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Gooseberry Chernomor is a time-tested variety, characterized by a high yield of black berries. The frost- and powdery mildew-resistant crop is very popular among gardeners due to the absence of difficulties in cultivation. However, to achieve maximum performance, before cultivating a shrub, it is worth studying its characteristics, strengths and weaknesses, planting and care features.
Description of gooseberry Chernomor
Gooseberry Chernomor (description and photo below) belongs to the mid-late varieties. Due to the dark color of the berries, the crop was also called “northern grapes” or “garden dates”. The Chernomor shrub was bred by K. D. Sergeeva at the Scientific Center named after I. V. Michurin based on the varieties Brazilian, Date, Green Bottle, Seedling Mauer.
The Chernomor variety has the following characteristics:
- The shape of the bush is not very spreading, with a dense crown.
- Gooseberry shoots are upright, pubescent, light green in color (they may become lighter as they age). Reaches a height of 1.5 m.
- The degree of thorniness of the branches is weak. The spines are sparse, thin, single, directed downwards.
- The leaf blade of Chernomor is small, convex, shiny, rich green in color, divided into 5 lobes. The central part of the sheet rises above the edges.
- Gooseberry inflorescences consist of 2-3 flowers of an elongated shape, medium size, soft green with a pink edging.
- Chernomor fruits are small (about 3 g), oval-shaped, dark red or black (depending on the degree of ripeness).
The gooseberry variety is self-pollinating, intended for cultivation in the Central region of Russia and Ukraine.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Gooseberry Chernomor has good drought resistance and can easily tolerate prolonged lack of moisture. The shrub compensates for the lack of liquid due to the ability to deeply penetrate the root system into the soil.
The Chernomor variety perfectly withstands cold winters, thanks to which in practice it is successfully cultivated throughout the Russian Federation.
Fruiting, productivity
The fruits of the Chernomor gooseberry (shown in the photo) are characterized by:
- harmonious, sweet and sour taste (taster rating – 4.3);
- good yield (up to 10 t/ha or up to 4 kg per bush);
- strong skin (suitable for mechanized harvesting);
- early ripening (first and second decades of July);
- good transportability and keeping quality.
The chemical composition of Chernomor variety berries in terms of sugar content is in the range of 8.4-12.2%, and in terms of acidity ─ 1.7-2.5%. The amount of ascorbic acid per 100 g of gooseberries is 29.3 mg.
Preserves, jams, jellies, juices, marmalades, wine are made from the fruits of this variety, as well as delicious sauces, casseroles, kvass, and jelly. Gooseberries are also suitable for fresh consumption. The shrub is of great value as an early honey plant.
Advantages and disadvantages
Gardeners consider the following advantages of the variety:
- precociousness;
- good berry taste;
- versatility of fruits;
- high transportability;
- immunity to powdery mildew;
- resistance to drought and frost;
- undemanding to soils;
- small studs;
- ease of breeding.
The disadvantages of Chernomor gooseberries are the average size of the berries and the tendency to thicken the bush.
Features of reproduction
To propagate the crop, gardeners use 2 methods: horizontal layering or cuttings.
A high survival rate of cuttings is a characteristic feature of the Chernomor gooseberry variety. The cutting method is more effective because it makes it possible to get more shoots in one planting. To do this, 2-year-old shoots of shrubs are cut into pieces about 12-15 cm long and planted in a substrate prepared from sand, garden soil and peat.
Digging of branches is carried out in several stages:
- place a healthy shoot in a small groove;
- pinned with a staple;
- sprinkle with earth;
- moisten the soil.
In autumn, rooted gooseberry cuttings are transplanted to a permanent place.
Planting and care
Gooseberries of the Chernomor variety prefer sunny areas protected from drafts.
The soil for planting Chernomor variety sprouts is chosen to be light and permeable. Forest-steppe soils, medium or light loams are ideal. Regardless of the type of soil, fertilizers are added to each planting hole (about 40 g of potassium sulfate and 30 g of superphosphate).
The planting of gooseberries itself is carried out in early spring, in the interval between the melting of the snow and the beginning of the movement of plant juices, or in the fall, a month before the onset of the first frost.
When choosing planting material of the Chernomor variety, carefully inspect it for damage, putrefactive processes or diseases. Experienced gardeners recommend purchasing two-year-old seedlings with an open root system. Alternatively, you can buy gooseberry seedlings in a pot. Then you should focus on the length of the shoots with leaves of 40-50 cm, the white color of the roots and their large number.
After purchasing the seedlings of the Chernomor variety, the tips of the roots and branches are shortened (5-6 buds are left), after which the root system of the plants is treated with growth stimulants. To do this, the shoots are immersed in the solution for ¼ hour.
Chernomor gooseberries are planted in the following sequence:
- Prepare holes measuring 30x40x40 cm. The distance between planting holes in a row should be up to 1.2 m, row spacing - about 2 m.
- Pour some fertile soil into the hole and form a hill from it.
- Place a gooseberry seedling in the central part of the hole.
- Straighten the root system, sprinkle it with soil, and lightly compact it.
- Water the soil and mulch with a layer of sawdust or peat.
- After 3 days, repeat the watering and mulching procedure.
Growing rules
The gooseberry variety Chernomor does not cause any difficulties in cultivation, but requires the timely implementation of a number of agrotechnical measures.
Watering the bushes is carried out several times a season:
- before flowering begins;
- after the formation of the ovary;
- before the berries begin to ripen;
- after harvesting;
- in preparation for wintering.
Gooseberries of the Chernomor variety begin to need pruning only in the second year of cultivation. According to the rules, only 4 skeletal branches are left, located opposite each other. Branches of the second or third order are thinned out annually, in autumn or spring. They do this to make the gooseberry harvest easier and to ensure the bush can be ventilated.
All necessary fertilizers are placed in the hole when planting Chernomor gooseberry seedlings, so fertilizing is applied only for the 4th year of growing the variety. To do this, add to the soil:
- superphosphate (150 g);
- potassium sulfate (40 g);
- wood ash (200 g);
- organics (up to 10 kg).
This procedure is repeated every 3 years. In the interval, the soil under the bush is loosened and mulched with peat or humus (10 kg per plant). In the spring, urea is added: in early May - 15 g, after flowering - 10 g.
To protect the tall Chernomor from damage by the wind and ensure its vertical growth, for the first few years the shrub is tied to a trellis or stake.
In preparation for wintering, an area planted with gooseberries is weeded, dry leaves and vegetation are removed, and then the rows are dug up to a depth of 18 cm.
In order to cover it for the winter, the crop is wrapped in agrospan, and when winter comes, it is covered with snow.
Pests and diseases
The gooseberry variety Chernomor has strong immunity to major diseases. However, for preventive purposes in the spring it is treated with a solution of Karbofos or ash.
To protect the crop from pests during the growing season of Chernomor, 3-4 sprayings are carried out with Fufanon, Cyperus or Samurai.
Conclusion
Gooseberry Chernomor is a disease- and temperature-resistant, low-maintenance shrub. And strict adherence to simple agrotechnical requirements is the key to obtaining a bountiful harvest of large berries with high taste.
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