Content
Growing gooseberries in cold climates became possible after breeding varieties. The main part of the crop varieties was created at the beginning of the last century, when the spread of the Spheroteka fungus completely destroyed the crop. The priority of hybridization was the breeding of varieties resistant to infection and low temperatures. Finnish gooseberries fully meet these requirements. The high-yielding variety with strong immunity is cultivated throughout the temperate climate.
Finnish gooseberry description
Finnish gooseberries are represented by several varieties, differing in the color of the berries. The first was a green variety, based on which species with yellow and red berries were bred. The varietal characteristics of the varieties are not much different. Finnish gooseberry of medium late fruiting period, ripens before frost. Berry bushes are grown in the European, Central part of Russia; the culture is most popular with gardeners in Siberia, the Urals, and the Moscow region.
Finnish gooseberry characteristics:
- The plant is medium-sized, 1-1.3 m high. The bush is not spreading, it is formed by numerous upright shoots. Perennial stems are dark gray with a brown tint, the shoots of the current year are light green.
- Thorns are rarely located along the length of the branches, grow at an angle of 900, short, thick, hard with sharp ends.
- The foliage is dense, the leaves are formed in 4-6 pieces. at the end of a short cutting, oppositely located. The leaf plate is five-lobed, rigid, with an even glossy surface and a network of beige veins. The leaves are wide, dark green, with wavy edges.
- The flowers are small, drooping, green with a yellow tinge, formed in the form of a cone. Inflorescences are formed on each leaf node, the density is 1-3 flowers. The plant is dioecious.
- Fruits are rounded with an even surface, the color depends on the variety, with a light waxy coating, slightly pubescent. The pulp is juicy, dense, contains a small amount of small seeds. Weight - 4-7 g.
- The root system is superficial.
Green
Finnish green gooseberry grows up to 1.2 m, the crown is compact, blooms profusely every year, yields a stable harvest. Blooms in late May after the threat of recurrent frosts. Productivity - up to 8 kg.
Description of Finnish green gooseberries (pictured):
- berries are light green, oval, with beige longitudinal stripes, low pubescence, weight - 8 g;
- the peel is dense, thin;
- olive-colored pulp with small brown seeds;
- leaves are dull, dark green;
- flowers are yellow with a green tint, small.
Yellow (Gelb)
Finnish yellow gooseberry was bred specifically for the northern regions. Among the representatives of the Finnish varieties, it has the most pronounced taste and aroma. The bush is dense, up to 1m in height. It gives a good growth, during the season it adds up to 35 cm.
The branches are straight-growing with drooping tops, the spine is weak, but the spines are hard, with sharp ends. The leaves are light green, bright, three-lobed.The berries are round, amber in color, medium size, weight - 3-5 g. On a fruit cluster, 2-3 pcs. Juicy pulp with apricot flavor, yellow, beige seeds.
Red (Rot)
The red Finnish gooseberry is the highest variety, the shrub reaches 1.3-1.5 m. The thorns are thicker than that of the green and yellow ones, the thorns are thin, long, arched. Branched bush, dark brown stems.
Leaves are dull, flowers with a pink tint are collected in 2-4 pieces in inflorescences. The berries are round, burgundy with white longitudinal stripes, large (up to 9 g). The pulp with a purple tint, juicy, dense consistency, brown seeds. The Finnish red variety is considered the most productive, with a yield of 11 kg per bush.
Main characteristics
Finnish varieties are popular with gardeners. The culture is rarely affected by infection, has a high rate of frost resistance, and is characterized by stable fruiting. All varieties of Finnish gooseberries are unpretentious in care and adapted to adverse weather conditions.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Finnish gooseberry varieties were created specifically for cultivation in areas with long cold winters and short summers. Gooseberries can safely tolerate temperatures as low as -38 0C. In case of damage to the shoots during the season, the shrub is completely restored without losing the level of fruiting. The flowering of the variety is relatively late, the flowers are rarely affected by frosts, if the return frosts occur at the time of flowering, the gooseberry tolerates up to -4 0C.
The drought resistance of the Finnish gooseberry varieties is average. Moisture deficiency affects the fruit. The berries grow smaller, sluggish, and the taste is dominated by acid. Leaves lose their brightness, turn yellow, vegetation slows down. In the absence of rainfall, the crop requires periodic watering.
