Gooseberry Malachite

Gooseberries are called “northern grapes”, ” cherry plum” for its taste and appearance similar to these fruits. But the thorny shrub, common on all continents except Australia, South America and Africa, has a botanical resemblance to the currant, a “generous” and vitamin berry familiar to our latitudes.

The gooseberry has many fans. Summer residents grow it mainly for winter preparations: compote and very tasty healthy jam. Therefore, interest in the Malachite variety and in the agricultural technology of its cultivation is quite justified.

History of breeding varieties

Gooseberry Malachite is a relatively new variety, developed on the basis of the best species characteristics of the plant, popular among amateur gardeners.

Given the distribution of the shrub on almost all continents, it can be concluded that the gooseberry does not need to improve the degree of endurance. In Our Country, it has been known as “bersen” or “kryzh” since the middle of the XNUMXth century. But the wild shrub has too small and sour fruits, numerous thorns and low yields.

A popular vitamin product interested the breeders of the All- Research Institute. Michurin. In 1959, they managed to develop a new hybrid, as a result of crossing the European varieties Date and Black Negus. Earlier varieties and hybrids of gooseberries were discovered and described in England at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. By that time, more than a thousand varieties of gooseberries were already known.

Description of the bush and berries

The gooseberry of this variety differs from other varieties and hybrids in the larger size of the berries, increased productivity, and the characteristic color of the berries, for which the variety was named Malachite.

Agrotechnical characteristics

As a result of selection, the hybrid Malachite acquired the following characteristics:

• The height of the bush is 1,3 m, sprawling in the upper part, but compactly collected at the base in the root zone. Young shoots are green in color, slightly pubescent. On the shoots of the second year, thorns are formed, rarely located along the length of the stem.
• The mass of berries is 5-6 g, their color is bright green at the stage of technical maturity, and upon biological maturation it acquires an amber hue, the berries have a thin skin, distinct veins, the pulp of the fruit contains a large number of very small seeds.
• The table qualities of berries are assessed by experts on a five-point scale – 3,9 – 5 points; acidity – 2%; sugar content – 8,6%; fruits are dense, with a rich characteristic aroma, high transportability and a long shelf life.
• Gooseberry fruits of the Malachite variety are used for making desserts, winter canning, and are distinguished by a high content of pectins.
• The ripening period is medium early, the fruiting period is extended.
• Productivity – 4 kg of berries from one bush; peak fruiting occurs at the age of three years; ovaries are formed on the shoots of the second year.
• Malachite is resistant to powdery mildew, frost resistance up to -30⁰C.

Gooseberry Malachite is recommended for growing in the middle lane. With high resistance to low temperatures, gooseberries tolerate dry and hot summers much worse. It is believed that Malachite is a hybrid, however, over the long years of existence, more than 60 years, the shrub has acquired stable varietal characteristics, which gives reason to call this gooseberry a variety.

Advantages and disadvantages

Growing conditions

With proper care, Malachite gooseberry bears fruit for fifteen years, starting from the second year of life. Fruits abundantly from the third to the fifth year of life, then the yield decreases. But with proper care, timely pruning and renewal of shoots, Malachite’s productivity can be extended.

All varieties of gooseberries prefer growing in open sunny areas, with a low groundwater table. Malachite produces a good harvest in fertile and light areas, however, the use of dressings should be a carefully thought-out event.

Features of landing

Gooseberry seedlings purchased in the nursery are transplanted to a new place, deepening the root zone of the plant by 5-6 cm. Such a planting allows the plant to form replacement roots, and the plant tolerates transplanting more easily, which is inevitably associated with injury to the root system. Planting should be done in autumn or early spring, before the start of sap flow.

Gooseberry seedlings should have 3-5 young shoots. Before planting a bush, it is recommended to treat the damaged roots with a disinfectant solution, “powder” with ash. The shoots should be cut, leaving the length of the ground part of the plant 10-15 cm. Ideally, the length of the stems should not exceed the length of the main root.

The planting pattern of Malachite in a summer cottage can be somewhat compacted, with a lack of space. However, you should not thicken the shrubs too much: this will make it difficult to further care for the plant, and will also adversely affect the ripening of berries, which become sweeter under the influence of sunlight. The recommended planting pattern for the Malachite gooseberry variety is 0,7-1,0 m. If the gooseberry cultivation is planned in large volumes, then the row spacing is 1,4-1,8 m. the earth in the root zone needs to be compacted.

