OPTIMA RASPBERRY Ever-Flowering - 9FL25-

Soil Selection and Exposure Raspberries prefer light, well-ventilated, organic soils, rich in humus and slightly acidic (optimal pH 6.2-6.5), with absolutely no waterlogging. If the soil is not ideal, it can be improved by creating a 30 cm-deep mound. Sunny exposure is preferable in east-west rows; planting should be done so as not to be exposed to prevailing winds. Soil Preparation and Fertilization Preparation should be done with the soil well-drained, preferably in autumn. For this type of cultivation, it is best to use a mulch (polyethylene sheeting or Biotelo) to contain weeds. Before planting, incorporate 4-8 kg of mature manure per square meter or compost into the soil along with 40 g/m2 of complex mineral fertilizer. Pot Cultivation Raspberries can also be grown in a pot containing at least 15 liters of peat moss or highly permeable soil with a pH of 6.5. Nutrition can be ensured by fertigation, if available, or by applying a slow-release fertilizer such as Osmocote in the spring. Planting Potted plants can be planted virtually year-round. The classic planting times are November for central and southern Italy, and spring for northern regions. The recommended spacing is 40 cm between plants in a row, 2-2.5 m between rows, or one plant per square meter of surface area. Irrigation It is important not to wet the flowers and fruit to prevent the development of mold; therefore, a drip irrigation system or drip line installed on the ground or under mulch is recommended. Pruning Raspberry pruning is done in late winter by cutting all the shoots that have produced to ground level, leaving an average of 10 new shoots per square meter. Spring Fertilization As a guideline, given the varying nature of growing soils, you can apply a complex fertilizer such as Compo, with an average dose of 30 g/m2, at the end of May. Towards the end of July, fertilize again with a dosage equal to half the previous one.