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Gooseberry Kooperator is appreciated among gardeners not only for its unpretentiousness, high yield, dessert taste of berries, but also for the aesthetics of the bush's appearance. Another plus of this variety is that it has almost no thorns.
Description of Gooseberry Cooperator
Gooseberry Kooperator (Ribes uva-crispa Kooperator) was obtained in 1991 as a result of crossing two varieties - Smena and Chelyabinsk green.
The height of the bush is about 1 m.It is neat, with dense medium-spreading branches up to 120 cm long.The description of the Kooperator variety gooseberry is confirmed, among other things, by gardeners' reviews:
Younger shoots are not pubescent, light green in color, of medium thickness and slightly curved. Single small thorns are located at the bottom of the branches, so they do not interfere with harvesting at all. The lower part of the adult shoots of this variety has a characteristic pinkish-raspberry tinge.
The Cooperator gooseberry has large and medium-sized leaves with five pointed lobes. Lustrous, deep green foliage looks spectacular with fringed trim. The central blade has additional teeth.
Small and medium-sized cupped flowers are collected in inflorescences of 2 or 3 pieces. They are usually yellowish-green, with a pinkish tint, but there are also pale yellows. During flowering, the plant looks very beautiful - it rages with many inflorescences
Description of the gooseberry variety Kooperator is well illustrated with a photo:
Dark cherry striped berries of this variety weigh, on average, 3 - 5 g, there are also very large - up to 8 g. They are unusual for a gooseberry shape - not round, but elongated, pear-shaped; without pubescence, with a thin skin. The fruit stem is long.
A self-fertile bush (42.4%) does not require replanting and other pollinating varieties nearby, although it shows higher yields with them.
Ideal for growing in two regions of Russia with rather harsh climatic conditions: Uralsky (No. 9) and East Siberian (No. 11).
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The variety is known among gardeners for its winter hardiness and drought resistance. Even at high temperatures, the bush is rarely watered, since it has a powerful and deep root system. In addition, it tolerates frosts well down to -30 ° C, so it is recommended to grow the crop in the Urals, in particular, in Chelyabinsk. With the onset of more severe cold weather, the Kooperator variety can freeze slightly (especially the root system), which is why its yield subsequently decreases.
Fruiting, productivity
Gooseberry Kooperator amazes with fruit size and yield.
The cooperator is considered a mid-late variety in terms of fruit ripening. One plant per summer gives about 4 - 8 kg of berries (bucket). On average, the yield is 12 t / ha, but this figure can be almost twice as much - 23 t / ha, that is, from 3.7 to 6.9 kgf bush, or 0.9 - 1.3 kg / m2. The fruits of this variety are tightly attached to the branch and do not crumble.
Gooseberries Kooperator have a sweet and sour, pleasant taste, which experts estimate at 5 points.
Their skin is thin, but, at the same time, strong, which provides them with good keeping quality and transportation.
The variety is suitable for fresh consumption and preservation. Kooperator gooseberries are used to make delicious confiture, preserves, and compote.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the Kooperator variety:
- Good cold and heat tolerance;
- Disease resistance, particularly powdery mildew;
- High productivity;
- Large berries with a dessert flavor;
- A small number of thorns in the lower part of the bush - does not interfere with harvesting;
- Self-fertility.
Gardeners highlight few disadvantages. Those who like to eat gooseberries in early summer are not satisfied with the ripening dates. There are few seeds in the berries, but they are large. In addition, if you do not spray the Kooperator gooseberry for preventive purposes, it can get sick with anthracnose and septoria.
Breeding features
Gooseberries Kooperator are propagated using lignified cuttings, which are cut in the fall and stored in a cool place, such as a subfield or refrigerator, until spring. The planting material prepared in this way is planted in small greenhouses and covered with glass jars, plastic bottles or film.
Another way is no less effective - the use of layers. At the beginning of summer, several tops of young shoots are bent to the ground, fixed and slightly instilled. After 2 months, the cuttings will give roots and will be able to grow on their own.
Planting and leaving
Gooseberry Cooperator is not very picky about the landing site. It is important to follow the standard set of plant recommendations:
- Provide sun access;
- Protect the bush from drafts;
- Avoid excess moisture;
- Plant the gooseberries in neutral or alkaline soil. The culture prefers loam, sod-podzolic soil and black soil.
Planting the Cooperator variety is also easy. To do this, a hole is dug at the chosen place with a depth of 50 - 60 cm and 45 - 50 cm wide. Then top dressing is applied: rotted manure (10 kg), superphosphate (50 g), potassium sulfate (50 g). This amount of fertilizer is enough for good development of the seedling for 2 - 3 years. The roots are carefully spread evenly over the pit. The root collar is buried 2 cm - this will help new shoots to grow faster.
It is better to land after sunset, and in the morning to loosen it, and then mulch the root circle. The optimal time is considered the second half of autumn. In the spring, the gooseberry root system is actively developing, and if you plant it in April, then the plant will give all its strength to the growth of shoots.
Growing rules
Gooseberries of the Kooperator variety are quite unpretentious. However, if you follow a few simple rules, then this will have a beneficial effect on the taste and quantity of berries.
There are the following secrets of growing a crop:
- Moderate watering;
- Top dressing;
- Loosening;
- Timely pruning;
- Garter;
- Rodent protection.
Even the dry period is tolerated by the Kooperator gooseberry without frequent watering. The plant does not tolerate excess moisture at all: its root system immediately begins to rot.
The schedule for watering the bush during flowering and fruit setting is 2 - 3 times. If you overdo it, the taste of the berries will deteriorate: they will not be sweet. An adult plant should be watered only in case of a long absence of rainfall.
Top dressing is applied when planting gooseberries, therefore, organic and mineral fertilizer is needed only for a bush over 3 years old.
The roots of the Kooperator variety are deep (20 - 30 cm) and need air access. It is recommended to loosen the bush about 5 times per season to a depth of 3 - 5 cm.
In the fall, after the berries come off, it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning of gooseberries. Dried, diseased, as well as old shoots, which are more than 5 - 6 years old, are removed.
Timely weeding, as well as hilling the bush, will help protect the gooseberries from rodents. Alternatively, you can spray the plant with insecticides.
Gooseberry Cooperator in regions with a mild climate does not need to be covered for the winter: it is enough to cover the root circle with compost, peat or humus with a layer of 10 - 12 cm.In a harsh climate, it is recommended to cover the plant with agrofibre stretched over a metal bracket, or bend the bush to the ground. It is very important that in winter the gooseberries are completely covered with snow.
Pests and diseases
With proper care, the Cooperator gooseberry is resistant to diseases, in particular, to powdery mildew. There is a possibility of infection with septoria and anthracnose. Sawfly beetles can eat bush foliage.
To avoid this, in order to prevent diseases and cleanse wintering pests every spring, it is recommended to spray the gooseberry Kooperator with boiling water, folk remedies or insecticides. The plant is saved from anthracnose by 1% Bordeaux liquid.
Conclusion
Gooseberry Kooperator is a variety characterized by high productivity and resistance to unfavorable climatic conditions. Gardeners choose it for its large and tasty berries.
Reviews of the gooseberry variety Kooperator
