Content
Spinefree gooseberry is a variety worthy of attention not only for beginners, but also for experienced gardeners. It bears fruit stably, is rarely affected by diseases and tolerates Russian winters well.
Spinefree gooseberry description
In the description of the Spinefree gooseberry, it is indicated that the variety belongs to the late varieties. This is a tall plant, the photo shows that its powerful shoots reach a height of more than 1 m. The bush is moderately spreading, the crown is spherical, the branches are arched. They have practically no thorns or very few of them, which greatly facilitates the harvesting process. The leaves of the shrub are light green, large.
The Spinefree variety blooms in the month of May. Gooseberries ripen at the end of summer. Its large fruits change color from green to dark red during the ripening process. The weight of one berry is more than 4.5 g. The gooseberry is dense, does not crack on the branches.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Spinefree shrub easily tolerates the Russian climate. Shoots and root systems can withstand temperatures as low as -34 ° C. Gooseberries are doing well during the drought.
Fruiting, productivity
The Spinefree variety bears fruit stably, the yield is above average. The gooseberry grows well in lighted places, loves the sun, so its berries do not bake in direct light. During periods of prolonged drought, the fruits stay on the branches and do not crumble. Spinefree does not require special care and frequent watering.
Spinefree berries have a good dessert taste. Gooseberries are popular with those who are tired of the sour fruits of other varieties. This variety is dominated by sweetness and pleasant aftertaste.
The crop is versatile, well transported, thanks to its dense skin. Gooseberries are used for fresh consumption, but they are also suitable for processing. Jam, jams, jellies are made from Spinfree berries.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Spinefree gooseberry variety has many advantages over other varieties:
- fruits of universal purpose, excellent taste;
- shoots without thorns;
- bushes do not need shelter for the winter;
- the plant of the variety multiplies easily;
- fruiting is stable;
- high transport characteristics.
However, Spinefree also has disadvantages. These include the high growth of the bush, the need for bright lighting and the exactingness of the composition of the soil. Gooseberries will not grow on swampy and clayey soils. There will be few fruits in the shade, they grind, the taste will deteriorate.
Breeding features
Spinefree gooseberry reproduces vegetatively. Its cuttings take root quickly. But the easiest way is to propagate the variety with root shoots. They take root easily.
Breeding begins in early spring. Gooseberry shoots are tilted to the ground, pinned and covered with earth. Throughout the season, the layers are well looked after, by the fall Spinefree is ready for transplantation to a permanent place.
Planting and leaving
The best time to plant seedlings is early spring or late autumn. In the spring, the gooseberries are transferred to a new place at the end of March or at the very beginning of April until the shoots have moved away from winter. In the fall, work is planned for the end of September or the first decade of October.It is during these periods that young Spinefree bushes adapt better to new conditions.
A site for planting a culture of the Spinefree variety is selected in advance. Preference is given to well-lit areas where the bush will be protected from all sides from cold winds and drafts. The soil under Spinefree gooseberries should be fertile, loose. Heavy and acidic soils are not suitable for growing.
Prepare the soil 2 weeks before planting. It is dug up, weeds are selected and humus is introduced. Gooseberry wells are also prepared in advance. If several bushes are planned to be planted, then the distance between them is left at least 1 m.It is enough to retreat 1.5-2 m between the rows.When the plot is small, in order to save space, Spinefree bushes are grown on a trellis or supports are installed around each of them. Then the distance between plants in a row is reduced by 20-30 cm.The size of the planting pit is 50 x 50 cm, the depth is about 60 cm.
Drainage and a mixture of soil with mineral fertilizers are placed in each hole. For 10 kg of rotten manure, you can add 1.5 tbsp. ash, 0.5 tbsp. superphosphate and 1 tbsp. l. limestone and potassium sulfate.
To get a good harvest of gooseberries, you need to not only prepare locally, but also choose the right Spinefree sapling when purchasing. You need to pay attention to bushes about 2 years old. The optimal height of such a plant is at least 30 cm, it has 2-3 powerful shoots. The root system is of no small importance. Ideally, there should be 2-3 well-developed lignified roots, the length of which is 10 cm, and a large number of fibrous roots. During planting, you need to remove all dry or damaged roots, and cut off the aerial part to the level of 5-6 buds.
Growing rules
It is not difficult to grow a Spinefree crop, water the bush sparingly, as needed. During the ripening period of berries, the water rate is increased, especially if the weather is dry. However, it is not recommended to water this gooseberry variety more than once a week.
Spinefree responds well to feeding. In the first 1-2 years of growing, they are not needed if the pit was filled according to all the rules. Further, fertilizers are applied according to the scheme:
- in the first half of summer - nitrogen fertilizing, at least 80 g of ammonium nitrate or urea for a bush;
- after flowering, they give liquid organic matter;
- in the fall, phosphorus-potassium supplements, ash, humus are preferable.
In addition, before bud break, the bushes are treated with copper sulfate, which will relieve hibernating pests and serve as top dressing.
It is worth mentioning separately about loosening the soil under the bushes. The gooseberry root system is demanding on good air exchange, so you need to carefully loosen the trunk circle. In order not to damage the surface roots, the tool should be buried no more than 5 cm.
Regular treatments for pests and diseases are not needed for the Spinefree variety; it is very resistant to powdery mildew and other misfortunes. It is enough to spray the gooseberry with copper preparations in early spring and autumn.
Pruning a Spinefree bush is not much different from the rest. The bush is formed in early spring or late autumn after harvest. All root shoots are removed if there is no need for reproduction or rejuvenation of the shrub. Only 3-4 well-developed annual shoots are left. Older branches that do not grow well are also cut at the root or to strong branching.
Special preparation for winter for the culture of the Spinefree variety is not required. She has high indicators of frost resistance, therefore, moisture-charging irrigation is sufficient, which has a good effect on the state of the root system. One bush is made with 30-40 liters of water. The procedure is carried out before persistent frosts. If the weather is rainy, then watering the gooseberry is canceled.In winter, you can additionally insulate the trunk circle with snow.
Pests and diseases
In the description of the Spinefree variety, it is indicated that the gooseberry is resistant to major diseases, which is confirmed by the reviews of gardeners. The bushes really practically do not get sick, do not need regular spraying and treatments from pests. This makes it much easier to care for them.
Conclusion
Spinefree gooseberries are a promising variety with sweet berries. They are pleasant to eat fresh and harvested for the winter, and the absence of thorns is a pleasure when harvesting. It is easy to grow a plant, but you need to consider its high growth and love of the sun.
