Finnish gooseberry: green, red, yellow, description of varieties, planting and care

Growing gooseberries in a cold climate became possible after breeding varieties. The main part of the varieties of culture was created at the beginning of the last century, when the spread of the fungus Sferoteka completely destroyed the crop. The breeding of varieties resistant to infection and low temperatures has become a priority for hybridization. Finnish gooseberry fully meets these requirements. A high-yielding variety with strong immunity is cultivated throughout the temperate climate.

Description of the Finnish gooseberry

Finnish gooseberries are represented by several varieties that differ in the color of the berries. The green variety was created first, on the basis of which species with yellow and red berries were bred. The varietal characteristics of the varieties are not much different. Finnish gooseberry of medium-late fruiting period, ripens before the onset of frost. Berry shrubs are grown in the European, Central part of Our Country, the culture is most popular among gardeners in Siberia, the Urals, and the Moscow region.

Characteristics of the Finnish gooseberry:

1. The plant is medium-sized with a height of 1-1,3 m. The bush is not sprawling, it is formed by numerous upright shoots. Perennial stems are dark gray with a brown tint, current year’s shoots are light green.
2. Thorns are rarely located along the length of the branches, grow at an angle of 900, short, thick, rigid with sharp ends.
3. The foliage is dense, the leaves are formed in 4-6 pieces. at the end of a short cutting, oppositely located. The sheet plate is five-lobed, rigid, with a smooth glossy surface and a grid of beige veins. The leaves are wide, dark green, with wavy edges.
4. The flowers are small, drooping, green with a yellow tint, formed in the form of a cone. Inflorescences are formed on each leaf node, density 1-3 flowers. The plant is dioecious.
5. The fruits are rounded with a smooth surface, the color depends on the variety, with a slight waxy coating, slightly pubescent. The pulp is juicy, dense, contains a small amount of small seeds. Weight – 4-7 g.
6. The root system is superficial.

Green (Green)

Finnish green gooseberry grows up to 1,2 m, the crown is compact, blooms profusely every year, consistently yields. It blooms in late May after the threat of return frosts. Productivity – up to 8 kg.

Description of the Finnish green gooseberry (pictured):

• berries are light green, oval, with beige longitudinal stripes, pubescence is weak, weight – 8 g;
• the peel is dense, thin;
• olive-colored flesh with small brown seeds;
• leaves dull, dark green;
• flowers yellow with a green tint, small.

 Yellow (Gelb)

Finnish gooseberry yellow is bred specifically for the northern regions. Among the representatives of Finnish varieties, it has the most pronounced taste and aroma. The bush is dense, reaches a height of 1m. Gives good growth, adds up to 35 cm per season.

The branches are straight-growing with drooping tops, the thorniness is weak, but the spines are hard, with sharp ends. The leaves are light green, bright, three-lobed. The berries are round, amber in color, medium in size, weight – 3-5 g. On a fruit brush, 2-3 pcs. The pulp is juicy with apricot flavor, yellow, the seeds are beige.

Red (Rot)

The red Finnish gooseberry is the highest variety, the shrub reaches 1,3-1,5 m. The thorniness is denser than that of green and yellow, the spines are thin, long, arched. The bush is branched, the stems are dark brown.

The leaves are dull, flowers with a pink tinge are collected 2-4 pieces in inflorescences. The berries are round, burgundy with white longitudinal stripes, large (up to 9 g). Flesh with a purple tint, juicy, dense texture, brown seeds. The red Finnish variety is considered the most productive, yielding 11 kg per bush.

Main characteristics

Finnish varieties are popular among gardeners. The culture is rarely affected by infection, has a high rate of frost resistance, and is characterized by stable fruiting. All varieties of Finnish gooseberries are unpretentious in care and adapted to adverse weather conditions.

Drought resistance, frost resistance

Varieties of Finnish gooseberries were created specifically for growing in areas with long cold winters and short summers. Gooseberries tolerate temperatures as low as -38 0C. In case of damage to the shoots during the season, the shrub is completely restored without loss of fruiting. The flowering of the variety is relatively late, the flowers are rarely affected by frosts, if return frosts occur at the time of flowering, the gooseberry tolerates up to -4 0C.

Drought resistance in varieties of Finnish gooseberries is average. Moisture deficiency affects the fruits. Berries grow smaller, sluggish, acid dominates in taste. The leaves lose their color brightness, turn yellow, the vegetation slows down. In the absence of precipitation, the culture requires periodic watering.

fruiting, productivity

Finnish gooseberry forms female and male flowers, varieties are self-pollinated. Fruiting is stable every year. The berry shrub blooms at the end of May, ripe berries are harvested in August. Medium-late varieties bloom late, ripen in a short time, this feature is relevant for a temperate climate. Gooseberries begin to bear fruit at the 4th year of growth, the average yield of Finnish varieties is 8 kg per 1 unit.

