Raspberries have been known to people since ancient times. This berry has become so loved by many not only for its pleasant sweet taste and delicate aroma, but also for its beneficial properties. Raspberry Gusar is gaining great popularity in recent years. The description of this variety is found in many sources, but not all of what is written is worth believing. In this article, we will try to understand the features of growing raspberries and caring for them.
Raspberry Gusar: description and characteristics of the variety
This raspberry can be called relatively young compared to others. The raspberry variety Gusar was bred only in 1995. The main features are unpretentiousness to the weather, resistance to a wide range of temperatures and minimal maintenance requirements. Initially, this raspberry variety was supposed to be grown in the southern regions of Russia, as the plant can withstand high temperatures. However, it later turned out that the bushes also tolerate cold weather, up to -25 degrees, wintering without problems in the presence of a small snow cover. Thanks to this, the Gusar raspberry variety has taken root in all regions of our country and even in neighboring countries.
Appearance of the plant
Raspberry Gusar has powerful stems, grows up to 3 meters in height, does not need a garter. The berries are obtuse-shaped, large, juicy, weighing about 5 grams. The taste is sweet and sour, the berries contain a lot of vitamins.
Leaves are dark green, wrinkled, slightly pubescent, serrated. Fruit twigs are located along the entire length of the shoot.
There are no thorns on the bushes, the shoots are poorly formed, and all the strength of the plant is spent on the formation of fruits. The variety is resistant to pests and diseases, unattractive to insects.
Variety yield
Even under adverse environmental conditions, raspberry Gusar is capable of producing an average yield. The description is as follows: approximately 2.5-3.5 kg of berries can be collected from one bush. When creating comfortable, favorable conditions for the growth and development of the plant, the raspberry yield rises to 84 kg per hundred square meters of land.
Features of cultivation
Raspberry Gusar is very popular in gardeners' plots. Reviews about it are mostly positive, however, even such an unpretentious variety has its own characteristics when grown.
Firstly, the plant does not like acidic clay soils. In order to avoid acidification, sawdust and shavings are not used as mulch. Spruce branches are best suited for these purposes. It is also worth refraining from adding excessive amounts of nitrogen, as this element contributes to a shift in the acid-base reaction.
Secondly, the distance between the bushes when planting should be the following: 0, 7cm in a row and 1.5 m between rows with a trench method and 1-1.5 m with a bush method.
In the process of forming a bush, about 6 shoots are left per 1 bush.
Fit features
If raspberry Gusar settles on the plot, planting and caring for it subsequently play an important role in shaping the crop.
The best time to plant is late May - early June.
The diameter of the pits for planting the plant must necessarily exceed the size of the root system, that is, be at least 5050 cm. First, humus, mineral fertilizers, nutrient mixture are placed in the pits and mixed thoroughly. Then a little soil is poured on top, the seedling is watered and immersed. This is done so that the tender raspberry root system does not come into direct contact with the fertilizer and does not get burned. After that, the root zone is sprinkled with humus, peat or just black soil.
Another feature that raspberry Gusar has (reviews from gardeners confirm this): the root collar does not deepen when planted. After the soil has completely shrunk, it should be either level with the ground, or a few centimeters higher.
Fertilizers used during planting: ammonia, phosphorus, complex. Although, according to recent studies, the need for phosphorus is exaggerated. During the growing season, nitrogen-mineral supplements are preferred, during flowering - only mineral supplements. During the ovary and ripening of fruits, nitrogen is not recommended.
Planting methods
There are two popular methodswith which raspberry Gusar is planted. The description of the trench method is as follows. A trench breaks out on the site, the depth of which does not exceed 20 centimeters. Then it is filled with water and organic fertilizers are applied. After that, the seedlings are planted in a row, covered with earth and lightly tamped.
Another way of planting is artisanal. Dig holes measuring 5050 centimeters, fill with water, apply fertilizer. Seedlings are formed into groups of 10-12 pieces and planted in holes. They fall asleep with earth and tamp.
Before planting, seedlings are soaked in water for a couple of hours.
Raspberry care
Since the Gusar raspberry is quite unpretentious, planting and caring for it do not require much effort. The latter includes watering, tying and pruning.
Despite the fact that this variety is drought tolerant, watering should be plentiful. At the same time, the moisture of the upper layer of the earth must be constantly maintained. On average, watering is carried out two, rarely three times a week. Excessive flooding of the plant with water also has a negative effect.
Although the stems of raspberry Gusar are very strong, but during fruiting, with a good harvest, they bend to the ground. It's time to tie up the raspberries. The trellis garter consists in the fact that pegs are driven around the beds. Strong ropes are stretched between them or boards are nailed. Next, the bushes are tied to a rope or board. The fan garter involves driving a peg on both sides of each bush, to which branches are tied.
Cutting is one ofthe most important stages, as it directly affects the amount of harvest. This procedure is carried out twice a year. The first time - right after the end of winter. At the same time, all unnecessary shoots are removed, and fruit-bearing ones are shortened to the first bud. The second pruning is carried out after fruiting. The bush is cut to 30-40 centimeters, the barren branches and shoots are removed.
Repair Raspberry
Very often, gardeners ask themselves the question: "Raspberry Hussar - remontant or not?" First you need to figure out what it is. Unlike ordinary raspberries, which have a two-year development cycle of the apical part, remontant is a kind of annual. That is, within one season it grows and is able to produce a crop on the shoots of this year. Raspberry Gusar is a remontant raspberry variety. Its merits are as follows.
Firstly, it is grown without the use of chemicals, as it is resistant to diseases and pests. Accordingly, the harvest is environmentally friendly with minimal labor and material costs.
Secondly, the berry picking period is extended by a couple of months, until October.
Third, exceptional winter hardiness, since the upper part of the bush is cut off after harvest, and the root system easily tolerates frost in the ground.
Finally, higher yields than regular raspberries. However, at the same time, the requirements for moisture, light and nutrition increase.
Other high yielding varieties
Besides raspberriesvarieties Gusar, there are other, no less fruitful varieties, bred relatively recently. Variety Mashenka belongs to the thornless raspberry, the yield reaches 5-6 kilograms from one bush. The berries are large, sweet, early ripening. Another newest variety is Biryusinka. From the bush you can collect up to 10 kilograms of berries of medium ripening. Both varieties have high winter hardiness. The Moscow giant also has a good yield and very large berries, up to 25 g each. Among the yellow raspberries, a new variety is highly productive - the Yellow Giant. The yield is up to 10 kilograms per bush, the variety is resistant to diseases and pests.
Cumberland (up to 6 kilograms per bush) and Coal have good performance in black raspberries.
In conclusion
So, the article examined in detail the raspberry Gusar, reviews of which often have an ambiguous color. This is due to several factors. First of all, the composition of the soil, the intensity of top dressing, as well as the climatic zone are of great importance in the formation of the taste qualities of berries.
With the timely application of potash fertilizers, good lighting, abundant watering, raspberries become tasty, sweet, fragrant. In the opposite situation, the berries can dry out, shrink.
The yield mainly depends on agricultural technology. "How much you invest - so much you get" - this is the principle that should guide the cultivation of agricultural crops.
