Content
At the Russian Institute of Horticulture under the leadership of Ivan Michurin in the last century, scientists obtained a new variety - this is the Black Negus gooseberry. The goal of the study was to develop a crop that is resistant to external factors and pests and has high taste qualities.
Description of gooseberry Black Negus
The shrub is very powerful, reaching a height of 1.5-2 m, but by 10 years of life it can grow even higher. The plant is spreading, up to 3 m wide. According to the description of the variety and photo, the Black Negus gooseberry has strong and very durable arched shoots. The branches grow upward, leaning slightly to the side. On the shoots in the internodes there are thorns, reaching a length of 2 cm, and slightly curved downwards. There are single, double or triple thorns on the plant.
According to the description and photo, the Black Negus gooseberry has large three-lobed and five-lobed leaf blades with a light fluff of a bright green hue and rounded teeth. Their upper surface is duller, with faint wrinkles. The petiole of the leaves is thin, long and uncolored. One or two flowers form an inflorescence.
The berries of the Black Negus gooseberry are distinguished by their elongated shape, similar to a pear. They are small in size, each weighing 2-2.5 g. Young berries have a delicate, medium-thick skin without pubescence and a green tint. A bluish waxy coating is visible on the fruits.
A fully ripe berry of the variety has a dark purple, closer to black, color. The venation of ripe fruits is not visible. The taste of the Black Negus gooseberry is sweet and sour, similar to grape. The aroma of the berry is very pronounced and specific. Gooseberry fruits, after ripening, remain on the branches for a long time without falling off or cracking in bad weather and heat.
The recommended region for cultivation is central Russia.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
According to the description of the Negus gooseberry variety, it tolerates low temperatures well in winter and spring. The plant safely withstands frosts down to -25 °C. After research carried out in 1964-1966 in the Non-Black Earth Zone, the crop was recognized as one of the winter-hardy ones, which makes it possible to grow gooseberries not only in central Russia, but also in regions with colder climates.
The plant is drought-resistant, but neglect of the rules of agricultural technology negatively affects the yield of the variety.
Fruiting, productivity
With proper planting and care, gooseberries can begin to bear fruit in the second year after transplanting the seedling into the ground. The ripening time of the berries is average: harvesting is possible from the last week of July or in August.
The fruits are located from the beginning to the end of the branch and are not prone to premature shedding and cracking. From one mature bush you can collect up to 7-8 kg of berries.
The harvested crop has high transportability: up to 25 days. The berries are suitable for sale. They are also used in cooking: preserves and jams are made from them. The variety is well suited for wine and compotes.
Advantages and disadvantages
The variety has remained popular for several decades. When purchasing a seedling, gardeners focus on the advantages of the Black Negus gooseberry:
- high taste qualities, rated 4.7 points, which expands the scope of their use in cooking;
- the presence of medicinal properties in the plant and a large amount of useful substances in it;
- high frost resistance;
- regular fruiting for 15-18 years;
- the ability of berries to maintain their properties and appearance during long-term transportation;
- resistance to powdery mildew and various diseases;
- high yield of the variety.
The main disadvantage of the Black Negus gooseberry is the presence of sharp thorns that interfere with harvesting and caring for the plant. But gardeners also use this feature to their advantage by planting shrubs as a hedge along the fence.
Features of reproduction
The gooseberry variety Black Negus reproduces like other black-fruited representatives of the culture using standard methods:
- By layering. One of the young shoots is bent to the ground and sprinkled with soil. After some time, the root system is formed on the branch in the area where buds form. This method is considered to be the most effective.
- By shoots. For propagation, branches formed close to the base of the plant are cut off, which are then rooted. This cultivation method is suitable for shrubs no more than 9 years old.
- branches. A well-formed branch of the bush is determined, then it is separated from the mother bush with part of the root system, and then transplanted to another place.
- By division. This method of propagation allows you to rejuvenate the bush. It is dug up and divided into two parts. The most viable part is transferred to a new location.
The choice of propagation method depends on the bush: it is preferable to divide old bushes; shoots and layering are safely separated from young plants, which take root well if the rules of agricultural technology are observed.
