Raspberry Polana

Among domestic gardeners, one can often hear the opinion that foreign varieties of raspberries are not suitable for harsh climatic conditions. However, the Polish cultivar Polana has gained popularity among both beginners and experienced agricultural technicians. This variety was bred in 1991, and thanks to its resistance to cold weather, rich taste and undemanding care, it quickly became widespread in our country.

Polana is a remontant raspberry variety, the ripening period depends on the growth band. The external characteristics are as follows:

• the bush is quite dense, the height reaches one and a half meters and slightly higher;

• shoots grow abundantly, the number of shoots on a bush is up to 20;

• erect shoots, have high strength, developed branching;

• most of the fruit is located at the top of the stem;

• the thickness of the branches at the bottom can reach 3 cm, so they are not afraid of drafts and strong winds, but supports or binding are still necessary;

• the surface of the stems has a purple tint, there are thorns, but there are not too many of them;

• the foliage is large in size, has a corrugated base, the color is bright green on the outside and light green on the inside.

The advantages of the Polana variety are very serious:

• excellent yield level;

• fruiting is constant, lasts up to 20 years;

• good dessert qualities;

• collection of dry type, well transported;

• the thorns are not too significant;

• suitable for growing on an industrial scale;

• undemanding care;

• shoots are actively developing;

• tolerates frost well.

But raspberries of this variety also have disadvantages that are worth remembering;

• the taste of fruits is very dependent on climate, conditions, weather;

• does not tolerate drought well.

For raspberries of the remontant variety Polana ripens quite early, fruiting is long. Even when the berries are fully ripe, shedding does not occur. They dry right on the shoot without falling. The average fruiting period is from mid-summer to early October.

Fruiting of this variety is abundant, on average, about 5 kg of fruits are harvested from the bush. Approximately 11.5 kg are harvested from a square meter, but much depends on the care measures. If the agricultural technology is correct, about 20 tons per hectare can be harvested per season. It is very important to arrange proper care so that the taste of the berries does not deteriorate. In autumn, the level of sweetness decreases slightly.

Raspberries of this variety visually have a regular shape, conical type. The size of the berries varies from 3 to 3.5 cm, the average weight is up to 3 g. The flesh is quite elastic and juicy, the taste is sweet with a slight sourness, the aroma is pronounced. The skin is dense, therefore the berries are well stored.

If the raspberry plant is large in an open area, it is important to tie up the bushes. Until the age of three, the bushes are compact, do not bend, but subsequently become susceptible to winds and tangles.In addition, it is important to organize grooming activities.

• Moisturizing. Polana does not tolerate drought well, so it needs to be watered in a timely manner, sparing no moisture. Of course, the amount of humidification and its frequency must also take into account the weather conditions. Make sure that the moisture content is constant at a depth of at least 25 cm. If the summers are hot, dry, organize drip irrigation, or create ditches with water. Rain-type watering is carried out in the evening or morning, otherwise the leaves may get burned. Moistening is also necessary before feeding.

• Pruning. In order for the raspberry to bear as much fruit as possible, it is necessary to prune it in the fall so that the aerial part is almost completely removed. Foliage, branches are burned. When new shoots in the summer exceed a height of 160 cm, pinch the tops, cut off all excess, weak branches. To actively bear fruit, Polana needs 8-9 shoots per season, and it grows about 25.

• Fertilizers. Top dressing for this variety is necessary to compensate for the spent resources. During the season, fertilizers are usually applied 2 or 3 times, the first time it is done in the third or fourth year after planting. Nitrogen fertilizing improves the condition of foliage, stems, mineral - ovaries and berries.

This raspberry variety grows well and bears fruit on almost any soil. But if you want the raspberry tree to bear really tasty and large fruits, find a good place on the site. Fences should be located from the north to prevent cold winds. The taste of berries depends on the area, soil, light, humidity. Sandy loam soil, loam, not too acidic, is best suited.

Lowland - a reason to create drainage layers, a high level of acidity - add lime, ash. Clay soil can be improved with humus, peat, ash. Start preparing the soil in advance, top dressing should not only connect with the soil, but also dissolve. Create pits, cover with soil with a mixture of organic matter and mineral fertilizers. Cuttings will root faster, shoots will appear in the first season.

The depth of the holes should be at least 30, but not more than 35 cm, the roots are located close to the surface. If the planting is belt type, the width between the seedlings should be about half a meter or slightly more. If the planting is bush - at least 80 cm. The row spacing should not be less than one and a half meters. When planting, the root collar remains at ground level, otherwise the seedling will rot. After planting, the hole is watered, mulched. In the south, Polana is planted in the fall, in other regions - in the spring.

The variety is frost-resistant, but after pruning, the root zone should be covered with spruce branches, peat, straw, humus. If you do not trim the raspberries, the shoots will bend to the ground and cover. If in winter the temperature does not drop below -20 degrees, shelter for the winter can be skipped. But at lower temperatures and return frosts after heat, shoots may suffer.

This variety of raspberries has good pest resistance, but there are some problems to be wary of.

• Raspberry aphid. Placed from the back of the leaf at the top of the shoot, the leaves curl as a result of the attack. Prevent aphids with fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium, removing weeds, overgrowth.

• Raspberry beetle. Harms the buds, buds, the yield decreases. To prevent this from happening, carry out the treatment with "Karbofos" during budding.

• Spider mite. Creates a cobweb and harms the plant, the foliage dries. Use special products according to the instructions, for example, "Akarin", "Anti-mite".

As for diseases, most often gardeners are faced with gray rot. If a gray bloom is formed on the foliage, the fruits rot, it's time to treat the raspberries. Plants are treated with a special HOM solution. But chlorosis is unlikely to be cured. Bushes infected with this disease will have to be destroyed. Septoria is another problem that is characterized by red spots and white spots on the foliage. In this case, a solution of copper oxychloride will help during the formation of buds.

The Polana variety is traditionally propagated:

• dividing the rhizome - when the middle of the bush is separated, allowing the remaining roots to form fresh shoots;

• green cuttings - they are rooted periodically throughout the season, as soon as buds and shoots appear.