Thornless gooseberry Senator with high yield and excellent taste

What kind of gooseberry is this?

The bush is vigorous, the crown is dense, of medium size. The branches are straight, green, of medium thickness. Closer to the root there are curved shoots of a brown hue.

History of origin and distribution

The second name of gooseberry is Consul. The variety is young. It was bred at the South Ural Research Institute of Horticulture and Potato Growing. V.S. Ilyin crossed the Chelyabinsk green and African varieties. The resulting Senator turned out to be practically thornless, with good frost and drought resistance. In 1995, the plant was included in the State Register of Russia.

Description of the variety

The Consul variety is one of the newest promising varieties of gooseberries.
It was introduced only in 1995, but in such a short period of time it has already managed to spread throughout Russia. Consul is distinguished by its thornless branches and high tolerance to drought and low temperatures. In terms of ripening, it is classified as mid-season. Flowering occurs at the end of May. The fruits ripen within two months and can be harvested at the end of July. The Senator variety was obtained by crossing popular varieties of gooseberries: African and Chelyabinsk green.

The shrub is spreading, vigorous, the crown is dense, the branches are of medium thickness, black-green (the color of three-year-old shoots and older ones is brown), almost devoid of thorns. Small thorns sometimes form at the base of the shoot, and then mainly only on annual branches. The leaves are small, multi-lobed, wrinkled, deep green. The flowers are small, pink, slightly elongated. The berries are large (6-8 g), spherical, dark burgundy when ripe. The peel is thin and easily torn. There are few seeds in the pulp. The taste is juicy, pleasant, sour-sweet. According to the tasting assessment, the Consul scored 4.9 points out of a possible 5.0.

Productivity is high. If you follow the rules for caring for gooseberries, up to 7 kg can be produced from one bush per season. berries (first 2-3 years: up to 4.0 kg), 10 t/ha (maximum values ​​20 t/ha). Gooseberry Senator is self-fertile: adding neighbors to it for pollination is not necessary. It bears fruit for more than 20 years, reaching peak yield in 5-7 years.

Characteristics and description of bushes

Medium ripening variety. A bush with a large number of branches reaches a height of 1-1.5 m, a diameter of 2-3 m. Young branches are straight, green, without pubescence. Spikes are absent or small. The shoots are flexible and straight; by the time the fruit is harvested, they bend slightly.

The leaves are small and shiny. They have blunt teeth with distinct veins. Shape in the form of 5 blades of dark or light green color. Petioles with 3-4 leaves and 1 ovary grow on the shoots. Male and female flowers are collected in inflorescences of 2-3 - gooseberries do not require pollination.

Temperature resistance

Tolerance to low temperatures is determined by the cultivation area. In the southern regions, the shrub can withstand frosts down to -25...-30°C. The northern climate is characterized by dry winter air and temperatures of -28...-35°C.

Reference. In regions with cold winters, the shrub needs to be covered with leaves and hay.

Wintering in wet frosts of -25...-35°C leads to diseases, lack of harvest or death of gooseberries.

Moisture and drought resistance

The bush can withstand heat of +30...+35°C, but the fruits dry out or bake in the open sun. The favorable climate for growing thornless gooseberries Senator is moderate.

The variety does not tolerate drought well, so the soil must be kept moderately moist at all times.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The senator is resistant to damage by powdery mildew, but is not protected from attacks by sawflies, root canker, gray mold or septoria and requires preventive measures.

At the beginning of spring, the bushes are sprayed with insecticides and fed with phosphates. Phosphate rock is used as a top dressing at the rate of 2.5–3 tbsp. l./m² or double superphosphate in a dosage of 2–2.5 tbsp. l./m². The most popular insecticides: “Aktellik CE” (10 ml per 10 l of water) or “Bitoxibacillin P” (100 g per 10 l of water).

Basics of care

Proper planting of a seedling is only 50% of success. To reap generous harvests, you need to properly care for the bush. There is a minimum requirement that must be met:

1. The soil in which this variety is planted should be quite moist and nutritious with potassium salts. To do this, the bushes must be sprinkled with ash.
2. In the spring, while the buds have not yet blossomed, it is necessary to cut off the old pagons completely, and leave only the strong ones from the young ones. This circumcision must be performed every year.
3. Frequent watering of the bush is not necessary, three times will be enough: during flowering, then water when the berries appear, and also loosen the ground. The last watering is necessary at the end of summer.

