Polish-bred primocane raspberry Polka has proved itself in the UK this season, according to Hargreaves Plants which has exclusivity on the variety in this country.
It was launched three seasons ago and has done particularly well this year in what has been a difficult growing season for many other types, said Jamie Petchell, responsible for Hargreaves Plants commercial activities in raspberries and blackberries.
“For many in the UK, May was cold and wet meaning that the early growth necessary from primocanes was delayed,” he said. “Polka, being a naturally early variety, was able to cope with this well in order to yield high volumes of fruit during the normal start time in July. The quantity of fruit not only increased during August, again, it managed to overcome the cooler weather that has been experienced.”
Growers have been pleased with the variety’s establishment and its good yields of bright firm berries in its second year of cropping. “Polka is our preferred primocane for this time of year,” said Tim Chambers, one of the UK’s largest growers of Polka, based near Maidstone in Kent. “Its cropping pattern neatly complements other varieties in our production.”
Petchell reports naturally vigorous plants and excellent fruit quality consistency throughout the picking period. “The fruits are large and bold with superb shelf life and flavour,” he said. “We do produce other primocane varieties, but Polka is far and away the most popular and the best of those cultivars freely available to all sectors of the industry.”
No comments yet