Himbo-Top Raspberry

Synonyms: Рафцакю

Himbo-Top raspberry (Rubus idaeus Himbo-Top) – a remontant cultivar of the common raspberry of the genus raspberry (Rubus). Bred at the Rafz experimental station (Switzerland) by breeder Peter Hauenstein (Peter Hauenstein). The Himbo-Top cultivar was obtained by crossing the cultivars Отм Блисс and Химбо Квин (Рафзетер). License owner Promo-Fruit AG (Promo-Fruit AG). Rights registration - EU - CPVO 20001707 Grant 13008; USA - USPP19512 P3; Ukraine - 08077004, patent No. 130158

It is a vigorously growing shrub, forming long lateral fruiting shoots, therefore the recommended row spacing should be 2.5 - 3.0 m. In the first year the plant can form up to 7 canes, in subsequent years – about 10.

Fruits weigh 6−8 g. The flesh of the ripe berry has medium firmness. The surface is attractive, with a characteristic shine. The berry does not diminish in size before the end of the fruiting period and is quite easily detached from the receptacle. The flavor of the ripe berry is excellent. The peak yield occurs in August. Seasonal productivity is very high, amounting to at least 3 kg from each berry plant.

Hardiness zone: -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 (groundwater should lie at a depth of at least 1.5 m) light loamy soils. On sandy and sandy-loam soils annual application of organic fertilizer and regular moderate watering are necessary.

Planting: plant raspberries in spring before bud break (when planted in spring raspberries require regular watering for 2 weeks). In autumn plant seedlings from mid-September to mid-October. Planting scheme 2x0.5 m. Planting pits are dug 0.4x0.4x0.5 m. Seedlings should not be planted too deep; after planting it is necessary to prune shoots to 30 cm above the 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 it is necessary to apply organic fertilizer – 1 bucket of compost or humus per 1 cubic m, 25 g of double superphosphate, 20 g of potassium sulfate. In early June, if growth is weak, apply a feed of manure (5:1) or poultry manure (12:1) at a rate of 1 bucket per 5 plants. In autumn it requires a water-charging irrigation. A support is necessary, for which a trellis is best used.

Pruning of raspberries is carried out in spring, when overwintered one-year shoots can be identified. Pruning shoots by 10-15 cm stimulates the formation of new fruiting branches. Per linear meter of row, leave 10-15 strong shoots 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, the remaining stems develop better. To accelerate ripening of a young shoot, pinch the tip in mid-August. Winter covering is necessary – stems are bent and tied in the last days of autumn before frosts. Do not do this on frosty days, as the stems freeze and break.

Propagation: propagated by root cuttings, rooted shoot tips, green and lignified 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 while they have not reached a height of 15-20 cm and transplanted to a new place. Root cuttings can be used effectively for propagation. For this, roots at least 0.5 cm thick are cut into pieces 20 cm long and planted in specially prepared trenches.

Use: raspberry fruits are used fresh, canned and frozen, used to make jam, liqueurs, jellies, marmalade, juices, wine and tinctures. Widely used in medicine. Leaves are used as a tea substitute. Suitable as a pioneer planting, for embankments and slopes and for planting under other plants.