Raspberry seedlings Maravilla and dressing for seedlings

Maravilla – a relatively new variety of large-fruited raspberries for Russia. It was bred in California back in 1996. However, Maravilla was first brought to the domestic market only in 2011, where it immediately gained popularity among Russian farmers and gardeners. Today, due to the high commercial properties of the fruit, the variety is of considerable interest to the agricultural business.

Features of the  variety

Maravilla — remontant raspberries with late ripening berries on the shoots of this year. Therefore, the technology of growing raspberries under a film or in film tunnels is considered the most effective.

Maravilla bushes give up to 5-7 shoots and do not need rationing. The shoots are strong, upright, reaching 2.1 m in height by the end of the season. Mature shoots are red-violet with green tops. Spikes are present in moderation.

The fruits are large – up to 3.5 cm long, weighing 10-14 gr., regular conical shape, bright red color. They have a sweet and sour taste and a pronounced raspberry aroma. The drupes of Maravilla are closely connected to each other, the skin and pulp are dense. The berries are easily separated from the stalk, do not flow, do not crumble, do not crumple, – this greatly simplifies harvesting (including mechanized), storage and transportation of berries. Raspberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Therefore, Maravilla  is gladly accepted for sale  small retail outlets  and large chain supermarkets.

Yield. During the season, remontant raspberries produce two crops: on the last year's shoots, the berries begin to ripen from the end of May, the collection ends by mid-July (in the northern latitudes, ripening dates may shift). The first harvest is 65-70% of the total seasonal. From the end of September, ripe berries begin to shoot the first year, the ripening of these berries can continue until frost. The second harvest accounts for 30-35% of the crop.

The first fruits on the bushes appear already in the first year of planting, but they are few in number. But all subsequent harvests of berries please with their abundance. On average, 3-4 kg of raspberries are removed from a bush per season. For industrial cultivation in the fields – up to 20 t/ha, in greenhouses – up to 50 t/ha.

Growing and care

Choosing a location. For growing Maravilla, especially in cool climates, the greenhouse method is more relevant.  With this approach, the maximum yield is achieved, both during summer and autumn ripening. In the tunnels, Maravilla gives the first harvest of ripe tasty berries in May, while many varieties of raspberries are just beginning to bloom. And the shift in the timing of the second ripening to October-November allows you to get a harvest when there are no other raspberries on the market. Thus, the cost of raspberries in the "non-massive" periods increases by 4-5 times, which brings farmers and gardeners maximum profit.

Maravilla also bears fruit well when grown outdoors. However  it is not possible to fully harvest both crops, because the plant lacks a growing season. Raspberries planted under the "open sky" will need: good lighting and warming up the area with sunlight, fertile, non-acidic, loose soil.

Planting. The variety is planted in spring or autumn. Planting pits or trenches are dug to a depth of 30 cm, leaving at least 1.5 m between rows. Organic fertilizers (humus, manure, ash) are added to the bottom of the holes with the addition of mineral fertilizers. Everything is mixed with earth. Maravilla is planted in an ordinary greenhouse and open ground according to the standard scheme.  When planting, seedlings fall asleep to the root neck, water well and cover with mulch.

The tunnels use the long cane technology: before planting, the seedlings are kept in a refrigerator at a temperature not lower than 0°C. In March, cuttings are planted in 8-10 l containers filled with substrate. The containers are placed 6-8 cm above ground level, so the risk of infection of the bush with rot and disease is minimized. Between the rows of pots, an interval of 1.5-2 m is observed.

As the shoots grow, the bushes are tied to trellises.

Irrigation. Maravilla  especially needs watering during flowering and fruit ripening. In moderate summer weather, raspberries are watered at least once & nbsp; week. In the heat – watering frequency is increased. Water for irrigation should be settled and warm.

Feeding. To obtain maximum yield, three complex top dressings are produced per season. In early spring, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied to the soil, after 15 days superphosphate, potassium sulfate and urea are added. After flowering, they are fed with potassium. Twice a season the land is enriched with mullein.

Loosening. Maravilla does not like dense soil, therefore  the soil must be loosened 5-6 times per season, starting in early spring. At the same time, weeds are removed. The earth around the trunk is loosened to a depth of 6-8 cm, in the aisle – 12-15 cm.

Pruning raspberries are produced in spring and autumn. In April, sanitary – remove damaged and dried shoots. In autumn, the upper part of the fruiting shoots of the current year is cut to a height of 1.5 cm. In the next season, they will give lateral shoots that will bring the crop. Full pruning is carried out in the second year.

Preparations