Content
- 1 What is the name of a raspberry hybrid crossed with a strawberry?
- 2 What does a raspberry-strawberry hybrid bush look like?
- 3 The benefits of a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries
- 4 How to cross and breed a hybrid of strawberries and raspberries yourself
- 5 Planting and caring for a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries
- 6 Contraindications and possible harm
- 7 Conclusion
- 8 Reviews from gardeners with photos about a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries
The hybrid of raspberries and strawberries has not yet been developed. This name hides a separate type of berry from the Rosaceae family. The fruits combine features of both varieties. Moreover, they are grown in the same way as classic raspberries. The plant is characterized by high winter hardiness. It can be grown in most Russian regions.
What is the name of a raspberry hybrid crossed with a strawberry?
A mixture of strawberries and raspberries is called Straweberry-Raspberry. The plant belongs to the Rosales family. It is not obtained as a result of crossing, but occurs naturally. The range covers the tropical regions of Africa. Australia and Asia. The hybrid of raspberry and strawberry has many names:
- dwarf;
- strawberry;
- Himalayan;
- strawberry;
- Chinese;
- seductive;
- Tibetan;
- rosefolia (rosalin).
There are also popular names: raspberry-strawberry, raspberry, blackberry.
However, calling the crop a hybrid is not entirely correct, since these berries were not crossed. There is only a plant that combines the features of both berries. This is what is conventionally called a hybrid.
What does a raspberry-strawberry hybrid bush look like?
The culture is a tall subshrub. In nature it reaches a height of 3 m, in a garden - only 120–150 cm. Its leaves are similar to the greenery of a rose. They are narrow, rich green in color, with a corrugated surface. The flowers are white, five-petaled, and reach 5 cm in diameter.
The hybrid produces berries similar to raspberries and strawberries. They are not covered with leaves. During the fruiting period, they cover the entire bush, making it look very attractive. The weight of the berries is 3–5 g, the size of a walnut. 3–5 fruits appear on each branch.
The color is bright scarlet, the structure of the berries is granular, like raspberries, although the shape is more reminiscent of strawberries. At the same time, the berries on the branches “look” up. The pulp is juicy, the taste is sweet, with a pleasant, slight sourness. The berry is more reminiscent of strawberries, and the aftertaste is raspberry. The fruits are consumed fresh and used for all kinds of preparations, like raspberries.
The berries of a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries are quite large
The keeping quality of the crop is also low. Therefore, the berries should be eaten immediately after picking or made into jam or other preparations.
The benefits of a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries
The benefits and harms of a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries are determined by the chemical composition of the berries. They contain quite a lot of valuable substances:
- organic acids (malic, salicylic, citric, tartaric);
- pectin;
- cellulose;
- tannins;
- flavonoids;
- vitamins C, PP, K, B (B1, B2 and B9);
- mineral components (potassium, manganese, calcium, iron);
- catechins;
- anthocyanin;
- ketones;
- simple sugars (pentose, fructose, glucose).
Eating hybrid raspberries and strawberries has a beneficial effect on the body:
- improves digestion;
- strengthens the nervous system;
- softens the skin;
- increases testosterone levels in men;
Fresh fruits are recommended for the prevention of cancer. Berries help remove toxins from muscle tissue.
How to cross and breed a hybrid of strawberries and raspberries yourself
You won’t be able to cross raspberries and strawberries together on your own. These are too distant crops: raspberries are shrubs, and strawberries are herbaceous plants. Therefore, there is no strawberry-raspberry hybrid. But there is a plant (Chinese raspberry), the fruits of which are similar in taste and shape to both berries.
Moreover, the bush itself resembles a raspberry. And even in terms of growing conditions, soil requirements and preparation for winter, these are more raspberries than strawberries. That is why it can be grown in almost all Russian regions. The hybrid is undemanding to care. It has other advantages:
- high decorative value, especially during fruiting (there are a lot of berries, they are bright red and are not hidden under the foliage);
- shrubs can be used to create a hedge (up to 1 m). It decorates the garden not only in summer, but also in autumn, when the crimson leaves become especially attractive;
- the berries are edible and tasty, and the harvest is consistently high;
- the fruits are suitable for fresh consumption and for any traditional preparations (jam, marmalade, fruit juice);
- the crop is rare, so a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries can become a real calling card.
In summer, Chinese raspberry bushes are strewn with large berries.
Planting and caring for a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries
An unpretentious berry bush does not require special conditions. The rules for planting and caring for a hybrid are exactly the same as in the case of raspberries. It is enough to water it, periodically feed it, and trim it. It is also worth taking care of preparing for the winter period, especially in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East.
Landing dates
Planting dates depend on the climate of the region:
- In the Moscow region and the middle zone, it can be planted both in spring and autumn.
