Raspberry Balm

By crossing the varieties Ruby Bulgarian and Newburgh, a new garden culture called Balsam was obtained. Its berries are versatile. This is a healthy and aromatic delicacy that is eaten fresh or used to prepare popular desserts.

Straight and spreading shrubs grow up to 180 cm in height. Green shoots are covered with a waxy bloom. The number of spines is average. They are tough, but short, brown in color. The green mass consists of flat and wrinkled leaves of bright green color. Their sizes are large or medium. The amount of root growth is average.

The Balsam variety is not remontant, therefore it bears fruit once a season. The ripening period of berries is average. The first berries ripen around mid-June, and the fruiting period lasts until early July.

The yield of the variety is high: up to 2.5 kg of raspberries from one bush. On an industrial scale - from 6 to 8 tons per hectare. The transportability of the fruits is excellent, due to which they retain their shape during transportation.

When ripe, raspberries turn dark purple without shine. The berries are large, gaining in weight from 2.7 to 3.5 g. The pulp with a dense consistency. The fruits are securely attached to the stalk, therefore, after ripening, they do not crumble. Their shape is wide-conical.

The aroma of raspberries is pronounced, intense. The taste is sweet and sour. The combination of contrasting flavors is harmoniously balanced.

Raspberry Balsam is not afraid of shade and feels great on spacious areas. Garden culture tolerates frost well. It is not difficult to take care of the variety, it is enough just to follow the standard rules of agricultural technology:

• regular watering and feeding;
• preparation of a berry plantation for wintering;
• removal of dry and broken shoots;
• treatment of infections, protection from pests.

The quality and quantity of the harvest directly depends on the choice of the site. It must meet certain requirements.

• An area lit by the sun and located on a small slope or hill is ideal. This arrangement does not allow moisture to stagnate.
• If shrubs are planted in heavy soils, it is recommended to grow them in high beds. The plant is raised 15–20 cm so that excess moisture does not damage the root system.
• The selected area must be prepared in the fall. The earth is dug up and fertilized. It is advisable to plant the Balsam variety in the spring.
• The optimal landing direction is from north to south. A gap of 0.7-0.8 m is left between the bushes, up to 2 m between the rows.

Note: It is recommended to change the location of the raspberries every 10 years to maintain high yields.

Cropping can be as follows:

• removal of shoots that have already borne fruit;
• pruning loose and excess branches to adjust thickening;
• at a height of 80–90 cm, the shoots are pinched to provoke the growth of branches of the second order.

Irrigation and regular feeding is a guarantee of an excellent harvest. Fertilizers need to be applied in a measured manner, otherwise they will only harm the raspberries. During the preparation of the soil, the site is covered with humus or compost according to the following calculation:

• 0.5 buckets of organic matter per shrub or bucket per meter of plantation;
• when using ready-made mineral fertilizers (with potassium, phosphorus and calcium), be sure to follow the instructions on the package.

Wood ash is widespread. This substance is used at the rate of 1 glass per shrub or 0.5 liters per linear meter of the site. During the growing season, the land around the site is covered with humus mulch. The layer thickness is from 5 to 8 cm.

Note: if organics are not at hand, you can use nitrogen compounds such as urea or saltpeter. Proportions - 2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water. The finished composition is used for 1 running meter. A fruit crop needs high humidity in 2 situations:

• during active growth of leaves, when the plant takes a lot of moisture from the soil;
• during the period of ovary and fruit ripening.

When forming berries, shrubs are regularly watered if there is no precipitation. During irrigation, the water should moisten the soil to a depth of 30–40 cm. The root system of the plant is at this level.

Despite the resistance to frost, in order to preserve the raspberry in harsh conditions, the shrubs begin to prepare for wintering in the middle of summer. After the cessation of fruiting, the branches are cut almost at the root, at the same level with the ground. Shrubs are fed with a nutrient composition with potassium, phosphorus and other useful microelements. The soil can be sprinkled with ash. Half a liter is enough for 1 m 2 planting. After feeding, the soil is loosened a little. Within the boundaries of the Leningrad Region and the Moscow Region, raspberries can overwinter without shelter.

Garden culture Balsam is not afraid of most diseases and insect pests, but if the mandatory conditions of agricultural technology are not followed, the plants begin to hurt. The plantation can suffer from several ailments.

• Juicy and bright berries attract the attention of the raspberry beetle. Get rid of it mechanically. Loosening the soil and removing the infected parts of the plant. Protect raspberries by treating them with Iskra or Intavir.
• The second common pest is the spider mite. It starts up in the absence of the necessary care. Its presence can be determined by the small cobweb on the leaves, which becomes noticeable with the arrival of spring. As a preventive measure, shrubs are cleaned of affected leaves, and the site is cleaned of weeds. Raspberries are treated with fungicides.
• Rusty spots on young shoots indicate a purple spot. Bordeaux liquid demonstrates high efficiency as a protective agent.

The Balsam variety is highly resistant to fungal diseases and rarely suffers from adverse weather conditions.

There are several ways to propagate raspberries.

• The fastest method is division. In this case, each plant should have 2-3 developed shoots and a full-fledged root system.
• On the roots, from the adventitious buds, lignified processes are cut off. You can use an annual offspring that has grown a meter from the mother plant. Dig it up in the fall.
• Green twigs are also used for breeding. With the onset of spring, when they reach a length of 10 to 20 cm, they need to be dug up and carefully transplanted to another place. Also, young raspberries, which have grown in an area 40 cm from the bush, will take root remarkably.

Regardless of the chosen breeding method, the planting material must be strong and healthy.