Gooseberry "Grushenka": description, planting and progress

Gooseberry is a very popular berry in our country. Quite a young variety "Grushenka" has already managed to catch the fancy of many gardeners. Growing this plant does not cause much trouble.The grade is unpretentious to temperature drops, possesses frost resistance and, of course, tasty fleshy fruits. Aesthetic bushes adorn many summer cottages.

"Grushenka" is a rather young variety of gooseberry. It was bred in the 1980s by breeders from the Research Institute. Scientists had to get a variety that was not afraid of low temperatures, gave large sweet fruits and, what is interesting for gooseberries, did not have thorns at all. For many years, breeders tried to fulfill all the conditions. And here "Grushenka" was born. By the way, it got its name due to the slightly rounded, pear-shaped fruit.

Variety refers to medium late. Maturing occurs at the end of summer (approximately July-August). The first fruits can be observed earlier. At first they turn pink, and as they mature, they turn purple.

This variety has a high frost resistance. He is able to settle down and give a good harvest in any climatic zone, he is not afraid of sudden changes in temperature, heat and drought. Only strong hail can damage the bushes. In addition, "Grushenka" carries a common plant disease - powdery mildew.

Bushes grow not very sprawling, rather decorative, medium size. The leafy system is dense, each branch has a large number of leaves. Thorns are completely absent, the bush does not fit the ground. The formation of new shoots guarantees excellent branching.

Gooseberry "Grushenka" is an early flowering plant, forms two-colored and three-colored inflorescences. Fruits ripen large, one berry weighs an average of 4.5 grams. They taste sweet with pronounced sourness. The structure of the fruit is juicy and fleshy. Its composition is rich in nutrients (vitamins and minerals, including pectin and anthocyanins). The period of fruiting is very long - about 20 years.

Yields of this berry crop are average. For one season from a bush it turns out to collect up to 7 kg of fruits.

Thus, there are several main advantages of this variety:

• survival rate in all weather conditions;
• unpretentiousness in growing and care;
• a long period of fruiting;
• average yield;
• resistance to some plant diseases;
• facilitated fruit picking due to the absence of thorns;
• the possibility of transportation over long distances;
• long shelf life (the berries do not crack or crumple).

Among the shortcomings noted several points.

• Excessive density of fruits on the branches. A large number of berries creates an additional load, as a result of which the branches can break off, especially in the rain.
• Taste properties are not good every season. With a bountiful harvest, the crop often presents berries that are sour without sweetness.
• As soon as the gooseberry has ripened, it should be collected immediately, as the fruits quickly depart.

From the quality of seedlings will depend on the entire process of growth and ripening of the gooseberry. Experts recommend purchasing them in stores for gardening or from proven summer residents. Choosing seedlings, you should carefully inspect the roots - they should be lush and thick, without peeling and all sorts of damage.

Remember that the root collar is susceptible to infection with a fungus. Therefore, it is important that seedlings are not exposed to direct sunlight. It will be correct to place them in a box with the ground or to cover with a damp cloth.

Keep in mind that the dried and overheated roots of the seedling will not be able to take root even in the most fertile soil. From such a product should be abandoned. Do not forget to pay attention to the state of the branches. Well, if they are sprawling and not very thick. See that the plant has skeletal shoots no more than 15 cm. The most important factor will be the presence of fibrous buds.

Adult plants (a little more than 2 years) in specialized stores are usually sold with land on the roots. This indicates the correct and safe transportation of the material. However, gardeners do not recommend purchasing seedlings older than two years.

Young bushes can be planted in autumn and spring. Springtime involves thawing and swelling of the gooseberry buds. The length of time between these two phenomena is just the best for planting seedlings. But the highest yield will be guaranteed after the autumn planting, according to experienced gardeners.

The right will be planted "Grushenka" a month before the first frost. This time is great for successful rooting of young sprouts in the still warm soil. Despite the fact that the variety is resistant to low temperature, seedlings need time to get used to the soil and environmental conditions. Optimally fit the first days of October.

Equally important will be the choice of site for planting gooseberries. It does not require permanent transplanting, so care should be taken in advance of the site, it is good to fertilize it, so that the fertility will last for many years. As for the quality of the soil, “Grushenka” is not picky here. Both clay and sandy soils will do. Avoid heavily swampy areas.

