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The new Altai variety of non-remontant raspberry Mishutka can rightfully be called one of the most controversial. Although this raspberry is very popular among summer residents and gardeners in the country, many people avoid it due to the large number of fakes and a whole stream of false information. Advertising, of course, is the engine of trade, but in this case, it only hurts: the Mishutka variety actually has many advantages; it does not need extra praise (especially if it is far from the truth). Farmers love the Altai variety for its unpretentiousness, excellent adaptability, generous harvests and rich taste. Mishutka also has other valuable qualities, but over the years of breeding, only one drawback has been identified - the not very large size of the berries.
Photo, description of the variety, reviews and characteristics of Mishutka raspberries: comprehensive information is collected in this article. And here you will also learn about the secrets of growing Altai raspberries and how to take better care of them.
Characteristics and features
The character of the Mishutka raspberry can be safely called Siberian: this variety is able to grow and develop in almost any conditions. That is why Mishutka is recommended for growing in regions with difficult climates, where the coldest and longest winters are.
The history of breeding a new Altai raspberry variety begins in the 60s of the last century. It was at this time that scientists from the Gorno-Altai Institute named after M.A. Lisavenko set a difficult and difficult task for themselves - to green the harsh regions of Altai and Siberia and plant them with flowering fruit and berry crops.
Later, a scientist from the same region, V.M. Zeryukov, who is responsible for the authorship and development of the most famous varieties of raspberries and other berry crops in the 20th century.
It was possible to get Mishutka after crossing two outstanding studless varieties: the Altai raspberry Brilliant and the large-fruited brainchild of Kichina - Stolichnaya. As a result, Mishutka adopted all the strong qualities of his “parents”: the absence of thorns on the shoots, the large size of the berries, and suitability for growing in difficult climates.
Qualities and external signs
The description of the Mishutka raspberry variety is often distorted for advertising purposes. Although, if you plant a real seedling of this hybrid, you can be sure that the Altai species has a lot of advantages.
Characteristics of Mishutka from the copyright holder:
- raspberry is not a remontant species, bears fruit on last year's shoots;
- the timing of ripening of berries is very dependent on the climate (in the south, the variety is considered super early, in the center and in the north of the country, the ripening of raspberries is medium early);
- extended fruiting - you can harvest the crop within several weeks;
- the standard height of the bushes is from 140 to 180 cm, the plant is compact (the habit of raspberries is very much related to the degree of moisture, soil composition, the amount of dressing, weather conditions);
- Mishutka's shoots are powerful, thick, not prone to breaking off, as they have sufficient flexibility;
- there are no thorns on the bark, as well as a wax coating - the shoot is smooth, velvety to the touch, with a small downy (pubescence protects the raspberry stem from drying out under the scorching sun, does not allow pests to penetrate the shoot);
- the surface of the Mishutka stems is not prone to cracking;
- there are many internodes on raspberry shoots, which guarantees the growth of a large number of fruit branches;
- the thickness of the laterals (fruiting shoots) is large, so they do not break, they hold the crop well;
- the length of the laterals is usually 30-35 cm, on each of these shoots there are from 15 to 20 ovaries;
- replacement shoots (in a simple way, overgrowth) are not too abundant, which makes it possible to propagate the Mishutka variety without problems, at the same time not fighting the entire season with the growth of the bush;
- berries on one brush do not ripen at the same time;
- the shape of the Mishutka fruit is round, spherical;
- raspberries are painted in a rich scarlet hue;
- the average weight of fruits is 3-4 grams, sometimes raspberries grow up to 6-7 grams;
- drupes of medium density, Mishutka berries do not crumble, do not "flow" after picking;
- the Altai variety has the most standard taste: raspberry, with a good balance of acid and sugar, pleasant aroma;
- the pulp is very firm, although juicy;
- the transportability of Mishutka's harvest is very good - the crop does not deteriorate for a long time, it can be stored for several days and, without fear, transported over long distances
- the yield of the Altai Mishutka is very decent - about three to four kilograms from each bush (at the same time, gardeners claim that these indicators can be easily raised to seven kilograms if you fertilize raspberries more abundantly and water the bushes regularly).
