Raspberry Meteor

The universal grade Meteor appeared thanks to the efforts of the employees of the Kokinsky base. Breeders have combined two varieties - Kostinbrodskaya and Novost Kuzmina.

Shrubs of this variety are tall and powerful, reaching a height of 180 to 200 centimeters. Shoots are slightly spreading and straight, while keeping compact. The branches are covered with a light bloom of wax, the top is drooping. The plant is covered with small and short thorns that are almost invisible.

During the season, one plant forms from 8 to 10 shoots. And also a lot of root growth is formed. The branches reach their maximum length in the second year. If raspberries grow near the fence, the shrubs do not need to be tied up. To obtain a rich harvest, it is imperative to observe intensive agricultural technology and comfortable weather conditions.

Meteor is a semi-renovated fruit crop. Berries ripen early. The first collection takes place in June. Depending on the climate in the region, crops are harvested in late or early June.

High yield is one of the characteristics of the Meteor variety that attracts the attention of gardeners. Up to 2 kilograms of raspberries can be obtained from one plant. Separately, they note the high keeping quality and transportability.

Raspberry Meteor turns into a bright ruby ​​hue when fully ripe. The sizes are average, and in weight the berries are gaining from 2.7-3 to 5 grams. During harvesting, the fruits are easily detached from the stalks. When stored properly, they do not emit juice, while maintaining marketability. Shape - obtuse conical or round conical. The pulp is juicy and dense at the same time. The taste is sweet and sour. The amount of sugar is from 6 to 9%. Acids - from 1.5 to 1.7%.

Note: the fruits are practically not used for making jams or preserves, they are often frozen.

The garden berry is very fond of the sun. Preferences for soil - moderately acidic or moist. Due to their high frost resistance, raspberries can be grown in regions with low temperatures. One of the rules of agricultural technology is moderate watering. Moisture is essential for regular fruiting. And also sanitary pruning is performed. Most often, raspberries are found in central Russia.

It is recommended to plant seedlings in the spring, since the root system is vulnerable to icing. Work is carried out only when the risk of frost return has passed. Raspberry tolerates slight darkening easily. In order for young plants to quickly take root, the soil is fed with manure or humus. Wood ash is sometimes used.

The planting material must be examined. Plants with defects, signs of disease, dry and weak roots are thrown away. After planting, young plants are watered at the rate of 10 liters of settled water per shrub.The soil around the raspberries is covered with dry tops or peat, they function as mulch, maintaining the required level of moisture. Cuttings are trimmed, leaving 30-40 centimeters in length.

The yield of a garden crop is significantly influenced by the choice of a site for laying a raspberry tree. You can plant shrubs on the south side of buildings, as well as along a wall or fence. If possible, it is recommended to opt for a site with this characteristic.

The preparation of the territory for the raspberry tree begins in the fall with a spring planting. A trench is being laid to a depth of 30 centimeters. In order for the plants to quickly take root in a new place, a small amount of the substrate is placed on the bottom. For its preparation, humus, bird droppings and ash are mixed. The optimal distance between plants is 50-70 centimeters, between rows of raspberries - 1.5-2 meters.

Prune raspberries for sanitary reasons. The work is performed in early spring or autumn. The second option is more preferable. Broken, thin, diseased, dry and weakened shoots are removed. Such measures are necessary to prevent infections. And also on the damaged branches there may be larvae of dangerous insects. The tops of the shoots that have already matured are cut off in the fall. After wintering, the frozen branches are cut off. And also pruning is carried out in the summer if the plant grows too luxuriantly. Excess shoots are thinned out, leaving only 7-9 healthy and strong stems. Be sure to remove deformed branches that can cause the spread of the disease.

If the winter was snowy, then it is not necessary to water the raspberry tree in early spring. The melt water will moisten the soil. It is imperative to ensure regular hydration during the ripening of the berries. Young seedlings are watered every week in the first year of planting. Even after harvesting the fruits, the plantation is irrigated so that the plant grows stronger before the upcoming wintering. Experienced gardeners moisturize the soil every time before applying top dressing. In the hot season, the raspberry tree is regularly irrigated until the autumn rains.

Adult raspberry bushes are fertilized at least 2-3 times per season. To make the green mass empty and lush, ammonium nitrate is added to the soil in the spring. The next time feeding is applied in the process of flowering and pouring fruits. They switch to balanced mineral complexes and ash. And the following options are also effective: herbal infusions, compost and bird droppings. At the end of autumn, pig or cow manure is scattered over the site.

If there is a risk that the raspberry may not survive the winter, the raspberry tree should be prepared for the harsh season. In autumn, the branches are still quite pliable, so they should be pressed to the ground and covered with burlap or a strong film. Raspberries survive better under high snow cover.

Despite the fact that the Meteor variety is highly resistant to diseases and dangerous pests, plants can suffer from infections and other pathogens. The plant's immune system suffers from the following factors: unfavorable weather conditions, neglect of planting, non-adherence to agricultural practices, excessive fertilization or lack of nutrients.

One of the most common diseases is purplish spot. You can identify it by purple spots. To protect the berry plantation, you need to regularly clean the area from plant debris, ensuring adequate ventilation. One of the methods of dealing with the disease is spraying shrubs with Bordeaux liquid (1%). Processing is carried out at the beginning of the formation of shoots, before flowering and after flowering. The second effective remedy is treatment with copper chloride (3-4 grams of substance per liter of water).

Due to the fact that the roots form a large number of offspring, they can be used to propagate a berry plantation without problems. They are carefully disconnected from the main rhizome and transplanted to a new location. The work is carried out from spring to autumn.

Another way to propagate raspberries is by dividing or green cuttings. During division, a full-fledged root system should remain on each new seedling.