Content
Growing gooseberries in cold climates became possible after the development of selective varieties. The main part of the crop varieties was created at the beginning of the last century, when the spread of the fungus Sferoteka completely destroyed the crop. The priority of hybridization was the development of varieties resistant to infection and low temperatures. Finnish gooseberry fully meets these requirements. A high-yielding variety with strong immunity is cultivated throughout temperate climates.
Description of Finnish gooseberry
Finnish gooseberries are represented by several varieties that differ in the color of the berries. The first to be created was a green variety; on its basis, species with yellow and red berries were bred. The varietal characteristics of the varieties differ little. Finnish gooseberries have a medium-late fruiting period and ripen before the onset of frost.The berry bush is grown in the European and Central parts of Russia; the crop is mainly popular among gardeners in Siberia, the Urals, and the Moscow region.
Characteristics of Finnish gooseberries:
- The plant is medium-sized in height - 1-1.3 m. The bush is not spreading, it is formed by numerous upright shoots. Perennial stems are dark gray with a brown tint, the current year's shoots are light green.
- The thorns are rarely located along the length of the branches, grow at an angle of 900, short, thick, rigid with sharp ends.
- The foliage is dense, leaves are formed in 4-6 pieces. at the end of a short handle, oppositely located. The leaf blade is five-lobed, rigid, with a smooth glossy surface and a network of beige veins. The leaves are wide, dark green, with wavy edges.
- The flowers are small, drooping, green with a yellow tint, shaped like a cone. Inflorescences are formed on each leaf node, the density is 1-3 flowers. The plant is dioecious.
- The fruits are round with a smooth surface, the color depends on the variety, with a light waxy coating, slightly pubescent. The pulp is juicy, dense, and contains a small amount of small seeds. Weight – 4-7 g.
- The root system is superficial.
Green
Finnish green gooseberry grows up to 1.2 m, the crown is compact, blooms profusely every year, and produces a consistent harvest. Blooms at the end of May after the threat of return frosts. Productivity – up to 8 kg.
Description of Finnish green gooseberry (pictured):
- the berries are light green, oval, with beige longitudinal stripes, slightly pubescent, weight – 8 g;
- the peel is dense, thin;
- olive-colored pulp with small brown seeds;
- leaves are dull, dark green;
- The flowers are yellow with a green tint, small.
Yellow (Gelb)
Finnish yellow gooseberry was bred specifically for the northern regions. Among the representatives of Finnish varieties, it has the most pronounced taste and aroma. The bush is dense, reaches 1 m in height. Gives good growth, adding up to 35 cm per season.
The branches are upright with drooping tops, the thorns are weak, but the spines are hard and have sharp ends. The leaves are light green, bright, three-lobed. The berries are round, amber in color, medium in size, weight - 3-5 g. 2-3 pcs per fruit cluster. The pulp is juicy with an apricot flavor, yellow, the seeds are beige.
Red (Rot)
Red Finnish gooseberry is the tallest variety, the bush reaches 1.3-1.5 m. The thorniness is denser than that of green and yellow ones, the spines are thin, long, arched. The bush is branched, the stems are dark brown.
The leaves are dull, flowers with a pink tint are collected in inflorescences of 2-4 pieces. The berries are round, burgundy with white longitudinal stripes, large (up to 9 g). The pulp has a purple tint, juicy, dense consistency, the seeds are brown. The red Finnish variety is considered the most productive, the yield is 11 kg per bush.
Main characteristics
Finnish varieties are popular among gardeners. The crop is rarely affected by infection, has a high frost resistance, and is characterized by stable fruiting. All varieties of Finnish gooseberries are unpretentious in care and adapted to adverse weather conditions.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Finnish gooseberry varieties were created specifically for cultivation in areas with long, cold winters and short summers.Gooseberries safely tolerate temperatures dropping to -38 0C. If the shoots are damaged during the season, the bush is completely restored without loss of fruiting level. The variety blooms relatively late, the flowers are rarely affected by frosts; if return frosts occur at the time of flowering, the gooseberry tolerates down to -4 0C.
The drought resistance of Finnish gooseberry varieties is average. Moisture deficiency affects fruits. The berries grow smaller, flaccid, and the taste is dominated by acid. The leaves lose their bright color, turn yellow, and the growing season slows down. In the absence of precipitation, the crop requires periodic watering.
