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No one will argue that raspberries are not only tasty, but also very healthy. Rarely does a household plot in Russia manage without raspberries, but mostly unknown varieties are grown, from which they harvest one mug per bush and are happy about it. On the other hand, many gardeners who decide to make money by growing and selling this valuable berry are scrupulous about the task of selecting a suitable variety and often choose large-fruited and remontant varieties of raspberries, which are distinguished by significant yields, but require careful and thoughtful constant care.
At the moment, the range of such varieties is so wide that the problem of choice seems truly serious. But there are still old varieties of raspberries, which, to some extent, are inferior to new products, have unpretentiousness, stability and at the same time a delicious taste, which is sometimes far from many, many modern large and productive varieties of raspberries.
A typical example of this variety is the Nagrada raspberry, a description of which with photos and reviews from gardeners about it can be found in the article.
History of origin
The Raspberry Award was received back in the early 70s of the last century by a group of breeders working under the leadership of N.P. Grain in the Botanical Garden of Nizhny Novgorod State University.It arose as a result of crossing the Lloyd George and Kolkhoznitsa varieties and at that time created such a sensation among farmers with its characteristics that the author was even awarded a silver medal from VDNKh, and his assistants were awarded bronze medals and gifts. So the raspberry Award received its name not by chance and quite deservedly.
Indeed, Nagrada raspberries are capable of withstanding harsh Russian winters with frosts and unexpected thaws with virtually no loss of yield. In the south, it also remains in demand, since it has increased drought resistance and can provide significant yields even in a hot and dry climate. It is interesting that at the same time, the Nagrada raspberry is no longer listed in the State Register of Russia in 2018 - perhaps the registration period for the variety has expired.
Description of the variety
Raspberry bushes Reward are moderately spread out to the sides and are characterized by significant growth vigor - on average they grow about 1.8 -2 m in height, but in favorable conditions with good care they can show higher results. The shoots are very powerful and thick, grow straight, at the base they can reach a diameter of 2 cm. For all their power, they are moderately flexible and bend down quite easily if there is a need to cover them for the winter. Annual raspberry shoots also grow quite thick and are characterized by long internodes. There is no pubescence on them, but there is a good waxy coating.Initially they have a green tint, but by autumn they become reddish. Raspberries of the Nagrada variety have very few thorns and they are located mainly in the lower part of the stems. They are not sharp, although long, thick with a wide base, and dark purple in color.
The leaves are medium to large in size, wrinkled, with medium curl.
Raspberry Reward does not tend to spread throughout the area, since it produces a quite moderate number of root shoots. But for reproduction not on an industrial scale, they are usually enough. At the same time, the seedlings take root well and are resilient during transplantation, storage and transportation.
Regarding the timing of ripening of Reward raspberries, the information is somewhat contradictory: in some sources the variety is described as mid-late, in others as mid-early. Of course, a lot depends on the region of cultivation, but most gardeners in their reviews are inclined to believe that the Nagrada raspberry can be called average in terms of ripening time. In the southern regions, the harvest is harvested at the end of June, and in the middle zone, and especially in the Urals or Siberia, closer to mid-July.
Regarding the yield of Reward raspberries, opinions can also diverge quite strongly. Many consider this variety to be a kind of champion in terms of yield, at least among older raspberry varieties. Others assess the yield of Nagrada raspberries as average, which, however, is not surprising when compared with modern intensive varieties. In fact, raspberry bushes of this variety are simply strewn with berries, and this despite the fact that it does not require particularly regular fertilizing and watering.From one bush you can easily collect about 3 kg of tasty berries, which in industrial terms is about 100-120 c/ha.
The Nagrada raspberry variety is characterized by moderate resistance to most fungal and viral diseases, in particular to anthracnose, didimella, and growth virus. It can be affected by raspberry mite and shoot gall midge, but strong and healthy plants, as a rule, successfully resist most pests and pathogens.
It is especially worth mentioning the winter hardiness of the variety. The shoots do not wither away in winters with little snow or during thaws. Raspberry Award tolerates severe frosty winters well under shelters, since the flexible shoots are easily bent and laid down for wintering.
Characteristics of berries
The bright, memorable, truly raspberry taste of Nagrada berries is known to gardeners in the Urals, the Moscow region, and the Krasnodar Territory.
In addition to the delicious taste, the berries of this variety have the following characteristics:
- The fruit size is average; one berry can weigh from 3.5 to 6 grams.
- The shape of the berries is round, slightly conical.
- The color is bright, red-raspberry, there is no glossy shine, but even without it the berries look very attractive.
- The pulp is of medium density, the drupes are moderately interconnected.
- The berries are aligned in size.
- The taste is sweet and sour, the acid fits in subtly and goes well with the dessert sweetness of the berry. Tasting evaluation of raspberries Award 4.5 points.
- The aroma is quite intense and can be felt well at a short distance from the bushes.
- The transportability of the Nagrada berry causes controversy among gardeners; some consider it high, while others consider it unsatisfactory.
- The use of raspberries is universal - they are very tasty fresh, and, of course, they make excellent quality preparations for the winter. It can also be dried and frozen.
Advantages and disadvantages
It is not for nothing that gardeners have loved, valued and grown Raspberries on their plots for more than forty years. Its advantages include:
- Wonderful taste and excellent quality of berries.
- Good winter hardiness and resistance to damping off.
- A small number of thorns, which makes harvesting and caring for the bushes easier.
- General unpretentiousness in cultivation combined with decent yields.
The main disadvantage of the Nagrada raspberry compared to modern varieties can be called its low responsiveness to intensive agricultural technology.
For summer residents and owners of small garden plots, this feature is rather a plus - after all, raspberries do not require constant intensive feeding and processing to obtain good harvests. But for industrial cultivation, more suitable varieties are those that, with constant intensive care, are capable of producing yield figures that are incomparable with Nagrada raspberries in terms of yield.
Reviews from gardeners
For many gardeners, the Reward raspberry variety is a lifesaver in many circumstances, and those who have been growing it for a long time are not going to give it up for the sake of new varieties.
Conclusion
Raspberry Award is an old time-tested variety with an excellent reputation.Despite the fact that it cannot compete with modern varieties either in yield or in berry size, its unpretentiousness and stability, as well as excellent taste, allow it to find its fans among many gardeners and summer residents from different parts of Russia.
