Gooseberry Kolobok - the secrets of growing a bush
Content:
The brightest and most recognizable type of gooseberry in summer cottages, without a doubt, is the Kolobok. After all, it was this bush that gardeners liked not only because of the high yield and excellent taste, many fell in love with it for the absence of thorns.
Description and characteristics of gooseberry gingerbread man
In 1988, a team of authors led by I. V. Popova completed a long-term research work and received permission to design a new gooseberry variety. The resulting variety, zoned for Siberian latitudes, was named Kolobok. So, for more than 40 years this variety has been successfully pleasing gardeners in the vastness from Eastern Siberia to the Volgo-Vyatka and Central Black Earth regions.
Gooseberry gingerbread man
The parental pair of varieties that gave rise to Kolobok were Smena and pink-2. The resulting hybrid, in addition to high agrotechnical qualities, acquired one more thing - it has almost no thorns.
Characteristics of the bushes
The bush belongs to high-growing varieties, the length of the shoots can reach 1.8-2 m. The branches are thick, resilient. Photophilous and actively fighting for a place, literally covering competitors with its branches. Leaves are larger than medium, even large in size with an unusual gray-green dark color.
Ripening period is average. The gooseberry root system is developed with a large number of peripheral processes.
Characteristics of berries
Gooseberry Gingerbread man has a high productivity, but the size of the berries may not always be the same standard. Most grow to medium size - from 3 to 4 g. Berries weighing 6-7 g are usually up to a quarter of the harvest. With constant proper care it can be achieved that the majority of the harvest will be berries of the standard size 6-8 g.
Gooseberries Gingerbread Man
The shape of the berries corresponds to the name - round, spherical. Occasionally there is an elongated appearance, this is not a critical trait for this variety. Seed saturation is normal. Color from bright green during the growing season to dark red and even deep brown during the ripening period.
Features of the variety
The variety belongs to high-yielding varieties, with proper care, up to 10-12 kg of berries can be removed from one bush. Ripening period - mid-July. Harvesting is carried out in the second half of July - early August. The berries are easily transported without losing their presentation. Berries do not lose their appearance even if stored for a short period of 5-7 days under normal conditions.
Taste qualities
The skin of the berries is dense, but soft, the pulp has a high juiciness. Taste with a predominance of sourness, but with a noticeably sweet aftertaste. Ripe berries have a specific, moderately crunchy effect. The berry belongs to the dessert type.
Drought resistance and frost resistance
Despite the fact that for the variety the main growing area is considered to be an area with long winters and short hot summers, it does not tolerate wintering very well. The problem is that the variety quickly responds to the onset of heat, which has a detrimental effect during winter thaws. It turns out that he easily tolerates prolonged colds up to -25 ° C, but ordinary night frosts and thaws are destructive for him.
Three-year bush
Disease and pest resistance
Unlike many thornless varieties, Kolobok is practically not susceptible to the incidence of powdery mildew and many pests, such as moth and sawfly.
Using berries
Ripe berries, due to the high content of vitamins and minerals, can be consumed both fresh and after processing. Table berries are served as a dessert, and when prepared, they are processed into preserves, jams, jellies, as an ingredient in multifruit nectars and compotes.
Advantages and disadvantages of Kolobok variety
The advantages of the variety are expressed in high yield, long-term productivity up to 10 years, resistance to most diseases and pests and, of course, the absence of thorns on the shoots.
The disadvantages include weak frost resistance during thaws and night frosts, demanding watering and the need for regular pruning.
Planting young seedlings on the site
The variety has a fantastic (up to 85-90%) survival rate of seedlings on the site. This is simply a phenomenal result of success.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
Seedlings with a developed root system and 2-3 shoots older than a year are prepared for planting. The tops of the shoots are cut off and treated with a disinfectant solution. The root system is straightened and, if possible, trimmed by 0.5-1 cm, this will give an incentive for the early development of the peripheral roots of the bush.
Biennial seedlings
Landing time and pattern
For the gooseberry variety Kolobok, autumn planting is preferable. It is produced before the onset of frost in September - October. For spring planting, the second half of March - the first half of April is considered the best period. These are the classic planting periods for the southern regions. For the northern regions, it is better to choose the spring season, when the soil warms up enough and the threat of cold weather has passed.
