Content
Well-known and modern varieties that are distinguished by rare “thorns” and resistance to powdery mildew include the Beryl gooseberry variety; it is also characterized by a rich, stable harvest.
History of variety development
The Beryl variety was created in our country in the 70s of the last century. It was obtained by crossing the Malachite and Samorodok varieties. He owes his appearance to Doctor of Agricultural Sciences V. S. Ilyin. The scientist is a successor to the work of A.P. Gubenko, a breeder who obtained new varieties and gooseberry varieties. The result turned out to be extraordinary: the created variety largely surpassed the parent forms in its performance.
Description of the bush and berries
Gooseberries of the Beryl variety are characterized by medium height and medium spreading, a dense crown and a small number of thorns, which are located singly in the lower part of the shoot. Usually they “look” down, less often they move away from the branches at an angle of 90 degrees.
The leaves of the Beryl variety are large, five-lobed, soft green in color, the edges of which are framed by elongated teeth. The leaves are not pubescent, with a shiny leaf blade.
Gooseberry shoots are curved and hang down. The flowers of this variety are goblet-shaped and form a two-color inflorescence. The developing fruits are light green in color, with a smooth surface and thin, transparent skin.
Dessert gooseberries have a sweet and sour taste and have a high tasting rating. They are large in size - up to 9 g (larger than cherries). This is the maximum size, and the average size is 4 g. The berries are sweet due to the content of monosaccharides in their composition, and ascorbic acid and a number of other organic acids give them sourness. As gooseberries ripen, they become sweeter and acquire an amber-green hue.
General characteristics of the gooseberry variety Beryl are presented in the video:
Advantages and disadvantages
The Beryl variety has many positive qualities, but there are also minor disadvantages, which are shown in the table.
pros | Minuses |
Frost resistance: withstands temperatures down to -38°C | poor resistance to septoria |
resistance to powdery mildew | |
unique, special taste qualities of berries, their large size | |
high yield | |
self-fertile (no need for pollinators) | |
a small number of thorns | |
good transportability |
Characteristics
Gooseberries of the Beryl variety are characterized by a number of indicators that indicate its main qualities and make it possible to select a variety for growing in a summer cottage.
Productivity
An adult gooseberry bush has a high yield: it produces 3-10 kg of berries per season.Moreover, harvesting can begin as early as mid-July, since Beryl belongs to varieties with an average ripening period. Fruits consistently in different weather conditions. Productivity directly depends on the care and age of the gooseberry.
Drought resistance and winter hardiness
Gooseberries of this variety are winter-hardy, can withstand low temperatures, and therefore do not require shelter for the winter. Beryl is suitable for the regions of the Urals and western Siberia. Drought-resistant, can survive short dry periods, but does not tolerate excess moisture.
Maturation period
The berries are large and have a high tasting rating due to their excellent taste.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Gooseberries are resistant to pests and diseases, but are easily affected by septoria, a fungal disease that causes gray or rusty spots with a yellow border to form on the leaves.
With severe damage, the shoots dry out and leaves fall from the bush.
Transportability
Despite the thin skin, the berries tolerate transportation well, which makes them easier to sell in different regions. Stored for several days.
Growing conditions
Beryl does not create special growing conditions for gooseberries. It can be planted on clay and loamy, sandy and sandy loam soil. It will not grow on acidic, swampy, cold soils. On loams with a high humus content, this variety produces the best fruit.
An open, well-lit place is suitable for planting. When thickening a gooseberry bush, thinning is important so that each shoot has access to sunlight and air.
He does not need special care techniques and only in case of illness requires a more attentive attitude towards himself.
Landing Features
Gooseberries are planted in the spring, and more often in the autumn, 3-4 weeks before the onset of frost to adapt the root system. Choose an open and illuminated area on a hill, where there are no north winds. The proximity of groundwater is unacceptable.
Before planting, the soil for gooseberries is prepared, for which it is necessary:
- reduce acidity at high pH values by adding lime or dolomite flour;
- clear from weed and dig up;
- lighten heavy soil by adding humus (compost), peat, sand;
- add by 1 m2 a bucket of humus, 30 g of superphosphate, 20 g of potassium phosphate and a glass of wood ash.
