Tasty, large and richly harvested gooseberry variety “Ural Grapes”

Ural grapes are gooseberries with sharp thorns and tasty fruits. It is suitable for those who are looking for a proven winter-hardy variety for the Urals and areas of the Middle Volga region. We will talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the crop, the optimal conditions for it and the rules of cultivation taking into account the climate.

Description of the variety

Gooseberry Ural grapes are an early-ripening, large-fruited variety. The name is given according to the place of selection and for the special, grapey taste of the fruit.

The variety was bred by Kh. Z. Levitin in 1959. at the experimental station of selection horticulture in Sverdlovsk (Ekaterinburg). This gooseberry was obtained by pollinating the frost-resistant seedling Andreeva-1 with pollen of the Sverdlovsky and Malinovy ​​varieties.

In 1979, the variety was included in the State Register and recommended for cultivation in Middle Volga region. The originator of the variety is the Ural Federal Agrarian Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Characteristics and description of bushes

The bush grows up to 1.5 m. The branches are directed vertically or with a slight slope. The crown is semi-spreading, of medium density. Annual shoots are green, without pubescence. Lignified branches are gray-yellow, with streaks. The shape of single buds is oblong, with a sharp tip. Bushes with powerful thorns along the middle part of the branches - straight, of different sizes, triple and single. At the base and closer to the top of the shoots, the number of thorns decreases.

The leaves are three-lobed, lush green, with a surface sheen and light veins.. The leaf blades are wrinkled, curved, with large teeth. Petioles - no more than 2 cm.

The buds are crimson and the flowers are pale pink, almost white, about 12 mm in size.

Temperature resistance

The variety is winter hardy. At a temperature of -30°C, freezing is not higher than 2 points. Bushes are not covered for the winter. Flower buds are resistant to spring frosts down to -10°C.

Reference. Freezing in points is determined by the degree of darkening of the branches on cross sections: 0 - no freezing, the color is normal for the variety; 1 - very weak, yellow cut color; 2 - slight freezing, light brown cut; 3 - strong, brown; 4 - dead branches (wood), cut color from dark brown to black.

Moisture and drought resistance

The plant does not lose productivity during the dry period. To ensure large fruits, gooseberries are watered regularly in hot weather.

Resistance to diseases and pests

If agricultural practices are followed, the Ural grape gooseberry is resistant to major pests and powdery mildew. But the variety is vulnerable to spotting.

Characteristics and description of fruits

Average fruit weight - 4 g. The berries are without fluff, oval in shape, bright green, with a slight matte sheen. Few branched, light-colored veins are noticeable on the fruits. The stalks are green. The dessert sweetness of the pulp is offset by the sourness of the thick skin. It tastes like grapes. The percentage of sugars is 9.9.

The variety is distinguished by the simultaneous ripening of fruits and their uniformity. The berries do not crack from moisture, but quickly crumble.

Productivity - up to 3 kg from a young bush and about 7 kg from a bush older than five years. The fruits are distinguished by their keeping quality and resistance to long-term transportation.

Areas of use

The purpose of the variety is universal. The berries are valued for their sweet taste with a hint of grape. They are eaten fresh freeze, prepare compotes, jams, juices, jams and dessert wine. They go with any fruit.

Reference. The presence of serotonin makes gooseberries a natural antidepressant.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Advantages of the variety:

• winter freezing is not higher than 2 points;
• resistance to return frosts;
• drought tolerance;
• large fruit;
• dessert taste;
• simultaneous ripening of berries;
• high productivity;
• resistance to powdery mildew.

Flaws:

• tall bushes;
• powerful spikes;
• rapid shedding of ripe fruits;
• susceptibility to diseases (spotting).

Growing technology

Perennial gooseberries grow in one place for about 20 years. If you choose the right site and planting time, Ural grape bushes take root and develop faster than other varieties. For tall crops, systematic thinning of branches is most important. Basic care does not take much time - watering, protection from weeds and pests, and prevention of fungal diseases.

Optimal conditions

Slightly acidic or neutral soil is suitable for the variety. The bushes grow on clay, sandy, loamy and sandy loam soils. The sites are chosen to be bright, sunny, and without strong drafts. Light shading is allowed.

Attention! Gooseberries are not planted in lowlands and frequently flooded areas. Constant waterlogging promotes the development of fungal diseases.

Landing dates and rules

Gooseberries are planted spring and autumn. Experienced gardeners recommend doing this in the autumn - 1.5-2 months before the onset of frost. In spring, plant immediately after the soil thaws, but before the buds swell. It is easy to miss this moment, and the plant will slow down its development or will not take root.

Depth and width of planting hole - 2 times more than the root part of the plant.

Work order:

1. Fertile soil is mixed with rotted manure or compost 1:1. Add double superphosphate and potassium sulfate (a matchbox is enough).
2. Clay soil is diluted with coarse sand.
3. The hole is filled 1/3 with soil mixture, the bush is installed and the roots are straightened.
4. The planting pit is filled in layers, each compacted.
5. The seedlings are watered abundantly and the root zone is mulched.
6. The branches are cut so that 5-7 buds remain on each.

