"Joe mello" red raspberry

#This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of red raspberry designated as "Joe Mello", originated in 1981 as a cross of the unpatented cultivar known as "Reiter 323" and a Canadian cultivar known as "Chilcotin", and fruited first and was selected at Cassin Ranch of Reiter Companies, Watsonville, Calif. in 1983.

#The botanical classification is Rubus idaeus L. cv. "Joe Mello". The commercial classification is Primocane Bearing Red Raspberry.

#Asexual propagation of the newly discovered raspberry cultivar has been made at Cassin Ranch of Reiter Companies, Watsonville, Calif. by dormant cane divisions, root cuttings and root shoot cuttings. Cane divisions, root cuttings and root shoot cuttings so taken have consistently produced raspberries that have the new and distinct characteristics hereinafter described. "Joe Mello" has been tested extensively at various Reiter Company facilities located in Pajaro Valley, a Central Coastal berry growing region of the state of California, under strict control.

#Typical plant, flower and fruit characteristics are presented in the accompanying drawing in which:

#FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate primocane flower and fruit trusses;

#FIG. 3 illustrates primary, secondary and tertiary fruit, the torus or receptacle apical leaf and flower bud characteristics; and

#The characteristics of this new raspberry plant as described in detail below, were observed upon its discovery and subsequently through its test period. Plant vigor, foliage and fruit color, foliage and fruit size, blooming periods and yield of fruit may vary somewhat with environmental conditions such as winter cold, day length, light intensity, temperature, rainfall, soil moisture and fertility and the presence of diseases. The color description is given by designation "H" for hue and "L" for lightness in color chart references designated "LCC" for Limited Color Cascade, Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. Plant descriptive terminology follows that of William J. Stearn, "Botanical Latin; History, Grammar, Syntax, Terminology and Vocabulary", Hafner, N.Y., 1966.

#The new cultivar herein named "Joe Mello" has displayed novel characteristics as follows:

#(a) Primocane bearing from July 15 to November 30 accounting for approximately 2/3 of the total annual crop.