Gooseberry pruning: goals, timing, technology
To reap a rich gooseberry harvest, gardeners care for the plant all year round: it loves moisture, mineral and organic fertilizers, and mulch. A mandatory stage of care is pruning. It can be sanitary and rejuvenating, thinning and formative. If you do not prune, the bush will lose not only its decorative appearance, but also some of its tasty and juicy berries. How to prune gooseberries in the summer, after harvesting, in spring and autumn, we will consider further.
Do I need to prune gooseberries?
Gooseberries annually form a large number of new shoots, so they need pruning. If you do not remove shoots and old branches, harvesting becomes more and more difficult every year.
There is an opinion that only prickly varieties are pruned. This is not so, all plants need the procedure - with and without thorns. Conduct pruning in spring or in the fall, depending on the growing region, the age of the plant, and climatic conditions.
Goals of gooseberry pruning
How to prune a bush? There are several types of gooseberry pruning: sanitary, rejuvenating, shaping, thinning.
Each pursues its own goals and performs certain tasks:
- During sanitary pruning remove all damaged, diseased and old shoots. Otherwise, the gooseberry often gets sick and becomes a favorite place insect pests. The procedure is carried out in spring or summer. In the fall, sanitary pruning will do more harm than good, because...the plant will not recover until cold weather sets in.
- Anti-aging pruning Suitable for mature shrubs whose branches have not been removed for a long time. The purpose of the procedure is to extend the life of the gooseberry. To do this, step by step, over 1-2 years, the old shoots are pruned, and at this time the young branches gradually form a new bush. A common mistake many gardeners make is removing all diseased branches at once. The right time for the procedure is spring.
- Formative pruning (formation of gooseberries) carried out for decorative purposes so that the crown looks well-groomed and does not grow in all directions. The procedure is carried out 3 years after planting, in early spring or September. Remove branches and shoots growing inside the bush.
- Thinning (lightening) pruning carried out on shrubs aged 5 to 10 years. Its goals are similar to those of formative pruning. Gardeners remove branches lying on the ground and shoots that intersect each other. The procedure increases productivity and prevents the occurrence of diseases. The time for thinning pruning is from the end of March to the end of April, depending on the growing region.
Pruning gooseberries in autumn
Autumn pruning prepares the plant for winter. To do this, remove growth and old shoots, which can become a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria. Removing excess branches eliminates the need to feed too many shoots; as a result, gardeners apply less mineral fertilizers. The shrub enters winter strong and rejuvenated, which has a positive effect on spring fruiting. The procedure improves air microcirculation and provides free access to daylight.
When to pick gooseberries in the fall? They begin the procedure 30–40 days before the first frost, after the plant has shed all its foliage. This is approximately done in October; the exact dates depend on the growing region. Beginner gardeners often make the mistake of removing branches immediately after fruiting. As a result, warm weather promotes the formation of new growth, and the bush has to be trimmed again.
Attention! For pruning, use garden pruning shears, which are suitable for young and adult plants. It must be sharp, otherwise it will leave torn cuts, which is why the bushes often get sick. The pruner with a rubberized handle is easy to use - it does not slip during work. Before and after the procedure, the instrument is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.
It is recommended to carry out formative pruning in the fall. There is classic, trellis and standard. For gooseberries, classic formation is most often used. It preserves the natural shape of the bush, provides ventilation and good lighting. Sections are made 1.5 cm above the kidney. Sick and dry branches are removed immediately, the rest are shortened by 1/3. For plants older than 3 years, the root shoots are pruned, leaving the 3 strongest shoots and shortening them.
Should I prune gooseberries in summer?
There is no consensus on pruning gooseberries in summer. Some summer residents claim that this is the time for the berries to ripen, and it is forbidden to touch the bush. The plant is left dormant, the procedure is postponed until autumn. Some gardeners carry out light pruning in the summer to increase yields. The top is cut off, and no more than 7 leaves are left on each shoot. In August, zero shoots that have no fruits are removed.
Whether to prune in the summer or not is up to each gardener to decide for himself.First of all, it is recommended to pay attention to the condition of the bush. If for some reason you did not have time to carry out the procedure in the spring, and the bush is very thickened, in the summer it is allowed to remove old and diseased branches. At the same time, you cannot leave stumps, which in warm weather will immediately occupy insect pests. If the bush looks healthy, it is better to wait until autumn.
