Raspberry seedlings Phenomenon

Variety of non-repairable raspberries «Phenomenon» was bred by Ukrainian scientists, breeders of the Krasnokutsk Experimental Station of the Institute of Horticulture, in 1991. From their ancestors – varieties Stolichnaya and Odarka – "Phenomena" received such qualities as high productivity, large-fruitedness, resistance to adverse climatic conditions. Thanks to this, it quickly became popular with gardeners throughout the post-Soviet space.

Varie Features

Phenomenon bushes high 2.5 & ndash; 2.7 m., semi-spreading. Stems thorned. Young shoots – green with a purple tint, sophomores – light brown. Each bush gives a lot of replacement stems and root shoots.

Fruits of the Phenomenon large: 5-10 gr., bright red conical, with matte skin and juicy pulp. The berries are sweet with a slight sourness and a pronounced raspberry aroma. Raspberry drupes are large, well-linked, the consistency is dense, therefore, when harvesting, the berries do not fall apart and tolerate transportation well.

According to the terms of maturation «Phenomenon» can be attributed to early friendly varieties, however, the beginning of the fruiting period depends on the climatic conditions of a particular region. So in warm areas where the gardening season starts early, raspberries bloom at the end of April  – early May, and the berries ripen in the second half of June.

The yield of the variety is high – on average 6-8 kg per bush, during the main fruiting period it seems that the bushes are simply bursting with berries.

Another interesting feature of the variety can be considered the second harvest. Despite the fact that raspberries are non-repairable, in autumn, after pruning, new berries appear on the tops of young growth, but their number is insignificant. 

Planting and care

The Phenomenon raspberry variety has a high viability and is unpretentious to growing conditions. It is frost-resistant – does not need additional shelter for the winter, even in cold regions. Drought resistant – berries easily tolerate hot summers, do not bake in the sun. Good resistance to viral and fungal diseases.

However, there are certain rules for caring for raspberries that must be followed if you want to get a great harvest.

Selection of seedlings. When choosing planting material, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the root system of the seedling. It should be well developed, moist, preferably closed – those. the roots should intertwine with a clod of earth dug along with the plant. In this case, when planting raspberries in a new area, the roots will be less damaged, and the seedling will better adapt to the new soil. Raspberry cuttings themselves should be without signs of dryness and rot, have at least 3 buds.

And remember, when purchasing seedlings of the Phenomenon variety or other raspberries from private traders, you risk bringing diseases and pests to your site that could infect the seller's garden. Therefore, it is better to purchase seedlings in proven places. For example, in nurseries, where the quality of plants is monitored by experienced agricultural technicians.

Landing. The variety feels best in well-lit areas located on the south or southeast side.

As a rule, for the landing of the "Phenomena" choose neutral or slightly acidic, moderately moist loamy soils with good air exchange. Clay soil does not pass oxygen well, and therefore the root system can rot. If groundwater is located less than 1-1.5 meters from the surface, as well as in areas with frequent rainfall, high beds are artificially created for planting raspberries.

Planting raspberry seedlings «Phenomenon» carried out in spring or autumn. When planted in spring, young plants will have more time and chances to take root and develop before the onset of cold weather.

Preliminary, the soil must be prepared for planting: dig, remove all weeds and root residues found in the ground, add nutrients – a mixture of compost, potassium salts and superphosphate.

Raspberries are planted in holes or trenches 40-50 cm deep. Leave a distance between the rows — 1.5-2 m., between plants – 60 & ndash; 80 cm. A nutrient layer of humus and ash is added to the bottom, sprinkled with clean earth on top. The seedlings are lowered into the recesses and covered with soil. The soil under each bush is compacted and watered. The soil is mulched with peat.

Tall stems of the Phenomenon bend under the weight of the crop, so they need to be tied up. The best option – installation of tapestries up to 2 meters high.

In one place, raspberries give a good harvest up to 8 years, then they are transplanted to another area.

Water. Despite the fact that the variety tolerates drought well, raspberries still love moisture. The most abundant watering is carried out before flowering, during the formation of ovaries and after harvesting. At the same time, pay attention to the level of precipitation and, depending on this, regulate watering. An excess of moisture provokes rotting of the roots, therefore, in a rainy summer, less water is served under raspberries or not watered at all. In drought, the number and volume of watering can be increased. Drip irrigation is considered optimal for raspberries; sprinkling is used before flowering and after picking berries.

Feeding. For the season «Phenomenon» feed 3 times: in spring – after thawing of the soil, at the beginning of flowering and after harvesting. Most of all "Phenomenon" loves nitrogen, ammonium nitrate, organics. Fertilizers are introduced into a groove that is dug around the bush. The soil is watered abundantly, the groove is closed and  mulched with straw.

Cutting. As soon as the bush reaches a height of 1.2 m, its top is pinched, so the stem stops stretching up and begins to branch, as a result, raspberries give a higher yield. Periodically, sanitary pruning is carried out in raspberries – sick and weak shoots are removed, in the spring – dead branches. With excessive growth, the bushes are thinned out, otherwise the plants will lack the amount of light and nutrients, and the quality of the crop will decrease.

The Phenomenon variety has a unique property for a non-repairable variety, in the southern regions, in the fall, raspberries manage to give the 2nd harvest. The berries are tied and ripen on the tops of young shoots, & nbsp; which means that next season, the young shoots will no longer bear fruit. To prevent  the second fruiting in the fall, new inflorescences are cut off.

Preparing for winter. After harvesting, the fruiting branches are pruned. Before the onset of cold weather, young shoots are removed from the trellises and bent down flush with the ground. Due to the high winter hardiness «Phenomenon» does not require additional shelter, however, in regions with little snowy winters, the area can be covered with agrofibre.

Preparations