Wild raspberries grow in western US and southern Canada and in areas with moderate temperature and humidity. There are many growing in western US states of California, Oregon, and Washington.
Popular for their bright red and slightly fuzzy texture, wild raspberries are one of the best fruits. They have a sweet taste and usually grow in most hardy zones in the US. Though the cultivated and wild raspberries are largely identical, they have some differences since the wild ones usually grow in less-suitable conditions.
Also, it’s not a must to eat them as fruits as you can also make cakes, pies, and desserts using them. And besides their sweet taste, they have many health benefits and are essential to your diet. Also, they are used in making medicines.
There are two varieties of raspberries:
Ever-bearing- This variety usually produces fruits during fall. Also, they create fruits on their first year’s canes, and if you don’t cut the producing canes, they will also produce in the subsequent summer.
Summer-fruiting- This variety usually produces fruits during summer. But they produce fruits in their second year, unlike the ever-bearing type.
Wild Raspberry Foliage
Since the wild raspberries are similar to the cultivated ones, it’s hard to distinguish them. However, they have bushier and taller bushes than the cultivated types as they’re not pruned. Also, they usually have thorns to protect them from thorns, unlike the cultivated types, which have fewer thorns since they’re protected from predators.
How to Grow Wild Raspberries
Growing wild raspberries is easier and is beneficial in the long term. The good thing with them is that they don’t need special requirements as you only need good soil and sufficient water. You will also need to prune the plants yearly, depending on the variety, to ensure they remain healthier and thrive. Other times, the baby bushes will begin sprouting from the main plant.
Below are the ideal conditions for the raspberry plant;
Raspberries plants need more sun though you can grow them in partial shade environments. But excess light may cause white spots in the redberries, but this won’t affect their taste or quality.
Like most plants, the raspberry plant needs enough water to produce the berries. And when growing, you will need to water them regularly if there is little rainfall. Use a rain gauge to determine the amount of water they are receiving and ensure the plants have sufficient water for their needs. But also ensure the water does not splash on its stems or leaves. Wet leaves promote the growth of fungi which can cause blight and other diseases.
Wild raspberries require rich and fertile soil for their growth. The soil must be well-drained to prevent it from being infected by root rot. Add compost manure to improve the soil’s drainage and fertility.
To ensure the wild raspberry continues to produce more berries, keep the soil fertile. The soil should have the proper nutrient balance, and you may add some fertilizers. Fertilizes such as 10-10-10 are ideal for fruiting bushes and should be applied during early summer or spring. Also, when planting for the first time, add fertilizer twice in the first year. After that, you can make single applications annually.
Pests and Diseases
Wild raspberries are one of the plants which are not affected much by pests or diseases. Considering their varieties, black raspberries are the most susceptible to diseases than the purple or red raspberries.
Check the plant for any signs of Japanese beetles and spider mites infestation since these pests love preying on the plant. Birds can also be notorious pests that will feed on ripe berries. Put a net on the plants to keep the birds out.
Also, install a chicken fence to keep the rabbits away from the plant during winters. And avoid splashing water on the leaves when watering as this can cause blight. If there are any infected plants, then uproot them.
But note that cultivated wild raspberries are usually better tolerant to diseases than cultivated ones. The wild types also are hardier and do not do better when transplanted. Therefore, if you notice wild raspberries nearby, don’t try transplanting them in your garden; instead, harvest the fruit directly in its location.
Wild raspberries are one of the tasty and nutritious fruits to have in your home. They grow in the wild, and you don’t need to transplant them in your garden.
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