Gooseberry Russian yellow

Interestingly, gooseberries have been cultivated in Russia since the 11th century. The Russian yellow variety was bred by Russian breeders from the V.I. Michurin in the second half of the twentieth century and is still popular.

Russian yellow appeared by spontaneous somatic mutation of the Russian variety. In fact, he is his clone. At the Institute of Horticulture KD Sergeeva, the material of the varieties Kareless x Houghton, as well as Oregon, Curry and Shtambovy was used. The result is a successful culture, ideally adapted to the harsh climatic conditions. In 1963, an application was filed for admission to cultivation. After successful variety trials, Russian yellow was registered in the State Register in 1974 and allowed to grow in two regions.

Gooseberry shrub Russian yellow can be called medium-sized, as it reaches a height of 1.2 meters. Its spreading is average. The color of the young shrub growth is green, the fruiting lignified branches have a light brown color. Light and straight thorns, located mainly at the bottom of the branches, are found in small numbers on the bush. The leaf plates are five-lobed, their color is light green. Small flowers of a beautiful pale pink color, formed on clusters of 1-2 pieces.

Gooseberry Russian yellow bears fruit in large fruits, each weighing from 4.2 to 5.8 grams. The berries are oval in shape. The thick yellow skin has a waxy coating.

The fruits of the culture in question are sweet and sour. The pulp is tender, jelly-like, the number of seeds is small. The composition of the product:

• the amount of sugars - 9.3%;
• titratable acidity - 2.1%;
• ascorbic acid - 12.0-32.0 mg / 100 g.

The tasters rated the taste of the berries on a solid four using a five-point system.

Russian yellow has an average ripening period, which begins in July, after the 20th.

The yield indicators of the variety are officially noted as high. So, on an industrial scale, it is 13.8 t / ha or 120-140 c / ha. On private farmsteads, one bush is removed from 4.1 to 6 kilograms of harvest per season.

Russian yellow is zoned for the North-West and Ural regions. However, for a long time it can be found in gardens and orchards of various regions of the country.

Gooseberries of the Russian yellow variety do not tolerate drafts and strong winds, so it is better not to plant them in an open area.And also destructive for the plant is the high moisture content of the soil, since the roots of the varietal gooseberry are located close to the surface. It is best to choose light fertile soil for planting. It is optimal to plant a crop in late autumn or early spring, before the start of sap flow.

Before planting, the plant should be prepared by removing dry branches and roots, as well as soaking the latter in an aqueous solution of sodium humate for 24 hours. The size of the planting hole in depth is 30-40 cm, diameter is 50-60 cm. When planting several plants, between 1.5 and 2 meters is kept between them, while between the rows there should be 2.5-3 meters.

The bottom is filled with fertile soil mixed with humus (8 kg), with the addition of superphosphate (50 g), wood ash (250-300 g). The seedling should be carefully lowered into the hole. Then he is covered with earth, watered abundantly.

Watering is one of the most important agricultural activities when growing gooseberries of the considered variety. Irrigation is especially important at the stage of berry formation. In the dry season, the shrubs are watered 2-3 times a week. It is worth starting watering during the flowering period, when new ovaries are formed. When the fruits are ripe, watering is stopped.

The rate that is necessary for watering will depend on the age of the crop. The older the bush, the larger its root system. The approximate amount of water per plant is 10-30 liters.

Top dressing is also important to the culture. And it is held from the spring months to autumn. At the same time, organic matter, phosphorus, and potassium compounds are involved. If nutrients were added to the hole during planting, then feeding will only be needed for 3-4 years. Organic fertilizers must be diluted with water (at least 1: 8), 10 liters will be enough per bush.

Since the Russian yellow gooseberry usually produces many shoots, attention must be paid to the formation of the bush. To do this, cut off all dry, as well as old branches at the root. Then twisted, damaged shoots are removed up to ground level. And fruiting trunks are shortened by one quarter.

Russian yellow is relatively resistant to American powdery mildew, as well as attacks by most pests.

The culture is winter-hardy, tolerates frosts quite well. However, if a snowless winter is observed in a certain region or the frost drops below –20 ° C, then experts recommend preparing the bush for wintering. To do this, the root system is covered with peat or humus to a thickness of 10 cm, the branches are bent to the ground, fixed with pegs or brackets, covered with burlap, then you can sprinkle it all with earth.