R2113 4.5 Describe the production of soft fruit

Question 1

Describe the production of strawberries: planting

Answer 1

• Strawberry plants should be soaked well before planting.
• They are planted in August/September, or in the spring, in a sunny, sheltered situation with humus-rich fertile, well-drained soil.
• The plants are planted 40–50cm apart in the row with 60–90cm between the rows.
• The crown of the plant should be above soil level to avoid rotting and the plants must be firmed in well to prevent frost heave and drying out.

RHS: Measure out planting holes 35cm apart. Space rows 75cm apart. Dig out a hole large enough to accommodate the roots. Trim the roots lightly to 10cm, if necessary, then spread them out in the hole.

Ensure that the base of the crown rests lightly on the surface before firming in gently. Planting at the correct depth is important: if the crown is planted too deeply it will rot; if it is planted too shallowly the plants will dry out and die. Water the plants in well.

Question 2

Describe a suitable support system for a NAMED summer fruiting raspberry.

Answer 2

Post and wire.

• To support a crop of Raspberry ‘Glen Moy’, 2m high posts are set in a row 3-5m apart with wire strained between them at distances of 50cm, 1m and 1.5m.
• The wires must be kept taut between the posts to support the raspberry canes which are tied to them.

Question 3

Describe the establishment and maintenance of blackcurrants under EACH of the following heading: Ground Preparation

Answer 3

All weeds need to be removed and perennial weeds should be treated with an appropriate herbicide e.g. glyphosate. The ground should be forked over and a balanced fertiliser, e.g. Growmore applied at a rate of 35g/m² and incorporated into the soil prior to planting.

Question 4

Describe the establishment and maintenance of blackcurrants under EACH of the following heading: Planting

Answer 4

Bare-root bushes are planted in late autumn/early winter 1.2–1.5m apart in both directions. The plants should be planted 5cm lower than previously to encourage new growth from the base. All stems should be cut down to one bud after planting to encourage strong, new growth. A mulch of bulky organic matter can be applied around the base of the bush to a depth of 50–75mm.

Question 5

Describe the establishment and maintenance of blackcurrants under EACH of the following heading: Pruning of Established Plants

Answer 5

Pruning is carried out in early to mid-winter where a quarter to one third of two-year-old wood is removed to the base, as blackcurrants fruit on the previous season’s growth. Any dead, diseased or damaged wood is also removed

Question 6

Describe the production of a crop of summer fruiting (early/mid-season) raspberries under EACH of the following heading: Cultivar selection

Answer 6

• e.g. Raspberry ‘Glen Moy’ should be purchased as DEFRA-certified stock which is true to type, virus free and sourced from a reliable grower.
• Ideally the cultivar selected should have a good flavour and produce a heavy yield.

Question 7

Describe the production of a crop of summer fruiting (early/mid-season) raspberries under EACH of the following heading: Planting

Answer 7

• Dormant raspberry canes are planted in autumn/early winter in a humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil with a pH of 6.0 – 6.5.
• Add a bucket of well rotted farmyard manure per sq m and a general fertiliser such as Growmore or fish blood and bone at 90g per sq m2.
• The canes are planted 45 – 60cm apart in rows 1.5 – 2m apart with the roots spread evenly and gently firmed in. The canes are pruned to 25cm from ground level and mulched (7.5cm).

Question 8

Describe the production of a crop of summer fruiting (early/mid-season) raspberries under EACH of the following heading: Pruning

Answer 8

• Summer fruiting raspberries are pruned by cutting the old canes, which have just fruited to ground level, leaving the new canes to fruit the following year.
• Weak, diseased or damaged canes should also be removed.
• The new canes are tied into the support system evenly spaced at 8-10cm. The tips of the canes are pruned above the top wire.

Question 9

Describe how to harvest and store a NAMED cultivar of Blackcurrant

Answer 9

e.g. ‘Ben Hope’ harvested by hand when the fruits are dry, black and plump. Whole strings are removed and any diseased or damaged fruit is discarded. The fruits can be stored in a refrigerator for a short period of time and frozen or bottled for longer term storage.

Question 10

Describe the production of strawberries: harvesting

Answer 10

When the fruits are pink/red all over on a dry day. The fruits are picked carefully to avoid bruising by pinching the stalk between the fingers to ensure that the calyx is intact and not by twisting. Any damaged or mouldy fruits are discarded. It is important not to pile too many fruits on top of each other to avoid bruising/crushing.

Question 11

State the optimum time for pruning plum trees

Answer 11

late spring/summer, to avoid infection from the fungal disease silver leaf

Question 12

Describe ONE NAMED training system for plums

Answer 12

Fan training system:

A maiden whip or feathered maiden is planted 15–23cm away from a wall or fence which is fitted with horizontal wires 15cm apart. The aim is to create a fan shape which is achieved by removing the central leader to concentrate vigour on both sides of the tree. The laterals are cut back to strong buds to encourage side shoots (‘ribs’) which are tied in at an angle of 45° and gradually lowered to the horizontal.