Malina Arbat: variety description, photos, reviews
Raspberries have healing properties; they help with colds, reducing fever and fighting viruses. These fruits have many other positive qualities, so gardeners try to allocate as much space as possible for these berry bushes.
Modern nurseries offer a huge assortment of raspberry bushes for sale, and sometimes gardeners find it difficult to make their choice in favor of one variety or another.
This article will talk about the large-fruited, high-yielding Arbat raspberry, why this variety has become popular among gardeners from many regions of Russia, its characteristics, rules for planting and caring for berry bushes.
The content of the article:
1. History of breeding of the variety 2. Characteristics and description of the Arbat variety 3. Resistance of the Arbat raspberry to frost and drought 4. Productivity of the variety 5. Diseases and pests 6. Agricultural techniques for growing berry bushes 7. Feeding rules 8. How to prune the bush 9. Advantages and disadvantages 10. Reviews of Arbat raspberries
Growing raspberries
Planting itself is not difficult; caring for the plants is a very important part here. Gardeners are trying to provide the raspberry fields with the necessary fertilizers and high-quality watering.
When to plant
To plant in spring or autumn, it is important to choose seedlings with a closed root system. If there are no such seedlings, then planting is carried out in the fall. Choose a sunny day. It is important that there is no strong wind, since the young plant may not withstand strong gusts, and the root system is not yet stable in the soil.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
Choose an area with fertile soil, low acidity, and sunny terrain. If the soil lacks nutrients, it should be fertilized and mulched before planting. The area should not be covered with trees or a wall, as tall plantings will shield the raspberries from the sun, causing their growth to be very slow and the fruits to be small.
It is important to plant raspberries away from other plants that are attacked by pests. If raspberries are grown for several years, then the planting area is changed from time to time so that it has the opportunity to “rest”.
Planting seedlings
Seedlings are selected without characteristic damage and diseases. Check the root system in advance. Before planting the plant, it is first placed in a solution of potassium permanganate. Before planting, the roots are placed in a mixture of clay and manure or humus.
The planting process begins by digging a hole 45-50 centimeters wide. Depth 30-35 centimeters. Wood chips or bark are placed at the bottom of the hole. You can also add peat or rotted sawdust. Then add a layer of fertile soil.
See also
When raspberries ripen in different regions, the timing of harvesting domestic and forest onesRead
The seedling is lowered into the hole, monitoring the position of the roots. In order for the plants to become stronger, sometimes two seedlings are placed in one hole, which later grow together into one bush. Afterwards, the hole with raspberries is filled with earth and compacted well. The soil is lightly trampled and watered.
History of variety development
The Arbat raspberry variety was bred by breeders from the Institute of Horticulture named after. V.V. Kichina, located in Moscow. When breeding the variety, Scottish raspberry hybrids were crossed.
When developing a new variety of this berry crop, breeders set the goal of obtaining a new variety that would be distinguished by improved yield, large fruit, and the size of the berries would not decrease even when the bush was grown for a long time in one place.
Photo of raspberry Arbat
And the new plant, which was submitted for inclusion in the State Register of the country in 1988, had all of the above advantages. The new raspberry was assigned the number K92. 8 years after the tests, the variety was included in the State Register under the name Arbat.
Raspberry Arbat: characteristics and description of the variety
This berry bush has very erect, strong and powerful shoots, reaching a height of 1.9-2.1 m. The bushes themselves are spreading. Internodes are short, no more than 5 cm. The main advantage of this berry plant is the complete absence of thorns on the shoots, so the bush is easier to care for and harvest.
Brief description of the Arbat raspberry variety - video
On the Arbat bush, shoots of the first and second seasons are distinguished. Annual stems are green in color, practically without pubescence, the presence of a waxy coating is minimal. By mid-autumn the shoots become woody and turn brown.
The branches on which the fruits are formed are medium in size, usually up to 15 buds appear on each of them. Raspberry fruits are formed on the stems of the second year.
