Introduction to growing Raspberries indoors
Raspberries are relatively low-maintenance, and growing them indoors is no more work than planting them in a garden. Growing and caring for Raspberry plants indoors could seem difficult, but don’t let the idea overwhelm you. Raspberries are simple to grow and spread quickly with little help from you. Raspberries may carry disease, though, so it’s a good idea to buy certified disease-free plants from a reputable nursery and no transplanting them from the wild or a neighbor’s yard. In this article we also discuss below topics;
- How long do Raspberries take to grow
- Raspberry plant care
- Growing Raspberries from seed
- Tips for Growing Raspberries in pots
- Best time to plant Raspberry plants
- Growing Raspberries from seed
- Growing Raspberries in containers
- Different varieties of Raspberries
- Growing Raspberries problems
A step by step guide to growing Raspberries indoors
Pick the site for growing Raspberries indoors
Raspberry plants require full sun (though it can tolerate partial shade), good air circulation, and shelter from high wind. Avoid planting Raspberry plants alongside nightshades like eggplant, potato, or tomatoes, as they are particularly susceptible to soil-borne fungal diseases like verticillium.
The best soil for growing Raspberries indoors
Raspberry plants tolerate sand or clay soils, providing the soil drains well. In wet, soggy soils, the plant roots can rot within a few days. Compost or manure improves texture and drainage, but if the soil is wet, install raised beds or drainage pipes. Raspberry plants prefer soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5. Acidic soils must be amended with lime to raise the pH level, based on the results of soil analysis.
Growing conditions for indoor Raspberries
Raspberry plants need plenty of sunlight. Raspberry plants thrive in a growing location that receives full sun and has well-drained and fertile soil. Full sun is at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight during the growing season. Light is vital to Raspberry fruit production and fruit quality and also helps minimize the risk of fungal issues, so this is an essential part of choosing a location for Raspberry plants. Selecting and assembling the right container for the Raspberry plant is the next step. You will need just a few things to start Raspberry plants off in the best environment.
Keep in mind that pots made out of porous materials, for example, terra cotta, allow more airflow and will permit the soil to dry out faster than containers made out of less porous materials, such as plastic. The container needs to have drainage holes so moisture has somewhere to escape instead of staying trapped in the soil.
Raspberry varieties to grow in your home
There are many Raspberry plant varieties that will do well in a container garden;
Smaller Raspberry plants do better in containers, some varieties such as Heritage Red, Autumn Bliss, Raspberry Shortcake, and Jewel Black are ideal to grow indoors. Jewel variety is one of the varieties with fruit that is black rather than the traditional red Raspberry.
Space between Raspberry plants
Depending on the plant variety you choose, the spacing may vary. As a general rule, most Raspberry plants naturally grow (or can be maintained with pruning) within about 4 to 5-foot range, both tall and wide. Use the Raspberry plant’s mature width as your guide for spacing between Raspberry plants. Plant Raspberry plants about 3 to 5 feet apart with spacing between rows 6 to 8 feet apart. Do not plant Red, Gold, or Purple Raspberries within about 75 to 100 feet of black Raspberries. Black Raspberries can be more susceptible to viral diseases carried by aphids to and from nearby raspberry plants.
Container preparation for growing Raspberries indoors
Growing Raspberries in pots that are wide and deep will guarantee that plants have enough space for new growth and any stakes or trellises if support is needed. One cane would do well in a 16-inch pot and if you are planting several canes, try half-barrels or 5-gallon buckets. Grow bags are an option but maybe less stable than a plastic or wooden planter. Remember that containers require drainage holes or be of nonwoven material to allow excess water to drain. Raspberry plants hate having “wet legs.”
Summer-bearing varieties require support because their canes tend to be taller and will bend with summer fruit. There are many options for supporting canes. Depending on the shape of the container, tomato cages work well. A simpler option is to press tall garden stakes into the perimeter of each container and tie twine around them at several heights for support.
Planting and maintaining Raspberries in containers
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Step 1) Raspberry plants must be purchased from reputable nurseries as dormant bare-root or as potted, virus-free plants. If you are a novice gardener and you don’t require many Raspberry plants, go for potted Raspberry plants.
Step 2) When the soil in the container is ready, dig a hole large enough to accommodate young roots. Then, cover the roots with the soil, press the soil and water thoroughly with stale rainwater. Ordinary water will do fine; just try not to water with cold water. If the setting of the soil occurs, then add more soil and mulch in the form of wood chips, sawdust, straw, and similar. Mulch protects the soil from heat and wind, keeping the moisture in. Also, it helps against weeds even in containers. However, mulch also not prevents young shoots from growing, so it should not be too thick and too heavy. If support is required, add it right away, since pressing the poles in the soil at a later time can damage the plant roots and new shoots.
Step 3) Raspberry plants are heavy feeders, too much of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, leads to large, but weak plants prone to pests, diseases, and physical damage. As said before, young Raspberries must be planted in slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter, with added aged manure, compost/humus, and balanced NPK fertilizer. In a similar manner, in late winter, add some aged manure, compost, and balanced NPK fertilizer to fruit-bearing plants. As plants grow, add nutrients in the form of liquid fertilizer once or twice per month. If you have NPK fertilizer with the gradual release of nutrients and it is combined with aged manure and compost, refeeding is not required for the next 3-4 months.
Step 4) Watering plants in containers are very important and if possible use dripping systems that will keep moisture level on almost constant levels. If not, water manually 2 to 3 times per week, depending on the size or volume of container, size, and number of Raspberry plants in container and temperature.
