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Raspberries, along with strawberries and grapes, are among the three most popular berries among the population, according to statistical surveys. It is these three varieties of berries that are most popular among farmers, since they will always find their buyer and selling them does not present any difficulties.
And among the various varieties of raspberries, in recent decades, the so-called remontant varieties of raspberries have eclipsed everyone. Of course, they have a lot of advantages - both yield and ripening time in late summer and autumn, when the taste of ordinary raspberries has already been forgotten. In addition, when cultivating them with complete pruning before winter, there is no need to protect raspberry bushes from pests and diseases; the berries are clean, beautiful and environmentally friendly. The problem of winter hardiness of varieties is also completely solved. For all these reasons, remontant raspberry varieties are extremely popular among the population, especially among those who grow berries for sale. They would probably have supplanted traditional raspberry varieties long ago, but still, remontant varieties cannot surpass them in taste and aroma of berries.
Raspberry Atlant is rightfully considered one of the best representatives of remontant varieties bred in our country. This is exactly what this article will be about.
Description of the variety
In 2010, a group of scientific breeders led by I.V.Kazakova obtained the remontant raspberry variety Atlant. And in 2015, this variety was officially registered in the State Register and approved for use in all regions of Russia.
Despite the fact that the bush makes a powerful impression, the shoots for the most part grow straight, usually reaching a height of 1.6 meters, occasionally reaching two meters.
Despite the fact that the description of the Atlant raspberry variety states that it does not need a garter, it is still advisable to attach the bushes to a support. Using this technique, you will increase the light and ventilation of each branch and make it easier for you to harvest.
The bush is capable of forming relatively many replacement shoots, about 6-8 pieces. Young shoots are reddish, have slight pubescence and a strong waxy coating. There are few thorns, they are mostly located at the base of the shoots. The thorns are semi-soft, that is, the thorns themselves have a brownish tint, and their base is green, completely fresh. Berries occupy more than half of the shoot in its upper part. The lateral branches with fruits are mostly bare and have a medium waxy coating.
The leaves are medium-sized, wrinkled, dark green, slightly pubescent.
But, even despite this feature, the Atlant variety cannot be called drought-resistant, since with a lack of watering, the berries begin to become smaller, and the yield will also decrease.However, this is not surprising - raspberries, by their nature, are very moisture-loving shrubs, and it is very difficult to go against nature.
Raspberry variety Atlas is remontant, medium in terms of ripening. The first berries appear in early to mid-August and until the very first frost, the bushes can be harvested every other day. Atlas is usually compared with a remontant variety Raspberry Firebird, so it usually begins to bear fruit several days earlier than the last one. In the climatic conditions of the middle zone, which includes the Moscow region, Atlant raspberries manage to yield from 75 to 90% of their harvest before the first frost. If you want to extend this period, you can build temporary shelters from film or non-woven material.
In terms of productivity, Atlant raspberries are at the forefront - from one bush per season you can get from 2 to 2.5 kg of berries. In industrial plantings, the yield reaches up to 15-17 tons per hectare and even more.
The resistance to major pests and diseases of this variety is at the level of most remontant varieties, that is, high. One of the reasons for this is the use of autumn pruning of all shoots at ground level.
As already mentioned, it tolerates drought quite well, at least compared to other raspberry varieties. Heat tolerance is average; under these conditions, regular and abundant watering is necessary.
The advantages of this raspberry variety, which should be of interest to farmers, also include the ability to carry out mechanized harvesting from Atlanta bushes.
Characteristics of berries
It is not for nothing that the Atlant raspberry variety is so valued by farmers who grow raspberries for sale. With proper and timely care, the berries are very attractive in appearance and taste good.In addition, having sufficient density, they are well preserved and quite suitable for transportation.
Another positive point can be noted for Atlant raspberries - they are able to hang on the bushes for quite a long time, maintaining their taste and aroma, and without rotting.
The shape of the berries is elongated in the shape of a trapezoid or cone, regular and beautiful. On average, the weight of a berry is 4-5 grams; specimens up to 8-9 grams are quite common.
Atlant raspberries have a standard, red color with a shiny surface. The medium-density pulp is sweet and sour, juicy, and has a characteristic raspberry aroma. The sugar content in the berries is 5.7%, acid -1.6%, vitamin C - 45.1 mg.
The berries separate well from the receptacle, while maintaining their shape. Atlant raspberries can be called a universal variety, since its berries are equally good fresh, suitable for drying and freezing, and from them you can make many delicious preparations for the winter.
Features of caring for Atlant raspberries
The main feature of the Atlant raspberry is the amazing fact that, despite all its positive aspects, it does not require any special treatment.
In the middle zone, for it, as for any raspberry, it is necessary to choose the sunniest and warmest places. But in the south, she may prefer partial shade. Although the berries do not tend to bake in the sun, they will still need a lot of water in the heat. Just like any other raspberry.
Atlant raspberry bushes can be grown even without a garter, but, strange as it may sound, a garter will only make life easier for you and the raspberries. Having done it once a season, it will be much easier for you to care for the bushes. And the raspberries will receive more sun and warmth, and will not suffer from the wind and the severity of the harvest.
Mulching the entire root zone with non-woven material, or even better with organic matter, will also help solve several problems at once: it will retain moisture in the soil, serve as additional fertilizing, protect the roots from overheating, and the soil from weed and cracking.
Fertilizing is also carried out during periods traditional for all raspberry varieties: before planting, in the spring when shoots appear, during the flowering period and during the appearance of the ovary.
Like most remontant varieties, it is much more advisable to grow Atlant raspberries for one harvest in late summer - autumn. As experience shows, the quality of the berries and the yield in this case will be much higher. To do this, all shoots are cut out completely at ground level in late autumn.
Reviews from gardeners
There is nothing surprising in the fact that reviews from gardeners about raspberries Atlas are positive and even delicious, because it seems that this raspberry has practically no flaws.
Conclusion
Yes, there are probably better raspberry varieties than Atlant, but they will require much more careful care and intensive agricultural technology. Therefore, take a closer look at this variety, perhaps it will turn out to be exactly the raspberry that you have been looking for for so long.
