Content
Look at the bushes of the Amber gooseberry variety, it’s not for nothing that they called it that, the berries hang on the branches like clusters of amber, shimmer in the sun, are proud of themselves - we are also little suns, and we also look like the pebbles that people find on the sea beach sand.
History of variety development
The Yantarny gooseberry variety was bred by a group of Russian breeders under the leadership of M. Pavlova in the mid-50s, but for reasons unknown to us, it was not registered in the State Register. However, despite all the historical vicissitudes, the variety was preserved and many nurseries still successfully grow this gooseberry and sell the fruits and seedlings of the Amber gooseberry to the population of Russia, exporting them to many countries of the world.
Description of the bush and berries
Amber gooseberry is a tall shrub, reaching one and a half meters in height, its branches are dense and spreading, requiring garters on supports or trellises.
Gooseberries are amber (orange-yellow) in color, oval in shape, slightly thickened at one end, the largest and juiciest are distinguished by an excellent sweetish taste with a hint of acid and honey aroma, their average weight is 5.0 g.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the variety | Disadvantages of the variety |
|
|
Characteristics
Main characteristics of the variety | Indicators |
Plant height | Up to 1.5 m |
Average weight of berries | Up to 5.5 g |
Ripening time | Early and middle |
Attitude to diseases | Resistant variety, powdery mildew affects it extremely rarely |
Average harvest per season | 7-8 kg |
Record harvest | 10.5 kg |
Relation to low temperatures | Frost-resistant |
Productivity
The quality and quantity of the Amber gooseberry harvest increases when all agricultural growing technologies are followed: when planting and regular pruning, when choosing a location and careful care, when taking timely measures to combat diseases and harmful insects.
Drought resistance and winter hardiness
The gooseberry variety Amber is unpretentious and resistant to periods when there is not enough moisture, the plant tolerates winter frosts well, even in cold weather of -40° the root system is preserved, only branches not sufficiently covered with snow can freeze slightly. Such branches are removed during spring sanitary pruning.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The Yantarny gooseberry variety has a natural immunity to many fungal diseases; over many years of testing, it has shown itself to be the best in terms of resistance to the invasion of harmful insects. According to the observations of gardeners, plants rarely get sick and are not very often attacked by pests such as gooseberry aphids.
Maturation period
The ripening of gooseberries depends on the geographical location of the region in which this variety is grown. The warmer the climate, the earlier the berries gooseberry varieties Amber are gaining fruit maturity. In the south of Russia this may be the beginning of June, and in the west and east - mid-July to the end of August. In the northern regions of the country - from July to September, it depends on favorable or not very favorable weather conditions, because the weather is not always the same from year to year.
Transportability
Agro-industrial companies selling gooseberry fruits of the Yantarny variety harvest the berries 7-10 days before they are completely ripened; the gooseberry skin at this time is still quite dense and strong, so it does not crack or burst during transportation.
Growing conditions
It is better to buy and order gooseberry seedlings from nurseries with a well-deserved reputation. The seedlings should be no more than 1-2 years old with a good root system and branches with a sufficient number of viable buds.
Landing Features
Amber gooseberry seedlings can be planted at any time convenient for the gardener: early spring, mid-summer or on the eve of winter. According to many gardeners, planting seedlings in late autumn gives even more chances for rapid establishment of the plant and its successful development in the future.
The site for planting should be sunny, well fertilized and not exposed to drafts, the soil is preferably slightly acidic, neutral or slightly alkaline, the soil is fertile and loose. The best option is to plant gooseberries along a fence or wall of a house that faces south. Maintain a distance between seedlings of 1.5 meters; if plantings are in 2 or more rows, then there should be at least 2 meters between the rows
Rules of care
Gooseberry seedlings of the Yantarny variety grow very quickly, gaining height and density, so you cannot do without certain measures to care for them.
Support
In the second or third year of life, special supports are built around the seedlings and, if necessary, gooseberry branches are tied to its parts.
Top dressing
In the first three years, Amber gooseberries do not require additional fertilizer if a sufficient amount of organic matter and mineral fertilizers were provided during planting. Subsequently, fertilizing is carried out no more than 3 times throughout the season; organic fertilizers are applied only in early spring.
Bush pruning
Pruning is a necessary and regular process when growing gooseberries. It is produced annually, mainly in spring or after harvest.
Reproduction
Gooseberries can be propagated in two ways: layering and rooting cuttings of the current year. To obtain a large number of seedlings, the second method is more acceptable.
Preparing for winter
After harvesting, gooseberry bushes are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. Then the soil around the bushes is dug up, combined with fertilizing, and sanitary pruning is performed. If weather forecasters promise a cold winter and long, persistent frosts, then additional insulation is used - dense agrospan.
Pest and disease control
Diseases | Signs | Treatment methods |
Powdery mildew (spheroteca) | The appearance of a white coating on all parts of the plant, especially on young shoots and leaves. As the fungus spores multiply, they infect the ovaries and berries, and the coating gradually darkens and becomes denser | Pouring the bushes with boiling water in the spring (March-April), treating with special fungicides, using folk remedies |
Anthracnose | White smooth spots appear on the gooseberry leaves; as they grow, they merge into much larger spots and turn brown | Treating bushes with Bordeaux mixture 4-5 times per season every 10-14 days |
Septoria | The leaves become covered with small grayish spots with a dark border, curl and fall off. | Spray the bushes with a solution of Bordeaux mixture 2-3 times per season |
Glass rust | Bright orange growths appear in the form of small glasses on the back of the gooseberry leaves. | Treat with a solution of Bordeaux mixture 3-4 times during the season |
Gooseberry mosaic | Spots of a yellowish tint are located along the leaf veins, the leaf plates dry out, the plant stops growing | This viral disease cannot be cured; the affected bushes are dug up and disposed of, and the planting pit is completely disinfected |
Gooseberry pests
Pests | How to fight |
Gooseberry (currant) aphid | During bud break, spray with fungicides: Fitoverm, Kemifos, Iskra and others |
Leaf Gnawer | Preventive treatment with fungicides during bud break |
Sawers | Manual collection of caterpillars, spraying bushes 2-3 times with the same preparations |
leaf roller | Apply identical products before the buds swell and after flowering |
Ognevka | They use the same pesticides and spray them before and after flowering. |
Padenitsa | Use fungicides and folk remedies |
Conclusion
Amber gooseberry has excellent immunity against many of the listed diseases and pests, and the credit for this goes to our hardworking breeders. This variety has been gaining popularity among gardeners and agricultural farmers for more than 50 years. We hope that many of you will like it too.