Step 5) Proper amounts of nutrients and water are important for everbearing Raspberries. Harvest of common Raspberry varieties can last 2 to 3 weeks at most and this can be prolonged by growing several different types of Raspberries. Though, everbearing Raspberries produce berries in the spring and again in the autumn. Mixing everbearing and ordinary Raspberries in the garden is the best way to have fresh, great-tasting Raspberries from your garden.
Raspberries seed germination
- First, fill a seed starter tray with sterile potting soil in the early fall. Press 1 to 2 Raspberry seeds ¼ inch down into the soil of each cell. Pat the soil down gently over the Raspberry seeds to remove air pockets.
- Mist the soil lightly to dampen, and using a spray bottle filled with water. Keep the soil moist throughout the Raspberry seed germination process. Put the seed starter tray in a cool, dark area while the Raspberry seeds germinate. The seeds will begin to sprout within 3 months.
- Set the seed starter tray in an area that receives bright and indirect sunlight once the seeds begin to sprout. If this is not possible, set up a grow light and put the seed starter tray underneath.
- Continue to keep the soil moist and give the Raspberry plants with adequate light as they continue to grow. Transplant the plants outdoors in the spring, as soon as the soil is workable.
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Planting Raspberries from seeds
- To plant Raspberry plants from seeds, sow the seeds in a plastic peat pot starting in mid-winter.
- Push the seeds about an inch deep into the soil, and then plant the seeds about an inch apart from one another.
- Cover Raspberry seeds with a thin layer of sand.
- Store in a cool place indoors, such as a pantry or even a garage.
- Keep the seeds moist by spraying with a spray bottle as needed.
- Once temperatures reach above 15°C, place Raspberry pot outdoors.
- After 4 to 6 weeks, the seeds should start to germinate.
- Once they’ve started to develop leaves and have grown about 1 inch in height, transplant them in a big pot or in the garden.
- Once transplanted, cover the base around the Raspberry plant with mulch. Then, this will keep the soil nice and moist.
- Right after planting, make sure to water.
Water requirement for growing Raspberries indoors
Watering is the most critical step in growing Raspberries in containers. Normally, a container garden requires more water than plants grown in the ground because of exposure to and less protection from the elements. The key is to maintain the soil consistently moist but not wet. Watering 2-3 times a week is usually sufficient. In windy areas, hot, dry climates, or during heat waves, you need to water your potted Raspberries a couple of times a day.
Garden pests and diseases of indoor Raspberries
Raspberry plants are one of the few fruits that are hardly bothered by pests and diseases.
Aphids are a common Raspberry plant pest. They thrive on taking juices from the plant leaves and will cause the leaves and foliage to turn yellow and die. Their sweet secretions can attract ants.
Beetles, such as the Japanese and Raspberry beetles can also make a home in Raspberry plants. Raspberry beetles feed on the blooms of the plant. Japanese beetles eat and destroy the leaves of the plants. They are found in groups and are known for their metallic green coloring. Their grub-like larvae feed off and damage the plant roots. Other beetles known as cane borers lay their eggs in the cane of the plant. When the eggs hatch the baby beetles damage the canes and the larvae make their way down to the soil to feed on the roots. Their presence will be indicated by dying canes. Raspberry plants are susceptible to different viruses and fungi, such as orange rust and cane blight. These are spread by rainwater and wind, so a plant that remains indoors should be less likely to develop these issues.
Harvest and storage Raspberry fruits
Raspberries will not fully fruit until their second year of growth. Once Raspberries reach a dark red color, they are ready to harvest. Raspberries of less common colors look bright and plump. Pick them, wash the fruit, and enjoy. You can even freeze the Raspberries to save and use later.
Raspberries of all colors are ready to pick when their color is developed and the Raspberry fruit is plump and tender. Another indicator of ripeness is when the Raspberry fruit comes off the plant easily when gently pulled. Raspberries ripen over a couple of weeks, so simply pick them as they ripen. Pick Raspberries into a shallow container. If they get piled too deep they will crush each other. Right after picking, place Raspberries in the fridge and if your fridge tends to dry out produce, lightly cover the container. Raspberries don’t store for very long, just a few days. Don’t wash berries until you’re ready to eat them and the moisture will cause them to break down more quickly.
Commonly asked questions about growing Raspberries indoors
How long does it take for a Raspberry to grow?
Some varieties produce Raspberries on the same canes twice. If you want to harvest fresh Raspberries all summer long, select varieties that ripen at different times. From flower to harvest in the second year, Raspberry bushes may produce fruit for about 6 weeks.
Why is my Raspberry bush wilting?
Raspberries are susceptible to fungal diseases such as verticillium wilt, which causes the leaves to turn yellow, wilt, and drop from the plant.
How do you save a dying Raspberry plant?
If you have overfed Raspberries, you may be able to save them if you flush the soil with 1/2 to 1 gallon of water, allow the plant to drain, and flush the plant again with the same amount of water 1 hour later.
Why Raspberry leaves turn yellow?
Without nitrogen, the leaves turn yellow color and growth is spindly. If they are kept too wet for long periods of time, the plant roots are unable to absorb iron from the soil and the leaves start to turn yellow from lack of iron. Iron chlorosis in Raspberries is a common problem, particularly in plants grown in clay soils.
We wish you good luck and you may also check this: Growing Lychee from Seed.