Planting and care
The gooseberry variety Negus loves the sun's rays, so it is recommended to allocate a place on the site with good lighting or in partial shade. The shrub must be placed on a hillock or flat area. A variety planted in lowlands does not grow well. When there is excess moisture, the plant is affected by root rot.
The variety is undemanding in terms of soil composition, but the highest yields are achieved when the plant is grown on loamy or sandy soils. Gooseberries grow well on neutral soils.
14 days before planting, the soil is dug up and all weeds and debris are removed. During work, it is necessary to add humus or compost to the soil. Potassium and nitrogen fertilizers are used as fertilizers.
Before planting the Black Negus gooseberry seedling, dig a hole 0.5 m deep and 0.5 m wide. If it is necessary to plant several bushes, a distance of 1.5 m must be left between the plants.
The Black Negus gooseberry seedling must have a strong root system. 24 hours before planting, it is soaked in an aqueous solution with the addition of organic fertilizers. To do this, add 4 tablespoons of Sodium Humate to 5 liters of water.As an alternative, it is possible to treat the plant with Zircon solution (0.25 ml of substance per 1000 ml of water).
It is recommended to place a seedling of the Black Negus variety in a hole straight or maintaining a slight slope. All roots should be straightened, the root collar should be deepened by 5-6 cm.
It is necessary to fill the seedling with soil in parts, compact each layer and water it with water. At the end of the procedure, it is recommended to mulch the plant with a mixture of peat, sand and humus. This will avoid rapid evaporation of moisture and prevent the formation of a crust on the surface of the hole. In winter, mulching serves to prevent freezing of the root system. All shoots must be trimmed, leaving branches up to 10 cm high with 5-6 buds.
Growing rules
For the gooseberry variety Black Negus, it is important to follow the rules of agricultural technology. Neglecting the rules of care has a negative impact on the plant’s productivity and growth.
The variety is demanding when it comes to watering: in dry months it is necessary to moisten the soil 3-5 times. It is important to provide the shrub with sufficient water during the period of flowering and ovary formation.
When applying fertilizer to the soil during planting, there is no need to feed the shrub over the next three years. In subsequent years, in spring and autumn, it is recommended to add compost, humus and nitrogen fertilizers to the soil around the Black Negus gooseberries.
As an organic fertilizer, mullein infusion diluted in water 1:5 has a beneficial effect on the crop; as a replacement, it is possible to use bird droppings diluted in a ratio of 1:12 with water.
Photos and reviews of the Black Negus gooseberry confirm that the variety is prone to thickening, which requires annual pruning. Neglecting this procedure leads to a decrease in yield; ripe berries are difficult to pick from the branches.
The optimal time for pruning is autumn, when sap flow slows down. In spring, the plant blooms its leaves very early, so removing shoots after the snow melts is not recommended.
All weak branches up to 20 cm in length are pruned. Dry, broken and disease-affected shoots are also cut out with pruning shears. On the Black Negus gooseberry bush, only strong branches, up to 50 cm in length, should remain.
In order to make the Black Negus gooseberry bush more compact, it is recommended to build wooden supports for it.
As the plant matures, the aging phase begins, so 6-8 year old shoots are removed during pruning. In return, the shrub will form new branches from the root collar. In a 4-6 year old bush, the total number of shoots, including lateral shoots, does not exceed 30.
Due to its frost resistance, the variety does not need to be covered for the winter. Be sure to thoroughly water the gooseberries in the fall and mulch the soil around the bush.
Pests and diseases
Despite the presence of good immunity of the gooseberry variety Black Negus, regular preventive measures are recommended. To do this, the bush is treated with a solution against parasites and fungi. To prepare it, add 1/3 tsp to 10 liters of boiling water. boric acid and a pinch of potassium permanganate, mix everything thoroughly. It is convenient to apply the product using a spray bottle.
Conclusion
Gooseberry Black Negus is a variety known not only for its unusual berries, but also for its immunity to powdery mildew. The crop is unpretentious in care, tolerates low temperatures well and bears fruit for 16-18 years, which is an undoubted advantage of this variety.
Reviews
I really like this gooseberry variety. It's just growing a lot. What is the optimal size of bush to maintain?