Summer is the most important period for raspberries. At this time, she forms the ovaries, pours berries and lays the future crop. But if the bushes do not receive food, the berries become small, acidic, and the plants themselves become lethargic and weak. To prevent this from happening, it is important to feed the bushes in time and give them everything you need.
What substances are needed
First of all, it is nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Nitrogen stimulates the growth of shoots and greens, but its excess is harmful. Raspberry lets the forces in the foliage, and the berries suffer from this. Potassium is responsible for taste and sweetness, makes berries juicy, aromatic and improves disease resistance. Phosphorus strengthens the roots, accelerates ripening, helps to lay future buds and increases winter hardiness.
Minus are also important. Magnesium supports photosynthesis, iron is needed for the growth of young leaves. Boron helps the formation of ovaries, zinc and manganese strengthen immunity. Even a small deficiency of these elements reduces productivity and worsens the taste.
How to recognize a shortage
Nitrogen starvation is manifested by pale, yellow foliage and weak shoots. With potassium deficiency, the leaves are drilling along the edges, the berries become small and acidic. The lack of phosphorus causes the appearance of dark green or purple shades. If there is not enough magnesium, light spots appear between the veins, the leaves dry and fall. With iron deficiency, the young foliage turns yellow, leaving green only veins.
Than feed
Organics is the best choice:
- Mullein infusions (1:10)
- bird litter (1:15)
- nettle (1:10)
- Wood ash (200-300 g per square meter or infusion of 1 cup per bucket of water)
Yeast top dressing also helps. It is necessary to take 100 g of yeast, 50 g of sugar, dilute in 10 liters of water and leave to infuse for a day.
Of mineral fertilizers, potassium sulfate, Kalimagnesia, potassium nitrate, superphosphate, and potassium monophosphate are suitable. You can use ready -made mixtures.
How to make
Fertilizers are used only on moist soil. Before feeding, raspberries are watered, then mulched (grass, compost, straw) with a layer of at least 5 cm. Fertilizers are applied to the root, trying not to fall on the leaves. It is better to work in the morning or in the evening, when there is no heat. Avoid excess nitrogen in the second half of summer. It stimulates the growth of young shoots that will not have time to get stronger to winter and freeze.
Graph of top dressing
In addition to the spring and early summer, top dressing is also important in July during the formation of berries. The last top dressing is done after harvesting so that the bushes are restored. Such care will help to get a rich, tasty crop not only in the current season, but also in the next.
