Rubus idaeus 'Black Jewel' CAC

Rubus idaeus 'Black Jewel' Care Guide

Rubus idaeus 'Black Jewel' is a unique and highly productive variety of summer-bearing raspberry that produces deep black-purple fruits with a rich, sweet flavour. This vigorous and disease-resistant plant is ideal for home gardens, allotments, and fruit gardens, offering both ornamental beauty and a reliable harvest.

To ensure healthy growth and a high yield, follow the detailed care instructions below.

Ideal Growing Conditions for Rubus idaeus 'Black Jewel'

Sunlight and Soil Requirements

• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun, though it can tolerate light shade. More sunlight leads to better fruit production.
• Soil Type: Prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter.
• Soil pH: Best grown in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Avoid chalky or overly alkaline soils.
• Mulching: Apply a 5-8 cm layer of organic mulch (such as well-rotted compost or bark) to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Temperature and Hardiness

• USDA Hardiness Zones: Suitable for zones 4-8, tolerating mild frosts but benefiting from winter protection in colder regions.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate drought tolerance, but best performance is achieved with consistent moisture.
• Humidity Needs: Prefers a moderate humidity level and good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Planting and Routine Care

Planting Guidelines

• Best Time to Plant:
  • Autumn or early spring is the ideal time for planting, allowing roots to establish before the growing season.
• Spacing:
  • 50-60 cm apart for individual plants.
  • Rows should be spaced 1.2-1.5 metres apart to allow for easy harvesting and maintenance.
• Planting Depth:
  • Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably.
  • Ensure the crown is at soil level to prevent rot and poor growth.

Watering and Fertilizing

• Watering:
  • Keep soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruiting.
  • Water deeply once or twice a week, increasing frequency in hot or dry weather.
  • Avoid waterlogging, as this can cause root rot.
• Fertilizing:
  • Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring (such as 10-10-10 NPK).
  • A second feeding in late spring will encourage healthy growth and fruiting.
  • Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leafy growth at the expense of fruit production.

Pruning and Maintenance

• Pruning Time:
  • After fruiting, remove the old canes (floricanes) that have finished producing fruit.
  • New canes (primocanes) should be thinned out, leaving the strongest ones for the next season.
• How to Prune:
  • Cut back spent canes to ground level in late summer or early autumn.
  • Keep 6-8 strong canes per plant to ensure good airflow and fruit production.
• General Maintenance:
  • Keep the area weed-free to reduce competition for nutrients and moisture.
  • Provide support with a trellis or wire system to keep canes upright and easy to harvest.

Pest, Disease, and Seasonal Care

Common Pests and Diseases

• Pests:
  • Aphids – Can be controlled with insecticidal soap or natural predators like ladybugs.
  • Raspberry Beetle – Check for larvae in fruits and remove any affected berries.
  • Birds – Protect ripening fruit with netting to prevent loss.
• Diseases:
  • Powdery Mildew – Can occur in humid conditions; improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering.
  • Cane Blight – Prevent by pruning correctly and removing infected canes.

Winter and Seasonal Care

• Winter Protection:
  • In colder regions, apply a thick mulch layer around the base for root insulation.
• Spring Preparation:
  • Remove winter mulch and apply fresh compost to enrich the soil.
• Summer and Autumn Care:
  • Ensure plants receive sufficient water during fruiting.
  • Cut back spent canes after harvesting to encourage new growth.

Flowering and Fruiting

• Blooming Time: Produces small white flowers in late spring to early summer.
• Fruiting Period: Yields dark black-purple raspberries from July to August.
• Harvesting:
  • Pick berries when they are fully ripe and easily detach from the plant.
  • Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production.

Conclusion

Rubus idaeus 'Black Jewel' is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a unique raspberry variety with exceptional taste and ornamental value. By providing full sun, well-drained soil, regular pruning, and seasonal care, this plant will reward growers with abundant, delicious fruit year after year. Whether grown in rows, containers, or mixed fruit gardens, this raspberry is a hardy, productive, and rewarding plant for any space

• Size
  C 3,4 Fruchtbengel

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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