Interesting!
The Arbat raspberry variety reproduces very simply - each bush produces up to 10-12 replacement shoots.
Arbat raspberry bushes are highly decorative - each shoot grows a large amount of medium-sized corrugated foliage, the edges are jagged. The leaves are green on the upper side. The underside of the leaf blades is greenish with a whitish tint.
Arbat raspberry bush - photo
The Arbat raspberry variety is not remontant
, ripe berries have a conical shape and a bright red shiny color. Fruit length is up to 4 cm, weight is from 5 to 15 grams. The drupes adhere tightly to each other, so they do not crumble when the berries ripen. Small Arbat raspberry seeds are almost invisible against the red background. The pulp is dense and sweet, with virtually no sourness. Ripe berries have almost no aroma.
The harvested Arbat raspberry is universally used; the berries can be consumed fresh, or for further processing - they are used to make preserves, jams, compotes and juices. The fruits can also be dried and frozen.
The collected berries tolerate transportation well over different distances without losing their taste and presentation.
Ripe fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for at least 30 days, but their taste does not change, and the berries themselves do not produce a large amount of juice.
The Arbat raspberry bush can be grown in almost all Russian regions, as the variety is highly resistant to frost. However, in Siberia, the Urals and other regions with similar climatic conditions, raspberry shoots are bent to the soil and covered before the onset of cold weather, protecting the crop from freezing.
According to reviews from gardeners, Arbat raspberries fully comply with the characteristics stated in the description of the originators.
This is where we can finish the description of the Arbat raspberry and let’s continue the story about other important characteristics.
Harvest and storage
Another positive quality of this hybrid is that after ripeness the berries do not fall off. The fruits are easy to collect due to the lack of thorns.
After picking, the berries are used for culinary purposes. The fruits release juice only on the second day. You can use drying after collection, which will allow you to use the product as a medicinal drug.
Arbat raspberry resistance to frost and drought
Like representatives of other raspberry varieties, Arbat does not tolerate dry periods well, as it really needs regular watering.
. The top layer of soil should be constantly moist, but bushes of this variety can survive short-term droughts without much harm to the crop.
Arbat raspberries are highly frost-resistant - when the air temperature drops to -30 degrees Celsius, the bushes do not require shelter.
Preparing for winter
Despite good frost resistance, Arbat raspberries need to be properly prepared for wintering, and in areas with severe frosts (from –30°C and below) a special shelter is built around the bush.
In order for Arbat bushes to easily survive the winter, it is recommended to perform the following actions:
- after harvesting, clear the tree trunk circle of debris and fallen leaves;
- remove weak and damaged branches so that they do not needlessly deplete the bush, and cut off fertilizing shoots at the root;
- at the end of September, tie the stems of the bush into a bundle and bend it to the ground, securely fixing the shoots in this position;
- in mid-November, carry out moisture-recharging watering of plants to saturate their roots with moisture and give them strength for wintering;
- when growing in cold northern regions, cover the raspberries with boards and branches of spruce branches, sprinkling them with earth - this procedure is carried out only after the air temperature drops to -10 ° C so that the branches of the bush do not rot;
- The winter shelter of Arbat raspberries is removed in the spring immediately after the snow melts.
Important! During prolonged thaws in winter, you can open the bushes for a short time to prevent the shoots from rotting.
Productivity of the Arbat raspberry variety
The variety is zoned for cultivation throughout almost the entire territory of Russia, but can be grown in Ukraine and Belarus.
According to the timing of fruit ripening, the Arbat variety belongs to the mid-early variety.
– the first ripe berries appear in the last ten days of June or the first ten days of July (depending on the growing region), and fruiting ends by mid-August.
Since fruiting is extended over time, harvesting is carried out in several passes. The drupes are closely interconnected, so even overripe fruits adhere tightly to the branches and do not fall off.
From each Arbat raspberry bush, up to 5 kg of delicious berries are collected during the fruiting period.