Top dressing is best done after the rooting of the bush, and limited to watering. For light sandy soil, one bush will require 10 liters of water during autumn planting. In the spring, when planting in moist soil, you can reduce the watering rate by half.

Care instructions

The rules of care for gooseberries of the Malachite variety are standard, as for all berry bushes. Young shoots of the first order form flower stalks in the spring of next year. Therefore, two-year-old stems must be removed regularly to prevent thickening of the bushes. We should not forget that timely thinning of the shrub will eliminate the need to deal with pests and diseases. An overgrown gooseberry bush gives lower yields of small and too sour berries.

Agrotechnics for growing gooseberries Malachite consists of four mandatory stages.

Support 

The gooseberry bush Malachite, as mentioned above, has a height of 1,3 m. Such shoots, under the weight of fruits, are capable of lodging in the fruiting phase. Therefore, gooseberry support is necessary. There are several ways to support:

• The easiest way is to tie the shrub with twine during the ripening period. But this method only saves the stems and fruits from contact with the soil surface, where pests live – insects and pathogenic microorganisms. The inconvenience of such a support is felt when harvesting.
• Installation of round or square rigid supports on posts, around shrubs, of a larger diameter than the zone occupied by the shrub. The height of the support is 50-60 cm. In this case, the gooseberry stalks rest freely on rigid ribs.
• The height of the Malachite stems allows you to place the shrub on the trellis. This garter is perfect in every way.

Additional fertilizing

Gooseberries bear fruit for a long time if you regularly feed the bush. It is only necessary to make top dressing in the autumn, along the perimeter of the crown, where the tips of the roots are located. During the winter period, due to the introduction of a nutrient mixture, the soil structure will improve. It is during the transition of the plant to the dormant phase that top dressing is most favorable for gooseberries. Prepare the mineral mixture:

• 50 g superphosphate;
• 25 g ammonium sulfate;
• 25 g of potassium sulfate.

Combine dry mix with compost. Top dressing for gooseberries is applied dry, as this berry bush prefers slow and gradual saturation with nutrients. Fertilizers dissolved in water, quickly absorbed, it does not tolerate well. Scatter the prepared top dressing around the shrub, after loosening the topsoil. After a couple of weeks, you can add a diluted mullein – 5 liters of organic matter per 10 liters of water per gooseberry bush.

Pruning of bushes

Malachite grows annually by 10-14 shoots. Stems older than 5 years are cut at the root in autumn, and the growth of 1-3 years is cut 10 cm above the root neck. In spring, for abundant flowering and the formation of large fruits, young shoots are pinched, cutting off the tops by 10 cm.

Preparation for winter

In autumn, after pruning and top dressing, before the onset of cold weather, gooseberries are spudded, covering the root zone. Malachite is a frost-resistant shrub, but winter warming contributes to the early awakening of the plant and the appearance of friendly young shoots. In the spring, before the bush awakens, the protective layer should be removed and the surface loosening of the soil in the root zone should be carried out, in case pest larvae overwintered near the bush. While the larvae are sleeping, pour boiling water over the area and spray it on the stems of the plant. A “hot shower” will save the gooseberries from the harmful neighborhood and awaken the kidneys.

Reproduction

Gooseberry harvest, weighing 4 kg – not so much! If you are lucky enough to get the Malachite variety, then it can be propagated on the site in several ways without much effort. Gooseberries are propagated:

• cuttings;
• Drains;
• The division of the bush;
• vaccinations;
• Seeds.

You can learn more about gooseberry propagation methods by watching the video:

Pest and disease control

Unfortunately, rare plants bloom and bear fruit safely without attracting the attention of pests. Despite its high resistance to many diseases, Malachite gooseberries are not immune from crop destruction by insects. Briefly, the main pest control measures are set out in the table:

After chemical treatment, you can start picking berries no earlier than 2 weeks later, and the harvested crop must be thoroughly washed.

The Malachite variety is resistant to powdery mildew, but summer residents will have to deal with other diseases when growing this variety on their own.

Conclusion

Gooseberries of the Malachite variety have been grown in summer cottages for a long time, and judging by the reviews of gardeners, they are very popular. Minor problems – diseases and pests, which are described above – do not reduce the demand for berry bushes. The vast majority of summer residents believe that the Malachite variety is the best option for giving.

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