Raspberry Bristol

Raspberries do not always have to be only red, there are other colors, for example, black. One of the brightest representatives of this type is the Bristol raspberry. In this article, we will consider the description of the variety, yield, features of cultivation, reproduction.

Raspberry Bristol was first grown in 1934 in New York at the Geneva Garden Station.

Raspberry Bristol has a strong root system, without actively releasing new shoots. The bushes reach a height of 3 m, are erect, there are thorns throughout the vine. Seedlings from one year old are very thin and have a characteristic bloom. Two-year-old seedlings are already distinguished by a thickened vine and a more brown tint, the plaque on the hole becomes more.

The branches are spreading, and the top is inclined towards the ground. The foliage is dark green in color, medium in size and corrugated.

Flowers are combined in a brush of 5-10 pieces.

Positive sides of raspberries:

• good root system;

• does not creep over the site;

• the berries are well attached to the stalk, so they do not crumble under their own weight.

The variety is remontant, therefore the growing season is very extended. The first fruits ripen by mid - late July and continue to ripen until the end of August.

The yield of Bristol raspberries is very high, up to 5 kg of berries are harvested from one bush.

The fruits are large, in shape closer to the circle, weighing up to 5 g. The shade of the fruits is black with a characteristic gray bloom. The pulp is firm and juicy, thanks to which the berries do not lose their shape even after freezing.

The berries are sweet to taste with a kind of honey aftertaste.

There are no special agrotechnical requirements. Raspberries will grow anywhere, under any conditions. But still, it is worth following some rules in order to harvest a good harvest.

The soil should be soft, loose, with a little clay, with a low acid content. Water should not stagnate in the selected area.

The place must be sunny, on the south side of the garden. The site should not be heavily blown by winds or drafts. Black raspberries get along well with red, but do not tolerate close proximity to blackberries.

It also coexists well with cereals and legumes, since they are rich in nitrogen.

It is necessary to ensure that raspberries do not overgrow with branches and grass. Therefore, the distance between the bushes is on average 0.8 m, and the width between the rows is 2 m.

It is worth digging holes for seedlings 0.5-0.8 m deep and 0.5 m in diameter. Seedlings are planted from north to south. The soil must first be dug up with top dressing and the soil must be allowed to rest for two weeks. Then the seedlings are carefully planted in a hole and tamped down with earth. After disembarking, each resulting hole should be spilled abundantly with water.

Raspberry vine grows quickly, it is very thin, so it needs timely pruning and garter to the trellises.

In the spring, it is worth cutting off all frozen shoots and those that are affected by pests.

In summer in late June - early July, it is worth pruning all young annual shoots by about ¼ part. This is necessary so that the shoots begin to bear fruit next year.

And the last pruning is carried out in the fall before the first frost. It is necessary to remove all old branches, preferably at the very root. And healthy vines should be shortened up to 2 m in length.

Raspberries Bristol are not so demanding for frequent watering. In this case, it is worth observing the regime, especially after the beginning of flowering, on average it is from 2 to 4 buckets for each bush. If there is heavy rainfall, then you should not additionally water the bushes.

This species has high frost resistance, but still much depends on the region of cultivation.

In the southern regions, raspberries can simply be left on trellises without a covering, but the roots should be mulched in case there is no snow due to frost.

In the northern regions, it is worth sheltering raspberries, you can start this before the first frost begins. It is necessary to remove the branches from the trellises and twist them, then tie them loosely with a rope, and cover them with mulch, best of all with spruce branches, while you should not cover them with sawdust, as they absorb moisture well. And only after that, the bushes must be insulated with a covering or agrofibre.

Since Bristol raspberries do not give any root growth, gardeners use the Chinese breeding method to breed the species.

At the end of the season, when the entire crop is harvested, young shoots are gently tilted to the ground and pinned.It is best to make a small groove for this, lower the shoot there and sprinkle it with a layer of earth up to 10 cm.

Raise the upper part of the shoot above the ground and wrap a little along a specially stuck peg into the ground. You can tie an escape if it does not hold.

Before the first frost, a new shoot is insulated with spruce branches and peat. In the spring, the resulting seedling must be separated from the bush and transplanted to a new place.