Large-fruited delicious gooseberry variety Serenada

The large-fruited gooseberry variety Serenada has gained popularity due to its characteristics: high yield, resistance to frost, drought, diseases, as well as high taste. In addition, the weak thorniness of the shoots greatly simplifies the care of the crop, which is blessed with large and fragrant berries.

Description of the gooseberry variety Serenada

Gooseberry Serenada is a high-yielding, late-ripening variety. It is a slightly spreading, tall, medium dense bush with large dark red fruits that are well preserved during transportation.

History of origin and distribution

As a result of crossing the gooseberry varieties Captivator 0-271 with rich berry color and high yield and Besshipnogo, which is characterized by high winter hardiness and the absence of thorns, at the All-Russian Research Institute of Horticulture named after. I.V. Michurin obtained a new variety Serenade. Authors: K. D. Sergeeva and T. S. Zvyagina. Since 2004, the variety has been included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements approved for cultivation in the Central Black Earth region.

Characteristics and description of bushes

The growing young shoots of the bush are straight, of medium thickness, with light green bark, without edges. As the branches become lignified, they acquire a lighter tone. There are few thorns on them. The thorns are single, short, matte, concentrated mainly in the lower part of the bush. They are located perpendicular to the shoot. Generative buds are round-oval.Over time, they produce pale, medium-sized flowers.

Serenade's leaves are light green, large, convex, with small, slightly bent teeth and a blunt apex. The surface is dense, matte or with a slight shine. The leaf of this variety has 3 or 5 straight lobes separated by deep notches.

Temperature resistance

The lignified branches of the variety can easily tolerate low temperatures down to -40°C. The fruit buds are highly resistant to frost down to -30°C.

Moisture and drought resistance

Serenade is a drought-resistant plant, and this saves it in hot weather when watering is delayed for some reason. But during the period of flowering and fruit ripening, it needs additional irrigation.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Culture is resistant to American powdery mildew.

Characteristics and description of fruits

Gooseberry berries grow medium and large - from 4.0 to 6.1 g. Although the ripening period is extended (lasts from late July to mid-August), there is no tendency to shed.

The fruits are pear-shaped or elongated-conical in shape and have a very pleasant lilac color. They are hairless, with a slight waxy coating. The skin is dense, of medium thickness, with weak veining. The veins are pink, lighter than the main color of the fruit. The pulp is dense, juicy, with a small amount of seeds, tastes sweet with a slight sourness. Tasting score – 4.5 points. Up to 5 kg of fruits are collected from the bush.

Areas of use

Fresh berries are used for dessert. Juices are squeezed out of the ripe ones, wine, marmalade, and filling for sweets are made. Unripe fruits are used for preserves, jams, compotes, etc. Berries with a beautiful original color are great for decorating desserts and other dishes.

To improve health, not only fruits rich in vitamins and microelements are used, but also all parts of the bush. The berries have astringent properties, the roots and seeds have laxative properties, the leaves have a diaphoretic, expectorant, and soothing effect.

The valuable properties of the plant are used:

1. In folk medicine. Decoctions of the berries are used as a laxative, and the leaves are used to relieve the symptoms of osteochondrosis and arthritis. The infusion of the fruit has a diuretic and choleretic effect.
2. In cosmetology. Thanks to vitamin C, the pulp of fresh berries is effective in masks for whitening facial skin and improving its color. Decoctions of leaves, stems and roots strengthen hair.
3. In dietary nutrition. Gooseberries are a low-calorie product: 100 g of fruit contains only 44 kcal. Fresh berries normalize metabolism, which is important when fighting excess weight.

The berry eliminates depression and bad mood due to the presence of the joy hormone - serotonin.

Advantages and disadvantages compared to other varieties and hybrids

The gooseberry variety Serenada is valued for a number of reasons:

• large fruit;
• high productivity;
• versatility in application;
• immunity to powdery mildew;
• resistance to drought and low temperatures (down to -40°C);
• good transportability of fruits;
• the spines are sparse and soft.

No significant deficiencies were identified in the variety. The only thing is that, like any type of gooseberry, it does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature during the flowering period.

Growing technology

In order for the gooseberry bush to develop well and bear fruit consistently, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for it.

Optimal conditions

Serenade prefers well-lit areas.In the shade, the yield of the bush decreases, the berries do not gain enough sugar, become smaller, and the variety degenerates.

The crop does not tolerate waterlogging at all - the root system begins to rot, the shoots dry out quickly, so when planting it is advisable to avoid areas with high groundwater levels.

Attention! Lowlands with high humidity and cold air create a favorable environment for the development of fungal diseases.

The bushes develop well on loose soil with good water and air permeability, with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction.

Landing dates and rules

The best time to plant gooseberries is mid-September. In this case, the seedlings take root better and survive the winter safely. Experienced gardeners adhere to certain rules:

1. The cuttings are planted in a new place at an air temperature of +8...+10°C.
2. Choose a strong 1-2 year old seedling with a developed root system and shoots in the lignification stage.
3. It is pre-soaked for 1–2 hours in “Epin” or “Heteroauxin” to stimulate rooting and growth.
4. Dig a hole measuring 50x50 cm.
5. The top layer of soil is removed from the planting area and set aside, then mixed with fertilizers: 5 kg of organic matter, 40 g of potassium sulfate and 40 g of superphosphate. If the soil in the area is clayey, add 5 kg of sand.
6. When planting a bush, part of the soil mixture is poured into a hole and a hill is formed.
7. Having placed the plant on a hill, the roots are straightened, directing them to the sides.
8. The rest of the soil is filled in parts and compacted so that there are no voids left.
9. The growth point is deepened 7 cm from the soil level. After planting, carry out the first watering - up to 10 liters of water.
10. The shoots are pruned, leaving a length of 50-60 cm with 5-7 buds.