The ripening period falls on high summer temperatures, so it is necessary to observe the irrigation regime. With a sufficient amount of moisture, the berries in the sun do not bake and do not fall off. They accumulate a sufficient amount of sugar, the taste is balanced with a minimum acid content. Juicy fruits are characterized by a delicate aroma. With an excess of moisture, the berries of Finnish gooseberries are prone to cracking.

The peel of the gooseberry is dense, the berries are stored within 6 days without losing weight. The Finnish gooseberry is suitable for industrial cultivation, easily tolerates transportation. Berries are consumed fresh or added to fruit jam, such as apple jam.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the Finnish gooseberry:

• fruiting is stable, high, the shrub gives berries for more than 10 years;
• high rate of frost resistance;
• strong immunity;
• fruits on a 5-point tasting scale are estimated at 4,7 points;
• berries do not bake, do not crack, stay on the bush for a long time;
• gooseberries are suitable for growing in regions with a cold climate;
• the crop is stored for a long time, safely transported.

The disadvantages include poor drought tolerance and the presence of thorns.

Features of reproduction

Finnish gooseberries are propagated generatively and vegetatively. The seed method is used in breeding work to develop new varieties and in nurseries for mass cultivation. On the site, gooseberries are propagated by cuttings, layering and dividing the bush. Cuttings are harvested in the middle of summer, the next season they are ready for planting. For layering, they take the lower stem, bend it to the ground, cover it with soil, work is carried out in the spring, by autumn the buds will take root. The best way to propagate is to divide the bush. Gooseberries are taken at the age of three, work is carried out at the end of May.

Planting and care

Finnish gooseberries are planted in spring after the soil warms up to +8 0С, (approximately in May) and in autumn (30 days before frost). For the middle lane, the autumn planting period falls on September. A place is chosen open to the sun or with periodic shading. The soils are fertile, neutral or slightly acidic, aerated, without excess moisture. Planting material should be with 2-3 stems, with the presence of leaves and fruit buds, without mechanical damage. The root is well developed, without dry patches.

Planting gooseberries:

1. The seedling is dipped for 4 hours in a growth stimulant preparation.
2. Organics, sand, peat, turf soil are mixed, ash is added.
3. They dig a hole with a diameter of 40 * 40 cm, a depth of 45 cm.
4. The bottom is covered with a layer of drainage (15 cm).
5. Pour part of the nutrient substrate onto the drainage pad.
6. A gooseberry is placed in the center.
7. Fall asleep with the rest of the nutrient mixture.
8. The hole is filled to the top with soil.
9. Seal, water, cover with mulch.

The root neck remains about 5 cm above the surface. After planting, the stems are cut off, leaving 2 buds on each.

Growing rules

Finnish gooseberry varieties bear fruit for about 10 years, so that productivity does not fall, care is needed for the shrub:

1. In the spring, gooseberries are fed with nitrogen-containing agents, at the time of fruiting, organic matter is introduced.
2. Watering is oriented to seasonal precipitation; drying and waterlogging of the root ball should not be allowed.
3. The Finnish gooseberry bush is formed by 10 stems, in the fall, after picking the berries, they are thinned out, leaving strong shoots. In the spring, frozen and dry areas are removed.
4. So that the branches do not damage small rodents, special chemicals are laid out around the bush.

Finnish gooseberries have a high frost resistance, so crown shelter for the winter is not required. In autumn, the bush is abundantly watered, spud, the near-stem circle is covered with a layer of mulch.

Pests and diseases

Finnish gooseberries rarely get sick, all breeding varieties are highly resistant to diseases. If the air humidity is high for a long time and the temperature is low, a fungal infection may develop, covering the berries with a dense gray film. Get rid of the problem “Topaz”, “Oxy”.

For preventive purposes, before sap flow, the bush is treated with Bordeaux liquid or watered with hot water. The only pest on Finnish varieties is aphids. Gooseberries are sprayed with a solution of laundry soap, anthills are removed from the site. If the measures were unsuccessful, they are treated with herbicides.

Conclusion

Finnish gooseberry is a frost-resistant crop with high productivity and gastronomic appreciation. Represented by several varieties with green, red, yellow berries. Grow gooseberries in cold climates. The shrub gives a good annual growth, does not require special care.

Finnish gooseberry reviews