Amira Yellow Raspberry

Amira Yellow Raspberry (Rubus idaeus Amira) – a remontant (everbearing) cultivar of common yellow raspberry from the raspberry genus (Rubus). Bred in Italy in 2000 at the Berry Plant nursery as a result of crossing the remontant variety Polka and the summer raspberry variety Tulamin.

It forms a compact, vigorous bush up to 2 m tall with a large number of canes covered with thorns (as in Tulamin). It fruits not only on last year’s canes but also on one-year canes. Yield is high.

The fruit is large, similar to Tulamin berries, weighing up to 6.5–7 g, although it may become somewhat smaller by the end of the harvest season. The start of harvest coincides with the Polka variety. The harvest season is fairly concentrated: 80% of the crop is picked within 4 weeks. The storage life of Amira berries is very good; the fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for 3–4 days without loss of marketability. The berries detach easily from the receptacle, which increases harvesting efficiency.

Frost hardiness: -28°C

Location: prefers open, well-warmed sites protected from cold winds. Grows well on fertile, neutral soils (pH 5.5–6). Preferably planted on moisture-retaining but well-drained light loam soils (groundwater should lie at a depth of at least 1.5 m). On sandy and sandy-loam soils, annual application of organic fertilizer and regular moderate watering are necessary.

Planting: raspberries are planted in spring before bud break (with spring planting, regular watering is required for 2 weeks). In autumn, seedlings are planted from mid-September to mid-October. Planting scheme: 2 x 0.5 m. Planting holes are dug 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.5 m. Seedlings should not be planted deep; after planting it is necessary to prune the shoots to 30 cm above ground.

Diseases: resistant to root rots, in particular to Phytophthora root rot.

Pests: raspberry clearwing, stem fly, shoot gall midge, raspberry–strawberry weevil, raspberry beetle, prodoxid and bud moths, leaf and raspberry aphids, nut weevil, stem fly, spider mite.

Care: requires regular weeding and mulching of the soil. Responds well to potassium and nitrogen fertilizers. In the second year after planting, organic fertilizer should be applied – 1 bucket of compost or humus per 1 cu. m, 25 g of double superphosphate, 20 g of potassium sulfate. In early June, if growth is weak, apply a feed of manure infusion (5:1) or poultry manure (12:1) at a rate of 1 bucket per 5 plants. In autumn it needs a deep moisture-recharging watering. Support is necessary; the best option is to use a trellis.

Pruning: raspberry pruning is carried out in spring, when the one-year-old canes that survived the winter can be identified. Pruning canes by 10–15 cm stimulates the formation of new fruiting branches. Per linear meter of row, leave 10–15 strong canes 1.5 m high, growing 15–20 cm apart. Thinning is done in early spring, but if done in summer when stems have reached only 20–25 cm in height, the remaining stems develop better. To accelerate ripening of a young cane, it is recommended to pinch the tip in mid-August. Winter covering is necessary – the canes are bent down and tied in the last days of autumn before frosts. Do not do this on frosty days, as the canes freeze and break.

Propagation: propagated by root cuttings, rooted shoot tips, green and woody root suckers. Each year many shoots grow from the rhizomes, which can be used for propagation the following year. For this, they are dug up before they reach 15–20 cm in height and transplanted to a new location. Propagation by root cuttings is effective. For this, roots at least 0.5 cm thick are cut into pieces 20 cm long and planted in specially prepared trenches.

Use: the variety is valued for its remontant nature, large attractive berries, good shelf life and transportability, and ease of harvest.