Gooseberries - a favorite among shrubs gardeners. Unpretentious varieties with a stable harvest are especially appreciated. Such is the gooseberry Grushenka. It is popular due to its strong immunity, unpretentiousness in growing and simple picking berries. The variety gives an abundant crop, which is easy to harvest due to the absence of sharp thorns on the plant.
Origin history
Gooseberry variety Grushenka - the result of a group of breeders. In 1980, scientists set themselves the task of producing a hybrid with sweet massive fruits. At the same time, this species was supposed to be different for the better - not have spikes and be more resistant to the cold climate of Russia. All this happened, but another feature of the culture was an unusual elongated shape of berries, which made them look like a pear in miniature. Because of this nuance, the variety got its name.
Gooseberry variety Grushenka
Characteristics of berries and bushes
Description of the bushes:
- gooseberry leaf shape rectangular;
- flowering shoots;
- average height about 200 cm;
- branches have a dense green mass;
- leaves with a classic glossy surface and mesh venation;
- inflorescences appear in the composition of 2-3 buds.
Description of berries:
- oval, elongated, slightly expanding at the bottom of the fetus;
- average yield per year - 6 kg;
- the mass of each berry reaches 5 g.
The color of the berries changes during ripening from green to red-violet
Grade Features
Description gooseberries Grushenka:
- ripening period - from late July to early August. The variety belongs to early flowering crops. Berries appear early. At this time, the fruits have a pink hue, turning into a saturated purple color by the end of July;
- weather resistance. The variety is characterized by increased frost resistance. Grushenka easily tolerates frosts and sudden changes in temperature. Also, the hybrid is not amenable to viral and bacterial diseases, in particular, powdery mildew;
- taste qualities. The fruits have a pronounced sweet taste with a sour note. The pulp of the fruit is juicy, fleshy. Fruiting crops lasts up to 20 years. During the season, you can collect from the bush about 6 kg of crop;
- the use of berries. Typically, gooseberry fruits are used in cooking for making jam, fruit drinks, compotes and desserts. They also found application in medicine and cosmetology due to their beneficial effects on the body.
For your information! The composition of gooseberry Grushenka berries includes anthocyanin and pectin substances, which are necessary for a person to maintain immunity.
Grade Advantages:
- resistance to cold and heat;
- early bearing
- during transportation, the flesh is not damaged due to the dense skin;
- high productivity;
- unpretentiousness in cultivation and care;
- immunity to diseases;
- lack of prickly spikes.
Disadvantages:
- due to the high yield, a heavy mass of berries pulls the branches down. After rain, the wet bush may break;
- due to the high yield, berries lose their taste. The more fruits, the more acidic the taste of berries can be;
- berries quickly fall off from the branches. Accordingly, the gardener has to control this process and harvest as quickly as possible.
Planting young seedlings on the site
Experienced gardeners recommend choosing the autumn period for planting gooseberry seedlings in a permanent place. Three months is enough for the plant to take root and gain strength for wintering in the harsh climatic conditions of Russia. When planting in the spring, they choose the time when the vegetation begins, and the soil has time to thaw.
Important! Gooseberries should be planted a month before the onset of frost.
Planting scheme should be chosen so that the plants are no closer than 1 m from each other. This option will prevent the interweaving of branches, and the root system will develop normally.
Which seedlings to choose:
- a year-old plant should have small roots without damage and rot;
- if two-year-old seedlings get, you should choose a bush with a piece of land on the roots. Moreover, such a plant should already have branches with buds that have appeared;
- the average height of the seedling should be 10 cm.
Features of seasonal care
This variety is unpretentious in care and does not require special attention. To obtain the desired number of fruits, you should systematically water, feed and trim the bush.
Note! The hybrid tolerates drought easily, but excess moisture will harm the root system.
Thin branches can break under the influence of wind, therefore seedlings should be tied to special supports, which are located 20 cm from the roots.
Mineral fertilizers should be applied once or twice a year. They are enough for the entire ripening period. If the soil is characterized by high acidity, special fertilizers should be added to normalize the indicator.
When caring for gooseberries, you should remember that he needs a shaping and sanitary pruning. In early spring, cut the third part of the bush and remove the damaged branches.
Before the onset of winter, several more procedures should be performed:
- make another crop;
- get rid of diseased sprouts;
- treat shrubs with special solutions that scare away insects;
- remove fallen leaves and other debris;
- fertilize the soil.
Enough 3-4 supports to maintain the bush
Breeding
Gooseberry propagation occurs by cuttings. The procedure is carried out in the middle of the season, that is, in the summer. To do this, cut off an adult bush about 15 cm long from an adult bush. The cut site is treated with a solution for root growth. When planting, the stalk is deepened at an angle of 45 °. Before the shoots appear on the plant, regular watering is mandatory.
A simpler option is reproduction by layering. It is enough to tilt one twig to the ground, pinch it with metal clothespins, sprinkle with soil and pour plenty of water. After a few days, the layers will take root, and it can be separated from the mother bush, and then transplanted to the selected place.
Variety Grushenka is popular for a plentiful harvest, ease of care and harvesting of fruits. Berries have the property to change color as they ripen from green to purple. The variety is frost-resistant and easily tolerates winter.
