Traditionally, Russian gardeners prefer the usual red raspberries. But white is not inferior to her in many respects, in addition, new improved varieties become more every year. Therefore, this type of raspberry is no longer exotic and confidently gaining popularity.
Description of White Raspberries
The name "white raspberries" is not entirely correct. In fact, this is raspberry - yellow. The confusion with the names is probably due to the fact that the unripe berries are white in color, and when ripening, from pale yellow to golden. In addition, the first bred varieties were indeed almost white.
White raspberries, in contrast to red, crumble very quickly when ripe, so you can’t pull with its collection. Harvested ripe white raspberries quickly lose their presentation. Therefore, it is not used for industrial cultivation. But in the markets it can be purchased in small quantities.
Compared to traditional red raspberries, white raspberries have less acid and more sugar. Allergy sufferers can enjoy it - white raspberries are hypoallergenic, since there is a minimum of coloring substances (anthocyanins) in it. This also makes it accessible to women during pregnancy and lactation, and is allowed for small children. White raspberries contain more folic acid.
According to the method of fruiting, white raspberries, like red ones, are disposable, semi-permanent, and remont. With proper care, you can get large yields of white raspberries - up to 9 kg from a bush.
This type of raspberry retains all the beneficial properties of red. It can also be used to treat colds and stomach problems. All types of processing of red raspberries are also suitable for white.
The best varieties of white raspberries
The first varieties of white raspberries appeared in the middle of the last century. But they were not widely known, and they could not compete on equal terms with traditional red raspberries in taste. Since then, breeders have done tremendous work to improve white raspberries and develop promising new varieties.
Apricot
This variety of Russian selection is included in the State Register of the Russian Federation since 2004. The harvesting repairing grade of Apricot raspberries allows you to get up to 4-5 kg from the bush. The berries are reminiscent of apricot in color (hence the name), in ripe form there is a slight blush.
The height of the bush is from 1.5 to 2 m. Due to the large number of berries it requires tying. There are few thorns, they are small, bent down and located below the shoots. Raspberry Apricot is resistant to most diseases and pests, cold-resistant. Withstands frosts up to 30 ° C in winter.
The berries in this variety taste good, with a slight acidity, tender consistency. Taste is estimated at 4.5 points. Berries are suitable for all types of processing.
Pineapple Vigorova
The variety was bred by Professor L.I. Vigorov in Siberia. The plant is characterized by medium winter hardiness, reaches a height of two meters. Non-remontant raspberries, but characterized by a good yield of the crop, do not give a lot of growth.
The berries of Raspberry Pineapple Vigorov are quite large - up to 4.5 g. In a ripe form of an amber hue, the taste is pleasantly sweet, in the stage of full ripeness it acquires a light pineapple flavor. Berries of universal purpose, but especially tasty fresh.
Altai dessert
This variety was bred at the Siberian Research Institute of Horticulture. One of the most winter-hardy varieties, therefore, does not require curing in the winter. The height of the Altai dessert raspberry bush is up to 1.5 m, shoots are straight, the shoots are formed moderately.
The variety is non-maintenance, ripens from the end of July, has a good yield. The berries are yellow, gathered in dense brushes, weighing from 2.5 to 4.5 g, the taste is sweet. A variety of universal purpose.
The disadvantages include susceptibility to both fungal and viral diseases. Therefore, constant and thorough care of the bushes is required.
Golden Everest
This is one of the most popular varieties of foreign selection. Golden Everest is characterized by good winter hardiness, able to withstand frosts down to -30 ° C. Bushes are medium-spreading up to 1.5 m high, give medium growth, sprouts upright.
The color of the berries in full ripeness is orange, the size is large (up to 4 g). The variety is remontant, but the berries of the best tastes ripen in late summer and early fall. The taste of raspberries is sweet and sour, some find in it a persimmon flavor. Used fresh, the berries are ideal for cooking jam.
Cornwall Victoria
This variety of raspberries is a West European selection. In Russia, Cornish Victoria is not regionalized and not widespread, but still found in amateur gardens of different climatic zones. Since it does not differ in good frost resistance, it requires curing and additional shelters during the first frosts. But despite this, it can freeze in winters with little snow.