Further care

The gooseberries are watered as the soil dries, and always in the tree trunk circle of the bush. When irrigated by sprinkling, the crop is susceptible to diseases.

Despite the plant's resistance to drought, constant drying out of the soil is unacceptable - the fruits grow small and sour. In total, during the season, watering is carried out 3-4 times, 20 liters per bush. The water is taken warm and settled.

For good growing season, the soil is regularly dug or loosened. If there is no time for this, the tree trunk circle is mulched with any organic material (peat, straw). Mulch retains moisture and inhibits the growth of weeds.

Gooseberry Serenade is a highly productive crop, therefore it requires abundant annual feeding, especially if it grows on poor soil. The time for fertilization is early spring. Standard set of fertilizers for one bush:

• 10 kg of humus or compost;
• 60 g superphosphate;
• 40 g of saltpeter;
• 20 g of potassium chloride.

The first pruning is carried out in the spring to shape the bush and lay fruitful branches. To do this, leave 4-6 of the strongest shoots coming from the root, the rest are removed.

From the age of 4, sanitary thinning of the crown is carried out: weak, dried out and improperly growing shoots are cut out to provide lighting and uniform heating to the ripening berries.

At the age of 9-10 years, the bush is rejuvenated - all old woody shoots are removed, leaving only new vegetative buds at the root.

Possible problems, diseases, pests

The Serenade variety is resistant to powdery mildew, but other fungal and viral diseases sometimes affect it. Among them:

1. Anthracnose. It appears as small dark brown spots on the leaves, sometimes on the petioles and young shoots. Gradually they grow and merge, the leaf dries out and falls off.For the purpose of prevention and treatment illnesses spraying with Nitrofen and copper sulfate is used.
2. Rust. Symptoms appear as rusty spots with yellow spore pads on leaves and ovaries, less often on shoots. Sites of infection are clearly visible on the underside of the leaves or against the background of the green ovary. Affected leaves dry out prematurely and fall off. The fruits remain underdeveloped and quickly fall off. Over time, the bush dies. To prevent and combat the fungus, the bushes are sprayed with a solution of the biological agent “Gamair” (2 tablets per 10 liters of water).
3. Viral mosaic. The infection is most often carried by sucking insects - aphids, whiteflies and mites. In affected plants, the leaves are covered with a mosaic yellow-green pattern, located mainly along the veins. Sick bushes lag behind in growth and development, bear fruit poorly, the leaves wrinkle and become smaller. Viral diseases are incurable. The plant affected by the mosaic is dug up and burned.

Wintering

To get rid of from harmful insects and pathogens of fungal diseases that have gathered to overwinter on the plant and in the soil, the tree trunk circle is cleared of fallen leaves and fruits, the gooseberries are treated with fungicidal and insecticidal preparations. Then the bush is watered abundantly and fresh mulch is applied. As soon as snow falls, a thick layer of it is thrown over the bushes.

An adult plant with lignified shoots is not in danger of freezing, but the bush is sometimes attacked by rodents. Shelter will help to avoid damage: the bush is tied into a bundle, covered with lutrasil and spruce branches. The edge is sprinkled with soil, then a layer of snow.

Reproduction

Large-fruited gooseberry Serenade reproduce vegetative method: layering, dividing the bush, green and lignified cuttings.For rooting and growing, choose pure-quality, productive bushes that are not affected by pathogenic bacteria. Seed propagation is used to develop new varieties. In most cases, the crop is propagated by rooting cuttings (lower branches of the mother bush) with subsequent transplantation to a permanent place of growth.

Pollinator varieties

Since the Serenada variety is self-fertile, it does without pollinating neighbors. It is perfectly pollinated by bees, so the plant is considered one of the productive honey plants. But if relative bushes grow nearby, the harvest will be even more abundant.

Features of cultivation depending on the region

The large-fruited gooseberry Serenada was proposed by breeders for cultivation in the Central Black Earth region. When recommending a variety, experts were guided by soil characteristics, climate and possible temperature changes. The climate of the Black Earth Region is characterized by mild winters and moderately hot summers. The average temperature in January is -12°C, in July – +18°C. Since the area is located in the steppe zone, the humidification coefficient is less than 1, so droughts are possible. The variety is successfully cultivated in the region, harvesting high yields of large-fruited berries - up to 5-6 kg per bush.

Thanks to its undeniable advantages - resistance to drought and low temperatures - gooseberries are also successfully grown in areas with more severe, changeable weather and climatic conditions in our country.

Reviews from gardeners

Gardeners speak positively about Serenada gooseberries, noting the good presentation of the berries and transportability, strong immunity and the absence of thorns.

Ivan Andreevich, Voronezh: “I planted 8 Serenada gooseberry bushes in my garden. I bought everything from a local nursery.The plant has almost no thorns, making it easy to care for. For 4 years, not a single bush got sick. The berries are dense and do not wrinkle; they are excellent for sale.”

Irina Nikolaevna, Moscow region: “Serenada brought gooseberries to the Moscow region from Krasnodar 5 years ago. The seedling withstood the road well and took root without any problems. In my opinion, the main advantage of this variety is the absence of thorns. The bush is easy to prune and the berries are convenient to collect. Because of aphids, last year we had to cut it back a lot, but this season it has already given a lot of growth. We collected 3 kg of crop from the bush.”

Conclusion

Gooseberry Serenade is chosen by many gardeners for planting on their plots. It pleases with its harvest - abundant and tasty, unpretentious in care and tolerates both dry summers and cold winters. They love it for its large fruit, versatility of use and immunity to powdery mildew.