Sometimes the nutritional composition is added directly during planting. Dig a 50x50 hole, pour a pile of fertile soil onto the bottom, carefully place the root system of a bush of this variety on top and sprinkle it with soil, periodically trampling it down so that there are no voids in the ground. The root collar is not buried and is located above the ground level.
For planting, 2-year-old Beryl gooseberry seedlings with a formed root system and lignified roots up to 25 cm are selected. The seedling should ideally have 3-4 strong shoots. Before planting, the leaves are torn off and the shoots are shortened. The planted plant is watered abundantly, a circle around the trunk is created and the surface of the soil is mulched.
Rules of care
Despite the ease of care, the Beryl variety requires compliance with a number of agrotechnical measures.
Bush pruning
Without pruning, Beryl's shoots are actively developing, and after 2-3 years the gooseberry bush will be very thick. At the same time, due to lack of nutrition, young shoots develop poorly. In the spring, before the end of the dormant period, it is important to cut out old, twisted, diseased branches completely. The current year's shoots are shortened by a third, and from the basal ones, the 4 strongest are selected and left. By the peak of fruiting (5-7 years), the bush should be formed by 18-20 branches of different ages.
Loosening
Gooseberries Beryl are hilled and loosened up to 5 times per season. This technique delivers air to the roots and gets rid of weeds. After this, the soil in the tree trunk circle must be mulched.
Top dressing
A necessary procedure, since the Beryl variety bears fruit well only on fertilized soil. Therefore, even when planted in soil rich in useful components, after a few years the soil will be depleted and the yield will fall.
Gooseberry feeding is carried out sequentially:
- in the spring, the soil around the bush is mulched with a nutrient substrate;
- Until June, fertilizing with nitrogen is needed so that the bush actively grows;
- gooseberries Beryl are fed with organic matter: mullein or chicken droppings;
- after the end of flowering, the gooseberry should be “into the diet” with potassium and phosphorus, which is added in the form of superphosphate and potassium phosphate, infusion of wood ash (2 feedings are enough until the fruits ripen);
- Before the onset of frost, the bush is fed with 30 g of superphosphate and 20 g of potassium and magnesium phosphate, which is important for survival during the winter and subsequent fruiting.
Watering
Gooseberries need moisture, but the Beryl variety cannot tolerate its excess. Excessive watering does not benefit the plant. In spring, the growth of the bush begins due to melt water. And during dry periods, additional watering is necessary. Water is needed during periods of flowering and fruit setting of Beryl. The last time gooseberries are watered is when there are 2 weeks left before picking the berries. Watering is done at the root; it is not advisable to wet the leaves.
Reproduction
Since Beryl gooseberry is a shrub, it propagates using traditional methods: cuttings, grafting, and dividing the bush. Each gardener chooses the most practical method in a particular situation.
Support
Support is necessary not only for the formation of a compact bush, but also prevents branches and stems from lodging. With good support, the branches will not break during strong winds or snowfall. The support makes caring for gooseberries easier: mulching, watering, and loosening becomes easier.
Preparing for winter
Old leaves and branches need to be collected and burned, and the soil must be dug up so that the overwintering pests die. While digging, you need to add phosphorus and potassium fertilizers and water the gooseberries generously. It is important to remove old shoots that have reached 5 years.
Pest and disease control
Most often, gooseberries of the Beryl variety are affected by septoria. The disease is caused by a fungus that develops on the leaves in the form of spots. Then they merge and the leaf falls off.Dark spots form on the spots - these are fungal spores that fall on the berries and infect them. The disease actively develops and “attacks” the variety in wet weather; thickened gooseberry plantings also contribute to its development. Septoria blight greatly affects the subsequent harvest.
Control measures:
- cleaning and burning fallen gooseberry leaves;
- digging up the soil;
- thinning thickened branches;
- application of fertilizers, which increases resistance to disease;
- treatment with antifungal drugs.
Of the pests, the Beryl gooseberry bush is most often visited by aphids, moths, and sawflies. If detected in a timely manner, it is enough to treat the bushes with ash-soap solutions or Bordeaux mixture.
Conclusion
Thanks to a number of advantages, Beryl gooseberry has found many admirers and gardeners who grow it in their garden plots and enjoy the bountiful harvest and aromatic jam obtained from the berries.
