Gooseberry Beryl

Beryl gooseberry variety is a fairly modern variety that has already won love among many summer residents for the presence of rare thorns, as well as good immunity against powdery mildew. In addition, Beryl gooseberry has a rich and stable harvest.

Gooseberry Beryl. The history of the origin of the variety

Gooseberry Beryl was created in the 70s of the 20th century by our domestic breeders. The variety was created by combining Malachite and Nugget varieties. The creator is Ilyin V.S., who was the creator of many new varieties of gooseberries. These varieties have become better than their ancestors, even surpassed them in many characteristics.

Gooseberry Beryl: variety description

The variety has an average height and medium spreading, a dense crown and a small number of thorns, which are most often located in the lower part of the shoots. Most often they are directed downward, slightly below they are located at an angle of 90 degrees.

The leaves are large, pale green in color, the edges have elongated denticles. There is no pubescence on the leaves, the leaves have a shiny plate. The shoots of the variety are curved, hanging down. The flowers have a glass-like shape, from which a two-color inflorescence is formed.

The fruits are light green in color. They have a smooth surface, thin and transparent skin. The berries are sweet, with a dessert flavor and a slight sourness. The weight of one berry can be up to 9 g (which is much more than a cherry). However, the average weight is about 4 g.

Berries contain useful vitamins and minerals, sugars, ascorbic acid. When ripe, the berries acquire a sweet taste and an amber-green color.

Advantages and disadvantages.

Like any other crop, Beryl has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's dwell on them in more detail.

Among merits can be distinguished:

• Good frost resistance. They can withstand cold temperatures down to -38 degrees.
• Has immunity against powdery mildew.
• Large size and peculiar taste of berries.
• Differs in high productivity.
• Requires no additional pollinators.
• Contains a small amount of thorns.
• It tolerates transportation well.

Among disadvantages single out one - the ability to undergo a disease such as septoria.

Characteristic features of the variety

Having considered the main characteristics of the variety, you can understand how to grow it. And what you need to pay attention to when planting it in your summer cottage.

How much crop can the variety bring?... The variety has a good yield. An adult bush can bring up to 10 kg of harvest per season. Due to the fact that gooseberries have an average ripening period, you can pick the first berries already in mid-July.

Weather conditions do not affect the amount of the crop. The amount to be harvested depends on how you care for the plant. And also on what age he is.

Drought and frost resistant... Due to the fact that the variety does not badly tolerate even the lowest temperatures, it is not required to cover it for the winter period. Well suited for growing in the regions of the Urals and Siberia.

Doesn't like excess moisture. Therefore, it can tolerate dry weather well for a short period of time.

When the ripening of the variety begins... The variety is distinguished by its early ripening period. Therefore, you can pick berries in mid-July. But this will also depend on the weather conditions of a particular region.

Diseases and pests... The variety has good immunity to many diseases. But it can be exposed to septoria. This is a fungal disease that is characterized by the appearance of gray or rusty spots on the leaves, with a yellow border. If the bush has already been very susceptible to infection, then the leaves begin to dry out. Then they start to fall off.

Transportation. The berries tolerate transportation well, even though the skin of the berries is thin. Can be stored for several days.

How to grow the Beryl gooseberry variety correctly

Beryl variety does not require any special growing conditions. Clay, loamy, sandy and sandy loam soil may be suitable. But the variety will not be able to grow in sour, cold, swampy soil. To achieve the greatest fruiting, cultivation in loamy soil, in which there will be a high humus content, is ideal.

The place should be open and well lit. If the bush is thickened, it is necessary to thin it out. This is so that the bush can enjoy the fresh air and get enough sunlight.

As we said earlier, the variety is unpretentious in care. It requires more attention and care in case of defeat by any disease.

How to plant gooseberry Beryl correctly

The plant can be planted both in spring and autumn. But the autumn period is preferable. About 3-4 weeks before the winter frosts come, so that the root system has time to adapt to the new place. The place should be open and well lit so that there are no drafts.

It also does not need to be planted near groundwater. Before you plant a plant, you must prepare the soil in advance:

• In order to reduce the acidity level, it is necessary to add lime or dolomite flour.
• Clean up debris and various weeds.
• If the soil is heavy, it is recommended to add humus (compost), peat, sand.
• For 1 sq.m. it is recommended to add humus (1 bucket), superphosphate (30 g), potassium phosphate (20 g), wood ash (1 glass).

