Mid-late thornless gooseberry variety “Grushenka”

Gooseberry lovers are interested in varieties that produce a stable, rich harvest, are easy to care for and resistant to diseases and pests. The value of a variety increases significantly if it does not have thorns that make picking berries difficult. Thanks to breeding advances, there are several suitable candidates. In the article you will find a description of the Grushenka gooseberry, information about the advantages of the variety, the features of its cultivation and the problems that you may encounter.

What kind of gooseberry is this?

Grushenka is a mid-late thornless gooseberry variety obtained through selection.

History of origin and distribution

The variety was bred at the All-Russian Selection and Technological Institute of Horticulture and Nursery Growing. I.V. Popova worked on the project, experimenting with crossing 3 varieties: Northern Captain, 595-33 and Moscow Red. The goal was to obtain a strong, thornless hybrid that would be suitable for cultivation in various regions. The result was an unpretentious shrub with fruits of amazing shape, without thorns, and with a pleasant taste. And although the pear-shaped gooseberry is not included in the State Register of the Russian Federation, this does not prevent it from being popular among gardeners.

Characteristics and description of bushes

Grushenka is a slightly spreading, compact and low plant. The shoots are branched, without sharp thorns, the lower ones are lowered to the ground. The foliage is bright green with a glossy sheen. The bush is capable of producing many young shoots with fruit buds.

Temperature resistance

The Grushenka variety is resistant to high and low temperatures. Tolerates frosts down to -30°C. The flowering bush does not suffer from unexpected frosts, so this variety can be grown even in regions with cold climates.

Moisture and drought resistance

There is no exact data on the maximum temperature, but the variety grows well in the south of Russia, where the thermometer often rises to +40°C.

Gooseberries are not afraid of heat and drought, but excessive soil moisture can lead to the death of the plant - the roots will quickly rot and stop feeding the bush.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Experts note the variety’s high immunity to viral diseases. Grushenka is not afraid of powdery mildew, septoria and pests.

Reference. The variety practically does not need in processing with chemicals (only in the most extreme cases), which allows you to get an environmentally friendly harvest.

Characteristics and description of fruits

The variety got its name due to the unusual shape of the fruit - round, expanding downward. Over the entire ripening period, the color of the berries changes from yellow-green with a red coating to purple. The average weight is 4-5 g. The berries densely strew the shoots of the bush, often hiding the foliage. In a good year, up to 6 kg of harvest can be harvested from each bush.

Technical ripeness occurs in the second half of July, full ripening occurs at the end of August.

Application area

Thanks to their thick skin, Grushenka fruits are ideal for making jam, compote and confiture. The berries remain intact even after heat treatment. They tolerate freezing well and are suitable for fresh consumption.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The Grushenka variety has several significant advantages:

• tolerates severe frosts well;
• resistant to drought and heat;
• thornless;
• has strong immunity to diseases and pests;
• good yield indicators;
• not afraid of transportation;
• bears fruit from the age of three for 20 years.

But before you buy Grushenka seedlings, you should familiarize yourself with the disadvantages that are inherent in this variety:

• bushes need garter;
• the berries are small with a pronounced sour taste;
• does not like a lot of moisture.

Growing technology

Even a novice gardener can grow such gooseberries.

Optimal conditions

Suitable for growing Grushenka any soil composition, but the bush feels best in loam. The soil should be loose, neutral acidity and good nutritional value.

For this variety, a permanent place is immediately chosen, because the adult plant is poorly undergoing a transplant. A well-lit area with light partial shade is required. It is important to protect the seedlings from draft and wind, so the best place for them is along the fence.

Reference. Vegetable crops will be good predecessors for Grushenka. But currants deplete the soil, and gooseberry seedlings after it do not take root or bear fruit poorly.

Landing dates and rules

Experts recommend planting Grushenka in the fall, 1-1.5 months before the first frost. This period is enough for the bush to take root. In the spring, the interval between the thawing of the soil and the beginning of the growing season is chosen.

The seedling must be healthy, with well-developed roots and shoots, without signs of disease or damage. Bushes with shoots 10-15 cm high are ideal.