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Photo of a bush
In the photo of raspberry bushes, the Arbat variety immediately attracts attention with its tall shoots. They often reach 1.6-2 m in length. Moreover, the branches are not thin, but well developed. Their surface is smooth and free of thorns, making harvesting easier. At the ends the shoots become thin. There is no edge on them.
One cannot help but notice in the photographs the decorative nature of the crown itself. It is strewn with bright green leaves with a beautiful corrugated surface. There are small teeth along the edges of the leaf plates, which creates additional volume.
Photos of raspberries during the fruiting period attract the most attention. Large berries of a deep red hue look advantageous against the emerald background of foliage. It is of a uniform shade and without defects.
Diseases and pests
The main advantages of the Arbat raspberry include its high resistance to most diseases that can affect other varieties of this berry biennial. Also, the bushes are practically not affected by insect pests.
Pests on raspberries - video
But for preventive purposes in spring and autumn, it is recommended to water this berry plant with Bordeaux mixture to protect the shoots from pathogenic microorganisms. Also, for various purposes, preventive treatment of raspberries with trichodermin is carried out.
But even if the plants are “sick,” this does not affect the yield of the variety.
Landing
Under Arbat raspberries, you need to choose areas with good lighting, away from vegetable and strawberry beds. The ideal place for raspberries is near a thick fence next to currant and gooseberry bushes. If there was already a berry field in this area, then it is advisable to plant raspberry seedlings in a new place, since infections can accumulate in the soil.
The site is prepared before planting. The soil is weeded, dug up and watered with a weak solution of manganese. Holes for seedlings are dug 40 x 40 cm and 30 cm deep; at the bottom of the hole a mound of nutritious soil is formed on which the bush is placed. Its roots are straightened along the slopes, avoiding twisting. Plants are covered with soil so as not to bury the root collar. The soil around the seedling is compacted and watered abundantly.
Malina Arbat: agricultural technology for growing berry bushes
Planting and caring for Arbat raspberries is not a complicated undertaking, but there are still certain features.
Arbat raspberry seedlings should be planted according to the following scheme: the distance between neighboring plants should be about 0.8-1.5 m, and the row spacing should be 2.5-3 m. As a result, up to 8 seedlings “fit” in one square.
Photos of Arbat raspberry seedlings
Each gardener decides for himself whether to garter bushes, but powerful, strong shoots do not bend under the weight of the harvest.
Important!
If the purchased seedlings have a closed root system, then they can be planted in spring or autumn. In other cases, it is better to plant Arbat raspberries in early autumn, then in the spring the planted bushes will begin to bear fruit.
First select a suitable area for planting raspberries. It should be level, well lit by sunlight, with loose, fertile soil. Despite the fact that the Arbat raspberry loves moisture, it is necessary to ensure that in the selected area the groundwater level does not approach the surface of the earth closer than 1.5 m. The best types of soil in such an area for planting raspberry trees are loam or sandstone.
Photo of planting raspberry seedlings
Raspberries can be grown in one place for no more than 8-9 years, and then the bush can be transplanted to a new place.
Arbat raspberry seedlings are planted as follows:
- dig planting holes with a diameter of 0.45 m and a depth of up to 0.3 m;
- a layer of drainage made from pieces of brick, bark or large wood chips is laid on the bottom;
- the next layer is the nutrient substrate. At least 5 liters of water are poured into each hole and allowed to soak;
- the seedling is placed in the center of the hole, the roots are straightened;
- cover with the remaining substrate and compact;
- Up to 10 liters of water are added to each plant;
- mulch tree trunk circles to prevent rapid evaporation of moisture.
Important!
Further care for Arbat raspberries consists of regular watering, loosening the soil, removing weeds, fertilizing, pruning and tying, preventive treatment against diseases and pests, and covering bushes in regions with harsh winters.
In the spring and autumn periods, water-recharging watering of raspberries is carried out.
