A guide for beginner gardeners: how to grow raspberries from seeds for seedlings at home

When propagating raspberries, vegetative methods are often used, without the risk of growing them from seeds. At the same time, seed propagation has a number of advantages, in particular, it allows you to control the quantity and quality of seedlings and plant them at a convenient time. We will tell you how to grow seedlings from raspberry seeds at home.

Is it possible to grow raspberries from seeds at home?

When growing raspberries from seeds, follow the basic rules:

• use high-quality planting material, collected independently or purchased in a specialized store;
• choose suitable variety and time of sowing seeds;
• use a suitable soil mixture;
• dive on time;
• provide seedlings proper care.

Let's talk about each rule in more detail.

Important! High-quality raspberry seeds should be small and hard, oval-round in shape and yellowish-white in color.

Advantages and disadvantages of propagating raspberries by seeds

Advantages of the seed method of propagating raspberries:

• there is no need to prepare cuttings, which is important when propagating raspberry varieties from which it is difficult to select strong “offsprings”;
• the likelihood of obtaining another plant, unlike the mother one;
• saving time and money in the case of self-harvesting seeds.

Minuses:

• the need to create special conditions for seed germination;
• high probability of obtaining an unexpected result;
• the need for seedlings to comply with specific agrotechnical requirements.

Suitable varieties

Almost all varieties are suitable for growing from seeds, but those characterized by large fruits and a long fruiting period are especially popular. Also, when choosing, they are guided by the climatic conditions of the region, soil composition, ripening period of berries and yield.

For landing in the central zone and southern regions of Russia the following varieties are suitable:

1. Polka. The variety is represented by medium-sized shrubs that are resistant to fungal diseases and viruses, but do not tolerate frost or excessively high temperatures. Fruiting - twice a year, yield - up to 4 kg per bush.
2. Hercules. Spreading shrubs reaching a height of 2 m. Fruiting - twice a year, berries weigh about 6 g each, acidity is felt in the taste. Productivity – up to 3 kg per bush.
3. Zyugana. The bushes are powerful, erect, do not need staking and have no thorns. Fruiting begins in July. The weight of the berries reaches 12 g, the yield is up to 9 kg per bush.
4. Primara. The bushes are medium-sized, frost-resistant. The berries weigh on average 10 g and taste sour.

Varieties suitable for cultivation in northern regions:

1. Bryansk miracle. Frost-resistant and high-yielding variety. The berries ripen in August. Productivity – up to 4 kg per bush.
2. Caramel. Erect bushes that bear fruit from the first year. The berries are dense and sweet, reaching a weight of 12 g. Productivity is up to 5 kg per bush.
3. Yellow giant. The bushes grow up to 2 m in height, the berries are yellow, each weighs about 8 g, and are characterized by a sweet taste and bright aroma. Productivity – up to 4 kg.

High-yielding raspberry varieties also include Patricia, Izobilnaya, Mirage, Red Ruby, and Gussar.

How to get seeds from raspberries

To independently collect seeds, berries are picked from the bush, thoroughly cleaned of debris, ground through a sieve, and the resulting cake is filled with water. Then all floating pulp and seeds unsuitable for sowing are removed, and the grains remaining at the bottom are washed several times with water and soaked for a day to swell.

Some gardeners dry the cake by spreading it in one thin layer on a cloth and leaving it in a bright, well-ventilated place.

Important! Seeds are collected only from fully ripened berries without rot or damage.

How to germinate them

It is also possible to sow ungerminated raspberry seeds, but preliminary preparation of planting material speeds up its germination and increases the chances of obtaining a positive result.

Germination allows you to get rid of seeds unsuitable for sowing and reduce the time for germination.

The seeds are laid between two layers of damp gauze and stored in a dark and warm place for 2-3 days. During this time, the gauze is regularly moistened to prevent it from drying out.

Successful germination is impossible without properly carried out stratification, that is, the creation of optimal conditions for the preparation of seed material. If sowing is planned to be done in the spring, the seeds are placed in a fabric or nylon bag, moistened and put in the refrigerator. The seed material is regularly sorted and ensured that it does not dry out.