Spring pruning
In spring, gooseberries wake up early, so gardeners determine the timing of the procedure in advance. Trim the plant immediately after the snow melts and the ground warms up to above-zero temperatures.. In the southern regions it is the end of March or the beginning of April, in the northern regions it is the beginning of May. In central Russia, pruning begins in the second half of May. The procedure provides illumination to the bushes and prevents the appearance of insect pests and diseases. Properly pruned gooseberries guarantee a rich and tasty harvest.
It is convenient to trim branches with pruning shears with long handles, especially when it comes to thorny varieties. Experienced summer residents advise wearing welding gloves to avoid injury. To remove branches with a diameter of more than 5 cm, use a lopper. In the spring, sanitary and anti-aging pruning is carried out. First, all diseased and moss- or lichen-affected branches are removed until healthy wood is removed, then shoots older than 5 years and zero branches are removed.
Attention! How to distinguish old branches from young ones? Older ones have thicker bark and a darker color, with many lateral branches. The older the branch, the thicker, darker and more branched it is.
In young shoots, it is not necessary to cut out all the branches completely; it is enough to shorten them. The shoots are removed 3–5 cm above the buds, this ensures better branching and faster fruit set. The branches will not interfere with each other.Intertwined shoots are cut closer to the branching point. After removing the damaged shoots, the bush is inspected, barren and dry branches and their tails are removed, and twisted side branches that grow too close to each other are cut off.
Is it possible to trim the lower branches of gooseberries?
The lower branches that lie on the ground are pruned during a rejuvenating or sanitary procedure. If you do not do this, when the fruits ripen they will drop even lower. The berries will come into contact with the ground, causing them to quickly spoil or be attacked by insect pests.
Due to their location, such branches do not have enough sunlight, so their fruit-forming ability is zero. They only take away part of the nutrition that could be directed to the development and fruiting of healthy branches. If the gardener does not want to clear the bushes from the lower shoots, wooden supports will come to the rescue.
Care after pruning
After the procedure, the shrub needs to be processed and special care. If you do not pay attention to this, the plant will get sick and weaken.
Slice processing
It is recommended to treat cuts if their diameter is more than 2 cm. To do this, wait until the damage has dried; it is forbidden to lubricate wet wounds. An uneven or torn cut is smoothed with a garden knife and cleaned of sawdust. Garden varnish is used for processing. You can buy the product at the store or prepare it yourself.
How to cook:
- 3 parts wax;
- 2 parts propolis;
- 6 parts rosin;
- 1 part turpentine.
Melt the wax and propolis in a water bath, add crushed rosin, mix and bring to a boil. Cool the mixture, add turpentine and mix again. Before processing, the pitch is kneaded in hands to make it more elastic.
Watering and fertilizing
Water the gooseberries 24 hours after the procedure. The water is directed to the root; it should not get on the branches and especially on the cuts. The recommended water temperature is about +10°C; cold watering will provoke the development of fungi and bacteria.
Important! Do not water the gooseberries immediately after pruning, as they need time to recover.
From fertilizing pay attention to root fertilizers. Complex preparations “Kemira” or “Agricola” have a beneficial effect on the development of fruits. Manure, double superphosphate, and a solution based on bird droppings are responsible for the formation of green mass. Fertilizers are applied after watering, preferably on a dry and windless day.
Loosening and mulching the soil
Loosen and mulch the soil throughout the entire period of berry ripening. Experienced gardeners do this immediately after pruning to provide the gooseberries with an influx of oxygen. Loosen the soil to a depth of no more than 5 cm so as not to damage the root system.
Mulch the shrubs with mown grass, hay, sawdust, and river sand. Mulch retains moisture in the ground, which is especially important for regions with hot and dry summers.
Conclusion
How to rejuvenate and peel gooseberries for good fruiting? There is only one answer: regularly trim old and diseased branches, carry out rejuvenating, thinning and sanitary pruning. To do this, use sharp pruning shears and mittens to avoid injury or pricking yourself. Most often, gooseberries are pruned in autumn or spring, less often in summer. Remove old, damaged, null branches to increase yield and protect the plant from diseases and pests.