Raspberry seedlings Marcela

Remontant raspberry  Marcel was bred in 2004 in the UK as a result of crossing two varieties of "Autumn Bliss" and "Joan Squire". The new raspberry species was designated MF941/3 and subsequently named Marcela.

Marcel bears fruit 2 times per season, while demonstrating high yields. The root system of the variety is resistant to frost up to –5°C. Marcel is too tough for many pests and diseases. Bushes give a small number of shoots, thereby preventing clogging of the site.

Varie Features

Marcel's bush is upright, medium-sized with moderate vigor. The young seedling has no anthocyanin coloration at the top, or very weak, the length of the internode – short, length of vegetative buds – average. Leaf blades   desaturated green, concave with slight wrinkling. The spines are practically absent. Flowers — self-fertile small size.

Marcel's berries are cone-shaped, burgundy-pink, glossy. Fruits of normal size: the average weight of berries in the first harvest – about 4.5 g, in the second – 3 years  Up to 5 tons per hectare are harvested per season.

Depending on the region and weather conditions, the ripening time of raspberries on last year's shoots varies. In a warm climate – this is the second decade of June, in a cooler – July. The summer fruiting period lasts 1-1.5 months. In August, annual shoots begin to bloom, which in September give the 2nd harvest. During the period of abundant fruiting, raspberries are harvested every 2-3 days.

After picking, the berries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days (if not washed). Before freezing, the berries are washed, dried well in the air and placed in airtight bags. Berries are preserved shortly after picking.

It is important to understand that the first harvest depletes the plant, the berries of the second harvest are smaller and less sweet, so Marcela is often grown as an annual crop.

Planting and care

Marcel is one of the unpretentious raspberry varieties with high yields, and yet it is demanding of light, sensitive to high acidity of the soil, and temperature extremes. If you follow a few simple recommendations for planting and care, then Marsela berries will be large and tasty.

Planting Marseille usually falls at the beginning or end of the growing season. But October is considered the best period for annual seedlings, and for last year's — July August. Marcela is planted in sunny areas, in the shade its yield decreases, as does disease resistance. In addition, avoid places subject to strong winds and areas with excessive humidity. Marcela feels best on light soils with an acidity of no higher than 6.5 pH.

Before planting, the site is cleared of perennial weeds, dug up and enrich the soil with organic matter (avoiding alkaline and mushroom composts). After 2 weeks, they start planting seedlings, while maintaining an interval between bushes of 1 m, and between rows – 1.5-2 m. To preserve moisture, the plant is sprinkled with organic mulch of a large suspension.

IrrigationMarcel is sensitive to the amount of moisture, the lack of the latter leads to a decrease in the strength of young shoots and their frost resistance, and an excess of – to root rot. During the periods of flowering and ripening of the berries, Marcela is watered abundantly, so that water penetrates into the ground by at least 30 cm. The same intensive watering is repeated in the fall to strengthen the plant.

Feeding. Marcel is fed with liquid nitrogen and mineral fertilizers – top dressing by the latter is usually carried out before the ovary and after abundant watering. Before the first flowering and after the autumn harvest, raspberries are fertilized with superphosphate and potassium sulfate.

Cutting. To get a double crop, pruning of bushes is carried out as follows. At the end of fruiting, 5-6 strong last year's shoots per 1 m2 are selected. They cut off only the upper fruiting part, leaving up to 1 m in height. The remaining stems are cut to ground level.

When planting late at the end of autumn, all shoots are cut to ground level, thereby eliminating the most vulnerable part of the seedling.

Preparing for winter. In early October, all leaves are removed from the raspberry bush, trying not to damage the buds. The remaining stems will hold the snow cover around them, thereby preventing the roots from freezing. Closer to spring, before the start of the thaw, the snow on the site is sprinkled with straw or sawdust so that it does not melt for as long as possible, and the plants do not freeze out when the temperature drops. 

Preparations