Reference. The optimal temperature for stratification is +1…+5°C.

Other stages of preparation for sowing

Seeds before germination process a solution of fungicides (Alirin-B, Gamair) to minimize the risk of disease development, and growth stimulants (Zircon, Kornevin) to speed up germination.

To germinate seeds and get strong and healthy plants, choose the right pots and substrate.

The container for sowing seeds should be maximum 15 cm deep. The best option is a special plastic pot for seedlings with drainage holes.

Raspberries prefer a substrate rich in nitrogen and potassium. To prepare soil suitable for seedlings, mix garden soil, peat and sand in equal proportions.

Timing for planting seeds

Seeds for seedlings are sown in the first week of March. in autumn (September - October) they are sown immediately in open ground. However, in both cases there are advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of spring sowing:

• the ability to use only high-quality seeds in case of pre-germination;
• providing seedlings with proper care when grown in a greenhouse or indoors;
• the possibility of planting seedlings in the ground immediately after the end of frost.

Minuses:

• the need of sprouts for additional lighting;
• the need for proper conditions for storing seeds;
• risk of root damage during transplantation.

When sowing in autumn, there is no need to grow seedlings, store seed material and create special conditions for stratification. Young plants are more resilient; they are not replanted, so there is no risk of damage to the roots.

At the same time, it is impossible to predict how many seeds the sprouts will produce, and some young plants die due to spring frosts.

Landing technology

Seed planting scheme:

• pour a suitable soil mixture into previously prepared containers;
• distribute raspberry seeds over the surface of the substrate, deepening them by 0.5-0.7 cm;
• sprinkle them with sand;
• cover the container with polyethylene and put it in a bright place, excluding direct sunlight.

The process of planting seedlings:

• in a pre-prepared area, dig planting holes at a distance of at least 15 cm from each other;
• pour 100 g of ash and humus into the bottom of each hole;
• moisten the container with seedlings;
• remove the seedlings from the container, place them in the center of the holes;
• sprinkle with soil, lightly compact it and water.

Seedlings are transplanted into open ground when the average daily air temperature reaches +15...+18°C.

Further care

When watering seedlings, they are guided by the condition of the top layer of soil - it should not be allowed to dry out completely. The earth is watered with water at room temperature on average once every 3-5 days. Fertilizers in the form of a urea solution are applied every 10 days.

After planting the seedlings in the ground, pay close attention to ensure that the soil does not dry out. This is the main requirement for caring for raspberries during the first two seasons.

Plantings are also weeded and loosened weekly - this improves soil moisture permeability and aeration.

Fertilizers are applied after the snow melts (urea or saltpeter), after loosening (compost or peat - 0.5 buckets per 1 sq. m), in May (mullein solution 1:4) and during the period of ovary formation (60 g per 10 liters of water superphosphate and 10 g of urea).

Important! All feeding Apply only after loosening and watering.

To prevent infections in rainy weather, plants are sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture twice a month.

Stages of growing seedlings before planting in the ground

The first shoots appear 20-25 days after sowing the seeds, which must be preceded by selection, germination and processing.

If the planting material was sown frequently, after 1-2 true leaves appear on the sprouts, the seedlings are planted in separate containers. Otherwise, the plants will not receive enough light and will slow down in development.

A few weeks before planting in the ground, seedlings begin to harden off. To do this, the container with the seedlings is taken out onto the balcony or street, first for 10 minutes, gradually increasing this time.

When the seedlings have 2-4 leaves, they are planted in the ground.

Advice from experienced gardeners

Experienced gardeners recommend:

• collect raspberry seeds in September - this is the optimal harvesting time;
• Use only large, ripe, undamaged berries to collect grains and make sure that the bush itself is healthy;
• after planting seedlings in spring, mulch the soil around the holes with sawdust;
• cover seedlings if frost is expected.

Conclusion

Growing raspberries from seeds is the most labor-intensive way to propagate the crop. In order for the efforts made to bring a positive result, use high-quality planting material, follow the timing and rules for sowing seeds, and provide the seedlings with proper care.