Gooseberry African

The variety was bred in the 70s of the 20th century by scientists from the Saratov Experimental Station. African gooseberries are classified as self-fertile and early-fertile varieties. Well suited for growing in many regions of our country, with different weather conditions.

African gooseberry: variety description

                                                          Gooseberry African photo

The African gooseberry has an average ripening period. The plant has a spreading shape. In height, the bush can reach up to 1.3 m. On the surface of the shoots, small thorns can be found, located not very often. The fruits are of medium size, weighing 2.5-4 g, the shade is dark red or even black, the shape is oval. They differ in brilliance, are not omitted.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Among merits African varieties can be distinguished:

• Possesses high productivity.
• Differs in good marketable appearance.
• High nutritional values.
• Unpretentious care.
• It is immune to many diseases.
• Universal application.
• It tolerates transportation well.
• It contains a large number of various vitamins and minerals.

Among cons the possibility of anthracnose infection can be identified.

It is important to note the fact that African gooseberries can thrive during high or low temperatures. If the weather in the region is dry, then during the season you can add only a couple of buckets of water.

Frost resistance is characterized by the fact that in spring the plant can safely transfer the temperature of +10 degrees. And in winter, it feels comfortable at temperatures down to -30 degrees.

If you take proper care of the plant, the first crop can be harvested 2-3 years after planting the gooseberry. But the first berries can appear in 1 year after planting the plant. An adult bush can yield up to 6 kg of harvest.

We plant a gooseberry variety African

gooseberry African

In order to plant a plant correctly, it is important to follow all the necessary rules that will help the plant to better take root in a new place.

Landing dates... The plant can be planted both in spring and autumn. But summer residents recommend planting about 4-6 weeks before the onset of winter frosts. In the spring, landing is not entirely correct.

The thing is that planting must be done before the buds begin to bloom. And they do it very early. Therefore, the plant will be very weak and susceptible to various diseases. That may not have the best effect on the quantity and quality of the crop.

Choosing a suitable place... The place where the gooseberries will be planted must meet certain criteria that are very important for the proper growth and development of the gooseberries:

• Should be well lit and not in a low area.
• Groundwater should be no higher than 1.5 m.
• The soil is loamy or sandy loam.
• The place is protected from wind and draft.

We select and prepare planting material... The entire gooseberry harvest as a whole depends on correctly selected seedlings. Therefore, when purchasing planting material, you should definitely keep in mind:

• The age of the seedlings is 1-2 years.
• The roots are well developed.
• Buy seedlings only in proven and familiar places.
• Before planting seedlings, it is important to soak them for a while in a special solution that stimulates the growth of the root system.

We draw up a landing pattern... When you land, you can use the following pattern to be sure to avoid mistakes:

• Before planting, all debris and weeds must be removed from the area where the gooseberry will be grown. Dig up the soil well and add organic fertilizers.
• About 15-20 days before planting, prepare the pit, the dimensions should be 50 * 50 cm.
• Try to keep the distance between plants at about 1.5-2 m.
• Then you need to prepare a nutrient mixture. To do this, take 1 bucket of manure or compost, wood ash (100 g), double superphosphate (50 g), sulfuric potassium (40 g) and mix with the top layer of earth.
• This mixture must be added to the dug hole.
• Trim the seedling, leaving only 5 buds on each shoot.
• Place the seedling in the hole at a slight slope, adjusting the roots.
• First, sprinkle the roots with earth, and then the whole plant. Then lightly tamp the fit.
• Add 1 bucket of water. The water should be warm and settled.
• In the area near the trunk, mulch with sawdust, peat and straw.

Then gooseberry care must be taken during the season. To do this, you will need to water it, loosen the soil, apply the necessary fertilizers, and carry out the formation of the crown. And also take measures to prevent various diseases.

African gooseberry - care rules

We take care of the soil. It is important to remember the fact that this variety does not like the soil, which will be highly moist. Therefore, you should keep in mind:

After the snow melts, it will be necessary to well loosen the soil around the trunk so that oxygen can saturate the entire plant as a whole.

Then, from time to time, loosen the soil again (4-5 times per season).

Water regularly. For one bush 1-2 buckets of water, but be careful not to form stagnant water.

