Invicta gooseberry

The Invicta gooseberry variety, widely known in Russia, pleases with abundant yield and early ripening of the crop. Many gardeners consider this variety a classic due to the universal purpose of the crop and the special arrangement of thorns, which does not cause trouble during the care and collection of berries.

Vigorous and spreading shrubs take up a lot of space on the site. They reach a height of 160 centimeters. The number of thorns is medium. The shrub forms a large number of spinous shoots. The stems are straight and not too thick.

The leaf plates can be medium or small in size. Color - light green. The thorns are large. The surface of the leaves is glossy. A special characteristic of the variety is its accelerated growth rate, which must be taken into account when setting up a berry plantation.

Large berries gain a mass of 6-8 grams, and some of them weigh about 12 grams. The shape is oval, reminiscent of a plum. Reaching technical maturity, the fruits become yellow-green, and at maximum ripening they become amber. The fruits are covered with a thin but dense skin. Juicy pulp is formed inside. The surface is covered with fine villi.

The variety harmoniously combines sweetness and acidity. The aroma is pronounced and appetizing. The tasters gave a score of 4.3 points. The fruits contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals. The amount of sugars is 13%.

Ripening dates are marked as medium early or medium. The berries are harvested from mid-summer to early autumn. Ripening is extended. The variety is fast-growing.

Due to the high yield, up to 6 kilograms of berries are obtained from one plant. The dense skin protects the crop during transport. The first harvest is obtained 2-3 years after planting young shrubs.

Planting is carried out in spring or autumn. The second option is considered more practical and comfortable for plants, since with a slight warming, active strengthening and adaptation of the roots occurs, and with the onset of spring, the shrubs will wake up faster and adapt to new conditions. When planting seedlings in the spring, you need to have time to complete the work before the buds begin to swell.

Experienced summer residents are advised to plant in early March or September.

When buying seedlings with an open root system, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics:

• the number of shoots - 1-2 pieces;
• the top of the plant should be about 35 centimeters long; and the roots are from 14 to 18 centimeters;
• the presence of at least two main roots;
• any damage must be absent;
• the kidneys must be closed;
• complete absence of foliage.

The Invicta variety tolerates short periods of drought without problems, but for a rich harvest, the shrubs need to be watered regularly. Water must penetrate into the ground to a depth of at least 40 centimeters. It is recommended to irrigate the shrub with warm and settled water. Water is poured strictly under the root so that it does not fall on the leaves.

Watering must be carried out during the following stages of plant development:

• the formation of stems and ovaries, this period falls at the end of spring or early summer;
• when berries ripen;
• in September, to prepare the roots for future wintering.

2-3 buckets of water are consumed per bush, depending on its age.

And also you need to ensure proper soil care:

• the earth is periodically dug up and loosened for better air and water permeability;
• weeds are harvested immediately after they appear;
• mulch performs several functions at once, it nourishes the earth, retains moisture, prevents weeds from growing and prevents berries from contacting the ground, gardeners recommend using hay, straw, sawdust or peat;
• weeding and loosening of the soil should be performed at least once a month.

Note: Gooseberry roots develop close to the surface and are easily damaged. Garden tools can be deepened no more than 8 centimeters.

Fertilizing is needed for fruit plants for improved fruiting. The Invicta variety is fertilized at least 2 times a year. The regularity depends on the fertility of the soil. The first portion is applied after the end of flowering. Its main purpose is to help shrubs to form a rich and succulent harvest. The second time the plants need feeding before wintering.

When fertilizing berry bushes, organics are used for the first time. Mullein or dung is widely used. Before use, it is diluted in water in a ratio of 1 to 10 or 1 to 20. For processing one square meter, 5 liters of droppings or 10 liters of mullein will be enough. To apply dressings next to the plants, you need to dig out shallow grooves, where the nutrient solution is poured. After absorbing the composition, the holes are sprinkled with a layer of soil.

After ripening and picking berries, they switch to mineral fertilizers. They are also not added in pure form, but dissolved in water. For example, 10 grams of urea per 10 liters of water.

In spring, shrubs are fed with nitrogen fertilizers, which start the process of active formation of greenery. Ammonium nitrate is popular. To prepare the solution, 40 grams of this component are dissolved in a bucket of water.

And also shrubs need to be pruned throughout the entire life cycle. The procedure is usually performed in spring and autumn. During sanitary pruning, broken, diseased and dry shoots are removed. Taking care of young plants (up to three years old), root growth is removed, and skeletal branches are cut in half.