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Blueberry River was bred in New Zealand in 1986. Breeders used American hybrids in their work. After cross-pollination, new varieties were obtained, one of which was named Reka. In Russia, blueberries are only gaining popularity among gardeners. The Reka variety is considered promising, but has not yet been included in the State Register of the Russian Federation.
Description of blueberry variety River
According to the description, the river blueberry is a powerful bush with a height of 1.3 - 1.8 m. Under favorable conditions, the plant reaches 2 m. The width of the bush is from 1.2 to 1.7 m. Its shoots are strong, strong, erect. The lateral processes branch out, which leads to a thickening of the culture. Young stems are greenish and pubescent at the end of the season, acquire a burgundy color.
Blueberry leaves of the Reka variety, dark green and shiny, are located on short petioles. Above, the leaf plate is smooth with veins, below it is lighter, slightly pubescent. The length of the leaves is 65 mm, the width is no more than 40 mm. The decorative properties of the bush are high. In summer, the plant is used for landscaping the site. In autumn, the leaves take on a reddish tint.
In the south, the Reka variety blooms in April, in colder climates in May. Its flowers are numerous, white-pink, bell-shaped. They are collected in brushes of 8-12 pieces. The plant is a honey plant that attracts many bees and other insects.
Blueberry The river is characterized by high winter hardiness. The branches of the shrub do not freeze even when the temperature in winter drops to -35 ° C. The variety is resistant to high soil moisture, rarely suffers from diseases and pests.
Features of fruiting
The Reka blueberry variety is self-pollinated. However, to obtain a high yield, it is recommended to plant several bushes nearby. A prerequisite is their simultaneous flowering. The best pollinators for the Reka variety are Northland, Bluegold, Duke, Stanley, Ertiblu.
Blueberry variety Reka bears harvest early - in the middle and end of July. Its berries are medium in size, 15 - 18 mm, have a mass of 1.8 g. Their color is intense blue, with a grayish bloom. The skin is firm and the flesh is firm and juicy.
8 - 10 kg of berries are removed from one bush of the Reka variety. These are high numbers for blueberries. With age, the productivity of the shrub increases. Blueberries under 3 years old produce up to 4 kg of berries. More than 9 kg of fruits are removed from a bush over 5 years old.
Ripening of berries is extended in time and is 2.5 - 3 weeks. The crop is harvested in several stages. Fruits are removed from the branches, which are completely colored. The highest quality harvest is obtained in the first and second wave of fruiting.
The tasting qualities of Reka berries are estimated at 4.4 points. The taste is pleasant, sweet and sour. Blueberries are used fresh as a dessert, added to breakfast cereals and vitamin cocktails. The berries are dried or frozen for the winter. Jam, jams, compotes are made from blueberries.
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits of the Reka variety:
- early fruiting;
- high productivity;
- excellent quality and taste of fruits;
- increased winter hardiness.
Disadvantages of the Reka variety:
- develops under certain conditions: acidic soil, good lighting, etc.;
- the need for care: watering, feeding, pruning.
Breeding features
Blueberries are propagated vegetatively. In the fall, the root shoots are separated from the bush. When transplanting the plant, the rhizome is cut into pieces and new seedlings are obtained. For reproduction of the Reka variety, cuttings are harvested: powerful shoots 15 - 20 cm long. For a month they are kept in a cool room, after which they are transplanted into a substrate of sand and peat. When the plants take root and grow up, they are transferred to the garden bed.
Planting and leaving
Its further development depends on the correct planting of the Reka blueberry variety. Be sure to comply with the deadlines for work and prepare a landing pit.
Recommended timing
The River variety is planted in late autumn before the onset of cold weather. In 2 - 3 weeks, the plant will have time to adapt to new conditions. In the middle lane, work is performed in the spring, in the middle or at the end of May. By this time, the snow melts and the soil warms up.
Site selection and soil preparation
Blueberries prefer sunny areas that are not exposed to cold winds. A loose acidic soil is prepared for the culture. The optimum pH level is from 3.8 to 5. A special device is used to measure it.
If the pH level at the site does not correspond to the norm, then they begin to prepare the soil. First, a hole of 1x1 m in size is dug to a depth of 0.8 - 1 m. Rotted sawdust, wood chips, bark, spruce bedding from the forest, sphagnum moss are used to fill it.
Landing algorithm
The procedure for planting blueberries of the River variety:
- A layer of broken brick or crushed stone 10-15 cm thick is placed at the bottom of the pit.
- The pit is filled with a substrate.
- A small ridge is formed above the ground.
- The seedling is placed on top, its roots are covered with soil.
- The plant is watered abundantly.
- The trunk circle is mulched with peat or spruce sawdust.
Growing and care
During the cultivation process, Reka blueberries provide constant care. The bush is watered, fed and shaped.
Watering schedule
According to reviews, River blueberries require moist soil. At the same time, constant stagnation of moisture leads to the death of the plant. On average, the crop is watered 1 - 2 times a week, taking into account the weather conditions. Watering is especially important during flowering and fruiting. In the fall, moisture is brought in to a minimum.
Feeding schedule
When choosing a fertilizer for blueberries of the Reka variety, the acidity of the soil is taken into account. If this condition is violated, blueberries stop developing and lose productivity. The first sign that it is necessary to acidify the soil is reddening of the leaves in spring or summer.
Options for acidifying the soil under blueberries:
- nitrogen fertilizers: ammonium nitrate, urea, Nitroammofosk in the amount of 10 g per 1 sq. m;
- ammonium sulfate or potassium sulfate - 15 g per 1 sq. m;
- unused electrolyte for cars - 20 ml per 10 liters of water;
- oxalic acid: 1/5 tsp for 5 liters of water;
- colloidal sulfur: 30 g per 10 liters of water;
- complex fertilizers for blueberries Florovit, AVA, Dobraya Sila - according to the instructions.
Pruning
According to reviews, the river blueberry is growing rapidly. With a large number of shoots, the berries become small and do not have time to ripen. By pruning, they regulate the size of the bush and the yield. From the third year after planting, 3 - 5 of the strongest shoots are left at the plant. The remaining branches are cut at the root. Dry, broken, frozen shoots are removed annually.
Preparing for winter
Blueberries of the Reka variety are resistant to winter frosts. In late autumn, the bush is spud and peat or humus is poured under it. A frame is placed over young plants and a non-woven fabric is attached to it. In the spring, the shelter is removed after the snow melts.
Pests and diseases
Blueberry variety Reka is resistant to diseases and pests.The most dangerous for culture are fungal diseases: moniliosis, gray rot, white spot. Lesions appear in violation of agricultural technology and high humidity. Bordeaux liquid, Topaz, Fundazol are used to combat diseases.
Blueberries attract numerous pests: aphids, scale insects, caterpillars, leafworms. The preparations Actellik, Iskra help to fight insects. Folk remedies work well: dusting with wood ash, watering with infusion on onion peels. They are used for prophylaxis or for close harvesting.
Conclusion
Blueberry River is a promising variety for cultivation in various regions of Russia. It is appreciated for its early ripening and abundant fruiting. Berries are rich in vitamins, they are used fresh or for home canning. When growing blueberries, pay attention to the pH level of the soil.
