Raspberry Elegant

Among many cultivated varieties of raspberries, Elegant stands out for its successful combination of high yield with unpretentiousness. It belongs to the remontant species of berry bushes, which allows you to get fresh berries to the table for a long summer-autumn period.

A relatively new type of elite garden shrub was the result of many years of experience by the famous Russian breeder and doctor of sciences - I.V. Kazakov. Raspberry Elegant was officially included in the list of domestic agricultural achievements in 2005, and its creator won one of the prizes in the competition for horticultural crops.

The variety was initially intended for the conditions of Central Russia, but gardeners from Siberia and the Urals also give excellent reviews about it. Its increased survival rate in cold climates is explained by the fact that this crop can be grown as an annual, completely cutting off the shoots from which the crop was obtained before winter. Covering the root system with hilling helps the plant to endure winter temperatures down to -35 degrees, and release new ones in spring.

Raspberry Elegant belongs to shrubs with an average indicator of drought tolerance. She needs abundant watering on hot days. Due to a lack of moisture, the plant loses part of the harvest, and the remaining fruits grow small and sour. With good agricultural technology and timely watering, the variety flawlessly demonstrates a stable and high yield.

Slender and tall bushes are a remontant type of raspberry. The first berries are formed in early June on the shoots that survived the winter frosts of last year. The second line of ripe fruits appears by the end of August and continues in September.

Numerous reviews of gardeners who breed Elegant raspberries on their plots characterize this variety as high-yielding. On average, up to 3 kg of ripe fruits are harvested from one bush during one season. From all bushes located on 1 square meter, you can collect about 14-15 kg of large and juicy berries.

The shoots of a tall and powerful shrub do not need support, but when grown on trellises, a noticeable increase in the yield of raspberries is noted, since neighboring shoots do not block each other from the sun and air intake. Fruit size reaches its maximum on annual shoots, not weakened by the neighborhood of last year. In favorable years, an increase in the yield of berries is observed due to the longer periods of fruiting.

Large, juicy, rounded, conical dark-scarlet berries grow in tassels. They have a sweet-sour taste, with a pronounced raspberry aroma and a high content of vitamin C. All berries grow approximately the same size, weighing 3.8-4 grams each, and easily move away from the stalks. The berry harvest is concentrated mainly on the upper ends of the branches.

Raspberry bushes of the Elegant variety grow up to 1.6-1.8 meters. The thorns are located mainly on the lower part of the shoots. The biennial branches are brown and densely skinned with a moderate number of thorns. If you tie them up at the beginning of flowering, then they will give more berries.

Young, annual branches of raspberry bushes can be recognized by their green color and short stature. They usually do not need to be tied up as they are quite strong and stable. Each bush can consist of 5-7 separate shoots during the season. When grown using trellis, raspberries are better ventilated.

Elegant responds well to frequent weeding and loosening of the soil in the root zone. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the roots that are close to the surface. Regular watering is necessary for raspberries in any weather, especially when the dry period sets in. It helps to fertilize and retain moisture in the ground by mulching with sawdust, humus or straw. In autumn, the plant is pruned: completely - in cold regions and only fertile areas - in warmer ones. In the spring, spraying for diseases is carried out. Starting from the third year, it is necessary to apply top dressing and fertilization.

Raspberries Elegant are planted in well-lit and ventilated areas. She feels good when landing along low fences. The plant prefers light, neutral soils. Landing sites are prepared in advance, 2-3 weeks in advance. To do this, dig up the soil to a depth of 25-30 cm. In a heavy clay layer, drainage is arranged in each hole from crushed stone or small pieces of brick. The soil intended for backfill is mixed with humus.

The repaired raspberry variety propagates by root shoots or cuttings. They appear in late spring or early fall. According to numerous reviews of experienced gardeners, the best survival rate of new raspberry bushes was noted during autumn planting. Large roots of the plant, the diameter of which is not less than 1 cm, should be cut into separate pieces 10-15 cm long. Such cuttings are planted horizontally in prepared holes or containers for subsequent transplantation into open ground.