Choosing a landing site
For a bush, an abundance of sunlight is an important factor, so it is better to plant a bush on the south side. However, if the bush is in the shade for part of the day, it does not matter, it will take root there too.
Despite the exactingness to the abundance of moisture, especially during the dry period, the variety does not tolerate swampy and waterlogged areas with groundwater occurrence closer than 1.5-2 m.
For planting, the best type of soil is considered to be loose, fertile, with a neutral acidity index. Planting on slightly acidic and soddy soils is also allowed.
Site preparation
A flat area is selected for planting. If the groundwater level tends to increase or there is a threat of flooding, it is recommended to artificially raise the landing site by 0.5-0.7 m.For planting, a hole is dug 0.5-0.6 m deep and measuring 50 × 50 cm.
Planting process
Before planting in open ground, it is recommended to soak the roots of the seedling in aqueous sodium humate (60 g per 5 l of water) for 5-6 hours. 5-7 days before planting, a layer of compost (10-12 cm) is laid on the bottom of the hole during autumn planting. 2-3 cm of fertile soil is poured on top. The seedling is installed vertically so that the straightened roots are located over the entire area of the hole.
When planting, the root collar should be 5-7 cm deep. Pruning is also important so that 5-7 bud nodes remain on the shoots.
After planting, watering is done, you need to pour 10-12 liters of water under the bush.
Features of seasonal care
The schemes of watering and feeding the bush fit well into the parameters traditional for this culture. During the period of swelling of the kidneys, feeding with urea and watering under the root with a volume of 10-12 liters of water is carried out. During the growing season and ripening of the crop, it is required to ensure that the soil does not dry out. At this time, watering is considered the norm once every 7-10 days in a volume of 10 liters of water.
Top dressing is done once every 2-3 weeks, depending on the condition of the bush and the number of ripening berries. During dry periods, the frequency of watering should be increased to 1 watering every 5-7 days. At this time, it is recommended to alternate fertilizing with mineral fertilizers with an organic solution.
After harvesting, it is recommended to do two more top dressing so that the gooseberry root system can absorb nutrients before the onset of cold weather.
Gooseberry Kolobok, the description of the variety of which focuses on the correct maintenance of the water balance in the area, favorably applies to such techniques as loosening and mulching. Mulching is recommended for both dry grass and pine needles or bark. The procedure is recommended to be carried out in combination with loosening. 2-3 days after watering, the root area should be loosened to a depth of 10 cm and covered with mulch.
Despite the high resistance to diseases and pests, it is recommended to do preventive treatment with complex preparations 2-3 times a season, and treat it against spores before wintering.
Pruning a bush in the fall
The pruning calendar includes spring, autumn and preventive in summer. Shoots older than 4 years are removed in autumn, dry branches in spring, and young aggressive shoots thickening the bush in summer.
The complex of measures for preparation for winter includes - feeding, mulching, treatment with anti-spore preparations and protective whitewashing.
Reproduction
To propagate the gingerbread gooseberry, you can choose one of three ways.
By cuttings
When propagating by cuttings, 2-3-year-old shoots are taken. For planting in a greenhouse, the stalk must be at least 20 cm. Twigs 15-17 cm are buried in the ground, the rest is higher. It is preferable that there are 3-4 renal nodes on top.
In order for the root to reach its maximum size, it is recommended to combine watering under the jar with fertilizing. Such care will ensure the transformation of the cuttings into a viable independent plant by 21-25 days after planting.
By dividing
The division of the bush is carried out during the autumn planting. Usually young shoots are separated from the root group. Before planting, treatment with a stimulant is needed, after - watering with top dressing.
Layers
Layering is recommended immediately after spring pruning. To do this, the lower branches are tilted to the ground and buried in. The height of the mound of land is required at least 15 cm, and the length is up to 25 cm. Watering should be done every 5-7 days. After a while, the branches will take root. Their transplantation is recommended during the autumn preparation for wintering in September-October.
Even for those who are just trying their hand at gardening, growing a gooseberry Kolobok will not be difficult. Within 3-4 years, without unnecessary worries, it will be possible to get a real plantation of a valuable variety.