Fruiting, productivity
Finnish gooseberries form female and male flowers, self-pollinated varieties. Fruiting is stable every year. The berry bush blooms in late May, ripe berries are harvested in August. Mid-late varieties bloom late, ripen in a short time, this feature is relevant for a temperate climate. Gooseberries begin to bear fruit in the 4th year of growth, the average yield of Finnish varieties is 8 kg per unit.
The ripening period falls on high summer temperatures, so it is necessary to observe the irrigation regime. With a sufficient amount of moisture, the berries do not bake or fall off in the sun. They accumulate a sufficient amount of sugar, the taste is balanced with a minimum acid content. Juicy fruits are characterized by a delicate aroma. With an excess of moisture, the berries of Finnish gooseberry varieties are prone to cracking.
The peel of the gooseberry is dense, the berries are stored within 6 days without losing mass. Finnish gooseberries are suitable for industrial cultivation and can be easily transported. Berries are eaten fresh or added to fruit preserves, such as apple jam.
Advantages and disadvantages
Finnish gooseberry benefits:
- fruiting is stable, high, the shrub gives berries for more than 10 years;
- high rate of frost resistance;
- strong immunity;
- fruits on a 5-point tasting scale are estimated at 4.7 points;
- berries are not baked, do not crack, stay on the bush for a long time;
- gooseberries are suitable for growing in regions with cold climates;
- the crop is stored for a long time, safely transported.
The disadvantages include poor drought resistance and the presence of thorns.
Breeding features
Finnish gooseberries are propagated generatively and vegetatively. The seed method is used in breeding work for breeding new varieties and in nurseries for mass cultivation. On the site, gooseberries are propagated by cuttings, layering and dividing the bush.Cuttings are harvested in the middle of summer, next season they are ready for planting. For layering, take the lower stem, bend it to the ground, cover it with soil, work in the spring, by the fall the buds will take root. The best way to reproduce is by dividing the bush. Gooseberries are taken at the age of three, work is carried out at the end of May.
Planting and leaving
Finnish gooseberries are planted in the spring after the soil warms up to + 8 ° C (approximately in May) and in the fall (30 days before frost). For the middle lane, the autumn planting period falls on September. The place is chosen open to the sun or with periodic shading. The soils are fertile, neutral or slightly acidic, aerated, without excess moisture. Planting material should be with 2-3 stems, with the presence of leaves and fruit buds, without mechanical damage. The root is well developed, without dry patches.
Planting gooseberries:
- The seedling is lowered into a growth stimulator for 4 hours.
- Organic matter, sand, peat, turf soil are mixed, ash is added.
- Dig a hole with a diameter of 40 * 40 cm, a depth of 45 cm.
- The bottom is covered with a drainage layer (15 cm).
- Pour part of the nutrient substrate onto the drainage pad.
- Gooseberries are placed in the center.
- Fall asleep with the remainder of the nutrient mixture.
- The pit is filled to the top with soil.
- Compacted, watered, covered with mulch.
The root collar remains approximately 5 cm above the surface. After planting, the stems are cut, leaving 2 buds on each.
Growing rules
Finnish gooseberry varieties bear fruit for about 10 years, so that productivity does not fall, the shrub needs care:
- In the spring, gooseberries are fed with nitrogen-containing agents, at the time of fruiting, organic matter is introduced.
- Watering is oriented towards seasonal precipitation; drying out and waterlogging of the root ball must not be allowed.
- The Finnish gooseberry bush is formed by 10 stems, in the fall, after picking the berries, they are thinned, leaving strong shoots. In the spring, frozen and dry areas are removed.
- To prevent small rodents from damaging the branches, special chemicals are laid around the bush.
Finnish gooseberries have a high rate of frost resistance, therefore, the shelter of the crown for the winter is not required. In the fall, the bush is watered abundantly, spudded, the trunk circle is covered with a layer of mulch.
Pests and diseases
Finnish gooseberries rarely get sick, all breeding varieties are highly resistant to disease. If the air humidity is high for a long time and the temperature is low, a fungal infection may develop, covering the berries with a dense gray film. Get rid of the problem with "Topaz", "Oxyhom".
For preventive purposes, before sap flow, the bush is treated with Bordeaux liquid or watered with hot water. The only pest on Finnish varieties is aphids. The gooseberries are sprayed with a solution of laundry soap, and anthills are removed from the site. If the measures were unsuccessful, they are treated with herbicides.
Conclusion
Finnish gooseberry is a frost-resistant crop with high productivity and gastronomic value. It is presented in several varieties with green, red, yellow berries. Gooseberries are grown in cold climates. The shrub gives a good annual growth, does not require special care.