In the first years after planting, it gives an active shoot, a few years later - a moderate one. The bushes are low and sprawling, shoots are thick, covered with small soft spikes, especially from below.
In Europe, Cornwall Victoria is considered one of the most delicious dessert varieties of white raspberries. The berries are large, of a pleasant cream color, with a strong aroma, the flesh is tender, it literally melts in the mouth. Victoria Raspberry Cornwall is especially good fresh, but it can also be processed.
Severely damaged by raspberry beetle and weevil. To prevent this, it is necessary to periodically carry out preventive measures to protect the bushes from insects.
Golden giant
This variety is often confused with the Yellow Giant, or even consider it to be the same variety. The golden giant was bred in the nursery "Supermalina" based on the Yellow giant and is its improved variety. But the Yellow giant has been included in the State Register since 2008, while the Golden Giant has not.
The gold giant is characterized by high productivity and winter hardiness. Harvest from the bush with good agricultural technology can reach 8 kg. The bushes are tall, erect and powerful. The berries are dark golden in color, quite large (8-14 g) and have a good presentation, but not transportability. The taste of berries is similar to forest raspberries, very juicy, almost invisible seeds.
Honey
Non-permanent variety of white raspberries. It has an average winter hardiness, but high resistance to various pests and diseases. The formation of shoots is average, the bush grows to 1.5 m, sprawling, no thorns. The yield of the bush can reach 8 kg.
The berries are medium to large (3-6 g), the color is from white-yellow to yellow. The taste is dessert, the aroma is strong and pronounced. A distinctive feature of the variety is that the ripened berries do not crumble.
Spirina is white
The white raspberry Spirina variety has good winter hardiness. Productivity is average, but this is offset by large berries. The bushes are medium-tall and medium-spreading; little bushes are formed. The taste of berries is dessert, sweet and sour, when fully ripened, the berries are painted in a delicate golden color.
Professor V.V. Spirin bred this variety more than 100 years ago. But at that time, interest in white raspberries was low, and now it is almost forgotten, since many modern varieties of white raspberries have appeared. White spirin is preserved in the gardens of lovers, but has not received wide distribution.
Care Features
It is believed that caring for white raspberries is not much different from caring for ordinary remontant. But still there are some features:
- Choose the right site for growing white raspberries. If red raspberry tolerates a slight shading and gets along very well, for example, with an apple tree, then white definitely needs the sun. And the more it will be, the better.
- White raspberries love space, but at the same time can not stand drafts. Choose loose soil, light loamy or sandy loamy soil is well suited, but acidic - absolutely not.
- Plant white raspberries better in the fall, but no later than the beginning of October.
Planting white raspberries is best done in trenches; it is strictly forbidden to deepen seedlings.
Watering
Like any other raspberry, white loves moisture, but does not tolerate stagnation of water. If there is not enough rain, raspberries are well watered during the period of active growth of shoots, as well as after harvesting. Excessive watering during the formation of berries makes them watery and unsweetened. Mulching works well with moisture retention. As mulch, you can use mowed grass, humus, straw.
Top dressing
White raspberries respond well to both mineral and organic fertilizers. Autumn and spring are better for top dressing. Moreover, nitrogen fertilizers are generally recommended to be scattered in the snow so that they reach the roots with melt water. In this case, the plants will not give a strong shoot.
The most important nitrogen in the first three years of life of white raspberries. It contributes to the good formation of the bush, as a result of which the yield will be stably high. With the trench method of planting white raspberries, mineral fertilizers are applied once every few years.
If you prefer organic fertilizers and don't like mineral fertilizers, use rotted manure (cow or horse manure). Also an excellent supplier of organics is plant mulch and kitchen residues.
Pruning
In the repairing varieties of white raspberries in autumn, it is better to completely cut out all the shoots. Then, on new shoots, the crop will be only in autumn, but abundant and especially delicious. At non-repairing bushes, frigid shoots are cut out. And those left, unlike the red, can not trim the tops.
Harvesting
White raspberries need to be picked on time, since the vast majority of varieties showered as soon as they reach ripeness. Also, white raspberries cannot be stored for a long time, so they must be eaten quickly or processed immediately.
White raspberries are tasty, healthy and unusual. A wide variety of varieties makes it possible to choose the one that suits you. But a good harvest is possible only with proper and regular care of the bushes.