What qualities of berry crops are most appreciated by gardeners? First of all, it is their fertility and the taste of the fruit, and if the shrub is still not very whimsical to care for, then it has no price.
Gooseberry varieties Rodnik experienced connoisseurs of fruit crops can not get around. This variety of garden shrub was bred relatively recently, in 2001, at the All-Russian Institute of Horticulture and Nursery. From the many positive reviews about the variety of gooseberry Rodnik, we can conclude that it pleases both with its taste and high yield.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Spring
Description of the gooseberry variety Rodnik in a good sense is diverse: its positive qualities far exceed the number of shortcomings.
The spring belongs to the category of frost-resistant shrubs: it tolerates not only winter cold, but also periodic spring frosts during flowering, while the percentage of yield does not decrease. Gooseberries of this variety calmly withstand cold up to -35 ° C. The spring is an early gooseberry, it ripens by the end of June, so in order to feast on your favorite berry all summer, experienced gardeners plant several types of shrubs with different ripening periods on their site.
The Spring begins to bear fruit already in the second year after planting, its shoots take root quickly, therefore, annual seedlings should be taken. The productivity of the bush cannot but admire: it is possible to collect from 6 to 11 kg of berries from only one bush per season! It is worth noting that the main advantage of gooseberry varieties Rodnik are large fruits with a delicate sweet and sour taste and juicy pulp.
The only significant drawbacks of gooseberry Rodnik can be considered the crumbling of mature fruits after rain and somewhat difficult fruit picking due to the presence of thorns. Their length is about 11 mm, while the quantity per 50 cm of shrub shoots is about 2-3 pieces.
Characteristics of gooseberry varieties Rodnik
The gooseberry shrub itself is formed from spreading branches of medium length, not falling to the ground, but standing straight, upright. The berries of this variety are large, reaching a weight of 6 g. The color of the fruits is yellowish-green with characteristic veins that, in the process of ripening, acquire a reddish-brown color, their shape varies from round to oval.
A chemical analysis of gooseberry berries showed that the fruits contain about 7.7% sugar, their acidity is 2.7%, and ascorbic acid per 100 grams is about 23 mg.
According to the existing system of tasting assessment, the fruits of gooseberry Rodnik received almost the maximum score - 4.7 out of 5.0 possible.
Proper fit gooseberries
The correct selection of soil before planting a bush will allow it to quickly and sufficiently form its root system, because the faster the rooting of the plant occurs, the faster the gooseberry will begin to delight the gardener with delicious berries.
To select the right territory for planting, you need to follow a few simple rules:
- The ideal soil for the Spring is loamy and slightly acidic species.
- It is necessary to plant a shrub on the sunny side - its fruits will ripen on the shady side too, but it will not be able to please its unique taste qualities;
- Do not plant gooseberries on too wet soil - if groundwater passes close to the surface, you should find another place for planting, this will avoid decay of the root system.
As for the process of planting seedlings in the soil itself, it is necessary to remember the following points:
- You can not plant seedlings close to each other - the distance between them should be at least 1-1.5 meters.
- The seedling should be drowned in the ground by 8-10 cm.
- It is imperative to fertilize each plant with superphosphate.
How to care for gooseberries
As the reviews of gooseberry Rodnik say, this shrub is very unpretentious and viable. He tolerates severe frosts and pest attacks.
However, as already mentioned, one cannot be zealous with watering a plant: only with prolonged drought it is allowed to water it independently.
It is imperative to periodically feed the plant with both organic and various mineral fertilizers. At the same time, radical top dressing is required much less often: only during the appearance of the ovary and the first leaves, as well as when the fruits ripen.
Another important factor in the cultivation of this shrub is pruning.
What is gooseberry pruning, and why is it needed?
Excessive shoots of the bush do not bring any benefit to the plant, because of their growth, the fruits of gooseberries and its main skeleton do not receive proper nutrition. At the same time, berries lose valuable taste due to reduced intake of nutrients. Over time, its yield also decreases.
To avoid such problems, gooseberries must be trimmed regularly. This process is one of the main in care, pruning eliminates the need for diseased shoots, and cuts the bush itself. In addition to the above, the shrub can be shaped: multi-stemmed or on a stem.
How to cut the gooseberry Rodnik correctly and as useful as possible?
- It is important to determine the best time to trim. It should be carried out before the movement of juices in the plant begins. In central Russia, it is worth trimming gooseberries in early spring or late autumn.
- First, all damaged and diseased shoots are removed so that the plant does not waste energy in vain, and only then they give the bush a shape or leave it on the stem.
Shrub formation is suitable for stunted plants, with ideally about 25 branches.
Pruning on the stem is more suitable for tall plants. This method slightly reduces the yield level, but at the same time facilitates the collection of berries due to fewer thorns.
Gooseberry processing
After pruning, it is recommended to treat the plant from pests and diseases, primarily from powdery mildew. This is the most common disease affecting gooseberries. It is easiest to get rid of it using a solution of copper sulfate with laundry soap (10 g of vitriol and 100 g of soap in a bucket of water). You can also defeat this disease by treating the bush with ash and mullein infusion.
It is possible to increase the plant's resistance to diseases, as well as help it get rid of fungus or various bacteria, by treating gooseberries with ordinary boiling water, while not exceeding 5 seconds of treatment for each branch to avoid burns to the plant. Gooseberry processing, as well as pruning, must be carried out in early spring.
It is enough to observe these simple rules in caring for gooseberries of the Rodnik variety in order to please gardeners for more than a year with both their well-groomed appearance and the berries of the most delicate dessert taste.