Gooseberry Malachite

Gooseberry Malachite - the culture has been tested both by time and by a number of generations of experienced gardeners. It is distinguished by an unprecedentedly high level of winter hardiness, fast fruiting times, long periods of productive growth and excellent taste. Some disadvantages, of course, are present, but this is precisely the smallness that in practice does not mean anything in comparison with the worthy result obtained.

Work on the creation of culture was carried out at the All-Russian Research Institute of Horticulture. IV Michurin in the post-war years by a group of specialists under the leadership of K. D. Sergeeva. In the course of the work, the task was to obtain a culture for growing in regions with unstable weather conditions. The goal was achieved by the beginning of the 60s by crossing the Black Negus and the Date. It was entered in the State Register in 1959. According to the recommendations of the originator, the variety is intended for cultivation in household plots located throughout Russia. The purpose of the fruit is technical, with good transportability.

The bushes of the culture are vigorous (up to 130 cm), spreading, thickened, with medium thorniness. However, in the area of ​​the base, they are compact, not prone to the formation of strong growth.

Annual shoots do not have thorns, with weak pubescence, green color, in the lower part of brownish shades. The bark of 2-year-old shoots and older is grayish, slightly rough, with sparse thorns evenly spaced along the length of the branches. Thorns of a single structure, less often 2-3-spaced, short, slightly thickened, dark-colored, directed perpendicular to the shoots or upward. The shoots themselves are slightly thickened, arched; lignified - intertwined, short. Shoot recovery development is high.

The leaves are large, grayish-green, slightly pubescent, with a smooth plate, concave, with serrated tops.

The flowers are medium, bell-shaped, brightly colored. They usually appear in the second decade of May. Inflorescences are one-two-flowered.

The variety is positioned as self-pollinated, does not need additional pollinators.

Of the pluses, we note:

• the fast timing of the onset of fruiting in the second year of growth;

• long cycle of productive life of shrubs up to 10-12 years;

• small prickling;

• high level of winter hardiness;

• excellent presentation of berries;

• high level of fruit usefulness;

• excellent taste properties of fruits;

• the versatility of berries in their application.

The culture is productively and successfully grown in the northern latitudes, as well as in the Central, Volga-Vyatka, Middle Volga, Nizhnevolzhsky, Ural, North-West and other regions of Russia.

During ripening, the fruits are intensely green in color. However, in the course of ripening, the peel becomes thinner and gets a golden color. The peel is translucent, stands out with strong venation and a light waxy bloom, not pubescent. Fruits are large in size (weighing 4.5-6 g), round or pear-shaped. The consistency is delicate, it has a significant amount of vitamin C and pectins.By chemical composition: sugars - 8.6%, titrated acids - 2.0%, ascorbic acid - 23.0-40.8 mg / 100 g

Ripe berries do not fall off within 1-1.5 weeks, but it is not recommended to transport them over long distances - the peel is too thin. Consumer properties last no longer than 6-7 days in refrigeration units.

By taste, the berries are sour, with a rich aroma. Tasting score in points - 3.7.

The culture is positioned as mid-season (mid-early). The ripening period is extended. Fruiting starts in the second half of July. Berries of the first cut have a satisfactory keeping quality, but they are used more often for processing. The bushes reach the highest yield by 3-4 years of growth. The fruits ripen periodically almost until September.

The average yield is 12.6 t / ha (3.8 kg / bush).

Planting sites should be sunny and calm. Smooth areas with low elevations are desirable. We do not recommend planting seedlings in lowlands, in swampy areas and in places with acidified soil, as well as with groundwater close to the surface (limitation - 1-1.5 m).

During planting, they maintain a distance of at least 1.3-1.6 m between the bushes, since their crowns are spreading.

For the bushes, pits 50-60 cm in diameter and similar depth are prepared. The bottom is usually drained with rubble or broken brick. A mound of nutritious soil is poured on top, including rotted compost and humus in equal parts. In heavy, clayey soils, there should be additives of river sand, peat or rotted sawdust.

It is advisable to prune the shoots, leaving 3-5 buds on each. Both drying and overly elongated roots are pruned. Places of cuts are disinfected with wood ash or crushed activated carbon.

Planting of seedlings is carried out on hills. At the same time, the roots are carefully straightened, the planting recesses are filled in, and the root collars of the seedlings are deepened by 5-6 cm. This is followed by irrigation and mulching of the near-root circle with straw or sawdust.

The culture is quite whimsical in relation to the composition of the soil, the landing sites and its water state. It develops productively on light and fertile soils, tolerates waterlogged areas unsatisfactorily, often becoming infected with diseases of a fungal nature. In hot weather, it is in dire need of irrigation, requires systematic sanitary and clarifying pruning.

In the summer, it is extremely necessary to carry out activities for weeding, loosening the soil, irrigation (if necessary), fertilizing and pruning.

The main additives are produced 2 times a year. In early spring, rotted compost is added to the near-root space, and the soil is loosened.

At the end of the fruiting period, the bushes are spilled with infusions of mullein or bird droppings. During the summer period, as well as after flowering, fertilizing is carried out with mineral fertilizers, which include potassium, phosphorus, magnesium supplements.

In the fall, the necessary sanitary cutting is carried out, eliminating deformed shoots and old branches, since the flowers of the culture are formed on 2-year-old shoots.

Fallen leaves, litter, obsolete mulch are removed under the bushes and a new one is added (8-10 cm high). With the appearance of snow, drifts are raked up to the bushes.

According to the originator, the culture has a high immune potential against most typical diseases, with the exception of anthracnose, for which copper sulfate is used. For preventive purposes, in spring and autumn, the bushes are treated with "Topaz".

Spring spraying of shrubs with boiling water is effective against pest attacks. When aphids or spider mites attack, chemicals are used.

The culture is characterized by rare winter hardiness. She reliably tolerates winters without additional shelter at temperatures of -30 ... 35 degrees. But it does not differ in particular drought resistance. The consequence of moisture deficiency is the crumbling of the berries and the deterioration of their taste properties. However, even in these cases, its fruits do not fall prematurely.