Gooseberry loves the sun and heat, so choose a place with good lighting. Try to plant the berry away from other crops, as spreading bushes can collide or intertwine with neighboring ones. This will create additional difficulties in further care and harvesting.

Before you put the roots in the soil, soak them in a special solution - potassium humate. Before planting seedlings, dig up the beds and clean them of weeds. Useful fertilizer will be manure or humus. If the land is infertile, it will have to be saturated with organic matter more often. Rich soils do not require frequent fertilizing, it is enough to bring them into each well during the landing.

In the prepared ground, dig a hole (30 cm deep will be enough). Place a sapling in it. Gardeners are advised to do it under a slight slope, this will increase survival rate. After that, straighten the roots, no folds should be. Sprinkle them on top of the soil, apply a little, so as not to damage the bush. Territory around the roots pour abundantly. Do not be superfluous mulch layer of sawdust or dry grass to preserve moisture in the soil.

When planting several gooseberry bushes in one area, keep a distance of 2-3 meters. This will prevent the interlacing of the branches.

An important point in the cultivation of gooseberry "Grushenka" is care and feeding. A competent approach to these procedures will provide you with a good harvest and excellent taste of ripe fruits.

The first thing you need to pay attention - watering. The first two months it should be made more often and more abundant. One young bush needs about a whole bucket of water every week. On hot and dry days, the frequency of irrigation increases to 2 times a week. Mature plants do not need frequent watering; to maintain health, it is enough to carry out this procedure once a season.

Do not forget to loosen the beds and clean them from weeds, which take away moisture and minerals from the gooseberry. This procedure is best done in the heat when the soil dries quickly. The depth of loosening depends on the quality of the soil - the harder it is, the deeper it should be. Be careful, if the ground is soft, you can easily injure the roots.

Formulations based on phosphate and potassium are used as feedings.The use of fertilizers should not be too frequent, 1 time in two years will be enough. In the autumn, superphosphate (50 g) and wood ash (150 g) per 1 square meter are applied. meter beds. For light soils, top dressing is increased by 30% (leaching occurs faster). A good tool for dressing gardeners consider powdered phosphate flour. Remember that in order to achieve a positive effect, fertilizers are introduced at a depth of 15 centimeters.

The condition of the site around the bush, too, must be monitored. The mulching procedure, application of manure and humus will greatly benefit the young plant. In the spring, after the snow melted, saltpeter (45 g) is brought under each bush. This method significantly increases the yield.

Despite the fact that the cultivar Grushenka is resistant to many diseases, there is a risk of infection, especially if wetlands were chosen for planting. To protect gooseberry bushes, some protective procedures should be carried out. It is worth starting in the fall (after picking berries) or at the beginning of spring.

A dangerous fungus is the dangerous enemy of the gooseberry. To protect the bushes from its appearance, should be sprayed with antifungal substances - fungicides. If the plant is infected, the medicine is applied at the root. Fungicidal treatment is enough to carry out 2 times per season. Excessive use will affect the taste and quality of the berries.

A common pest among berry crops is the spider mite. To protect the plant from it will help tincture of wormwood, which you want to spray the bushes. To prepare it, you need half a bucket of grass to pour boiling water to the brim. Day relegated to insistence. Then add half a piece of laundry soap, everything is mixed until a homogeneous mass. Just keep in mind that as soon as the fruits begin to appear, this method will cease to be effective.

This variety often attacks aphid. To get rid of the pest, use special solutions "Fufanon" and "Iskra", sold in specialized stores. Summer residents often prefer to use garlic remedy. For this, 350 grams of garlic is minced and poured with a bucket of water.

Variety "Grushenka" successfully grown in Russia. Judging by the reviews of gardeners, the nature of the gooseberry unpretentious. It is only important to monitor the bushes that are attacked by pests, which, by the way, are not many, unlike other berry crops. Gooseberry fruits are pleased with their sweet and sour taste and large size. The harvest reaches decent volumes. The bush of this variety is able to bear fruit for many years, and its decorative appearance can decorate any part.

Review the gooseberry variety "Grushenka" in the next video.