Further care

Water the plants once a weekso that the water saturates the ground by 30-40 cm - this is about four buckets for each bush. In order not to provoke fungal diseases, plants are not watered by sprinkling. After harvesting, watering is stopped and the soil is moistened only before the onset of frost.

The soil is mulched. Mulch retains moisture and prevents weeds from growing.

In the spring, before the buds open, sanitary pruning is carried out, thin out the bushes and treat them with fungicides (“Topaz”, “Fundazol”). In the fall, pruning is repeated.

Fertilizing is applied once per season, during spring pruning. Use organic fertilizers or a mixture of mineral additives from nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.

The harvest ripens in early July, at the same time. Harvest immediately, when ripe, otherwise the berries will quickly fall off.

Attention! To prevent the bushes from pricking, they are watered abundantly 15-20 minutes before harvesting.

Possible problems, diseases, pests

The variety is resistant to powdery mildew, But maybe severely damaged by spotting.

Major diseases of the culture:

1. Anthracnose (brown spots on fruits and leaves) is caused by dampness. Treat with a solution of colloidal sulfur.
2. Rust (red coating on the leaves) is sprayed with Bordeaux mixture 1%.
3. Gray rot appears on fruits and shoots. They are immediately removed, and the bushes are treated with the Actellik KE insecticide.
4. White spot affects the leaves. A solution of copper sulfate helps.

Common Pests:

1. Spider mites and sawflies appear during dry periods. Half a bucket of wormwood is brewed with boiling water and sprayed on the bushes.
2. Aphids settle on leaves. A solution of insecticidal soap helps.
3. Moth moth larvae eat the fruits. Plants are treated with an infusion of wood ash.
4. The bushes are protected from birds by nets.

Gooseberries are not sprayed at the time of flowering - pollinators will die and there will be no harvest.

Frequent illnesses and decreased productivity are the result of violation of growing rules:

• the fruits have become smaller - lack of moisture;
• fungal diseases - insufficient ventilation of the bush and waterlogging;
• pests - drought, flooding, shading, weeds;
• seedlings do not take root - the planting time was chosen incorrectly.

Other berry varieties:

The most popular and productive gooseberry varieties

Early ripening gooseberry variety "Dzintars Kursu"

Mid-early high-yielding variety Kolobok

Wintering

In autumn, dry and old branches are pruned. The ground is cleared of plant debris and dug up to destroy pests and fungal spores. The soil is watered and mulched. The winter-hardy variety is adapted to low temperatures, so the bushes do not need additional protection.

Reproduction

Gooseberry Ural grapes propagated in three ways.

By layering

The procedure is carried out in the spring, before the buds swell, or in the fall, 2 months before the start of frost.. The ground around the plant is cleared and shallow furrows are formed. The lower adult branches are bent to the ground and placed in grooves. The middle part of the branch is covered with a mixture of soil and humus. The sprouts that have emerged are re-dropped. When the branch takes root, it is separated from the bush, and the young seedling is placed in a new place.

Dividing the bush

Work is carried out in the fall, when the gooseberries shed their leaves.. After sanitary pruning, the bush is dug up and divided so that there are 5-6 shoots on each part of the root. The young plants are planted, watered abundantly, and the root zone is mulched.

Cuttings

Lignified cuttings 15-20 cm long are prepared during autumn pruning. They are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate, cut at both ends and wrapped in cloth. Store in a cool place.

In February, the cuttings are rooted in a glass of water and covered with a bag. With the appearance of roots and leaves, they are planted in a nutrient substrate, and in the spring they are transferred to open ground. When propagated by green cuttings, they are cut off in mid-summer. The length of the green shoots is 40 cm. The leaves are left only at the top and rooted immediately in open ground.

Features of growing varieties depending on the region

In the conditions of the Middle Volga region they carry out standard pre-winter preparation without additional insulation of the crop. It is preferable to propagate the plant by dividing the bush and layering in the fall.

Autumn weather in the Urals is not stable. Due to the danger of early frosts, propagation and planting of gooseberries is best done in the spring — during the summer-autumn period, the plants will get stronger and adapt.In autumn, a high soil cushion is formed under the bushes and compacted. In winter, the root zone is additionally mulched with snow. This will slow down the thawing of the soil, prevent early swelling of the buds and protect against recurrent frosts.

Conclusion

Gooseberry Ural grapes are valued for their large fruits, high yields and dessert taste. This early ripening variety is adapted to the conditions of the Urals and the regions of the Middle Volga region.

Frost-resistant bushes do not need shelter in winter, and flower buds can withstand returning spring frosts down to -10°C. The variety is tall and fast-growing; if agricultural practices are followed, it shows resistance to powdery mildew and major crop pests.