Growing gooseberries in the European and Central parts of the Russian Federation became possible after the emergence of cultivars resistant to frost and disease. Gooseberry Rodnik is a selection variety created in 2001 by I. Popov and M. Simonov based on the mid-early species Lada and Purmen. After experimental cultivation, the variety fully confirmed the characteristics given by the originators, and in 2004 it was entered into the State Register.
What kind of gooseberry is this?
The variety was obtained by crossing the mid-early gooseberry Lada and a seedling from free self-pollination Purmen. Moscow breeders I.V. Popova and M.N. Simonova managed to combine many positive properties in one plant.
In 2001, the variety was included in the State Register as recommended for cultivation in the Central region of Russia. It is cultivated in the middle zone, the European part, and in the southern regions. The Rodnik gooseberry demonstrates its maximum fruiting abilities in the Moscow, Tula, Ryazan, Vladimir, Bryansk, and Smolensk regions.
Gooseberry Spring: characteristics and description of bushes
The plant forms compact and dense bushes 1.2 m high with drooping tops and straight thick branches that change color from green to dark gray as they grow. Few, sparse thorns (1-2 per 40-50 cm) of medium thickness, up to 11 mm long, are concentrated mainly in the lower parts of the stems, at a distance of 20 cm from the root.
The buds are brown, large, oval in shape and deviated from the shoot. The compressed crown is formed by large green five-lobed leaves with wavy edges, a slight shine and a leathery surface, pubescent below. Flowers of different sexes are large, cone-shaped, collected in 2-3 pieces. at each leaf node. The sepals are light green with red-lilac streaks.
Reference. Gooseberry Spring bears fruit in the second year after transplanting to a permanent place.
Temperature resistance
Rodnik borrowed high frost resistance from its parent varieties. The plant is resistant to sudden temperature changes and survives severe frosts down to -35°C. Spring frosts do not damage the flowers. If the shoots freeze during the growing season, the bush fully increases its green mass and root system.
Moisture and drought resistance
The drought resistance of gooseberries is average, which is typical for almost all plants with a superficial root system. Lack of moisture affects the fruits: they lose weight, density and become sour.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety is characterized by a high level of resistance to infections and gets sick extremely rarely. The only pest that parasitizes the bush is aphids.
Pests and diseases
All selected varieties are highly resistant to infection, Rodnik gooseberry is no exception. The variety gets sick very rarely. If the summer is cold and rainy, a fungal infection may develop; it manifests itself as a bluish coating on the berries. The fungus is eliminated by treating the bush with Oxychom or Topaz. To prevent the disease in the spring, gooseberries are sprayed with a solution of potassium hydroxide and copper sulfate.
Aphids are the only pest that parasitizes the Rodnik variety. The bush is completely watered with soapy water and the anthills are removed. If there is a strong accumulation of pests, gooseberries Rodnik are treated with herbicides.
Characteristics and description of fruits
Large oval berries are yellow-green in color with veins as they ripen and acquire a reddish tint on the sides. The outer skin is thin but durable, with a slight waxy coating. The weight of the fruit is uneven, ranging from 4 to 7 g.
The aromatic and juicy green pulp with a small number of small seeds has a harmonious sweet and sour taste and contains 7.3% sugars and 2% acid. Tasting score: 4.9 points.
Reference. The average yield, according to long-term observations, is 7.5 kg per bush.
Areas of use
Ripe berries are used both fresh and frozen. They are used to make jam, preserves, compote, marinade, and wine.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Gooseberry benefits:
- good rooting ability;
- high, stable yield;
- early ripening;
- a small number of thorns;
- resistance to frost and temperature fluctuations;
- excellent taste of berries;
- self-fertility;
- stable immunity to major diseases;
- versatility of fruits;
- good transportability;
- long shelf life.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- ripe berries fall off after rain;
- average resistance to aphids.
a brief description of
Advantages of the variety
- Early maturation. The first berries ripen in late June.
- Good yield. From each adult bush, 7.5 - 10 kg are collected. fruits
- High cold resistance. The bushes tolerate the winter season well with frosts down to -35˚C. This feature allows the variety to adapt to the northern regions. Flowers are not damaged by spring frosts.
- Resistance to sudden temperature fluctuations.
- Fast rooting during propagation.
- Self-fertility. Even a single bush will bear fruit, since this crop does not need pollinators.
- Pleasant taste of juicy fruits with refined notes.
- Few spines.
- Good transportability due to thick skin. For long-term transportation, the berries are harvested in a state of technical ripeness.
- Rare cases of powdery mildew and septoria.
- Stable fruiting from the age of two.
- Versatility. Suitable for fresh consumption, freezing, and canning.
Disadvantages of the variety
- Rapid shedding of the crop when rainy weather sets in.
- Low resistance to anthracnose.
