Raspberry 'Meeker'

Synonyms: WSU 408

Raspberry «Meeker» (Rubus idaeus 'Meeker') – a mid‑late summer raspberry cultivar. Developed in 196 at Washington State University. Obtained by crossing the cultivars Cuthbert and Willamette.

It is a vigorous raspberry cultivar with high cane production. Lateral fruiting branches are long and strong. Fruits on two‑year‑old canes.

The harvest season is fairly long (harvest can continue until early August and may overlap with remontant varieties). Productivity is high (8–10 t/ha).

Berries are medium‑sized, rounded‑elongated in shape, firm, and easily detach from the receptacle. Flavor is pleasant, sweet, rich, with a pleasant aroma. Flesh is tender and juicy. Berries ripen 22.06 - 21.07.

Hardiness zone: 4a (-36°С). Degree of damage does not exceed the acceptable level (15–20%).

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

Planting: raspberries are planted in spring before budbreak (with spring planting, raspberries require regular watering for 2 weeks). In autumn, seedlings are planted from mid‑September to mid‑October. Planting scheme 2x0.5 m. Planting holes are dug 0.4x0.4x0.5 m. Seedlings should not be planted deep; after planting it is necessary to prune canes to 30 cm above ground.

Pruning: carried out in spring, when overwintered one‑year‑old canes 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 at a distance of 15–20 cm from each other. Thinning is done in early spring, but if performed in summer when stems have reached only 20–25 cm, 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 – stems are bent and tied in the last days of autumn before frosts. Do not do this on frosty days, as stems freeze and break.

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, with weak growth, feed with manure infusion (5:1) or poultry manure (12:1) at a rate of 1 bucket per 5 plants. In autumn it requires moisture‑replenishing (deep) irrigation. A support is necessary, for which a trellis is best used.

Propagation: propagated by root cuttings, rooted tip cuttings, and green and lignified root suckers.

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.

Diseases: the cultivar is relatively resistant to leaf diseases and gray mold, but can be affected by root diseases (especially when planted on heavy soils with poor drainage).

Use: berries can be grown for the fresh market and for industrial processing (including conventional freezing, IQF freezing, juice, puree).