How to Grow Raspberries: 4 Practical Planting Methods
Summary Cutting planting: Raspberries can be planted by cutting branches about 40cm long in autumn and storing them, then taking them out in early spring the following year for cuttings. Layering planting: In August, bury the front part of the branch in the soil, and new seedlings can sprout that same year. Division planting: Raspberries sprout many root suckers every year, and in autumn the root suckers can be divided into several small sections and buried. Seed planting: In spring or autumn, the seeds can be evenly scattered on sandy soil and covered with a small amount of fine soil.
1. Cutting Planting
Raspberry cutting planting is generally done in autumn. In autumn, cut off branches that have grown to 40 cm in one year and store them. In early spring, take them out and insert the stored branches from both ends into a dug bed one meter wide. The spacing between each raspberry plant is about 20 cm, with two rows per bed, arranged in an arch shape. When young buds sprout, cut the branches, and in this way two raspberry seedlings can be obtained.
2. Layering Propagation
Layering propagation is mostly done in August each year. In August, place the front part of the raspberry branch on the ground and bury it in the soil, or push down and bury the entire branch. New buds can sprout that same year. When the new growth becomes strong and separates from the connection to the parent branch, a new raspberry seedling has been produced.
3. Division Propagation
The rhizomes of raspberries sprout many small root seedlings every year, and in no time they can turn from a small single plant into a clustered clump. Autumn is the best time for division propagation. Use a tool to dig out the root suckers and divide them into several small sections for burying. By the following spring, they can be formally planted.
4. Seed Planting
The sowing time for raspberry seeds is spring and autumn. When selecting seeds, check whether they are shriveled. Choosing good seeds is the prerequisite for whether raspberries can be successfully grown. If the seeds are not chosen properly, then all the effort will be wasted. When sowing the seeds, simply scatter them evenly on sandy soil and cover lightly with fine soil. Do not cover with too much soil, and do not sow the seeds too densely, otherwise it will affect the growth of the raspberries.
5. Precautions for Growing Raspberries
1. Fertilization
If you want the raspberry yield to be higher than usual, you must manage fertilizer and water well for the raspberries. In addition to basic fertilizer, raspberries also need two topdressings. The base fertilizer is generally farmyard manure, and an appropriate amount of urea and phosphate fertilizer should also be added.
(1) The first topdressing is at flowering time, mainly using nitrogen fertilizer to extend the flowering period. At the same time, some non-toxic agents can be sprayed to promote fruit growth.
(2) The second topdressing is one week after fruit set, using phosphate fertilizer and potassium fertilizer to promote the growth of the fruit and root system and prepare for high yield the following year.
2. Pruning
During the growth of raspberries, the branches and leaves grow continuously, so when planting, attention should be paid to the density of branches and leaves, allowing the raspberries enough space to spread their branches and leaves. After new branches and leaves grow, diseased branches and leaves can be cut off to reduce unnecessary nutrient consumption.
After the raspberries are harvested, the branches and leaves of the raspberries should also be pruned once to promote high yield the following year. At this time, cut off the branches that have borne fruit, then wrap them with plastic wrap. By the following year, new branches will grow and be able to bear fruit again.
3. Harvesting
Raspberries need to be harvested in batches. Each harvest should only collect fully ripe fruits, while half-ripe raspberries and green raspberries are left for the second and third harvests.