Plant nutrition

If a summer resident wants to receive a generous harvest every year, then he simply needs to enrich the soil with minerals. If this is not done, then the yield of the bush decreases every year. For the Senator variety, it is necessary to add potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus to the soil, but the presence of chlorine is strictly unacceptable.

The choice between mineral and organic fertilizers depends on the preferences of the gardener; each of these groups has both advantages and disadvantages.

1. Mineral fertilizers contain a high concentration of nutrients, they are introduced into the soil more easily, but it is not always possible to maintain the correct dosage, and their excess has a detrimental effect on the plant and harvest.
2. Organic fertilizers have a large range of micro- and macroelements. They also improve the structure of the soil, making it looser, which, in turn, improves the circulation of moisture and heat.

The disadvantages include the presence of weed seeds in rotted compost. It is also impossible to accurately determine the amount of substances added, since they are different in different types of organic matter.

Pest resistance

The gooseberry variety Senator was specially bred to be resistant to a disease such as powdery mildew - this is a loose white coating on the fruits and shoots of gooseberries. Powdery mildew is the most common disease that can destroy a seedling in just a few years.

But don't let your guard down. Gardeners recommend periodically inspecting bushes for other dangerous pests. If they are detected, it is necessary to treat the bushes with a solution of fungicides. This will prevent insects from destroying the crop.

Characteristics and description of fruits

The berries are red or dark pink, round, practically without seeds. Green veins are clearly visible on the surface. The taste is sweet and sour, the aroma is delicate. Tasting score: 4.7 points. The fruits contain 6.7% sugars, 3.1% acids, 25.7 mg% ascorbic acid. The thin skin does not crack when ripe due to its high strength.

The weight of one berry is 3-4 g. Up to 4 kg of crop is harvested from young bushes. As the number of shoots increases, the yield also increases - up to 7-8 kg of berries are harvested from an adult Senator gooseberry per season.

Application area

Senator gooseberries are used in winter preparations. They are prepared from:

• jams;
• jam;
• juices;
• jam.

Gooseberry pulp is well suited for the production of ice cream, desserts, and yoghurts.

Application in cosmetology:

• Hair growth is promoted by rinsing in a decoction of gooseberry leaves;
• to remove age spots, fruit juice and pulp are added to creams and masks;
• Gooseberry seed oil is applied to the hair roots to prevent graying.

Freshly squeezed gooseberry juice normalizes metabolism and strengthens the cardiovascular system. The fruits have restorative and anti-inflammatory properties.

Method of use and beneficial qualities of gooseberries

It is better to eat gooseberries fresh, as they contain the maximum amount of useful substances. Gooseberries of the Senator variety have a large amount of vitamin C, sucrose and substances that have a beneficial effect on the entire human body as a whole. Juice from gooseberries can perfectly cleanse blood vessels and the entire gastrointestinal tract, which adds vitality for the whole year.

If the harvest is so large that it is impossible to eat it fresh, then storing berries for future use would be an excellent alternative. Jams, compotes, marshmallows, marmalade, the choice of preparations is huge. Berries also store well in the freezer. To do this, the washed crop is sorted out of debris, washed, laid out on a cloth with good moisture-absorbing properties and, after drying, sent to the freezer. In this form, the berry can be used as a filling for pies or for preparing fresh compotes in the winter.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The main advantages of the Senator:

• high productivity;
• absence of thorns;
• self-pollinating;
• frost resistance;
• immunity to powdery mildew;
• long life span (18–20 years);
• excellent fruit taste.

Flaws:

• due to the thin peel, the berries are not suitable for transportation;
• the variety does not tolerate wind and drafts;
• The plant needs constantly moist soil and does not tolerate drought.

Harvesting

In a normally warm spring without temperature changes and frosts, the crop ripens in mid-July. Harvesting fruits from the crop is easy due to the complete absence of thorns. It is better to remove the berries in whole inflorescences, this way the fragile skin will not be damaged.

Harvesting is best done in the evening hours in dry weather. This will keep the fruits dry, which will extend their shelf life. If you plan on long-term transportation, then it is better to pick the berries slightly unripe and then give them storage in a dark, ventilated place.

Growing technology

Despite the unpretentiousness of the bush, its development should not be left to chance. With this approach, low yields are observed.

Optimal conditions

For Senator gooseberries, a sunny area with no drafts and protection from the wind is optimal. The soil needs to be loose, fertile, enriched with humus and nutrients. Groundwater should not touch the gooseberry roots to avoid waterlogging of the soil and not cause fungal diseases.

