Content
Raspberry Vasena is the result of many years of work by breeders; it appeared on sale recently, so it has not yet become widespread. This unique variety compares favorably with previously created remontant hybrids in the resistance of its stems to lodging and the taste of the berries.
Breeding history
The copyright holder of the variety is the NPO "Gardens of Russia", the originators are a group of breeders under the leadership of A. Sidelnikov. The remontant raspberry Vasena was created by natural selection at station experimental sites in Chelyabinsk (2000).
For further propagation, strong plants with large fruits that were resistant to weather changes were selected. Only in 2018, Vasena raspberries were included in the State Register with a recommendation for cultivation in the Ural and Siberian regions. In 2019, he was awarded a gold medal at the prestigious international exhibition Flowers Expo.
Description of raspberry variety Vasena
A variety of remontant type with prolonged fruiting; ripening takes place in several stages.The mass of berries from the first to the last wave remains unchanged.
Berries
All remontant varieties are productive, Vasena raspberry is no exception. The taste is not inferior to the sweetest dessert representatives, and the aroma is not inferior to the wild species.
Raspberries are large-fruited, with abundant flowering, all ovaries are viable, not prone to drying out and falling off
Description:
- The berries are cone-shaped with a narrowed end, all of the same weight - 12-15 g.
- The surface has a glossy sheen, the drupes are densely spaced, the raspberries are bright burgundy in color.
- The pulp is not watery, has a delicate consistency, juicy, with numerous small seeds.
The berries of the Vasena variety are tightly attached to the stalk, do not fall off, and are dry when torn off
Bush
The raspberries are tall, the bush is dense, densely leafy, spreading. Laterals (brushes) are formed from the leaf axils of perennial and current season shoots.
Description of Vasena raspberry:
- The density of the bush is 7-8 stems. The shoots of the current year are dark olive in color, the structure is flexible at the beginning of growth, by the end of flowering it becomes dense and woody.
- Perennial shoots are erect, dark brown, up to 2-2.2 m high. The branches are stable, with drooping tops, and do not lie down under the weight of berries. Raspberry Vasena does not require tying to a support.
- The racemes are long, grape-shaped, with numerous ovaries, the remontant zone is within 1.5 m.
- Raspberry with long leaves, curved, corrugated, dark green at the top, silvery below, finely pubescent.
- The leaf blades are lanceolate, serrated along the edges, alternate in arrangement.
- The flowers are small, dark beige. Raspberries are self-pollinating, each bud produces a full-fledged ovary.
- The root system is powerful, mixed, branched, and produces shoots that are sufficient for further reproduction.
Raspberry Vasena does not have thorns on young shoots; on perennial stems they are present in the form of rudiments
Characteristic
The variety was created for cultivation in temperate continental climates. In the process of natural selection, the Vasena raspberry turned out to be stress-resistant, with good resistance to infections, and bears fruit consistently and for a long time.
Ripening time and yield of Vasen raspberries
The variety is mid-early and blooms in the second half of May. The first wave of berries reaches biological ripeness in late July - early August. Raspberries bear fruit until frost, for the regions of the Urals - this is the last days of September or the first ten days of October.
Vasena has a good fruiting rate; 5-6 kg are harvested from one bush. Shelf life is no more than 24 hours, then the raspberries lose their juice and shape.
Berries are picked in dry weather; there should be no dew or raindrops on the surface
Frost resistance
In addition to taste benefits, the ability to withstand low temperatures was a priority among breeders. Vasena winters quietly in Siberia, the Far East, and the Urals. Thanks to its powerful root system, raspberries can withstand up to – 27 0C. In case of damage, forms a replacement. The above-ground part is not afraid of lower rates.
Disease resistance
Raspberry Vasena is resistant to major crop diseases. Under favorable growing conditions, it is practically not susceptible to septoria, purple spot, and anthracnose.
In hot weather with high humidity, gray rot may occur.
Only the raspberry beetle parasitizes the variety. The weevil, stem fly, and glass fly do not cause damage to Vasena.
Pros and cons of the variety
The Vasena variety is loved by many gardeners. It is valued for its stable fruiting and dessert taste.
The berries are not prone to shedding; they remain marketable on the bush for several days
Raspberries have the following positive qualities:
- the stems do not droop, no support is needed;
- long, high, stable fruiting;
- frost resistance;
- resistance to fungal, viral and bacterial infections;
- sweet taste, sugar concentration does not decrease in autumn or cold rainy season;
- bears fruit from the first year of planting, subsequently forms clusters on annual and old shoots;
- basal shoots are formed in moderate quantities, which makes maintenance easier.
The disadvantages of the Vasena variety include a short shelf life, impossible transportation over long distances and poor drought resistance.
Features of growing Vasena raspberries
Planting the variety in the Central or Middle zone is possible at the beginning of the season (April) or in the fall, three weeks before frost. In the latter case, the plant must be insulated. In the temperate continental climate of Siberia and the Urals, Vasena raspberry is not suitable for autumn planting; the plant will not overwinter. A seedling is selected for the site in the spring, when the soil warms up to +6 0C. The location should be drained, with light, fertile soil on the south or southeast side.
Planting raspberries Vasen
To propagate the variety, take an annual seedling:
- They dig up the area, remove plant debris, and add organic matter.
- Dig a hole 15 cm deep than the root system, with a diameter of 50 cm.
- The bottom is covered with a mixture of peat, organic matter and wood ash.
- The seedling is placed in the center, the hole is filled in, and the soil is compacted.
- Water with Energen solution.
If there are several seedlings, they are placed in a checkerboard pattern, leaving an interval of 1.5 m between holes
Caring for Vasena raspberries
With proper care, raspberries will delight you with the harvest for many years. Agricultural technology varieties:
- Loosening, weed removal, mulching.
- Soil moistening: the root circle should not dry out, but do not allow moisture to stagnate, as there is a risk of root rotting.
- In autumn, moisture-recharging irrigation is carried out.
- Raspberries develop well and bear fruit provided they are fertilized. Nitrogen-containing products are used immediately after the start of sap flow. Superphosphate is necessary during the flowering period. Potassium is added during the berry setting period. In the fall they feed organic matter.
At the end of the season, stems that are more than two years old are cut off, and shoots damaged by frost are removed in the spring. The bush is hilled and mulched.
Prevention of diseases and pests
To prevent the development of fungal infections, soil moisture is maintained at normal levels and plant debris is removed. Before the leaves bloom, Vasena and the soil around it are treated with Topaz. When raspberry buds appear, Energen is used; at the time of fruit set, colloidal sulfur is used.
To prevent the raspberry beetle from appearing on the plant, ash is added to the soil every time it is loosened. Before opening the buds, spray with Iskra DE. In the fall, after harvesting, Vasena raspberries and the soil around them must be treated with Karbofos.
Conclusion
Raspberry Vasena is a remontant variety with a medium ripening period. The bush is tall, with stable stems that are not prone to lodging. The variety is frost-resistant, with long fruiting. The berries are consumed fresh and are suitable for all types of processing.
Reviews from gardeners about Vasena raspberries
I can’t find detailed descriptions on the correct transplantation of a bush, timing and generally how to propagate it