It is important to plant correctly, in compliance with all conditions, to ensure the plant rapid adaptation and stable growth:

1. Soak the roots of the seedling in a growth stimulator.
2. Prepare holes for each bush. You will need 50 cm of depth and a diameter the size of the root system.
3. Pour a bucket of humus mixed with mineral fertilizers into the hole and sprinkle with a small layer of soil.
4. Bury the seedling at an angle. Lower the root collar 5-6 cm underground.
5. Moisten and compact the soil generously.

Further care

The variety bears fruit without the participation of the gardener, but with a loss in the quality and quantity of berries. By following simple care rules, you can achieve a rich and stable harvest. To do this, carry out regular watering, pruning, fertilizing and tying up shoots:

1. Support. Tie up followed by both the base of the bush and the side shoots, which may be damaged by the abundance of berries or strong winds.
2. Top dressing. Fertilizers are applied frequently depending on the condition of the soil and the health of the bushes. Complex mineral fertilizer is applied to the soil 1-2 times a year, and superphosphate is applied in the fall. The first fertilizing is carried out a year after planting; there will be enough humus for the whole season.
3. Trimming. In the spring, sanitary pruning is carried out, removing too long, dry and diseased shoots. In summer and early autumn, branches that thicken the crown are pruned.
4. Watering. If there is sufficient rainfall, the bushes do not need watering. In arid climates, Grushenka is watered 4 times a season: during flowering, during the formation of ovaries, during the ripening of berries and when leaving for the winter. An adult bush needs 2 buckets of water. Young seedlings that are placed in the ground in the spring need weekly watering.

Possible problems, diseases, pests

Gardeners note that this variety is practically not susceptible to diseases. But there are several types of insects that can harm bushes:

1. Fruit aphids, which cause leaves to curl, dry out and fall off. Get rid of it by spraying with a soap solution.
2. Spider mite. When infected by this pest, the underside of yellowed leaves becomes covered with cobwebs. In this case, the bushes are sprayed with wormwood infusion.
3. Ognevka. Damages the pulp of berries. The affected fruits are removed, and the gooseberries are sprayed with Actellik.

Wintering

Due to its resistance to frost, the variety does not require additional shelter for the winter. In the fall, several simple procedures are carried out that will help Grushenka wait out the cold season:

• trim dry and diseased shoots;
• in order to combat pest larvae, treat the bushes with Bordeaux mixture;
• remove debris, mulch and fallen leaves.

Reproduction

Grushenka is propagated vegetatively - by cuttings and layering. To obtain cuttings, branches 15 to 20 cm long are cut from an adult bush. The sections are treated with Kornevin. This is done in July–August. The cuttings are buried in nutrient soil, leaving 2-3 buds on the surface. The sprouts are watered until new shoots begin to grow.

Gardeners most often use propagation by layering. Annual shoots located in the lower part of the bush are bent to the ground and secured in the middle with a bracket. This place is covered with earth and watered regularly. When rooting occurs and new shoots begin to grow, the cuttings are cut off and planted in a permanent place.

Features of cultivation depending on the region

The gooseberry variety Grushenka is well suited for different regions. In areas with strong gusty winds in winter, it should be covered with burlap or other material.

Pollinator varieties

Self-fertile Grushenka does not need pollinating varieties.

Reviews from summer residents

Thanks to its positive qualities, the Grushenka variety is loved by summer residents. Even inexperienced gardeners are not afraid to grow it.

Nadezhda Osipova, Lipetsk: “Grushenka is very unpretentious and does not require special attention. I regularly treat aphids with a garlic solution (300 g of chopped garlic per 1 liter of water) and tie up the branches. The rest of the bush grows independently. The harvest can be stored in the cellar for 2-3 months if the fruits are collected before they are fully ripe.”

Ilya Korneev, Tula: “The first planting died due to the proximity of groundwater (the roots rotted), so another site had to be selected. In the new place, the gooseberries quickly took root; the harvest was harvested in the second year after planting. The fruits are used for jam, there are a lot of them. The bushes don’t get sick, I don’t cover them for the winter. Once every 2 months I add fertilizer and thin out the crown.”

Conclusion

Grushenka is an ideal variety for beginning gardeners. It is unpretentious in care, is not afraid of frost, drought and disease, produces a rich harvest and reproduces easily. The fruits can be used for canning and freezing. Thanks to their thick skin, the berries are stored for a long time and are not afraid of transportation.