Raspberry Firebird

The Firebird raspberry variety has received excellent characteristics, thanks to which it stands out against the background of other varieties. The exotic name indicates that during the fruiting period, the shrub is covered with a large number of bright berries.

Raspberry bushes Firebird are tall, powerful, but slightly spreading. They reach a height of 160-190 centimeters. The shoots are green, thick and strong. They are covered with a wax coating. Small leaves of pale green color are covered with small wrinkles. On the reverse side - white. The thorns are small and thin. They grow in the middle and lower parts of the shoots.

The Firebird is a remontant variety that brings harvest after harvest in one season. The first berries ripen late, and the fruiting period begins in the second half of August and lasts until October.

The Firebird pleases gardeners with high yields. From 2.2 to 2.5 kg of berries are obtained from one plant if the crop is properly cared for. When grown on an industrial scale, from 14 to 15 tons of fruits are harvested from a hectare of raspberries. Berries are good because they have excellent transportability, due to which they retain their shape and taste during transportation.

Raspberry color is light red with shine. The shape is conical, elongated. Large fruits gain 4.2-4.6 grams in weight. Some specimens reach 6 grams. Rich raspberry flavor, acidity and sweetness are harmoniously combined. The aroma is intense but pleasant. The pulp is tender and juicy, which is why the berries are often eaten fresh.

After ripening, raspberries stay on the branches for a long time, do not crumble or deteriorate. The harvested and chilled crop is stored for 3 to 4 days.

The resistance of the garden culture to both frost and drought is average. Self-fertile raspberries are pollinated without problems, even if pollinating plants are not planted nearby. The Firebird loves sunlight. She needs it for the ripening of sweet and juicy berries. In the process of growth, the shrubs are moderately watered and sanitary pruning. Recommended growing areas - Central and Central Black Earth regions of Russia.

In the middle lane and in the northern regions, seedlings are planted in the spring. The increased soil moisture and the absence of constant heat will help the cuttings quickly take root in a new place. In the south, raspberries are planted in the fall, when there are more cold and cloudy days.

According to experienced gardeners, it is recommended to plant the Firebird by the bush method. When choosing a tape method, the seedlings should be placed more tightly to each other than any other remontant variety of raspberries. This feature is due to the compactness of the plants.

On the plantation, trenches or holes should be 30-40 centimeters deep. Before planting, a nutritious substrate is laid in them, which consists of humus, ash, compost and earth. Instead of ash, ready-made mineral fertilizers are often used. The optimal distance between shrubs is 60 to 70 centimeters. When choosing a tape planting scheme, cuttings are buried in trenches at a distance of 30-40 centimeters. The gap between the rows is 1.5-2 meters. When planting, the seedlings are deepened to the level of the root collar. After work, the ground must be watered with settled water and covered with a layer of mulch.

When choosing a site for raspberries, be sure to pay attention to the soil. The Firebird loves loose and fertile soil with an acidity level of 4-5 pH. If the soil does not meet the stated requirements, it is loosened with the addition of organic matter (manure, humus or peat). The acidity index is corrected with limestone.

When choosing an autumn planting, the territory for the raspberry plant is prepared in the spring, and in the spring - in the fall. The land is cleared of unnecessary plants, fed, loosened and leveled. A site located on the south side is great for sufficient lighting. At the same time, it must be protected from drafts. A little partial shade is allowed, but only for a couple of hours during daylight hours.

It is customary to plant raspberries on a small slope or flat area. Otherwise, the land is drained. Drainage ditches are necessary to drain excess moisture. When planting plants, stones, gravel or broken brick are laid on the bottom of the planting pits or trenches.

Sanitary pruning of fruit bushes is a standard condition of agricultural technology. Remove affected, dry, broken and damaged shoots. And they also get rid of the branches that have borne fruit. When growing raspberries as an annual crop, with the arrival of winter, all branches are cut off at the root. With the onset of spring, new shoots are formed.

The firebird is very fond of moisture, however, the shrubs should be irrigated carefully to prevent moisture stagnation. Watering must be regular. The lack of moisture negatively affects the berries, they become small, dry and lose their taste. In order for the raspberry to constantly receive the right portion of moisture, it is possible to organize moderate watering using automatic systems. In hot summers, plants are watered much more often than in other seasons. With frequent precipitation, irrigation is completely stopped.

At the end of autumn, when growth stops, the shrubs can be fed with fresh manure. It is better not to use this substance in the spring. Instead, the soil is treated with urea or ammonium nitrate.Wood ash is introduced into the soil when buds are set. Feeding with poultry droppings, herbal infusions, compost and ready-made mineral complexes will also be effective. Fertilizers should preferably be applied to moist soil.

Given the average resistance of the variety to frost, it is advisable to prepare the plantation for wintering. The shoots are gently pressed to the ground, covered with a dense textile material and sprinkled with earth (peat or sawdust is also suitable). With the onset of winter, the branches are covered with snow. If the shrubs have been cut to the root, they are also covered, and humus, sawdust or peat are laid on top of the material.

The firebird practically does not suffer from infections and dangerous insects, which often cause the death of the raspberry tree. Plant immunity falls if you do not follow the rules of agricultural technology. The most common diseases are gray rot, anthracnose and rust.

To reduce the risk of development and reproduction, you need to adhere to the following recommendations;

• leave enough free space between the bushes;

• weeding of raspberries and removal of weeds on the site;

• mulching;

• pruning shoots;

• regular watering;

• preparation for winter.

You can propagate raspberries with shrubs, seedlings or cuttings. When buying planting material, it must be carefully examined for diseases and defects.

Reproduction process by cuttings:

• young branches are rooted in the ground under a strong film in greenhouse conditions;

• the next spring, the raspberries are hardened by removing the film;

• with the onset of autumn, cuttings can be planted in open ground.