- Low resistance to aphids and moths (spring treatment with insecticides is required).
Growing technology
Gooseberries are not picky about soil and thrive in all types except acidic and waterlogged ones. When groundwater is closer than 1-1.5 m, the plant is depressed and may die, and during prolonged drought it does not form flower buds and sheds its leaves. The crop is planted in soil heated to +6°C.
The bushes do not like thickening and shading; with a lack of lighting, development is inhibited, and resistance to diseases and pests is reduced. The quality of the berries deteriorates and ripening occurs unevenly.
It is advisable to plant gooseberries in flat, well-lit, sunny, draft-protected areas, avoiding low spots and shade. The best predecessors are vegetables and strawberries. It is not advisable to plant after raspberries and currants.
Landing dates and rules
It is better to plant in autumn or early spring before the buds bloom on the branches. Seedlings with a closed root system are planted even in summer:
- the size of the hole depends on the size of the root system; for a young plant, the optimal parameters are 40x40x40 cm;
- roots longer than 20 cm are removed;
- for planting, prepare a composition of organic matter, peat, wood ash and sand;
- drainage and ½ part of the nutrient mixture are placed at the bottom of the hole;
- the seedling is placed vertically or at an angle in the center;
- pour out the rest of the substrate and compact it;
- water, mulch;
- shoots are pruned to the level of 4 fruit buds.
Further care
Further care consists of moderate watering, the frequency of which depends on weather factors. The indicator for its implementation is dry soil in tree trunk circles. If there is excess rain, a drainage ditch is dug at a distance of 30 cm from the trunk to drain excess water. The crust on the soil surface is destroyed by shallow loosening. At the same time, weeds are removed.
The bush is formed with 10-13 stems. Health pruning is carried out in early spring, removing damaged and dry shoots. Trunks older than 8 years are pruned at the root. After collecting the berries, the gooseberries are thinned out and twisted branches are removed.
From the second year of life, the plant is fed: in the spring - with nitrogen fertilizers, during the period of fruit ripening - with organic fertilizers.
Possible problems, diseases and pests
In cold, rainy summer conditions, a fungal infection may appear, which manifests itself as a bluish coating on the berries. To prevent infection, gooseberries must be treated with fungicides in the spring.
The plant may be attacked by aphids. To avoid this, timely spraying with any insecticide is required.
Wintering
For the winter, the bush is collected in a bundle and tied so that the shoots do not break from the snow. Carry out the last watering, hill up and cover with a layer of mulch.
Planting and care
In the spring, the Rodnik variety is planted after the soil has warmed up to +6 0C, so each region will have its own time: for central Russia - in mid-May, in the South - in April. In autumn, planting is carried out a month before the onset of frost, in a temperate climate in early September, in warm areas in mid-October. This time is enough for the Rodnik gooseberry to take root.
The location for planting the Rodnik variety is chosen to be open or semi-shaded. The soil composition is neutral, slightly acidic is allowed. The soil is light aerated and drained. Lowland and wetlands are not suitable for gooseberries.
A seedling is taken with a developed root and the presence of 3-4 shoots without mechanical or infectious damage. Sequence of actions when planting gooseberries:
- The root of the seedling is placed in a growth stimulating solution, the concentration of the product and the treatment time are carried out according to the instructions for the drug.
- For planting, prepare a mixture of organic matter, peat, sand, and wood ash.
- Dig a hole 50 cm deep and 45 cm in diameter.
- The bottom of the recess is covered with a drainage pad.
- Pour ½ part of the nutrient substrate on top.
- The seedling is placed vertically in the center.
- Pour out the rest of the mixture and compact it.
- Water and mulch.
The root collar is deepened by 3 cm. The stems are cut to 4 fruit buds.
Growing rules
Gooseberry Spring bears fruit for more than 15 years; to obtain a consistently high yield, the variety requires certain care, which consists of the following measures:
- From the second year of the growing season in the spring, gooseberries are fed with nitrogen-based products, and organic fertilizers are applied during the ripening of the berries.
- Water the spring gooseberry in the morning or evening with a small volume of water; the tree trunk circle should not be allowed to dry out; the frequency of watering depends on seasonal precipitation.
- The bush is formed with 10-13 stems. After harvesting, the crop is thinned out, old, deformed shoots are removed, in the spring they carry out health cleaning, remove dry and frozen fragments.
- To prevent gooseberry stems from being damaged by mice or other small rodents, special chemicals are placed around the perimeter of the root circle at the end of summer.
- For the winter, the branches of the bush are collected in a bunch and secured with rope. This measure is necessary to prevent the stems from breaking under the weight of snow. Carry out water-recharging irrigation, hill up, and cover with a layer of mulch on top.
Reproduction
The main methods of propagation are cuttings, the use of layering, and dividing the bush.
