A detailed guide to raspberry cultivation techniques, from planting to management, all mastered

I. Propagation methods

Raspberries can be propagated by branching, by root division, and by seed. For division propagation, seedlings sprouted from the rhizomes of the mother plant can be used for transplanting. Root division propagation means that in early spring, before the adventitious buds on the rhizomes have emerged from the soil, the rhizomes are dug up, cut into 10-15 cm lengths, and planted obliquely or shallowly buried, keeping the soil moist to aid survival. For seed propagation, mature fruits are harvested each year in May-June, the fruit pulp is washed off, and the seeds are stored in stratified damp sand until autumn or the following spring for sowing; after one year of growth they can be transplanted. The most practical method is to dig up renewal shoots and plant them in December after the leaves have completely dropped.

II. Land preparation and transplanting

Choose a gently sloping site with deep, fertile, loose soil that is well drained and slightly acidic, and plow deeply to prepare the land. Transplant at a spacing of 50 cm × 100 cm or 100 cm × 100 cm.

III. Field management

Apply sufficient base fertilizer before transplanting, using 3-5 kg of farmyard manure per plant. During the growing period, combine loosening the soil and weeding with 2-3 applications of topdressing each year, mainly nitrogen fertilizer with a moderate amount of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Apply seedling fertilizer in March, flower fertilizer in April, and wintering fertilizer in November. Apply 1500-2000 kg of human and animal manure per mu. Pay attention to watering during summer and autumn droughts. In April-May, when new branches produce lateral branches, remove the terminal buds to promote lateral branch growth, and at the same time pinch the tips of the lateral branches to encourage a second round of lateral branches; more branches mean more leaves, increasing the fruiting mother branches for the next year and raising the yield. During the fruiting period, set up a support beside each plant to prevent lodging.

In early to mid-May, when the fruits are eight-tenths ripe, harvest them together with the calyx and package them.