It will be necessary to mulch the soil under and next to the bush. This will keep the soil from drying out and eliminate unnecessary weeds.

Preventive treatment. The variety has good immunity to powdery mildew or other diseases caused by a certain fungus.

But still, for the purpose of prevention, it would not be bad to carry out the treatment with a 3% solution of Bordeaux mixture, before the buds and 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture begin to swell, when the flowering process begins. This will be enough to protect the bush from unexpected guests.

We introduce fertilizers. For good and proper gooseberry development, try to follow the following fertilization plan:

At 1 year after planting, the bush does not need fertilizers, because during planting you have made everything you need.

Then, before the buds bloom, it is necessary to apply fertilizers containing nitrogen. Take ammonium sulfate (1 tbsp. L.) And dilute in 10 liters of liquid.

Before the flowering period begins, it is necessary to apply organic fertilizers. To do this, you can use cow or horse manure at the rate of 1.5 liters of organic matter per 1 bucket of water).

When the fruit-bearing period begins, you need to take ammonium nitrate (20 g) and dilute it in 10 liters of water.

After the entire crop has been harvested, in order to prepare the plant for the winter period, it will be necessary to add humus (6 kg), superphosphate (60 g) and potassium chloride (35 g) under each gooseberry bush.

Installing supports... To prevent the process of decay, as well as support the bush from leaning to the ground, many summer residents recommend tying the plant to some kind of support.

To do this, you need to put a few pegs next to the bush. About 3-4 pieces, connect them together using small strips. Shoots need to be tied to these strips.

We carry out trimming... The peculiarity of the variety is that it is capable of bringing a large number of shoots every year, which, growing, cause aesthetic harm to the shrub. This greatly affects his harvest.

That is why, when the plant is 2 years old, you will need to do regular pruning. So that the plant can develop even better. Therefore, it is recommended to keep only the strongest shoots. On a young bush, you can leave 3-4 shoots, on an adult - about 14, and they should be different in age.

Harvesting

You can start harvesting gooseberries from July for 1 month. For picking berries, choose dry, calm weather so that the berries can maintain their appearance and taste. Medium-sized containers work well for collection.

If you want to preserve the berries, then this can be done in a dry place, the temperature in which will not be above zero degrees. The berries should be laid out in boxes that have been well dried and lined with paper. Thus, you can store the berry for about 1.5 months.

Preparing the bush for the winter period

Earlier, we said that the variety tolerates frost well. But still, in order to protect the plant from the cold, you need to take some measures:

• After all the foliage has fallen, you need to well remove the entire area from debris and various weeds.
• Spray the bushes with a 1% Bordeaux mixture solution.
• It is good to dig up the ground around the bush.
• Add a few buckets of water.
• Apply top dressing in the form of wood ash (1 l) and humus (1 kg) - under each plant.
• Prune the crown so that any branches that are damaged or diseased are cut off.
• Mulch the soil - a 10 cm layer of humus and peat.

If there is no snow, and the frosts have already come quite strong, it is important to cover the bush with a special covering material.

How does reproduction take place

Gooseberry propagation occurs by the method of cuttings and layering. The first method is characterized by the fact that in September or October at the strongest shoot it is necessary to cut off the top, which will have a length of about 20 cm.

Then make a small hole in the ground, place the cuttings there at a slight slope. In this case, it is necessary to keep 2 buds on the surface of the soil. Then the soil needs to be tamped.

For the second method, you need to wait for spring. Before the buds bloom, it is necessary to build a furrow around the plant. Bend young branches to it and leave it in the ground. Over time, you will notice that new shoots have begun to appear from the side buds.

When their length reaches 15 cm, they will need to be covered with earth. In the autumn, when they are already fully rooted, it will be possible to transplant them.

Various diseases and insect pests

We talked about the fact that the variety has good immunity against many diseases and pests. But it is capable of undergoing anthracnose. A characteristic feature of this rapidly spreading disease is the appearance of brown spots on the foliage.

As soon as you notice such a phenomenon, it is necessary to immediately process the bush with a 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid.

African gooseberries have long been able to win the love of many summer residents throughout the country. Reviews of African gooseberries are overwhelmingly positive due to unpretentious care, large berries, wonderful taste characteristics that allow you to eat fresh berries, or prepare various preparations for the winter.