‘Malling Promise’ Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) – Hardy berry plant – 15 cm pot – 50 cm tall – Pack of 2

Yes, the raspberry Rubus idaeus 'Malling Promise' is perfectly suited for container growing thanks to its compact and controlled growth habit. Choose a pot at least 30 to 40 cm in diameter and depth, filled with a rich, well-draining substrate mixed with quality compost. Watering should be more regular than in the ground, as the container substrate dries out faster, especially in midsummer. Make sure the pot is exposed to full sun and has good drainage holes to prevent root suffocation.

The Framboisier 'Malling Promise' is a summer-fruiting variety: raspberries generally ripen between June and July depending on the climate and 'sunlight at the planting site. The white flowers appear in spring, then the fruit forms and takes on its bright red color over the weeks. The harvest 'spreads over several weeks, which allows you to pick the raspberries at perfect ripeness, as 'they color. It is recommended to harvest in the morning, when the fruit is still fresh, to preserve its aroma and firmness.

The size of the raspberry Rubus idaeus 'Malling Promise' is based on a simple principle: raspberries grow on 2-year-old stems, called canes. After the summer harvest, cut all the woody stems that have just borne fruit close to the ground, as they will no longer produce. Carefully preserve the young green stems of the current year (1-year-old stems), which will bear fruit the following season. At the end of winter or in early spring, slightly shorten these preserved stems above a well-formed bud to encourage branching and more abundant production.

The raspberry 'Malling Promise' is a fully hardy plant that withstands significant sub-zero temperatures, generally down'to -20°C, making it suitable for the 'entire French territory, including mountainous regions. When planted in the ground, no special protection i's necessary: the stems may freeze slightly on the surface, but the roots remain perennial and grow back vigorously in spring. When grown in a pot on a balcony, a thick layer of mulch (dead leaves, straw) around the container reduces the risk of root frost during 'severe cold spells.

The 'Malling Promise' variety is partially self-fertile, which means that 'a single plant can produce fruit through self-pollination. However, production is significantly improved when several plants are grouped together, as pollinators (bees, bumblebees) move more effectively between the flowers. Planting the 2 plants delivered side by side, spaced 'about 50 cm apart, is therefore an excellent practice that maximizes yield and the regularity of fruiting.

The raspberry Rubus idaeus 'Malling Promise' prefers fresh, fertile, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil, with an ideal pH between 6 and 6.5. Heavy, clay soils that retain standing water should be avoided, as excess moisture promotes root diseases such as phytophthora. Before planting, generously incorporate mature compost or well-rotted manure to improve the soil structure and provide the nutrients necessary for good growth. On alkaline soils, an application of ammonium sulfate or peat can correct the pH.

The best time to plant the 'Malling Promise' raspberry bush in the ground is 'autumn (from September to November), allowing it to establish a good root system before 'winter and grow vigorously again in the spring. Planting in the spring (March to April) is also possible, provided that 'it is watered regularly during the first few weeks to compensate for the lack of rain. Supplied in a 15 cm pot, this raspberry bush can actually be planted at 'any time of the 'year except during periods of frost or extreme heat, which is an advantage of container-grown plants.