Almost every domestic summer resident grows raspberries on their plots. Tasty and aromatic berries are consumed fresh and vitamin jam is made from them, which is recommended to be drunk with tea for colds. The description of the Glen Ample raspberry variety indicates that this variety is not an ordinary bush, but a whole standard tree. Before purchasing such a plant, you should find out its care requirements.
Description of Glen Ample raspberry and its characteristics
A new Scottish raspberry variety called Glen Ample looks very different from the usual bushes that are found on the plots of domestic gardeners. The culture is more like a tree and is called standard. A new variety of raspberry was developed by scientists from the Scottish James Hutton Institute in 19996. The breeders crossed the Mecker and Glen Prosen varieties and obtained a new high-yielding raspberry, which became one of the most popular in Europe.
Also developed by this institute include such crop varieties as Glen Fine and Glen Eric; they are grown in open ground not only by European gardeners, but also by farmers on an industrial scale.
The description of the new variety indicates the following characteristics of raspberries:
- The fruit ripening period is medium-late, the harvest period is extended, the first berries are removed from the plant in early July, and the last ones at the end of the month.
- Raspberries grow up to 3.5 meters in height and resemble more a tree than a bush. It is erect, with a stem similar to a trunk.
- In the first year of growth and development, the shoots are colored green; starting from the second year, they acquire a brown tint and become woody, with no thorns at all.
- Each shoot produces about 20-30 fruiting branches.
- The peak growth of Glen Ample raspberries occurs in the first years; from the 3rd season the intensity decreases.
- The leaf blades are oval in shape and alternate, their upper part is dark green, and the lower part is whitish, with slight pubescence.
- Flowers with a diameter of 1 cm are collected in small inflorescences and located in the axils of the leaves and on the top of the branches.
- At the end of flowering, large berries (5-6 grams each) are formed in their place, characterized by a round-conical shape.When fully ripened, the fruits acquire a dark red hue and a sweet taste with a subtle sourness. They are dense and do not leak juice during transportation.
- Scottish raspberries have high frost resistance and are not afraid of dry seasons.
- The variety has strong immunity to crop pests, however, in the absence of prevention, it can be affected by viral diseases.
Tasters rated the taste of standard raspberries 9 points out of 10.
Pros and cons of the variety
Glen Ample raspberries have earned recognition from gardeners and farmers in many countries who grow them on an industrial scale. They highlighted the following points from the advantages of the Scottish variety:
- a strong bush with a powerful root system that is not damaged by bad weather and strong winds;
- high frost resistance, which allows the crop to be grown even in northern regions;
- greater shoot-forming ability;
- stable yield regardless of weather conditions;
- tasty and large berries of universal purpose;
- good transportability;
- long fruiting period;
- strong immunity to diseases;
- high drought and frost resistance;
- inexpensive seedlings of the variety.
There are some drawbacks; the disadvantages of raspberries include:
- the difficulty of harvesting and caring for the bush due to its high growth;
- risk of viral diseases without prevention;
- crushing fruits without adding sufficient phosphorus and potassium.
Landing Features
To obtain stable yields, it is necessary to plant seedlings of the variety correctly.
Soil requirements
For full development and fruiting, Scottish raspberries need light loam or soil with a good drainage layer and a sufficient amount of humus in the composition.
Lighting
Raspberries love sunlight, but if you place the seedlings in an open space where scorching rays fall all day, the leaves will begin to curl and dry out. The best solution would be an area with light partial shade - along low buildings or fences.
Preparation of land and planting material
Before planting seedlings, it is necessary to dig up the selected area and remove all weeds with roots. If the soil is poor, organic and mineral fertilizers are immediately applied.
Planting schemes
Planting raspberries is carried out according to the following instructions:
- Dig a hole with a diameter of 60 cm and a depth of 25 cm.
- Fill the hole with fertile soil to a third of the depth and install the seedling, carefully straightening the roots in different directions.
- Fill with the remaining soil and compact it a little, making sure that the replacement point is located below the soil surface.
- Moisten the plants abundantly and place a mulch layer in the tree trunk circle.
- Trim all shoots to a length of 20 cm.
Variety care
If there is sufficient rainfall during the season, then raspberries do not need additional watering. Otherwise, irrigate the bushes using a bucket of water for 1 specimen.
Pruning of bushes is carried out twice a season - in the spring, all broken and frozen shoots are removed, and in the fall, old and disease-affected branches are cut out. It is recommended to grow raspberries of this variety on a trellis.
Diseases and pests
The only danger to raspberries is from viral infections, in particular rust. In order not to encounter this problem, they follow the rules of care - do not thicken the plantings, promptly remove weeds from the site and carry out spring spraying with copper-containing preparations.
Reproduction
The Glen Ample raspberry variety is propagated by root layering, cuttings and with the help of young seedlings that are separated from the mother bush.
Cleaning and storage rules
The berries are picked as they ripen; after harvesting, the harvest is stored in the refrigerator for 7-9 days or immediately made into raspberry jam.