- In the south, it is better to do this in September-October, since the weather during this period is humid and warm.
- In the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East, it is better to postpone planting until spring, since frost can quickly set in in the fall.
The specific timing of planting a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries depends on weather conditions. In spring it is better to plan for mid-April, and in autumn - for the first half of October.
Requirements for place and soil
The hybrid is moisture-loving, although it does not tolerate excessive moisture. It does well in sunny areas without stagnant moisture. Therefore, the requirements for the place are:
- completely open (the sun should be plentiful);
- dry (highlands are better than lowlands);
- protected from strong winds (near a fence, house, powerful trees);
- the soil is fertile and light (loam);
- the reaction is slightly acidic (pH = 6.0–6.5).
Both raspberries and their hybrid with strawberries are classified as megatrophs, i.e. to plants that are very demanding on the level of soil fertility. Therefore, several months before planting, the soil is dug up and a bucket of compost or humus is added per 1 m2.
If the soil is heavy and contains a lot of clay, 1 kg of sand or sawdust should be embedded in it per 1 m2. And if it has a pH of more than 7.0, you will need to pour it with a 9% vinegar solution (100 ml per 10 liters per 1 m2).
It is advisable to lay a layer of pebbles, broken bricks and other small stones 7–10 cm high in the planting holes.
How to plant correctly
The holes need to be dug in advance (several weeks in advance). Moreover, the distance between them should be about 1 m, and it is better to leave 1.5 m between the rows. Thanks to this, you can freely walk in the raspberry field, care for and harvest.
The landing algorithm is standard:
- Dig holes with a diameter of 50–60 cm and a width of 40–50 cm.
- Place a layer of drainage on the bottom.
- Spread the roots of the hybrid.
- Place the seedling in the center.
- Cover with a mixture of turf soil and humus (2:1).
- Tamp down a little so that the root collar goes to a shallow depth.
- Water with settled water (5–10 liters per seedling).
- In the case of autumn planting, it is necessary to mulch for the winter by laying a high layer of dry leaf litter, sawdust, spruce branches or other materials.
Seedlings can be planted in a trench or separate holes
Aftercare
To grow a productive hybrid of raspberries and strawberries, as in the description of the variety and in the photo, gardeners in their reviews recommend adhering to several rules:
- Regular watering (2-3 buckets per adult bush). It is necessary that the soil does not dry out, so in hot weather water is given weekly, and the rest of the time - 2-3 times a month.
- Feed twice a season. In May, a mixture of 5 g of urea and a shovel of mullein per 10 liters. In September, 2-3 buckets of black peat or humus for each bush.You can also use complex mineral fertilizers, as well as special compositions for feeding raspberries.
- The soil needs to be loosened and weeded regularly. To make work easier, even in the warm season, you can lay straw, pine needles, sawdust or other mulch under each plant.
- Pruning is carried out every spring and every autumn. At the end of March - beginning of April, you need to remove all weak, frozen branches, shorten the old ones by 2/3 of their length to stimulate the growth of new shoots. In the fall, a formative haircut of a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries is done. The dense crown needs to be thinned out periodically - this will rejuvenate the plant and make harvesting easier.
The plant bears fruit well even with minimal care
Preparing for winter
Unlike strawberries, the hybrid with raspberries has fairly high winter hardiness. Therefore, it does not need a special shelter for the winter or the creation of a frame. It is enough to lay a high layer of mulch in the tree trunk circle.
Although if the winter is unpredictable, thaws alternate with severe frosts, it is better not to risk it and pin the bushes to the ground. They are laid on spruce branches, and sprinkled with sawdust, dry leaves on top and covered with agrofibre or burlap. The material must be secured with bricks or other heavy objects.
Contraindications and possible harm
If you eat raspberry-strawberry hybrid berries in normal quantities, they will not cause any harm. But in some cases, side effects may occur. Berries are contraindicated in the following cases:
- individual intolerance to certain substances (allergic reactions);
- gastritis, ulcer (especially in the acute phase);
- pancreatitis;
- gout;
- urolithiasis disease;
- diabetes mellitus (allowed in moderation);
- bronchial asthma;
- pregnancy (especially for women with uterine hypertonicity).
In the absence of contraindications, the fruits of the strawberry-raspberry hybrid can be consumed in unlimited quantities. But if you have indigestion or kidney disease, it is better to limit yourself to small quantities. Pregnant women should discuss their diet with their doctor.
Conclusion
A hybrid of raspberries and strawberries has features of both berries. Although in fact it is not a hybrid, but a separate crop, more reminiscent of raspberries in appearance and care. It is not difficult to grow such a shrub, since it does not require care. In addition, winter hardiness is high and yields are stable.
Reviews from gardeners with photos about a hybrid of raspberries and strawberries
