Raspberry Beauty of Russia

The Kras of Russia variety is relatively new. But at the same time, he is already known to many lovers of fragrant garden berries.

This raspberry appeared in the early 1990s thanks to the work of the breeder Viktor Kichina from Moscow. The varieties Mirage and Maroseyka were taken as a basis. By themselves, they did not differ in anything special. But it was their combination that gave a result unsurpassed in many qualities.

The plant is a powerful shrub with a height of more than 1.6 meters. There are no thorns on the branches, which gardeners will appreciate when collecting. The leaves are very large, characterized by a glossy rich emerald hue. The stems are covered with a light waxy coating. The fruits are collected in a cluster with berries of approximately the same size. The plant branches easily after pinching.

The beauty of Russia is a mid-season, non-renovated variety. Excellent resistance to drought and frost (down to -35 ° C). It can be cultivated in a wide variety of climatic zones. Relatively resistant to common diseases and pests.

In the temperate climate of central Russia, berries begin to ripen from the second decade of July. The collection is carried out during July and August, that is, almost the entire second half of the summer. The most massive ripening occurs in mid-late July and mid-August.

At the same time, the culture has the following feature: after ripening, the berries fall off rather quickly.

The variety is versatile and suitable for growing in almost all regions of Russia. It is quite successfully cultivated both in the arid southern regions and in the north. This is possible due to the best qualities of the Beauty of Russia, which provide the plant with high resistance to adverse external conditions.

The beauty of Russia is one of the highest-yielding varieties. You can call the bushes real champions. Even with the smallest care, an average of 4.5 kg of berries are harvested from one plant.

The berry yield is stable from year to year. However, with little sun and rainy summers, crops can suffer.

The variety is distinguished by very large berries, up to the size of a small plum or half of a matchbox. All of them, as a rule, are "calibrated", that is, approximately the same size.

Raspberries grow deep red in color, gleaming slightly in the sun, with few grains. Very juicy and at the same time with fleshy walls.

Taste qualities are noted as excellent. Very fragrant and sweet raspberries are used both fresh and for various preparations (jams, preserves, compotes, wine and others). And the characteristic raspberry aroma during ripening will spread throughout the small horticultural area.

The only negative is the lack of keeping quality of berries. Therefore, they are not suitable for commercial use. Raspberries of this variety are not sold fresh. It should be eaten or processed immediately after collection.

Plants of this species respond well to any care. You cannot call them whimsical. But if you want to get a stable and impressive harvest every year, there are a few simple rules to follow.

According to the creators of the variety, the Beauty of Russia does not degenerate. This variety perfectly retains all its taste and breeding qualities. It is necessary to completely abandon and run the bushes for several years so that they begin to give a small harvest with chopped berries.

It is best to take the most illuminated place under the bushes. This variety loves the sun, but it does not tolerate shade and excess moisture, it can be affected by putrefactive bacteria, fungal diseases. Productivity also directly depends on how freely the plants are placed. The distances between the bushes in a row are at least a meter, between the rows of bushes 2-2.5 m.

The soil should be light and fertile, with a lot of sand. Groundwater should not flow too close to the surface. Young plants are planted in the spring (in the middle lane) or in the autumn season (in the south). For this, a hole is prepared by adding organic (humus, manure) and mineral fertilizers there. It is better to mix the ingredients in advance so that the ingredients saturate the soil. In no case should the bush be planted directly on the fertilizer mixture. To do this, a layer of humus with sand is poured on top, and a bush is already installed on it.

After planting, the earth is tamped tightly so that there are no air voids in the root system. The seedling is watered with a bucket of water.

To get a good harvest, it is important to prune correctly, and do it regularly, as the plant reproduces very well. The beauty of Russia gives abundant roots and fresh sprouts.

Usually, pruning is done twice a season. In the spring, old and diseased branches are removed. Of the new branches, no more than 7-9 pieces are left per bush, since with strong thickening, fruiting and ripening is worse.

It is for this variety that it is important to cut the branches to the very base near the ground, without leaving hemp, since bacteria and microorganisms multiply well in these places.

The second pruning is carried out in the fall before preparing the plant for winter (if possible). The procedure must be carried out with a sharp instrument so that the cut is even, clear, and not split.

Young plants in the first 2 years after planting in a new area need especially abundant watering. Adults water as the soil dries from May to July. When berries ripen, watering is carried out no more than once a week. After irrigation of the land, it must be mulched so that the moisture remains at the roots longer.

After harvesting, it is important not to abandon the bushes, but again to provide them with sufficient watering. In this case, water is poured strictly onto the ground, into the root circle. It is necessary to avoid getting moisture on trunks, berries and leaves. From this, the plant can get sick and rot.

For growth and a set of greenery, young plants are fed with organic fertilizers in the spring. And after harvesting, urea and potash-based fertilizers are added to the trunk circle.

Gardeners love the variety not only for its yield and excellent taste of aromatic berries, but also for its excellent resistance to frost. With a good layer of snow, the bushes can easily tolerate temperatures down to -35 degrees. In winters with little snow, they do not die at -25.

For the winter, the plant is usually bent to the ground with the help of special brackets and covered with a mixture of peat with sawdust, spruce branches. You can cover the plant with non-woven material (spunbond). Insulation of the bushes is carried out at a temperature approaching zero degrees. You shouldn't do this before.

The beauty of Russia is easily propagated by basal processes, which the bush gives several pieces per season. In spring (usually May), young shoots are separated from the mother plant. For this they choose the strongest, with a well-developed root system.

For this, the young plant is separated from the mother bush with a shovel. Before planting in the ground, the roots are dipped in the Kornevin solution for 30-60 minutes.