Plants are also watered abundantly during flowering and berry ripening. But you should not allow moisture to stagnate in the soil.
Care
After planting and successful rooting of Arbat raspberry bushes, they need to be provided with standard care.
In the process of growing this variety, it is enough to perform the following actions:
- immediately after planting, install a trellis along a row of bushes to tie up shoots - to do this, vertical supports up to 1.7 m high are dug into the ground, and horizontal rows of wire are stretched between them, placing them at a distance of 0.5 m from each other;
- water the beds abundantly as the soil dries - raspberry roots penetrate 0.3–0.5 m into the ground, so the soil at the specified depth should always be moderately moist;
Important! Raspberry Arbat most needs watering at the stages of flowering, ovary formation and fruit ripening. But you should not overwater the bushes - this will lead to rotting of the roots. - perform superficial loosening of the soil around the bushes after each watering - this helps to retain moisture in the ground longer, preventing it from stagnating around the stem, and also improves air circulation around the roots;
- annually remove damaged and frozen raspberry shoots - the procedure is carried out in early spring before active sap flow begins;
- at the end of spring, trim off excess shoots on the bush, leaving 10–15 main stems to ensure good access of sunlight to the fruits and improve ventilation around the plant;
- in May, feed the raspberries with nitrogen fertilizers - you can use a liquid solution of mullein (0.5 kg of substance per 10 liters of water), spending 5 liters of the nutrient mixture for each linear meter of row;
- in July, plants are fed with liquid mineral fertilizers, adding 2 tbsp.
l. nitrophoska for each linear meter of the row - this contributes to the formation of a large number of large and sweet fruits; Also read: proper feeding of raspberries during fruiting. - After harvesting, apply a nutrient solution of 2 tbsp under the bushes. l. potassium sulfate and 10 liters of water - for each meter of row you will need about 7 liters of liquid mixture.
Rules for feeding Arbat raspberries
Fertilizers are applied simultaneously with watering.
It is better to use organic matter as fertilizers - an infusion of cow manure or bird droppings, or greenfinch.
Related article:
Rules for feeding raspberries throughout the season
Once a season, you can water the bushes with a solution of boric acid, and also spray them with an iodine solution.
Methods for growing raspberries
The plant can be propagated either vegetatively or by sowing seeds. Propagation by seeds is not used in practice due to the fact that the results obtained rarely correspond to the quality of the original parent varieties.
When using root suckers, the fastest and cheapest option for propagating a plant is obtained. You can also use the method of dividing a bush, but it is acceptable mainly in private gardening, when the number of seedlings obtained is minimal.
Malina Arbat: how to prune a bush
In the fall, you need to cut off all fruit-bearing stems of the Arbat raspberry at the root; shoots of the first year in early August are pinched to 10-15 cm, leaving the stems no more than 1 m high. This procedure allows you to activate the growth of side shoots, as a result, these bushes will bear fruit better next season .
Useful article:
Rules for pruning raspberries for a good harvest
How to trim raspberries - video
In spring, frozen and dry shoots, as well as shoots that are too thick, should be removed. The tops of young raspberries are trimmed by 10-12 cm.
Pest Control
Throughout the season, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the stems and leaves of the Arbat variety of raspberries. In the absence of proper care, the raspberry tree can quickly wither and be damaged by harmful insects:
- The raspberry beetle overwinters in the ground. A small, grayish-brown insect destroys flowers, buds, and leaves, which leads to a significant decrease in yield. If extensive damage to the bushes is noticed, the plants are sprayed with Karbofos (90 g of the drug is dissolved in a bucket of water). Prevention: thinning overgrown bushes, treating plants in early spring with Bordeaux mixture;
- The spider mite settles on the underside of the leaf plate and feeds on plant sap. Favorable conditions for the growth of insect numbers are a long dry period. Before flowering begins, you can spray the raspberries with Actellik 500 EC acaricide. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to spray the bushes with water in dry weather.