In June, cuttings 12-15 cm long are cut and planted to a depth of 1.5 cm in fertile, moist soil under a film cover, watering periodically.
Gooseberry Spring can be propagated by layering. A strong young shoot is bent down and covered with earth. In spring, rooted stems are cut off and planted.
Reference. The most productive way is to divide the bush.
Reproduction must be carried out in the spring, around mid-May. Separate bushes that are at least 4 years old. The plant responds well to transplantation and quickly takes root.
Features of seasonal care
Care consists of watering, loosening, pest control and pruning gooseberries. The main thing is to observe the regularity of manipulations.
Soil care
Young plants of the Grossular variety require constant watering. The soil should be wetted to the tips of the roots (30–45 cm deep). This will help the bush take root properly. The first month after planting, watering is carried out twice a week - 1 bucket of water for each bush. During the dry summer period, watering should be increased to three times a week (at the rate of 2-3 buckets for each plant).
Before harvesting, at the end of June - beginning of July, it is better to refuse watering. Otherwise the berries may be sour
As for loosening, it should be done 5-6 times per season, while simultaneously carrying out weeding. A procedure is carried out to ensure full access of air and moisture to the roots. This will prevent a lack of nutrients in the soil, which “take away” the weeds.
Preventative treatment
After planting gooseberries, the main task of any gardener is to protect the young plant from pests. Prevention is carried out in the spring, before the kidneys awaken. This way you can destroy pathogens and not harm the gooseberry itself.
Important! All manipulations of spraying and treatment with boiling water must be carried out before the buds swell. Otherwise, you can burn and destroy the bushes. The main treatment measures are as follows:
The main processing measures are as follows:
- After the snow melts, the bush and the soil around it must be watered with boiling water. This will help cope with harmful microorganisms developing in the soil.
- Carry out sanitary pruning, removing all dry and damaged branches. This measure will help avoid the development of diseases and weakening of the bush.
- To harden the plant, a Zircon solution is used, spraying is carried out using a spray bottle.
- When the buds open, the gooseberries are sprayed with Bordeaux mixture once every two weeks.
- You can plant garlic or dill next to the bushes. Spicy crops will repel pests.
Feeding
Like any fruit shrub, gooseberries need increased nutrition with mineral and organic nutrients. Fertilizers are applied twice a year - in spring and autumn.
Spring feeding is carried out before the buds open. At this time, the plant needs nitrogen. 30 g of urea is added to each bush. Potassium-phosphorus fertilizers can be used based on the condition of the soil. But not earlier than in a year.
Find out more about how to fertilize gooseberries in autumn and spring.
Autumn fertilizing is carried out after harvesting. This will help the plant lay flower buds for next year and increase the winter hardiness of thornless gooseberries. At the rate of 1 m², add half a bucket of rotted manure, 100 g of ash and 45 g of superphosphate. The soil under a bush with a diameter of 2 m is sprinkled with a nutrient mixture. Then it is embedded with a shovel to a depth of 10 cm. Such measures will help ensure abundant fruiting.
Support
Gooseberry shoots often lie on the ground. This can be prevented by installing supports. It is better to tie growing branches to them. This way you can form the correct crown and prevent branches from intertwining. In autumn, each bush is fixed to a support or trellis. In spring, the procedure must be carried out before the active formation of buds and leaves.
We advise you to read how to properly fence gooseberries.
What's the best way to do this:
- 4 pegs with cuts in the middle are installed around the bush;
- 4 additional slats are installed horizontally in the grooves and secured. This design will be able to support growing shoots.
Durable supports can be made from metal rods
Trimming
The fruit variety Grossular requires mandatory pruning. It is carried out in the second year after planting. 4-5 strong and healthy shoots are retained, and the rest, growing from the ground, old and damaged branches, are removed. Ten-year-old plants are subject to pre-winter pruning of old shoots at the root.
Features of growing gooseberries Rodnik depending on the region
In the middle zone and to the north, you need to choose the sunniest places for planting; to the south it is better to find openwork shade for the bush so that sunburn does not damage the foliage and crop.
Autumn planting in cold zones is carried out a month before the arrival of frost, in temperate climates - in early September, in warm regions the period is extended until mid-October. In areas with a variable climate, it is advisable to plant in spring. The optimal time for central Russia is mid-May, for the southern regions - April.
Reviews from summer residents
Summer residents who grow Rodnik on their plots note the variety’s high yield and resistance to disease.
Elena, 52 years old : “An excellent variety for those who want to collect large, moderately sweet gooseberries. There is some sourness in the taste, but it is insignificant compared to many other types. I’m happy with the gooseberries, I’ll try to propagate them.”
Vladimir, 46 years old : “The Rodnika bush has been growing on my site for 5 years and meets the varietal characteristics. Over the years there have been no problems with diseases or pests. The yield is encouraging every year.”