This nutrient mixture can be added at the time of planting. It is necessary to prepare a planting pit with dimensions of 50 * 50. Add a fertile mixture to it, on top of which place the roots of the bush. Gently spread them out, sprinkle with soil, sometimes tamping it slightly to avoid voids in the soil.

The root collar should not be buried; it should be above the soil level. Suitable for planting seedlings that have reached the age of 2 years, have a good root system. The seedling should have about 3-4 shoots. Before planting the plant, you must remove all the leaves and shorten the shoots.

After planting is complete, it is necessary to thoroughly shed the seedling, create a near-stem circle and mulch the soil. At 1 year after planting, there should be no berries on the bush. This will allow the plant to gain strength better and bring a healthy and rich harvest next year.

How to properly care for the variety

Despite the fact that the variety is unpretentious in care, you still need to understand what actions need to be taken in order for the plant to develop well.

We prune the bush... If you do not prune the bush in time, it can form extensive growth and after a couple of years the bush will simply be very thickened. In addition, if the bush is deficient in nutrients, then the development will take place more slowly, the bush will be weak.

With the onset of spring, it is necessary to prune old, damaged branches. New shoots must be pruned 1/3 of their length. Remove older ones, leave 4-5 strongest shoots. By about 5-7 years of age, the bush should have 17-20 strong shoots, which will be of different ages.

We make soil loosening... Throughout the season, it is necessary to loosen and huddle the soil about 4-5 times.This procedure saturates the plant with oxygen well and helps free the bush from various weeds. After such procedures, it is necessary to mulch the soil.

We apply fertilizers... Fertilization is very important for this gooseberry variety. Because he needs fertile and nutritious soil. If you fertilize the soil well before planting the plant, after a while, you will still need to make a nutritious top dressing.

With the onset of spring, the trunk circle needs mulching with the help of a nutritious substrate.

Nitrogen must be added before June so that the plant grows and develops well.

The variety tolerates organic fertilizers well - mullein or chicken droppings.

After the flowering period is over, potassium and phosphorus must be added. They must be added as superphosphate and potassium phosphate. An infusion of wood ash is also well suited. Before the berries ripen, it will be sufficient to make such a top dressing 2 times.

Before freezing, it will be necessary to add superphosphate (30 g), potassium phosphate, magnesium (20 g). Such a procedure will help the plant to better survive the winter period with various temperature extremes.

By applying the necessary fertilizers, you will be able to achieve an annual and stable harvest.

We carry out watering... Like all living things, a plant needs water. But the variety does not like excess moisture. You will definitely not bring any benefit to the plant from this. But if the weather is dry, then irrigation is definitely indispensable. Also, the plant needs special watering during the period when flowering and fruit setting occurs.

The most recent watering of the plant will be 2 weeks before you start harvesting. Watering basal. Water should not come into contact with the leaves.

Reproduction methods... Beryl gooseberries are characterized by propagation by cuttings, grafting, and the method of dividing the bush. Each gardener chooses the choice of breeding method himself from his personal preferences.

Installing supports... The supports provide good support for branches and stems to prevent them from touching the ground. They also affect the formation of the bush. If you install the supports correctly, it will help the branches not to break from the strong wind and under the weight of the snow cover.

Also, the installation of supports will help to loosen, mulch the soil, and also water.

Preparing the plant for the winter period... It is necessary to remove old and fallen leaves from the site and burn it in order to surely get rid of possible pests. You also need to dig up the soil. In this case, it will be necessary to add phosphorus and potash fertilizers, as well as to water the bush abundantly.

Those shoots that reach the age of 5 years must be removed. Many summer residents advise, nevertheless, to bend the branches of the bush to the ground for the winter time so that the bush can endure the winter period without any consequences.

Diseases and pests

Most often, the variety is exposed to septoria. This disease is caused by a fungus. Infection becomes noticeable due to the spots on the leaves. Over time, the leaves begin to fall off. If cloudy and rainy weather reigns outside, this will only contribute to the development of the disease.

Also, the neglect of the bush is also a provoking fact. The disease has a profound effect on the crop. How can you fight this disease:

• Remove and burn leaves that have fallen from the bush.
• Dig up the soil.
• Thinning thickened branches.
• Apply fertilizers so that the plant can better resist disease.
• Treat with antifungal agents.

Gooseberries are most commonly attacked by aphids, sawflies and moths. If you detect their presence in time, you can carry out the treatment with an ash and soap solution. Or use Bordeaux liquid.

Beryl gooseberries were able to win the love of many summer residents and take their place of honor among other berry crops. The excellent taste of the berries will delight you for a long period of time. The main thing is to pay a little attention to this berry.