Difference between revisions of "Raspberry"
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===Propagation=== | ===Propagation=== | ||
− | + | Raspberries are relatively easy to propagate, as they are "weedy" and tend to take over gardens if not maintained. There are several methods. | |
+ | |||
+ | ====Suckers==== | ||
+ | New plants will often spring up next to parent plants (suckers). These seedlings can easily and reliably be excavated and replanted in early spring. Sever them from the parent plant's root system and keep the rootball as intact as possible. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Layering==== | ||
+ | Layering, specifically tip layering, is the most effective, and can be done during the growing season after fruiting is complete. The growing tip is placed into a hole and covered with soil. The tip will work its way back up to the surface and roots will form at the elbow. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Cuttings==== | ||
+ | Otherwise, cane cuttings can be taken in early fall and planted immediately. A cutting should have several buds | ||
+ | |||
+ | If it is the middle of winter, root cuttings can be taken, stored for the winter, and planted in early spring. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===References=== | ||
+ | http://www.gardenguides.com/94645-propagate-wild-raspberry-plants.html | ||
+ | http://www.agardenersforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/302835 | ||
+ | http://usagardener.com/how_to_grow_fruits/how_to_grow_raspberries.php | ||
===Pests and diseases=== | ===Pests and diseases=== |
Latest revision as of 20:56, 3 June 2010
Features: | ✓ | edible, fruit |
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Rosaceae > |
Rubus > |
The Raspberry or Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) is a plant that produces a tart, sweet, red composite fruit in summer or early autumn. In proper botanical language, it is not a berry at all, but instead an aggregate fruit of numerous drupelets around a central core. In raspberry and other species of the subgenus Idaeobatus, the drupelets separate from the core when picked, leaving a hollow fruit, whereas in blackberry the drupelets stay attached to the core.
It typically grows in forest clearings or fields, particularly where fire or wood-cutting has produced open space for colonization by this opportunistic colonizer of disturbed soil. The raspberry flower can be a major nectar source for honeybees. As a cultivated plant in moist temperate regions, it is easy to grow and has a tendency to spread unless cut back.
Two types are commercially available: the wild-type summer bearing, that produces an abundance of fruit on second-year canes within a relatively short period in midsummer, and double- or "ever"-bearing plants, which also bear a few fruit on first-year canes in the autumn, as well as the summer crop on second-year canes. Raspberries can be cultivated from USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 9.
Leaves of the raspberry cane are used fresh or dried in herbal and medicinal teas. The leaves have an astringent flavour and in herbal medicine are reputed to be effective in regulating menses. Leaves are found in groups of 3 or 5 and the undersides are silver-white in color. Blackberries have similar looking leaves but the undersides are green.
Raspberries contain significant amounts of polyphenol antioxidants, chemicals linked to promoting endothelial and cardiovascular health. Xylitol, a sugar alcohol alternative sweetener, can be extracted from raspberries.
Raspberries are grown for two reasons: for the fresh market and for commercial processing. Traditionally raspberries were a late summer crop, but with new technology, varieties and innovations, raspberries can be enjoyed all year-round. Raspberries need a lot of sun and ample amounts of water in order to develop to their fullest. Escaped raspberries frequently appear as garden weeds, spread by seeds found in the excrement of birds.
Cultivation
Raspberries are normally started in the winter from dormant canes. These should be planted 1m apart in fertile, well drained soil. Prepare the soil before planting by digging deeply and incorporate plenty of organic matter, such as compost.
In the first year, remove all flowers to allow the plant to build up reserves and to grow bigger. From the second year, previous year's canes will flower in the spring and the fruit will ripen in the summer. Water and feed well in the spring and summer, but decrease water and food in the autumn. This will harden the canes to survive the winter.
In the winter, prune out old flowered canes, down to the ground level. Of the new canes, remove all small and weak ones. Remove ones that are growing too close to each other - allow around 10-15cm between canes. Most varieties will need to be staked.
Raspberries are very vigorous and can be a little invasive. They will sucker new canes some distance from the main plant. In the spring, mark out the boundary of the plant and push a spade straight down the boundary. This will sever the suckers. Then dig out the suckers that grow outside the boundary.
Pick the fruits when they have turned a deep red and drop off easily from the core when touched. This is when the fruits are most ripe and sweetest. Excess fruit can be made into raspberry jam or frozen.
Propagation
Raspberries are relatively easy to propagate, as they are "weedy" and tend to take over gardens if not maintained. There are several methods.
Suckers
New plants will often spring up next to parent plants (suckers). These seedlings can easily and reliably be excavated and replanted in early spring. Sever them from the parent plant's root system and keep the rootball as intact as possible.
Layering
Layering, specifically tip layering, is the most effective, and can be done during the growing season after fruiting is complete. The growing tip is placed into a hole and covered with soil. The tip will work its way back up to the surface and roots will form at the elbow.
Cuttings
Otherwise, cane cuttings can be taken in early fall and planted immediately. A cutting should have several buds
If it is the middle of winter, root cuttings can be taken, stored for the winter, and planted in early spring.
References
http://www.gardenguides.com/94645-propagate-wild-raspberry-plants.html http://www.agardenersforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/302835 http://usagardener.com/how_to_grow_fruits/how_to_grow_raspberries.php
Pests and diseases
Varieties
Recent breeding has resulted in varieties that are thornless and upright (do not require staking). Raspberries have also been crossed with other members of the Rubus genus, resulting in a number of hybrids, such as boysenberry and loganberry.
A gold raspberry, which is pale yellow, has been selected by horticulturists.
The black raspberry, also called a blackcap, is not the same plant, being a variety (usually) of Rubus occidentalis, a North American species. Other Rubus species also called raspberries include:
- Arctic raspberry (Rubus arcticus)
- Flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus)
- Wine raspberry (Rubus phoenicolasius)
- Whitebark raspberry or Western Raspberry (Rubus leucodermis)
Not all of these are included in the same subgenus.
Gallery
If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.
Raspberries and a wasp
Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
ExpandRead about Raspberry in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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ExpandRead about Raspberry in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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References
- Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
External links
- w:Raspberry. Some of the material on this page may be from Wikipedia, under the Creative Commons license.
- Raspberry QR Code (Size 50, 100, 200, 500)
- Medicinal Uses of Raspberries in Armenia