- Authors: Italy, nursery "Berry Plant"
- Repairability: Yes
- Berry color: bright red
- Taste: sweet
- Ripening period: early
- Berry weight, g: 6-8
- Yield: 3 kg per bush
- Frost resistance: high, -26 С
- Appointment: jams, preserves, jellies, freezing
- Drop off location: on a hill or create high beds
Raspberries are a popular berry that has beneficial properties both fresh and canned. Among a wide variety of plants, the Amira variety is gaining its popularity due to its excellent performance. In addition, it is a remontant variety, which is very much appreciated by gardeners.
Breeding history of the variety
The Amira raspberry variety was bred in 2000 in the Italian nursery "Berry Plant" thanks to the crossing of Polish and Canadian varieties. The parents are the Polka and Tulamin varieties, which are distinguished by their high-yielding characteristics, which are completely passed on to the younger generation.
Description of the variety
This variety is distinguished by medium-sized compact bushes, the height of which usually does not exceed 2 meters. The plant has bright green leaves that are whitish on one side.
Amira has thick branches, characterized by their erectness. Trellis or wire stretched in horizontal rows are often used to support the plant. The stalk of Amir's raspberry differs from other varieties in its strong studiness, and the spines are hook-shaped, which complicates the harvest.
Ripening terms
The variety is distinguished by early fruiting. Regions with warm climates can expect harvests by the middle of the second summer month. In cold areas, Amir will mature by late July or early August. The variety is characterized by a short fruiting period, that is, the bulk of the crop will be harvested within a week after the first fruits appear.
Yield
Raspberries of the Amira variety are used by gardeners as an annual crop, since in this case the berries can become much larger, but they will require more careful plant care. It includes the complete cutting of branches for the winter and their shelter. The yield indicator from one bush can reach 3 kg.
Berries and their taste
The variety is distinguished by large, magnificent berries. The weight of one of them can vary from 6 to 8 g. The berries themselves are easy to separate from the stalk and delight gardeners by the fact that they do not disintegrate into small parts when harvested. The compact arrangement of the lateral branches (laterals) facilitates quick harvesting, and the strong adhesion of the drupes allows the berries to not wrinkle. This makes it possible to transport fruits over a long distance while maintaining their presentation, which is why the variety is very popular among people who grow berries for sale.
Growing features
Like any variety, raspberries require careful attention. Particular attention should be paid to the choice of a planting site, soil preparation, as well as plant care.
Site selection and soil preparation
Planting Amira raspberries should be done in sunny areas, since the appearance of a shade will negatively affect the amount of harvest and the taste characteristics of the berries.If there is swampy soil on the site, you should choose places on a hill, or use planting in a high bed. Planting the variety should not be carried out in the places where the old raspberry tree is located. It is also not recommended to plant a plant after nightshade crops. Activities are carried out in the autumn and spring periods, however, preference is given to planting in the fall, since the plant will be able to strengthen its roots before the onset of frost and direct its forces to growth in the spring.
Seedlings that have a closed root system can be planted at any time. But such plants require careful maintenance: they will need to be protected from direct sunlight. And also the seedlings will need timely watering.
The standard distance for planting Amir's raspberry bushes should be no more than 80 cm, and the rows should be placed at a distance of 1.5 meters.
Planting depth most often varies from 30 to 50 cm. Under the bush, you should definitely add organic fertilizing. This can be a mixed bucket of rotted manure with half a glass of superphosphate and 200 g of wood ash. All components must be mixed with the soil.
Raspberries of the Amira variety are undemanding to the indicator of soil fertility, but the amount of the crop will depend on this. And also you should carry out regular watering to avoid the death of the plant.
When applying a high-quality first fertilizer, the next top dressing is applied after 2 years.
Pruning
Pruning activities are carried out in early summer. This allows you to thin out thickened plantings and increase the amount of yield.
Watering and feeding
Watering should be done carefully and regularly. The soil should be moistened to a depth of 30 cm before flowering, and during the period of fruit ripening, watering should be taken very carefully.
The optimal feeding for this variety will be organic fertilizers, since they have a balanced composition for the plant to obtain adequate nutrition.
Frost resistance and preparation for winter
Amira is distinguished by good indicators of frost resistance.When preparing plants for wintering, it is necessary to cut the raspberry stems, and also to clean the area from accumulated debris and leaves. In regions with a warm climate, raspberries do not need shelter, and in colder areas, coniferous spruce branches, peat or agrofibre can be used to create winter protection. Before the shelter, it is worth removing the bushes from the trellises and bending them to the ground. If raspberry pruning has been done, be sure to insulate the remaining stems using a thick layer of mulch.
Unfortunately, raspberries, like other plants, do not bypass various diseases and pests. Only armed with the knowledge and the necessary means for this, you can cope with such troubles. To help the plant, it is very important to be able to recognize the disease in time and begin timely treatment.
Reproduction
Reproduction of Amira occurs by shoots. Due to the peculiarities of the variety, the plant actively creates young bushes. And also for propagation, the cuttings method can be used.
To obtain new shoots in the autumn, a stalk is prepared, which can be cut off from the stem or root. When creating a root cutting, no more than 1/4 of the root system is cut off, after which the resulting plant is deepened and watered. Young plants, formed by this method, will grow up by the next year. Not everyone can propagate raspberries by dividing the bush, since you need to know the intricacies of the structure of the root system.
Amir's raspberry is very popular among gardeners, as it is characterized by unpretentious care and high yield. This variety is resistant to most diseases and pests, and also withstands light frosts well.