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Norwegian raspberry is one of the trade names of the crop, which was obtained in Norway through many years of selection of the best seedlings. According to the creators, the harsh climate of this country contributed to the development of a frost-resistant variety of crop that is capable of fully growing and bearing fruit in unfavorable conditions. Descriptions and reviews about Norwegian raspberries are very contradictory, so it’s worth understanding what kind of plant it is, what its advantages and disadvantages are.
Description of Norwegian raspberries
Norwegian raspberry is a subshrub 1 m high. It has a creeping rhizome, which quickly grows and captures new territories.
The shoots of the subshrub are erect, becoming lignified only at the base, and the upper part is covered with green bark throughout the season. The foliage of Norwegian raspberries is pinnate, oval-lanceolate, reaching a length of 3-8 cm, with characteristic denticles along the edge of the leaf blade. All shoots are densely covered with needles.
Norwegian raspberry flowers are white, consist of 5 petals and reach a diameter of 4 cm.They are bisexual and can be solitary or collected in small inflorescences. The flowers are located on the tops of the shoots. The flowering period of Norwegian raspberries begins in the second decade of June and continues until the onset of frost. Therefore, a plant can have berries and flowers at the same time.
The fruits of this variety of crop are large in size - from 3 to 5 cm, with a pleasant seductive shine. The coral-red berries have the shape of a circle or ellipse and are easily removed from the shoots. Their taste is sweet and sour with an unobtrusive aroma. The sweetness of the fruits is achieved only when they are fully ripe, so it is not recommended to collect them at the stage of slight redness. Seedlings begin to bear fruit at the age of 3-4 years.
Pros and cons of Norwegian raspberries
Before planting Norwegian raspberries on your plot, it is worth studying its advantages and disadvantages.
Main advantages:
- high commercial qualities;
- stable immunity to diseases and pests;
- abundant and long-lasting fruiting, subject to the rules of agricultural technology;
- unusual refreshing taste.
In addition to obvious advantages, this type of culture also has certain disadvantages. This explains its low popularity among gardeners.
Cons of Norwegian raspberries:
- an abundance of thorns, which makes harvesting difficult;
- fruiting in the 3rd-4th year;
- increased demands for care;
- the bushes grow strongly, so planting must be limited.
Planting and caring for Norwegian raspberries
Norwegian raspberries need increased attention from the gardener, and you should immediately realistically assess your strength. With insufficient care and nutrition, its fruiting is poor and short-lived. Therefore, it is worth studying in advance all the intricacies of planting and the secrets of further care, so that the experience of growing this variety of crop does not become sad.
The photo shows Norwegian raspberries, which are in the fruiting stage. Such a harvest can be obtained no earlier than the plant reaches the age of 3 years.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
This variety of crop prefers to grow in sunny open areas. When placing seedlings in partial shade, the shoots become longer and the number of flowers is significantly reduced.
Norwegian raspberries are planted in the spring. To do this, you need to first prepare the area by digging it up with a spade and carefully removing the weeds. The plant develops well on light nutrient soils, but can also grow on loams and black soil. In this case, the acidity level should be in the range of 5.7-6.5 pH.
At the beginning of spring, you need to prepare planting holes measuring 40:30:30 cm. It is recommended to place seedlings at a distance of 80-90 cm in a row, and the row spacing should be at least 1.5 m. For the full growth and development of Norwegian raspberries at the initial stage, it is necessary Fill the planting holes with the nutrient mixture.
To prepare it you will need to mix the following components:
- 2 parts of the top nutrient layer of the earth;
- 1 part humus;
- 40 g of potassium sulphide;
- 25 g superphosphate;
- 1 part peat.
The preparation of the site for planting Norwegian raspberries must be done in advance: 10-14 days, which will allow the soil to settle during this period.
Rules for planting Norwegian raspberries
Norwegian raspberries have the ability to grow quickly and in a few years they will fill all neighboring areas. Therefore, before planting, you need to dig slate or plastic around the planting hole, which will not allow the plant to spread uncontrollably.
Procedure for landing.
- Straighten the root shoots of the seedling, remove damaged areas to healthy tissue.
- Place the plant in the center of the planting hole.
- Sprinkle it without deepening the root collar.
- Compact the soil with your hands at the base.
- Water generously at the rate of 5 liters per plant.
The next day, loosen the soil at the base of the seedling and lay peat mulch in a layer of 3-5 cm.
Watering and fertilizing
For 2 weeks after planting, it is necessary to constantly monitor soil moisture so that the roots do not dry out. During this period, it is recommended to water 2 times a week, pouring 5 liters of water under each plant. After the seedlings become stronger and begin to grow, watering should be carried out as needed once a week.
In the first year, you should not fertilize if a nutrient mixture was added during planting. Next spring, the first fertilizing should be done during the active growing season with nitrogen fertilizers and during flowering with potassium fertilizers.
Trimming
There is no urgent need for pruning Norwegian raspberries, since with the arrival of frost the above-ground part of the plant completely dies off.It is enough to carry out sanitary cleaning of the bushes during the season, removing broken, damaged and weakened shoots.
Preparing for winter
Norwegian raspberries are a frost-resistant crop, but in snowless winters their surface roots may freeze. Therefore, it is worthwhile in the fall, after the upper part of the plant dies, to cover the soil with a layer of peat or humus 10 cm thick.
In the Northern regions with a particularly harsh climate, it is recommended to spread agrofibre over the area with Norwegian raspberries.
Harvesting
The fruiting period for this variety of crop begins in late June - early July. It is recommended to pick berries when they are fully ripe. The readiness of the fruits can be judged by how easily they separate from the receptacle.
Reproduction
Norwegian raspberries are propagated purely by dividing the bush. When sowing seeds, the resulting seedlings do not retain their species properties.
It is recommended to separate plant segments in the spring, when new, strong shoots appear. It is not advisable to do this in the fall, since during this period growth processes slow down.
Diseases and pests
Norwegian raspberries have increased resistance to pests and fungal diseases. But if the rules of agricultural technology are not followed, the immunity of seedlings is reduced. Increased humidity and dense plantings can also be a provoking factor for damage.
Possible problems:
- Powdery mildew. For treatment, treatment with “Topaz”, “Skor”, and copper sulfate is used.
- Chlorosis. To eliminate it, it is recommended to use iron chelate.
- Root cancer, yellow mosaic. These viral diseases cannot be treated; affected seedlings are uprooted and burned.
- Weevil, raspberry beetle. It is recommended to use Karbofos for pest control.
Conclusion
Descriptions and reviews of Norwegian raspberries are very varied. Some gardeners claim the benefits of this type of crop, while others share sad experiences. The lack of truthful information leads to the fact that this plant has not gained wide popularity in Russia. But if you follow the recommendations for growing the crop, you can achieve the desired result, and then a generous harvest of unusual berries will be a reward for your efforts.