Landing dates and rules

Spring planting is carried out after the last snow has melted. In autumn, gooseberries are planted a month before the onset of frost.

Landing algorithm:

1. A day before the procedure, soak the seedlings in a growth stimulator.
2. Maintain a distance of at least 1.5 m between bushes. The depth of the planting hole is 50–60 cm.
3. Cover the bottom with peat or humus. Apply fertilizers: 50 g of potassium salts and superphosphate per hole.
4. Remove dead shoots from the seedling, cut the rest by 1/3.
5. Having straightened the roots, plant the plant. Deepen the root collar no more than 6 cm.
6. Cover the remaining space in the hole with soil and compact it.
7. Cover the ground with straw, sawdust, and pine needles.
8. Sprinkle the bush generously with water.

Further care

During the adaptation period it is important:

1. Protect the bush from direct sunlight, stagnant water, drafts and strong winds.
2. Watering is carried out 3 times per season: during flowering, when fruits ripen, after harvesting.
3. Young shoots that have grown during the season should be pruned next spring, shortened by 1/3 or 1/4 of their length. Fruiting branches from the previous season should not be pruned for next year.
4. Do not apply fertilizers in the first year of planting. From the second year, use nitrogen mixtures (infusion of manure or nettle) every 2 weeks, until mid-August. When forming buds, add 40 g of superphosphate per bush.

When the first signs of infection of the bush appear, preventive measures are taken.

Possible problems, diseases, pests

The resistance of the crop to a number of pests and diseases does not negate additional protective measures:

1. Spraying with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture before flowering and after harvest helps against columnar rust and anthracnose.
2. In the fight against moth and gooseberry aphids, use Karbofos at a rate of 60 g/10 l of water or 1-2 Inta-Vira tablets per 10 l of water.
3. Spider mites are removed with Actellik. For treatment, take 2 ml of the drug per 2 liters of liquid.
4. Iskra works well against sawflies in a dosage of 60 ml per bucket of water, Aktara in a dosage of 1 ml per 5 liters of water.
5. Root cancer has no cure. The diseased plant is dug up and burned, and the soil is disinfected with 2% bleach.
6. Fruits affected by gray rot are removed along with the branches. For prevention, bushes are treated against weevils, moths, and caterpillars with Iskra or Actellik.
7. Septoria is combated with Bordeaux mixture. A bucket of water will require 100 g of the drug. Spray the bush until the buds open.

Regular removal of diseased shoots and pests will prevent mass infection of gooseberries.

Wintering

Next year's harvest directly depends on the success of wintering.

Reference. The frost resistance of the variety makes it possible not to additionally cover the shrub. The exception will be regions where there is a lot of snow.

Work before winter:

1. Carry out sanitary pruning of the bush.
2. Treat against pests, water abundantly, add 200 g of ash to the soil.
3. Collect all leaves and debris from around the plant.
4. Apply fertilizer under the root, for example, a urea solution in a dosage of 1 tbsp. l. for 1 bucket of water or a mixture of 1 kg of ash and 1 kg of humus.

Features of cultivation depending on the region

Its unpretentiousness to temperature conditions makes it possible to grow Senator gooseberries in the Far East, the Urals, Siberia and the southern regions. The variety is resistant to high temperatures in hot regions and cold winters in the northern regions of the country.

In hot areas, gooseberries will need to be protected from high temperatures by creating partial shade (for this, walls are erected on the sunny side). In areas with cold winters, bushes are additionally covered, protecting roots and shoots from freezing.

Pollinator varieties

Thanks to the presence of male and female flowers in Senator, there is no need to attract pollinating varieties. This is a self-pollinating plant; planting other varieties nearby will not affect the yield.

Features of planting and growing

The principles of planting gooseberries in the garden are quite simple, and even a novice gardener can easily cope with this task. In general, the crop is considered unpretentious, but if you do not take into account a number of features in agricultural technology, you are unlikely to be able to enjoy a rich harvest and the incomparable taste of healthy berries.

Selecting a location

For gooseberries, choose a well-lit place that will be protected from strong gusts of wind. Let it be fenced with low buildings or other plants. The most important thing is that the sun's rays reach the bush without obstacles.

Gooseberries love a sunny, windless location

Avoid places where moisture stagnates, otherwise the root system will rot. The optimal groundwater level is 2 m. Senator takes root well in fertile, medium-loamy soil. Optimal soil acidity is up to 5.5 pH. The base should also be breathable.

