I was thinking folks were advised not to take gifted raspberries because they can get crazy so fast and are hard to get rid of!

[Erinz]

Our boysenberries were gifts and I them, especially because I think of the gifter every time we pick them. Last year we gave away 50 or so little sprouts. I give away divisions of things often enough and have never even considered the disease aspect! I also wouldn't give away anything I know to be infested/diseased though.

[insahmniak]

Thanks for the replies. They look healthy enough so I'm going to go ahead and offer them. It was a beautiful day today and the earth was workable. I have full-on spring fever now.