Malina Arbat requires attention during the season. But in gratitude for good care, the summer resident always receives a bountiful harvest of berries.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Arbat variety in comparison with others
Gardeners claim that the raspberry variety has no disadvantages.
And the main advantages of Arbat raspberries include:
- productivity is above average and is stable regardless of climatic conditions;
- fruiting is extended over time;
- large fruit;
- the taste of ripe berries is sweet;
- even when overripe, the fruits do not fall off the bush;
- there are no thorns on the shoots;
- formation of replacement shoots – average;
- Arbat raspberries are resistant to most diseases and attacks by insect pests;
- high resistance to frost, so the variety can be grown in most regions of Russia;
- The harvested crop tolerates transportation well over long distances and can be stored for a long time in the refrigerator.
Reviews
Everything is as promised in the description for Arbat - raspberries without thorns and with huge delicious raspberries. When I planted it, I had doubts, since the description rarely completely matches what is growing. A bountiful harvest allows you to make good preparations for the winter and eat plenty of fresh berries.
The impression about the variety is still ambivalent. I have been growing Arbat raspberries for 3 years. The taste of the berries is satisfactory, but I haven’t seen a large harvest yet. A maximum of 3 kg of berries can be collected from a bush. Also this year, the raspberries began to hurt. I haven’t decided yet whether I will breed the variety.
Raspberry Arbat is distinguished by large fruits with high taste. It is intended for cultivation in various climatic conditions and competes with many remontant varieties.
Malina Arbat: reviews from those who planted and grew berries
Below are some of the reviews from gardeners who grow this raspberry variety in their garden plots.
Sergey, 59 years old, Omsk region:
“I’ve been growing raspberries on my plot for decades, I’ve grown various varieties, and recently I’ve been cultivating Arbat raspberries. This variety fully corresponds to the description of specialists - large-fruited and high-yielding, not susceptible to diseases, not affected by pests. My wife makes jam from the harvest, and I make raspberry liqueur.”
Valentina, 48 years old, Ekaterinburg:
“I planted Arbat raspberries three years ago. I ordered seedlings from a nursery, the seedlings were sent by mail with a closed root system. Thanks to this, all the planted plants began to grow and were practically pain-free during the acclimatization period. There are no thorns on the Arbat raspberry shoots, so harvesting is a pleasure. The harvested crop is enough not only for food, but also for supplies. I cook compotes and jam, and partially freeze them in the freezer.”
Vika, 40 years old, Rostov region:
“I am attracted to this raspberry variety by its high yield, lack of thorns on the shoots and good plant immunity. Every year I collect up to 5 kg of harvest from each fruit-bearing bush. For preventive purposes, in spring and autumn I treat Arbat raspberry bushes against diseases and pests with trichoderma. I plan to expand the Arbat raspberry plantation in the future.”
Larisa, 50 years old, Moscow region:
“We planted this variety on our plot because the description stated that the variety is frost-resistant and does not require shelter in most regions. But in the year of planting, the winter was harsh and snowless, so our uncovered Arbat raspberries almost died out by half. I had to plant them in the fall, but now I don’t take risks and every year before the onset of frost I bend down the raspberry shoots and cover them. And as a result, every year my raspberry plantation pleases me with high yields.”
To summarize, we can say with confidence that Arbat raspberries are one of those varieties that grow and bear fruit well in most Russian regions. Therefore, many gardeners who have once planted seedlings of this raspberry on their plot will only increase its plantation in the future and are not going to give up growing Arbat raspberries.
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What qualities should planting material have?
It must correspond to the required grade. Free from damage from pests and diseases. Annual seedlings have the best performance for planting. The length of the bush should not be more than half a meter, with a stem thickness of about 1 cm.
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The color of the trunk should be the same along its entire length. It should be free of stains, cracks and thickening of any color. The root system should be branched and not dry. It is better when it is wrapped in damp burlap.