Fruiting, productivity
Finnish gooseberry produces male and female flowers, and the varieties are self-pollinating. Fruiting is stable every year. The berry bush blooms at the end of May, ripe berries are harvested in August. Mid-late varieties bloom late and ripen in a short time; this feature is relevant for temperate climates. Gooseberries begin to bear fruit in the 4th year of growth, the average yield of Finnish varieties is 8 kg per 1 unit.
The ripening period occurs during high summer temperatures, so it is necessary to observe the irrigation regime. With enough moisture, the berries do not bake or fall off in the sun. A sufficient amount of sugar is accumulated, the taste is balanced with a minimum acid content. Juicy fruits are characterized by a delicate aroma. If there is excess moisture, the berries of Finnish gooseberry varieties are prone to cracking.
The skin of gooseberries is dense, the berries are stored within 6 days without losing weight. Finnish gooseberries are suitable for industrial cultivation and can easily be transported.The berries are consumed fresh or added to fruit jam, such as apple jam.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of Finnish gooseberries:
- Fruiting is stable, high, the bush produces berries for more than 10 years;
- high frost resistance;
- strong immunity;
- fruits on a 5-point tasting scale are rated at 4.7 points;
- the berries do not bake, do not crack, and stay on the bush for a long time;
- gooseberries are suitable for growing in regions with cold climates;
- The harvest is stored for a long time and safely transported.
Disadvantages include poor drought resistance and the presence of thorns.
Features of reproduction
Finnish gooseberries are propagated generatively and vegetatively. The seed method is used in breeding work to develop new varieties and in nurseries for mass cultivation. Gooseberries are propagated on the site by cuttings, layering and dividing the bush. Cuttings are harvested in mid-summer and are ready for planting the following season. For layering, take the lower stem, bend it to the ground, cover it with soil, work is carried out in the spring, and by autumn the buds will take root. The optimal method of propagation is by dividing the bush. Gooseberries are taken at three years of age, and work is carried out at the end of May.
Planting and care
Finnish gooseberries are planted in the spring after the soil has warmed up to +8 0C (approximately in May) and in the fall (30 days before frost). For the middle zone, the autumn planting date is September. Choose a place open to the sun or with periodic shading. The soils are fertile, neutral or slightly acidic, aerated, without excess moisture.Planting material should have 2-3 stems, with leaves and fruit buds, without mechanical damage. The root is well developed, without dry areas.
Planting gooseberries:
- The seedling is immersed in a growth stimulator for 4 hours.
- Mix organic matter, sand, peat, turf soil, and add ash.
- Dig a hole with a diameter of 40*40 cm and a depth of 45 cm.
- The bottom is covered with a layer of drainage (15 cm).
- Pour part of the nutrient substrate onto the drainage pad.
- Gooseberries are placed in the center.
- Cover with the rest of the nutrient mixture.
- The hole is filled to the top with soil.
- Compact, water, cover with mulch.
The root collar remains approximately 5 cm above the surface. After planting, the stems are trimmed, leaving 2 buds on each.
Growing rules
Varieties of Finnish gooseberries bear fruit for about 10 years, so that productivity does not fall, the bush requires care:
- In the spring, gooseberries are fed with nitrogen-containing products, and organic matter is added at the time of fruiting.
- Watering is oriented towards seasonal precipitation; the root ball should not be allowed to dry out or become waterlogged.
- The Finnish gooseberry bush is formed with 10 stems; in the fall, after picking the berries, they are thinned out, leaving strong shoots. In spring, frozen and dry areas are removed.
- To prevent small rodents from damaging the branches, special chemicals are placed around the bush.
Finnish gooseberries have a high frost resistance, so covering the crown for the winter is not required. In autumn, the bush is watered abundantly, hilled up, and the trunk circle is covered with a layer of mulch.
Pests and diseases
Finnish gooseberries rarely get sick; all selected varieties are highly resistant to diseases.If the air humidity is high for a long time and the temperature is low, a fungal infection may develop, covering the berries with a dense gray film. They get rid of the problem with “Topaz” and “Oxyx”.
For preventive purposes, the bush is treated with Bordeaux mixture or watered with hot water before the sap flows. The only pest on Finnish varieties is aphids. The gooseberries are sprayed with a solution of laundry soap, and anthills are removed from the area. If measures are unsuccessful, treat with herbicides.
Conclusion
Finnish gooseberry is a frost-resistant crop with high productivity and gastronomic value. Presented in several varieties with green, red, yellow berries. Gooseberries are grown in cold climates. The bush gives good annual growth and does not require special care.
