Raspberries are suckering shrubs with cane-like stems 1.5?2.25m high. They grow best in well-drained, acidic to neutral, rich soil. Originally woodland plants from the Northern Hemisphere, they grow in cool-temperate areas, such as Tasmania, the south-western corner of Western Australia, the Blue Mountains and the Dandenongs. If you grow early, mid and late season cropping cultivars, you can have fruit from summer through to late autumn.
Raspberry Chilli Wack is summer fruiting, which holds fruit well on the canes. Almost thornless canes, very sweet fat fruit. Harvest December to late January, with a small Autumn crop in April. Good desease resistant also.
How to plant-
Plant in autumn or winter in rows facing north to south, as this ensures the plants receive even sunlight. They benefit greatly from a sheltered site with shade from the afternoon sun.
Before planting, dig a trench to loosen the soil, then work in plenty
of well-rotted compost or manure as you fill the trench. Create a ridge
that is about 10?15cm above ground level, as this will improve drainage.
To support the raspberry canes, attach three horizontal wires to
lattice, a fence or firmly anchored posts. Soak some bare-rooted stock
for about half an hour in a bucket of diluted seaweed tonic before planting.
Plant at the same depth as they were originally, using the soil mark
on the stem as a guide. Mulch with lucerne 10cm deep, then water well.
Care and maintenance
Raspberries fruit on canes produced the previous season, which look exhausted when they have finished fruiting. Prune at ground level and tie in fresh, vigorous new canes, which will flower and fruit the following season. Tie shoots in and off the ground, and remove dead or weak shoots anytime.
Mulch with well-rotted compost in autumn and with lucerne in spring. Feed the developing fruit with organic fertiliser or apply seaweed tonic, and water in hot, dry, windy weather. Drip irrigation with a timer provides regular water and encourages cropping.
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