Raspberries are a delicious, aromatic berry with many health benefits. It is grown in almost every garden, trying to choose the best varieties, zoned for specific climatic conditions. In order to ensure a stable harvest, various agrotechnical measures are needed, including pruning Phenomenon raspberries. This berry has earned fame not only in Ukraine, but also in neighboring countries.
Description and characteristics of the variety
Raspberry Phenomenon was obtained by breeder Gonchar from crossing the Odarka and Stolichnaya varieties in 1991.This is a semi-spreading bush with long, up to 3 meters, prickly shoots. They are colored pale brown, turning yellow in autumn.
The leaves are typical of raspberries: dark green above and with whitish pubescence below, odd-pinnate, folded. Raspberries bloom in May with white flowers with yellow stamens, also characteristic of plants of this species.
In the first year after planting, the bush can produce round berries, which subsequently take on a cone shape. Their size is above average, weight ranges from 4.5 to 10 grams. They are distinguished by dense and juicy pulp with a delicate, expressive aroma. There is a slight sourness, but the taste is harmonious.
The fruiting period occurs at the end of June-July (depending on the region and weather conditions), the yield per bush reaches 8 kilograms. The fruits tolerate transportation well.
Advantages and disadvantages
Raspberries of the Phenomenon variety have the following advantages:
- Cold resistance. This quality allows the plant to be cultivated in countries with different climates - from Ukraine to Russia.
- High drought resistance. The bushes will produce a harvest even in a dry year, but with plenty of moisture, the berries will be large and the harvest will be substantial. The presence of sun and water also has a positive effect on the taste characteristics of the Phenomenon.
- Excellent adaptability. The plant will bear fruit and grow even under not entirely favorable conditions.
- Significant level of survival rate of seedlings.
- The versatility of using berries. They are suitable for fresh consumption, freezing, and processing.
- Resistance to many raspberry diseases, resistance to pests.
- Excellent appearance of the berries, transportability, aroma (the presence of a strong odor is considered by some to be a disadvantage).
- Stability of fruiting and abundant harvest.
These positive characteristics have made the Phenomenon raspberry popular among both professionals and amateurs. However, it also has some disadvantages:
- Bushes are susceptible to attacks by spider mites, raspberry beetles and weevils.
- Rich aroma of berries, although this property can hardly be considered a defect.
- The dependence of the taste, size, quality and quantity of fruits on the properties and fertility of the soil, as well as the availability of watering, fertilizing, and weather conditions. During drought, the berries become smaller, less juicy and tasty, and there is a risk of crop failure. The same thing happens on thin and dry soils.
- The need to garter long thorny shoots.
With proper agricultural technology and good care, Phenomenon raspberries produce excellent yields of large, juicy, brightly colored berries.
Raspberry Growing Phenomenon
In order for raspberries to grow successfully and produce stable yields, it is necessary to provide them with care, watering, fertilizing and pruning. But the choice of planting material is more important.
The seedling must have strong, formed and healthy roots, as well as at least three buds at the base of the shoot. This is important, since new fruit-bearing branches will grow from such buds next season.
Care and pruning
Bushes are planted at the end of August-September, but the planting period depends on weather conditions. Long-acting mineral fertilizers and manure or humus are added to each planting hole. Additives need to be mixed with the soil. After planting, the berry garden is watered abundantly.Plants are planted at a distance of 60-80 centimeters from each other, as they grow strongly and dry out the soil. Seedlings are pruned, leaving no more than 30 centimeters of branches. The leaves are removed.
Rooted plants are watered abundantly at least three times next year:
- Before the formation of flowers, but only in case of insufficient natural precipitation.
- During the formation of ovaries.
- After harvesting all the fruits.
Phenomenon raspberries are also fed three times: after the soil thaws, during the flowering period and after harvesting and pruning the bushes.
Pruning raspberries is an important agricultural practice. Sick, weak, deformed or diseased, dry shoots are constantly removed. To form a harvest, a double pruning method is used. The first pruning occurs in the summer, after harvesting. The tops of branches that are too long (more than one and a half meters) are removed, which causes branching.
Diseases and pests
Raspberry Phenomenon is famous for its resistance to the scourge of berry gardens - the raspberry gall midge, as well as to viral and fungal diseases. It is affected by raspberry beetles and weevils, as well as spider mites. To get rid of pests, it is necessary to treat the plantings with appropriate insecticides, as well as carry out sanitary cleaning of the bushes and the entire plantation. It is necessary to remove dry branches and leaves, loosen and mulch the soil, water and fertilize the raspberry tree in time.
Harvest and storage
Ripe raspberries of the Phenomenon variety are easily separated from the stalk, so picking them is not difficult.Harvesting is done by hand; to place the berries, it is better to choose low, wide baskets with a flat bottom.
The berries remain fresh for 3-5 days, during which they must be processed or sold. They tolerate transportation well. Phenomenon raspberries should be stored at a temperature no higher than 3 degrees Celsius.
Raspberries are suitable for various purposes. Phenomena berries can be eaten fresh, frozen, subjected to shock freezing to preserve taste and beneficial properties, and cooked into compotes, preserves, jams, confitures and marshmallows.
Phenomenon raspberries frozen for the winter are a storehouse of vitamins and summer flavor. They can be used as a filling for baked goods, to make smoothies, compotes and other drinks. In chilly and slushy weather, tea with honey and raspberries will help bring down the temperature.
Raspberry Phenomenon is an excellent unpretentious variety with tasty, large and healthy fruits.
