Thornless sweet and sour gooseberry variety Russian yellow
The gardening season is a hot time, so many gardeners choose varieties that do not require complex care. Russian yellow gooseberry is unpretentious, undemanding to the water regime, and tolerates wintering well. But before planting, you need to study its characteristics and cultivation rules. In this article you will find a description of the Russian yellow gooseberry and learn about its advantages and disadvantages.
Gooseberry variety Russian yellow
The medium-ripening variety is recommended for cultivation in the North-Western and Ural regions. The yield is high - up to 4 kg per bush. It is characterized by low berry shedding. Does not require formative pruning. At a young age, it needs to be tied to a support.
History of origin and distribution
Bred at the All-Russian Research Institute of Horticulture named after. Michurin in the 70s. last century. To obtain the variety, the clonal selection method was used. The original varieties are Russian, Curry, Oregon, Stambovy.
Despite the recommended zoning, high drought resistance contributed to the widespread distribution of Russian Yellow also in the southern regions.
Characteristics and description of bushes
The bush is medium spreading. Old shoots are light in color, about 1 m high. Young shoots are thick, green with a reddish pubescent top. The thorniness is high in the lower part of the bush, low at the tops of the shoots.
Temperature resistance
Withstands temperatures down to -28°C without shelter.
Moisture and drought resistance
Drought resistance is high, but a prolonged lack of moisture affects the yield. Moisture resistance is low; with prolonged waterlogging of the root system, the risk of fungal infection increases diseases and damping off of the root system.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety is resistant to American powdery mildew.
Affected:
- spider mite;
- fire;
- anthracnose;
- rust.
Despite good immunity, it is possible to be affected by viral diseases, for example, viral leaf mosaic. New seedlings are kept in quarantine for at least a month.
Characteristics and description of fruits
Berries weighing up to 6 g, ovoid or oval. There is no pubescence. Colored in various shades of yellow. The fruits are covered with a waxy coating. The skin is of medium thickness, the veining is high. The taste is sweet and sour.
Areas of use
The use of the fruit is universal. They are used in cooking to prepare desserts, sauces and preparations for the winter. They are also eaten fresh.
Advantages and disadvantages compared to other varieties and hybrids
Benefits of Russian Yellow Gooseberry:
- high drought resistance;
- excellent taste;
- good yield;
- frost resistance;
- immunity to powdery mildew;
- ripe berries do not fall off;
- the flaking of the lower part prevents damage by rodents;
- easy to reproduce.
Flaws:
- spreading of the bush in the first year of cultivation;
- sour taste of berries.
Growing technology
Despite the unpretentiousness of the variety, improper care or its complete absence negatively affects the yield.
Optimal conditions
Russian Yellow grows best in dry, sunny, slightly elevated or well-drained locations.The soil should be nutritious, not very dense. It develops well on sandy soils; it is advisable to add humus to clayey soils. Shelter from the wind is necessary.
Landing dates and rules
Seedlings are planted in spring or autumn. Spring plantings are carried out in completely thawed soil. Depending on the region, the dates vary from early April to mid-May. It is not advisable to plant at air temperatures above +20°C. In autumn, gooseberries are planted a month before the onset of stable sub-zero temperatures.
The seedling is placed in a hole filled with humus and fertilizers, spreading the roots over a previously prepared mound. After planting, water thoroughly to remove air pockets.
Further care
Young plants need constant but low humidity. If there is no rainfall for more than 2 weeks, they require watering - about 10 liters per plant. Fertilizers are applied three times per season: in spring (with a high nitrogen content), in mid-summer and late August. In the southern regions, the last feeding is applied not in August, but in September.
Possible problems, diseases, pests
A cold, rainy summer will bring serious problems to gooseberries. Excess moisture significantly impairs the nutrition of the bush, reducing its resistance to infectious diseases. Anthracnose or other fungal diseases may appear. To avoid troubles, it is advisable to carry out preventive spraying with fungicides.
The greatest harm to the Russian Yellow variety is caused by spider mites. It appears with the arrival of stable heat and multiplies quickly, destroying foliage. At the first signs of the disease, insecticides are used.
Wintering
In regions where the temperature does not drop below -28°C, there is no need to use a special shelter for the winter - snow cover is sufficient. Only young plants require protection. The tree trunk circle is spudded, the branches are bent to the ground, and covered with spruce branches on top.
In any climatic conditions, abundant watering is necessary before wintering to reduce the risk of freezing.
Reproduction
The variety reproduces well by layering. To do this, in the spring, healthy shoots from last year are attached with staples to the ground, soil is poured on top, after which the ground is compacted. During the season, soil is added if necessary. The area in which roots form must be constantly moist.
Propagation by cuttings is also possible. To do this, planting material is prepared in the fall, which is stored in the basement during the winter, wrapped in a damp cloth. In spring, cuttings are planted in light soil, covered with transparent material to reduce moisture loss. Constant humidity is maintained throughout the season. Planted in the ground in the spring of next year.
Important! In conditions of high humidity, fungal diseases easily develop. It is advisable to treat the seedlings with fungicides.
The rarest way is to divide the bush. It is carried out in early spring, before the leaves appear, or in late autumn. Gooseberries are dug up and cut into two or more parts. Damaged areas are treated with garden varnish or clay mash. Planted like ordinary seedlings.
Features of cultivation depending on the region
Despite its high drought resistance, in the southern regions gooseberries can be damaged by temperatures above +40°C with a long absence of precipitation. In addition to weekly watering, mulching is recommended in this case to reduce soil temperature.
The mulch is laid out in the tree trunk circle in May or June, when the soil warms up and dries out. In case of prolonged rains, the mulching material is raked to the side to improve moisture evaporation and avoid waterlogging.
In the northern regions, return frosts in the spring pose a danger to the Russian Yellow variety. Bushes are protected from them with light film coverings.
Pollinator varieties
The Russian yellow gooseberry variety is self-fertile. But for higher yields, it is recommended to plant Russian and Plum varieties nearby.
Read also:
An easy-to-care variety of gooseberry “Yarovaya”.
Conclusion
Russian yellow gooseberries are an excellent choice for garden plots in almost any region. Southerners value its drought resistance. Northerners like its ability to withstand low temperatures. These qualities make it possible to obtain a stable harvest with low labor costs.