Selection of Raspberry Varieties by Fruit Color
The most important varieties are considered to be red and black raspberries, but there are also single-bearing and ever-bearing varieties. All varieties are self-pollinating. Regarding ripening, we distinguish between summer and autumn raspberries. From a practical standpoint, varieties can be divided into two main groups: economically most important and economically important.
A raspberry plantation is established using seedlings obtained from rooted shoots. For establishing a plantation with pure varieties, seedlings produced in special nurseries are used. Such nurseries can produce pure varieties and healthy shoots. Shoots from production plantations can also be used, but with these, it is not certain whether they have been previously cross-bred with other varieties. Using shoots for planting depletes the plantation in terms of yield.
Economically Most Important Varieties
Malling Promise
This variety ripens very early, in mid-June. Its fruits are large, weighing more than 4 g. They are round and elongated, characterized by a light red to red color. The aggregate fruit contains about 130 individual drupelets and is firm. The fruit has a sweet to sweet-sour taste. It is mostly used as fresh fruit and is less processed due to its softness. The shoots are numerous and vigorous, growing upright. The fruiting branches are of medium length and elasticity, which prevents them from breaking easily. The yield is very good, and it is tolerant to viruses. It is considered one of the leading European varieties.
Malling Exploit
This variety ripens in mid-June, relatively early. The fruit is very large, weighing about 4 g, oval and hollow, with a light red color. The aggregate fruit is firm and contains about 130 individual drupelets that ripen simultaneously. The taste of the fruit is excellent, and it can be used fresh, frozen, or processed. The yield is very good, and the variety is tolerant to viruses. It is considered one of the economically best raspberry varieties.
Podgorina (Čačanska 17/10/62)
This variety ripens in mid-June, the same as Malling Exploit. The fruit is very large, weighing about 4.5 g, ovally elongated, and intensely red. The fruit contains about 100 to 110 individual drupelets. The taste is excellent, characterized by its aroma. The fruit is used fresh, processed into juices, or frozen. The bush is spreading and consists of a moderate number of medium-vigorous shoots. Fruiting branches sprout along the entire length of the shoot. The yield of this variety is very pronounced.
Willamette
This variety ripens in the second half of June. The fruits are large, weighing about 4 g, characterized by an elongated shape, firmness, dark red color, and a sweet-sour pleasant taste. It is used fresh and for processing. Willamette produces a significant number of upright vigorous shoots. The fruiting branches are of medium length and elastic. In some years, it tends to bear fruit twice and is considered to have a very good yield. It is tolerant to viruses. It is considered a very high-quality variety.
Gradina
This variety ripens in the second half of June. Its fruits are large, weighing about 4 g, rounded-elongated in shape, firm, red, and pleasant in taste. The fruits are used fresh, for freezing, and for processing. It produces a large number of vigorous, slightly bent shoots. The fruiting branches are quite long and do not break under the weight of the fruit. The yield is very good, and the variety is tolerant to viruses.
Economically Important Varieties
Lloyd George
This variety ripens in mid-June. It is ever-bearing. The second crop on the tips of one-year-old shoots occurs in September or early October. The fruit is medium-sized, weighing about 3 g, broadly elongated, firm, juicy, and has an excellent taste. It is red, and when fully ripe, it darkens. It is used fresh and for processing. The shoots are quite vigorous, and the fruiting branches are of medium length. The yield is considered moderate.
Malling Jewel
This variety ripens in the second half of June. The fruit is large, weighing about 4.5 g, elongated and firm, red, and quite sweet. It is characterized by good transport tolerance. It is used for freezing and processing, but also fresh. The shoots are few but vigorous and upright, and the fruiting branches are quite short. The yield is considered good.
Newburgh
This variety ripens at the end of June. The fruit is medium-sized, weighing about 3 g, round, quite firm, light red, and has a fine taste. It is most commonly used fresh. The shoots are quite vigorous and upright, and the fruiting branches are strong and of medium length. The yield is moderate, and the variety is virus-tolerant.
Large Ever-Bearing Variety
This variety ripens early, like the earliest varieties, which is about a few days before Malling Promise. As its name suggests, it is ever-bearing. The fruit is very large, weighing about 5 g, rounded-elongated, firm, red, and has a very pleasant taste. It is used fresh, but it can also be used for freezing and processing. The shoots are few, vigorous, strong, and upright, giving the plant a spreading shape. The fruiting branches are of medium length and do not break easily, and the yield is good.
Romy
Romy is a very interesting variety due to its ever-bearing characteristic. This variety produces fruits from the end of June until the end of the growing season. The fruits are of high quality and can be used fresh, for freezing, and for processing. The yield of this variety comes from one-year-old shoots. When renewing shoots, all summer shoots should be cut in the spring, so the pruning of this variety differs from that of other varieties. The yield of this variety is very high. This variety is especially suitable for hobby production, i.e., home gardens, as fresh fruit can be used throughout the summer.
Black and Red-Purple Varieties
There are also black raspberry varieties, brought to our region from the USA, such as Allen, Bristol, and Bundee, as well as red-purple varieties Marion and Clyde. These varieties are more sensitive to frost and temperature changes.
