Large-fruited variety of gooseberry, Thornless Ural, producing a rich harvest of delicious berries

Ural thornless gooseberry is a variety with sweet and juicy berries originally from Russia. Its main difference from others is the absence or small number of thorns on the branches. During cultivation, this gooseberry showed full compliance with varietal characteristics. You will find a detailed description of the variety in our article.

What kind of gooseberry is this?

Ural thornless gooseberry is a self-fertile variety: it is capable of producing high-quality seeds for subsequent planting. At the same time, new seedlings fully retain the properties and varietal qualities of the parent plant.

The variety was bred by Russian breeder V.S. Ilyin on the basis of the Yuzhnouralsk Research Institute. Gooseberries were obtained by crossing two varieties - Slaboshipovaty and Ural green. Today it is grown in all climatic zones of Russia, including the regions of Siberia.

Characteristics and description of bushes

Plant characteristics:

1. The bush is medium spreading with vertical, not too thick shoots. Reaches a height of up to 1.5 m.
2. There is a slight thorniness, because breeders have not been able to develop a variety that is completely devoid of thorns.
3. In spring, the branches are covered with green three-lobed leaves that have wrinkled plates without pubescence.
4. During the flowering period (in the second half of April or early May), beautiful crimson flowers appear on the shoots. Their diameter does not exceed 12 mm. Over time, the buds turn white and fall off.

Temperature resistance

The variety has high frost resistance and adapts well to hot summers. In winter, the bush is not damaged under the influence of severe temperatures down to -30°C.

Moisture and drought resistance

Gooseberries can withstand short droughts well. Moisture deficiency negatively affects the fruit: the berries become small and sour.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The Ural thornless is rarely affected by septoria and powdery mildew, but is regularly attacked pests.

Characteristics and description of fruits

The first berries appear in the second or third year after planting. The bush begins to bear fruit in mid or late July. The fruits are large in size. One berry weighs up to 8 g.

The fruits are oval in shape and emerald green in color. The skin has a dense structure. The pulp is juicy, with a pleasant dessert taste with slight sourness.

Reference. The berries have a rich chemical composition. They include vitamins (A, C, group B, PP), acids (citric, tartaric, malic), micro- and macroelements (copper, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iodine and others).

Areas of use

The berries are consumed fresh, and jams and preserves are prepared from them. Gooseberries are well suited for making compotes, adding to baked goods and desserts. Many gardeners grow this variety for subsequent sale.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Ural thornless gooseberry has many advantages. Among them:

• high yields (collected from a young bush up to 5 kg of berries, per adult - up to 9 kg);
• slight thorniness (some shoots lack thorns);
• excellent dessert taste of fruits;
• high content of useful vitamins and microelements;
• good winter hardiness;
• low maintenance requirements;
• resistance to main species diseases (powdery mildew, septoria);
• decorative effect of bushes during the flowering period.

Disadvantages include severe fruit shedding (delayed harvesting leads to the loss of a large number of berries) and poor tolerance to prolonged drought.

Ural thornless gooseberry, growing technology

Despite its unpretentiousness, the crop still requires some attention from the gardener. The following recommendations will help beginners in the process of growing Ural thornless gooseberries.

Optimal conditions

Gooseberries love well-lit sunny areas or light partial shade. Too dark corners of the garden negatively affect the crop: the plant develops and bears fruit poorly, and is constantly sick. Strong drafts are also avoided, since strong winds cause even greater fruit shedding.

The variety prefers to grow in moist soil, but does not tolerate stagnant water and wetlands. The depth of groundwater is also taken into account: it is good if it is located at a distance of at least 1 m from the root system.

Landing dates and rules

The optimal time for planting a bush is the end of September or the beginning of October. Before the start of winter, the plant will get used to the new place and overwinter well. Experienced gardeners carry out planting work in the spring. But this method requires proper preparation of seedlings before buds open, so it is not suitable for beginners.

In order for gooseberries to take root and begin to bear fruit after 2 years, gardeners follow certain planting rules:

1. Selection of planting material. Seedlings are purchased from nurseries or from trusted sellers.Select only two-year-old material 20-25 cm long, with 3-4 healthy buds and a well-developed root system.
2. Preparation of bushes. Planting takes place immediately after purchase. First, the shoots are shortened by 10-12 cm, and the roots are moistened in water at room temperature. If planting is delayed for some time, the rhizome is soaked in a clay mixture, wrapped in a damp cloth and placed in a bag.
3. Formation of holes. Planting holes are prepared 1-2 months before planting gooseberries. During this time, the earth will be saturated with useful fertilizers. Holes are dug in the area with a depth of about 50 cm and a diameter of about 40 cm. The bottom is enriched with fertilizers: 5-6 kg of manure is poured into one hole, 30 g of superphosphate and potassium salt are added. When forming several holes, a distance of 1-1.5 m is maintained between them. 2-2.5 m are left between the rows.
4. Landing. The seedlings are placed in holes, the roots are carefully straightened, and half of the soil is buried. 5 liters of water are poured under the bush and the remaining soil is added. Water again, mulch the soil with humus, peat or dry soil.

