Wine Raspberry Seeds

Currently unavailable. This species raspberry produces some of the sweetest and easily harvestable wild type raspberries. The plants produce colonies similar to black raspberry and are somewhat shade tolerant. Like other species raspberries it is considered weedy but it is easy to harness this weediness to create a delicious heavy producing cane planting. Unfortunately several states have banned the sales of the plants joining other native Rubus as undesirable. Since I have been growing this species for over 30 years, it has not spread outside the planting area it was originally put in whereas all the other species raspberries are found throughout my farm. For that to happen, it needs disturbed or damaged soil to spread to. Not common at my farm. I do not use herbicides. 

Wine raspberry begins producing in 2 years from seedling. The plants produce a husk like covering over the fruit prior to ripening. The sweet pink berries are produced in clusters where they ripen all at once. Wine raspberry is more drought tolerant than other raspberries which is partly the reason they are so successful in the southeastern U.S. It is not uncommon to see people collecting them near rest stops on the highways near Washington, D.C.  This is a perfect environment for them as the oaks partially shade them as an understory plant. 

The quality of the fruit from this plant is amazing. It is always so clean and sweet. Not a typical raspberry flavor too. It makes an amazing jelly and could be easily be used for other fruit based drinks and flavorings. It is almost impossible to compete against commercial raspberry cultivars because of their high yields and distinct flavors. I think this might come close. The low input species would work even if used as a pick your own raspberry outside the 'highway" system. At least it would be safer!!!

My seed source originally came from a cold hardy source that was considered a more northern selection. Over 20 seedlings were produced so it is not one individual plant. It can survive minus 15F fine and maybe slightly more. Below that there could be damage where the canes would freeze to the ground. This is one reason it is not found wild in Michigan. We get those temperatures regularly. 

To germinate the seed; Wine Raspberry can be grown true from seed. The germination takes place over the course of 2 years so either plant outside or in a propagation flat that you plan to keep for a while. Plant shallow 1/8 inch deep outside in the fall. Lightly tamp  into the soil  From there: evenly cover with a thin covering of peat, fine compost and/or sand. For indoor germination: put in lightly moist peat moss for 90-120 days. Thin sprinkle out in a pot lightly tamping it in on the soils surface. Seeds will sprout over a period of a month. Very good plant percentage from growing from seed.