Content
Yellow gooseberry varieties are distinguished by their unusual fruit color and good taste. Russian Yellow is a proven variety that is valued for its productivity and unpretentiousness.
History of variety development
Russian yellow gooseberry was obtained at the All-Russian Research Institute of Horticulture named after. I.V. Michurin by breeder K.D. Sergeeva. Gooseberries were bred by cloning the ancient Russian variety.
In 1963, the variety was sent for testing, based on the results of which it was included in the State Register in 1974. Russian yellow is recommended for cultivation in the Ural and Northwestern regions.
Description of the bush and berries
Features of the Russian Yellow variety:
- medium-sized, slightly spreading shrub;
- height from 1 to 2 m;
- straight branches;
- average number of thorns, most of which are located in the lower part of the shoots;
- green, leathery leaves with slightly curved tips.
Description of berries of the Russian Yellow variety:
- large size;
- weight 5-7 g;
- oval shape;
- yellow color of the pulp;
- transparent skin with a waxy coating.
Due to the thick skin, the berries hang on the bushes for a long time and do not crack. They have tender flesh and a sweet and sour taste.
Characteristics
Main characteristics of the Russian Yellow variety:
Characteristic | Description |
Productivity | 3.5-4 kg per bush |
Drought resistance | high |
Winter hardiness | up to -28 °C |
Resistance to diseases and pests | high |
Maturation period | average |
Transportability | good |
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of the Russian Yellow variety:
- high commercial and taste qualities of berries;
- resistance to diseases, drought and frost;
- good early pregnancy;
- universal use of fruits.
The disadvantages of Russian yellow gooseberries include:
- presence of sharp thorns;
- sour taste of berries.
Growing conditions
To successfully grow gooseberries, the following conditions are necessary:
- good natural light;
- absence of drafts;
- a site located on a hill or a gentle slope;
- light, fertile soil.
The yield and taste of the fruit depend on the illumination of the area. In the shade, the bush develops slowly, and the fruits take a long time to gain sugar.
It is best to plant gooseberries in an elevated place or in the middle of a slope. Moisture and cold air often accumulate in lowlands, which negatively affects crop growth.
Gooseberries prefer fertile soil: loam, sandy loam or sandy soil. When planting, coarse sand and compost are added to clay soil.
Landing Features
Gooseberries are planted in late autumn (September-October) or early spring (April-May). Work is carried out in dry and warm weather.
One- or two-year-old seedlings with several shoots and a healthy root system are suitable for planting. Planting material is purchased from nurseries or trusted suppliers. It is not recommended to use seedlings with traces of rotting, cracks and other defects.
Procedure for planting gooseberries:
- The soil under the gooseberries is dug up and cleared of plant and other debris.
- Then a planting hole is dug with a diameter of 40 cm and a depth of 50 cm. The hole is left for 3-4 weeks for shrinkage. When carrying out work in the spring, it is better to prepare the hole in the fall.
- In clayey soil, sand or crushed stone is poured onto the bottom to create a drainage layer. Add 10 kg of humus, 50 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfate to fertile soil.
- The gooseberry is placed in a hole, and its roots are covered with earth.
- The soil is compacted and the plant is watered abundantly with warm water.
After planting, the shoots are cut off and 5-6 buds are left on each. The soil is mulched with humus to retain moisture.
When planting several bushes, 1-1.5 m is left between them. If gooseberries are planted in rows, at least 3 m is kept between them.
Rules of care
The growth and fruiting of the Russian Yellow variety depends on care. The bush needs feeding and pruning. In cold regions, gooseberries are prepared for winter.
Support
The slightly spreading shrub of the Russian Yellow variety is able to grow without additional support. Its branches often bend to the ground under the weight of berries. Due to the support, the process of harvesting and caring for the bush is simplified.
Therefore, it is recommended to install a support made of wooden planks around the bush. You can use metal pipes and stretch wire between them.
Top dressing
When applying fertilizers to the planting hole, Russian yellow gooseberries do not need additional feeding for the next 3-4 years.
Adult bushes are fed according to the following scheme:
- in early spring;
- when flowering;
- 3 weeks after flowering.
For the first feeding, prepare a natural solution consisting of mullein or bird droppings.The bush is watered at the root after the snow melts before the buds open. Fertilizer saturates the soil with nitrogen, which is necessary for shoot growth.
During the flowering period, prepare a complex fertilizer based on phosphorus and potassium. To 10 liters of water add 50 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfate.
After the gooseberries bloom, potassium-phosphorus fertilizing is repeated. Fertilizers can be incorporated dry into the soil around the bush.
Bush pruning
Gooseberries are pruned before or after sap flow. It is best to choose the autumn period, since gooseberries awaken early after winter. Pruning is carried out annually.
Branches older than 8 years become unproductive and must be removed. Such shoots are identified by the dark brown color of the bark.
Reproduction
If you have a bush of the Russian Yellow variety, you can get seedlings yourself. Methods for propagating gooseberries:
- Cuttings. In the fall, the required number of shoots 20 cm long are cut off. The cuttings are kept for 2 hours in a Fitosporin solution, then placed in the cellar for the winter. In February, gooseberries are rooted in containers with soil. When the seedlings have roots, they are transferred to a permanent place.
- By layering. In the spring, strong shoots are selected from gooseberries, which are lowered and attached to the ground. In the middle part, the branches are hilled and mulched with humus. In the fall, the cuttings are separated from the bush and planted in a new location.
- Dividing the bush. When transplanting gooseberries, its rhizome can be divided into several parts. Each seedling is left with several healthy roots. The cut areas are sprinkled with charcoal.
Preparing for winter
The Russian Yellow variety has high winter hardiness. In late autumn, abundant winter watering is carried out, which helps protect the gooseberries from freezing.
Young bushes need protection for the winter. Their shoots are covered with earth, a layer of humus 10 cm thick is poured on top. Spruce branches are tied to the branches. In winter, after snow falls, a snowdrift is thrown over the bush.
Pest and disease control
The main diseases to which gooseberries are susceptible are given in the table:
Disease | Symptoms | Control measures | Prevention |
Powdery mildew | A loose whitish coating appears on the shoots. Gradually, the coating darkens and covers the leaves, branches and fruits. | All affected parts are cut off and burned. Gooseberries are treated with Bordeaux mixture, solutions of Topaz or Fundazol. |
|
Anthracnose | White spots appear on the leaves, which grow and change color to brown. In later stages, the leaves dry out and fall off. | Treatment of gooseberries with Bordeaux mixture. |
|
Rust | The appearance of orange spots on the leaves. Over time, the leaves curl and fall off. |
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The most common gooseberry pests are listed in the table:
Pest | Signs of defeat | Control measures | Prevention |
Aphid | Aphid larvae feed on the juice of gooseberry leaves. As a result, deformation of the leaves at the tops of the shoots occurs. | Plantings are sprayed with Fufanon or Aktara insecticides. |
|
Spider mite | The pest lives on the lower part of the leaves and gradually entangles them in a web. The leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off. | Spraying gooseberries with infusion of wormwood or tobacco. | Preventive treatments before flowering or after harvesting. |
Sawfly caterpillars, moths, moths | They eat leaves, shoots and ovaries. | Caterpillars are collected by hand. The bush is sprayed with an infusion of wood ash or tobacco dust. |
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Conclusion
Russian yellow gooseberry is able to withstand the harsh conditions of the Urals and Siberia. The variety is resistant to diseases and produces a stable high yield.
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