The planting process does not change when performing spring planting work. Gooseberries are provided with comfortable conditions for development, following all care recommendations.

Further care

Gooseberries love moisture, quality nutrition, and loose soil. Therefore, gardeners perform the following types of activities:

1. Watering. The plant is watered 3 times every 7 days, pouring out 8 liters of water. Adult bush - 1-2 times every 7 days, water consumption remains the same. In drought, the dose is increased to 10-15 liters. Watering is completely stopped 5-7 days before picking the berries. At the end of September, the bush is saturated for the last time, giving it 30-40 liters of liquid.
2. Feeding. Nutrients are added only in the second year after planting.The first time gooseberries are fertilized in early spring to cause the awakening and growth of shoots. To do this, add 6 kg of manure to the tree trunk circle, simultaneously loosening the soil. Before flowering, add 5 liters of mullein (20 g diluted in 10 liters of water). During the growing season, spraying is carried out with purchased mineral compounds. After harvesting, fertilizers from the store are applied to the ground, including the main elements - potassium and phosphorus.
3. Loosening and weeding. The soil is loosened once every 3 weeks to a depth of about 10 cm. At the same time, weeds are removed. The procedure is performed the first 2-3 years after planting.

The bush is regularly inspected for damage, dry and diseased branches. The latter must be destroyed. Throughout the year, 2 main prunings are performed:

1. Prophylactic treatment is carried out in early spring, during the period of bud swelling. Remove damaged stems: frozen, broken.
2. The autumn one is performed in October, after the harvest. The bush is freed from shoots older than 5 years: they are dark in color. Additionally, shoots and damaged branches are removed.
3. Rejuvenating pruning is performed when the gooseberry reaches 10 years of age. Here all branches are cut off, leaving shoots 10-15 cm long.

To give a neat appearance, a support is made around the bush. Drive in wooden stakes and pull the wire so that a square or rectangle is formed.

Attention! Removing shoots is permissible only with sharp pruning shears pre-treated with potassium permanganate. The cut areas are generously covered with garden varnish. The drug accelerates wound healing.

Possible problems, diseases, pests

When growing Ural thornless gooseberries, gardeners do not encounter any problems, but only if all recommendations for choosing a site, planting and subsequent care have been followed.

Despite its resistance to many types of diseases, the variety is susceptible to fungal infections. Gardeners often find:

• white raid on foliage and fruits, which indicates the presence of powdery mildew;
• white spots that appear when a bush is infected with septoria;
• brown spots and dry leaves with fruits - anthracnose;
• yellow or orange formations on shoots and foliage due to rust damage.

Damaged stems are burned. The bushes are treated with “Topaz” and “Fundazol”.

Threats include leaf rollers, spider mites, moths, scale insects, aphid, copperheads. Pests are destroyed by spraying with insecticides "Aktara", "Confidor Extra".

Reference. To prevent the appearance pests Experienced gardeners spray the bushes with boiling water (+80°C). Before the buds swell, during budding, after harvesting - with a solution of copper sulfate (50 g of powder is diluted in 10 liters of water).

Wintering

The bush is prepared at the end of September. They perform pruning, weeding, remove all biological debris, loosen the soil to a depth of 5 cm. In the middle and southern regions they do without shelter. In northern cities, gooseberries are covered with spruce branches.

Reproduction

Gooseberries are propagated by cuttings, dividing the bush, perennial branches and layering. The simplest and most popular method is to divide an adult bush.

The procedure is carried out after fruiting has ended. The bush is dug up and divided into several parts. Choose stronger fragments with a well-developed root system. They are planted in loose, fertilized soil.The planting principle and care rules are the same as for newly purchased seedlings.

Features of growing varieties depending on the region

There are no significant differences in the cultivation of Ural thornless gooseberries in different regions. The only thing they pay attention to is the process of preparing the bush for wintering. In the northern regions it is mandatory to cover it, but in the rest they do it at will.

Pollinator varieties

Thornless and weak-thorn varieties are considered good varieties for simultaneous cultivation with Ural thornless. For example, Chernomor, Jubilee, Sadko, Shalun, Senator, Rodnik, Beryl.

Reviews from summer residents

Gardeners speak positively about this variety, noting its good yield and high taste.

Galina, Novy Urengoy: “Gooseberries made me happy. After planting, it immediately took root, withstood frosts well, and bloomed safely. The berries are really large; we collected almost 6 kg from one bush.”

Dmitry, Aramil: “The main advantage of this variety is the minimum number of thorns. Children eat berries straight from the bush. The fruits are large and sweet, so everyone eats them. There’s no left for jam or compotes.”

Natalya, Vladimir: “Gooseberries are good for everyone, but if you don’t pick them on time, there will be no berries left. They are quickly eaten by birds. Next time I’ll try not to miss the harvest deadline.”

Conclusion

Ural thornless gooseberry is an interesting variety with medium terms of ripening, tasty berries, high yield. It is not difficult to grow it if you choose a sunny area for planting, monitor the watering schedule, and promptly protect it from pests and diseases.

It is important to remember the main nuance: unpicked overripe fruits instantly end up on the ground.