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Raspberry, along with strawberries and grapes, is one of the three most demanded berries among the population, according to statistical surveys. It is these three varieties of berries that are most popular among farmers, since they will always find their buyer and their sale does not present any difficulties.
And among the various varieties of raspberries in recent decades, the so-called remontant varieties of raspberries have eclipsed everyone. Of course, they have a lot of advantages - both yield and ripening times in late summer and autumn, when the taste of ordinary raspberries has already been forgotten. In addition, when cultivating them with complete pruning before winter, there is no need to protect raspberry bushes from pests and diseases, the berry turns out to be clean, beautiful and environmentally friendly. The problem of winter hardiness of varieties is also completely solved. For all these reasons, remontant varieties of raspberries are extremely popular among the population, especially among those who grow berries for sale. They would probably have supplanted traditional varieties of raspberries long ago, but nevertheless, remontant varieties cannot surpass them in taste and aroma of berries.
Raspberry Atlant is rightfully considered one of the best representatives of remontant varieties bred in our country. It is about him that will be discussed in this article.
Description of the variety
In 2010, a group of scientific breeders led by I.V. Kazakov, the Atlant remontant raspberry variety was obtained. And in 2015, this variety was officially registered in the State Register and approved for use in all regions of Russia.
Despite the fact that the bush makes a powerful impression, the shoots in their mass grow straight, usually reach a height of 1.6 meters, occasionally grow up to two meters.
Despite the fact that the description of the Atlant raspberry variety states that it does not need a garter, it is still advisable to attach the bushes to a support. Using this technique, you will increase the light and airiness of each branch and make your harvest easier.
The bush is able to form a relatively large number of replacement shoots, about 6-8 pieces. Young shoots are reddish, have weak pubescence and a strong waxy coating. There are few thorns, they are located mostly at the base of the shoots. The thorns are semi-soft, that is, the thorns themselves have a brownish tint, and their base is green, completely fresh. Berries occupy more than half of the shoot in the upper part. Lateral branches with fruits are mostly glabrous, have a medium waxy bloom.
Leaves are medium in size, wrinkled, dark green, slightly pubescent.
But, even in spite of this feature, the Atlant variety cannot be called drought-resistant, since with a lack of watering, the berry begins to shrink, and the yield will also decrease. However, this is not surprising - raspberries are by their nature a very moisture-loving shrub, and it is very difficult to go against nature.
Raspberry variety Atlant is remontant, medium in terms of maturation. The first berries appear in early to mid-August, and until the very first frosts, the harvest can be removed from the bushes every other day. Usually Atlant is usually compared with the remontant variety. raspberry firebird, so it usually begins to bear fruit a few days earlier than the last. In the climatic conditions of the middle zone, where the Moscow region belongs, Atlant raspberries manage to give from 75 to 90% of their harvest before the first frosts. If you want to extend this period, you can build temporary shelters from a film or non-woven material.
In terms of productivity, Atlant raspberries are at the forefront - from one bush per season, you can get from 2 to 2.5 kg of berries. In industrial plantings, the yield reaches 15-17 tons per hectare and even more.
Resistance to the main pests and diseases in this variety is at the level of most remontant varieties, that is, it is high. One of the reasons for this is the application of autumn pruning of all shoots at ground level.
As mentioned, it tolerates drought quite well, at least compared to other raspberry varieties. Heat tolerance is average, in these conditions regular and abundant watering is necessary.
The advantages of this variety of raspberries, which should be of interest to farmers, include the possibility of mechanized harvesting from Atlanta bushes.
Characteristics of berries
It is not for nothing that the Atlant raspberry variety is so prized by farmers who grow raspberries for sale. With proper and timely care, berries are very attractive in appearance and taste good. Besides, having sufficient density, they keep well and are quite suitable for transportation.
For Atlant raspberry berries, one more positive point can be noted - they are able to hang on the bushes for quite a long time, retaining their taste and aroma, and not undergoing decay.
The shape of the berries is elongated in the form of a trapezoid or cone, regular and beautiful. On average, the weight of a berry is 4-5 grams; specimens up to 8-9 grams are quite common.
Atlant raspberries have a standard red color with a shiny surface. The pulp is of medium density, sweet and sour, juicy, with a characteristic raspberry aroma. The sugar content in berries is 5.7%, acid - 1.6%, vitamin C - 45.1 mg.
The berries are well separated from the receptacle, while maintaining their shape. Raspberry Atlant can be called a universal variety, since its berries are equally good fresh, suitable for drying and freezing, and many delicious preparations for the winter can be made from them.
Features of caring for raspberries Atlant
The main feature of the Atlant raspberry is the amazing fact that, for all its positive aspects, it does not require any special attitude towards itself.
In the middle lane, for her, as for any raspberry, it is necessary to choose the sunniest and warmest places. But in the south, she may prefer partial shade. Although the berries do not tend to bake in the sun, they still need a lot of water in the heat. As, however, and any other raspberry.
Atlant raspberry bushes can be grown even without a garter, but, strange as it sounds, a garter will only make life easier for you and the raspberry. Having done it once a season, it will be much easier for you to care for the bushes. And raspberries will receive more sun and warmth, will not suffer from the wind and the severity of the harvest.
Mulching the entire root zone with non-woven material, or even better with organic matter, will also help solve several problems at once: it will retain moisture in the soil, serve as additional fertilizing, protect the roots from overheating, and the soil from weeds and cracking.
Top dressing is also carried out in the periods traditional for all raspberry varieties: before planting, in spring when shoots appear, during the flowering period and during the appearance of the ovary.
Like most remontant varieties, it is much more expedient to grow Atlant raspberries per harvest in late summer - autumn. Experience shows that the quality of the berries and the yield in this case will be much higher. To do this, all shoots in late autumn are cut completely at ground level.
Gardeners reviews
There is nothing surprising in the fact that gardeners' reviews about raspberries Atlas is positive and even delightful, because it seems that this raspberry has practically no flaws.
Conclusion
Yes, there are probably better varieties of raspberries than Atlant, but they will require much more careful maintenance and intensive farming. Therefore, take a closer look at this variety, perhaps it will turn out to be exactly the raspberry that you have been looking for for so long.