Content
Sea buckthorn Elizabeth is the reason for the revival of interest in planting this crop. Thanks to the painstaking process of selection and development of a new variety, it was possible to minimize the shortcomings that were previously encountered in other varieties of sea buckthorn.
History of selection
The beginning of work on the development of the Elizaveta variety is considered to be 1981, when the domestic scientist, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences Elizaveta Panteleeva, began breeding sea buckthorn seeds of the Panteleevskaya variety.
These seeds were pre-treated with a chemical that promotes genetic mutation in plant cells. So, after 16 years of careful selection of the resulting crops, a new variety of sea buckthorn, Elizaveta, was developed. In 1997, the variety was included in Rosreestr and recommended for cultivation.
Description of the berry crop
Sea buckthorn Elizaveta is a variety with high yields and good taste. The culture is distinguished by its decorativeness and large-fruited nature, which is why it has become widespread.
General idea of the variety
Variety Elizabeth is a dwarf shrub with a small crown. The leaves have the elongated shape characteristic of this plant, as well as a variety of colors - dark green at the top and olive with a silver tint at the bottom of the bush.
Below is a photo of sea buckthorn Elizaveta, which shows that the crown of the shrub is most often oval or spherical in shape. This variety has very few thorns.
Berries
The description of sea buckthorn Elizaveta also includes characteristics of the fruit. The berries are about 1-1.2 cm long, elongated, and resemble a cylinder. On average, the weight of one sea buckthorn fruit is about 1 g. The pulp is dense and juicy, because it contains 10% sugar.
Characteristic
Characteristics of the sea buckthorn variety Elizaveta allows you to obtain complete information about the timing of flowering and ripening of the plant, the main advantages of the variety, as well as the areas of application of sea buckthorn fruits.
Main advantages
Elizaveta differs from other sea buckthorn varieties in its ease of care, high yields and resistance to low temperatures. To verify this, you can make a comparison between different varieties of sea buckthorn. For example, sea buckthorn Elizaveta and Druzhina are considered large-fruited varieties, but the berry weight and yield indicators of the Elizaveta variety are greater.
Flowering period and ripening time
The flowering period of the berry crop occurs at the end of April - beginning of May. The fruits begin to ripen in the third decade of August, so Elizaveta is considered a late variety of sea buckthorn.
Yield indicators, fruiting dates
High yield is one of the main characteristics characteristic of the Elizaveta variety. More than 12 kg of berries are harvested from one mature bush. At the same time, regular fruiting occurs already in the 4th year of the plant’s life.
The shrub can bear fruit for 10-12 years, after which it needs to be regularly rejuvenated or new plants obtained from cuttings of this tree should be planted.
Area of application of berries
Elizaveta belongs to the dessert varieties, so the berries can be used both in their pure form and for preparing a variety of dishes and desserts, or traditional medicine.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The sea buckthorn variety Elizaveta has strong immunity to many diseases and pests. Proper care and prevention increase the plant’s resistance to diseases and reduce the growth of pests.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantages of sea buckthorn Elizaveta:
- large fruit;
- taste qualities of berries;
- decorative shrub;
- high yield rates;
- excellent tolerance to low temperatures;
- resistance to diseases and pests.
Disadvantages of culture include:
- late fruiting period;
- self-sterility;
- sensitivity to sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
Despite its weaknesses, Elizaveta is still considered one of the best dessert and large-fruited varieties.
Landing rules
Growing sea buckthorn Elizabeth has its own characteristics. The choice of place and timing of planting, as well as careful selection of seedlings, plays an important role in the further growth and development of the berry crop.
Recommended timing
Sea buckthorn is planted in spring or autumn. In the first case, it is necessary to add organic fertilizers to the soil, and then provide the plant with proper care. If planting is done in the fall, then you should make sure the integrity of the root system. The seedling needs to be covered with dense material until spring.
Choosing a suitable location
The optimal place for planting seedlings is the southern, sunny side of the site. Many reviews of Elizabeth sea buckthorn contain information that the crop prefers sandy soils with a neutral or alkaline pH.
Therefore, it is worth choosing areas near fences or small buildings.
Soil preparation
Preparing a hole for planting a sea buckthorn seedling is carried out in about a month (if planting is planned in the fall), or six months (if in the spring). It is necessary to dig a hole with a diameter and depth of 50 cm. Then prepare and pour into the hole a substrate from a mixture of humus and sand with a small addition of ash.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
When buying seedlings, pay attention to the planting material. The seedling should not have any damage and the root system should be healthy.
To get a rich harvest, you need to purchase two seedlings at once: male and female. They differ in the shape of the buds and the number of scales. On a female plant, the buds have an elongated shape and a maximum of 3 scales, and on a male plant, the buds are rounded with up to 7 scales.
Algorithm and landing scheme
Planting sea buckthorn Elizabeth is carried out in several stages:
- Preparing the pit and soil.
- Installing the seedling in the center of the hole and straightening the root system.
- Adding substrate to the pit.
- Compacting the soil.
- Watering the soil and mulching it with sawdust and peat.
For stability, the seedling is tied to a peg.
Subsequent care of the crop
Planting and caring for sea buckthorn Elizaveta, as mentioned earlier, has its own characteristics. The plant requires a certain watering regime, regular fertilization, as well as taking measures to combat diseases and pests.
Necessary activities
Despite the fact that the crop is drought-resistant, do not forget about watering the plant. Under no circumstances should the soil dry out or crack, but sea buckthorn also does not tolerate stagnant water. The watering regime depends on the region and climate in which the shrub grows. On average, an adult tree uses about 35 liters of water at a time.
In the first three years of the plant’s life, no fertilizers are needed. After this, it is recommended to feed the plant with ammonium nitrate, and after flowering - with potassium humate in liquid form. Wood ash mixed with superphosphate and potassium salt is perfect for autumn.
Shrub pruning
The height of Elizabeth sea buckthorn is on average about 2.5 meters, but to obtain a richer harvest and form a neat crown, the bush is pruned. The procedure is carried out twice a year:
- in early spring;
- in the fall.
In both cases, pruning is sanitary in nature - all dead, dried and damaged shoots are removed.
Preparing for winter
Sea buckthorn is a frost-resistant shrub, so no preparation of the plant for winter is necessary.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
This berry crop exhibits quite strong immunity to diseases; numerous reviews of the Elizaveta sea buckthorn variety are proof of this. However, improper care of the plant can cause any diseases or insect damage.
Diseases | Methods of control and prevention |
Endomycosis | Spraying with copper oxychloride twice a year: as soon as the bush fades, and then in July. |
Blackleg | Water the seedlings once every few days with a solution of potassium manganese. |
Scab | Treating the bush with Bordeaux mixture a month before harvesting the fruits. |
Pests | Preventive measures and methods of destruction |
Sea buckthorn moth | The plant is sprayed during the period of swelling of the buds with a solution of Karbofos. |
Gall mite | If the damage is minor, the plant is sprayed with a decoction of onion peels, otherwise it is treated with insecticidal preparations. |
Sea buckthorn fly | The bush is sprayed with Chlorophos solution in mid-July. |
Conclusion
Sea buckthorn Elizaveta is one of the best varieties of berry crops. Its advantages are large fruit, high yield, tolerance to low temperatures, as well as immunity to most diseases and pests.