Adaptation and resilience
Malina Mishutka is a real Siberian wrestler, because in a harsh climate there is no other way. Moreover The variety receives positive reviews from farmers from all over the country: from north to south. All this, thanks to the excellent adaptive qualities of the Mishutka variety - this raspberry can take root in almost any climate.
The Altai variety has very good frost resistance, up to -35 degrees, the bush will calmly withstand without any shelter... Of course, in regions with more severe winters, it is better to bend the bushes to the ground and throw snow - this is more reliable.
Mishutka has several other important abilities:
- shrub tolerates off-season and winter drying by winds well;
- does not freeze after short-term thaws;
- rarely grows out in early spring conditions.
The advantages of the Mishutka variety do not end there, this raspberry is also very resistant to various diseases and pests... The list of diseases and insects that are not terrible for Siberian raspberries is simply impressive, because they are not dangerous for Mishutka:
- shoot aphid
- spider mite
- mosaic
- blotches
- overgrowth
- shoot gall midge
- gray rot
- fungal infections of leaves and stems.
Correct fit
There are legends about the unpretentiousness of Mishutka - raspberries, indeed, can be cultivated in different climates, on any soil. Like any berry culture, raspberries will not tolerate the following:
- wetlands;
- a site with regular floods;
- close location to the surface of groundwater.
The culture destined for Siberia and Altai should be protected from the scorching heat. There is no need to plant raspberries on the south side of the slope or where the soil is rich in sand. In such conditions, the bushes will need mulching, shading, regular watering.
In the central part of Russia, in Altai and Siberia, Mishutka raspberries are planted in autumn.Since the variety has good winter hardiness, it is best to do this in the last days of September. Bushes with a closed root system can be planted in spring.
Before planting, pits or trenches are generously filled with fertilizers. Well-rotted organic matter (compost, humus, stale manure, old bird droppings) diluted with several handfuls of wood ash is most suitable for the variety in question. Do not pour fresh manure, peat or sawdust into the pit - all this will start to rot and take away all nitrogen from the growing raspberry.
After planting, the bushes are watered abundantly and the soil must be mulched with a thick layer of organic mulch.
The need for care
Practice shows that the Mishutka variety will not deprive a gardener of a harvest, even with minimal care. If the summer resident does the simplest thing - cut the raspberry tree once a year and tie the shoots to the supports - he will still remove about 2-3 kg of berries from each bush.
If the task is to increase the yield of Mishutka and grow larger berries, it is recommended to do the following:
- In autumn, spring and mid-summer, the bushes are thinned out so that the raspberries do not hurt and are well ventilated. At this time, old, diseased, dry shoots are removed, excess leaves are cut off, shoots are cut out.
- Mishutka raspberries are pruned at least once a year. It consists in cutting out old, fruiting shoots, shortening young green twigs and removing excess growth. It is better to prune raspberries in the spring, but you can do this twice a year. The cropping scheme is shown in the photo below.
- It is not necessary to spray the bushes, since of the pests for the Siberian Mishutka, only the raspberry beetle is dangerous, the larvae of which eat ripe berries.
- Annual mulching of the raspberry tree significantly increases the chances of a bountiful harvest, protects the roots from temperature fluctuations and the soil from drying out.
- At least three times over the summer, you need to water the shrubs with plenty of water.
- In the spring, raspberries must be tied up so that the flexible shoots do not lean to the ground itself. Bushes tied to supports or trellises are better ventilated and get more sun.
- The bear will not freeze even in the harshest winter, but the yield of an uncovered bush will greatly decrease. Therefore, in the Siberian regions, it is necessary to tie the shoots of this raspberry and bend to the ground with subsequent shelter.
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Conclusion
Raspberry Mishutka is perfect for farmers, you can grow a crop on any scale. The berries perfectly tolerate transportation, do not flow or wrinkle for a long time. It is best to use a bountiful harvest for processing, since fresh fruits have a pleasant, but rather "bland" taste, without a "zest".
Do not forget about this variety and summer residents living in difficult climatic conditions. There Mishutka shows himself from the best side, pleases with resistance to cold weather and good immunity.
