If I'm not mistaken, some varieties require other varieties to pollinate. There are some varieties that are self pollinating, but it just depends on the variety.

Rjinga
Why are you worried about cross pollination even if there was any probability of it if you planting for self consumption of fruit? Cross-pollination is considered a problem for those who are propagating the plant.

For some reason I thought that the actual berry could change? , but if the plant can be affected by cross pollination, doesn't that about equal the same thing? What changes? Would a different variety of fruit result if the plant was propogated?

Clearly, I am unfamiliar with the science here.

So if these plants are left to grow amongst each other (or at least in beds that are relatively close to each other (red, black rasp and blackberry), and the new shoots are dug up, will they be the same as the mother plant regardless of what happens pollination wise?

Right, you only are concerned with pollination if you want to grow out the seeds. I have berries very close. Also I plant my black and red raspberries close which is an official no-no but I think that is outdated advice for the old disease-prone black varieties.

Scott

I plant my varieties very close as well Reds, blacks, yellows, purples, blackberries, wild blackberries, etc. I'm not saying I recommend it, I'm just saying that it hasn't caused me any problems yet. But, I've only been doing this for 3-4 years. For me, it was a space issue. I just don't have the land for growing them as far apart as that advice recommends. I'm also wondering which diseases that advice is trying to avoid? -Glenn

Glenn, the problem is virus diseases, which some black raspberries are more susceptible to.

Scott

Thanks Scott.
-Glenn