Gooseberry plants do not tolerate acidic, cold and waterlogged soils. Clay and sandy soils are also unsuitable.

It is not recommended to plant gooseberries where currants or raspberries previously grew. They leave behind very poor, not very fertile soil in which gooseberries will not be able to develop normally.

Selection of seedlings

Gooseberry seedlings must have a well-developed root system.

Choosing the right gooseberry seedling is not a difficult task. Before purchasing, carefully examine the root system, because the success of the bush’s development depends on how well it is developed. The abundance of conical roots that absorb moisture ensures that the plant will take root well and grow vigorously in the first few years after planting. The system should also have at least 3-5 shoots of deciduous trees at least 10 cm long.

If you buy an annual bush, it is quite possible that it will have one shoot. But a two-year-old bush should have 2-3 developed branches, at least 30 cm long.

For transportation, the root system is immersed in a special putty (water, clay and mullein mixed in equal proportions) and then wrapped in tissue paper. This will protect the young bush from drying out.

Step-by-step planting instructions

Senator gooseberries are planted in the fall (late September - early October). The root system of the crop is quite powerful. In this case, the largest number of shoots is located in the central part of the bush (at a distance of 20-25 cm). In a young gooseberry, 80% of all roots are located in a soil layer of up to 25 cm, and in a fruiting gooseberry - up to 45-65 cm. This will determine the size of the planting hole that needs to be made.

Planting should be done in light loam with good aeration.

The process of planting shrubs occurs in the following sequence:

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1. The first thing to do is to dig a hole 60-70 cm wide and 45-50 cm deep. Maintain a distance of 1.5 m between bushes.
2. Then apply fertilizer. In each hole, place 8-10 kg of decomposed manure, 2 kg of peat, wood ash (300 g) and limestone (350 g). It is peat that will contribute to better soil aeration.
3. Leave the pit with fertilizer overnight so that all the ingredients have time to take effect. At this time, soak the gooseberry seedling in a special solution. It is prepared from potassium humate (5 tablespoons) and water (5 l). The substances are mixed in a deep container, into which the roots of the planting material are then placed for 1 day. This method promotes better rooting of the plant.
4. After this time, you can begin planting. The seedling should be placed vertically in the hole. The neck of the plant should be inserted to a depth of 6-8 cm.
5. The soil should be covered and compacted on top.
6. Finally, each bush should be watered with five liters of water.

Video: nuances of planting gooseberries

Reproduction

Get new gooseberry bushes in 3 ways:

1. By layering. To do this, a powerful thick branch is pressed to the ground, covered with soil. The earth is kept moist. After some time, roots form on the shoots and shoots appear. They are separated next season.
2. Stem petioles. As a mother base, take a thick healthy branch and cut it into petioles with 4-5 buds. Each is placed in a container with soil, leaving 1 bud above the surface of the earth. Rooted cuttings are planted in open ground in a permanent place.
3. Dividing the bush. A large overgrown gooseberry is carefully divided into several new ones, removing old dried branches.

Reviews from summer residents

Gardeners are happy to share their experiences, achievements and failures in growing this variety.

Natalya, St. Petersburg: “I purchased a Senator seedling from O’Key.” At the same time I took another variety, with thorns. I planted it in open ground at the end of April. Arriving at the dacha a week later, I noticed that the Senator was frail and lethargic and was not settling in well. I watered the plant, fed it, treated it for pests - it seemed to help. The bush took root and began to grow. Despite the unpretentiousness of the variety, it was not possible to grow it by planting alone. The culture definitely requires attention and care.”

Elena, Samara : “I like the Senator gooseberry because of the taste of the fruit - the berries are much sweeter than other varieties. The plant safely survives winter with severe frosts. The children fell in love with this bush because it has no thorns.”

Reviews about gooseberry Consul (Senator)

Alena, 34 years old, Kemerovo Gooseberry Consul is a real find for our region. He spends the winter with me without any shelter. We just arrive at the dacha and shovel snow onto the root circle and that’s it. And this is with our frosts.

Yulia, 42 years old, Yaroslavl Gooseberry Consul has been living in our dacha for about 5 years. To be honest, the first year I was simply disappointed with the small harvest. I didn't know it was supposed to be like this. Now he has gained strength. There is never less than 6 kilograms per bush, even in cold or dry years. We make jam, jam and of course wine. Everything is very tasty.