Gooseberry Consul

Consul - this is an unusual name given to a relatively common gooseberry variety. He is also called the Senator. He is quite unpretentious in care, has high immunity. In addition, this gooseberry variety does not have thorns, so harvesting will be painless for you and your hands. Today we will tell you more about the Consul, the pros and cons of growing, the main characteristics and rules of care. We note right away that the gardeners' reviews about the Consul gooseberry are very positive, and this is no accident, because the Consul gooseberry deserves your attention because of its unpretentiousness and stability. And what delicious fruits it gives! In any case, study our article and, perhaps, you will plant the Consul - Senator gooseberry on your site already this season.

Let's plunge into the story of how the Consul gooseberry was bred

Gooseberry Consul photo

The consul gooseberry was bred at the end of the 20th century. The breeders set themselves the goal of obtaining a plant with incredible resistance to adverse climatic conditions. And I must say, they did it.

This gooseberry variety can be grown in completely different regions of our country. It is very hardy and drought tolerant. But his berries are incredibly large and sweet, moreover, there are no thorns.

Gooseberry Consul: variety description

Gooseberry bushes of this variety reach a height of 2 meters. There are no thorns, so harvesting is easy and simple. The foliage of the shrub is voluminous, the shoots are spreading, the twigs are dense, not prickly. However, on young shoots, you can still find several thorns, but over time, they disappear.

The fruit is round in shape, the skin of the berries is soft, with a characteristic bright red color. Ripening, the berries become almost black. The fruits are large enough, the weight of one such berry is about 6 g. From one bush you can collect up to 3 kg of incredibly sweet and tasty fruits.

If you follow all the rules of agricultural technology, then the yield may be higher. Fruits grow larger over time. Therefore, you can make wonderful preserves and jams from them. And many people like to make aromatic wine from gooseberries.

About the pros and cons

gooseberry Consul

Let's immediately determine the advantages and disadvantages of this variety.

Gooseberry Consul, as we have already noted, is rather unpretentious, and bears fruit more than actively. It is happily grown both in the Far East and in Siberia. The fact is that the plant is very resistant to temperature extremes. However, you should familiarize yourself with both the advantages and disadvantages of the variety.

By defining pros, it is important to say that gooseberries are frost-resistant, thorns are practically not formed, and the harvest is plentiful. Gooseberry Consul pollinates itself, bears fruit for decades. But the influence of diseases is practically not exposed.

From cons the following should be noted: gooseberries cannot be transported over long distances, the plants are afraid of drafts, and are also susceptible to drought. The consul needs to be watered frequently. Since overdrying the soil negatively affects the development of gooseberries.

It should also be noted that in its fruits there are a lot of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C.

Gooseberry grade Consul. General characteristics

As you may have noticed, this gooseberry variety has many benefits. Of these, the most important is that it can be grown both on personal plots and on plantations.In addition, even a novice gardener can handle it.

Gooseberries do not need daily care. It also grows normally in the same place for decades. The gooseberry is considered a real record holder. With good care from one bush, you can collect not three, but six kg of ripe fragrant berries.

Berries are formed even on very young shoots. The average lifespan of this gooseberry is 20 years. As we have already noted, this gooseberry variety is very frost-resistant. In winter, it is able to tolerate air temperatures below -30 degrees. Due to this, it can be grown even in Siberia.

But even in the hot south, the gooseberry surprises with its high yield. Just remember, the plant does not tolerate drought, so gooseberries need to be watered often.

Gardeners note: this variety is very resistant to diseases and pests. Plants practically do not get sick with powdery mildew, because the immunity of this culture is quite high. Therefore, chemical preparations for processing gooseberries are practically not used. Only occasionally, during a drought, the following pests attack the bushes: aphids or fireflies.

But gardeners do an excellent job with them using folk methods.

If we talk about the time of harvest, then it should be noted that this variety belongs to the mid-season. However, under favorable climatic conditions, you can pick the first berry at the end of spring. But usually the mass collection of berries begins in the middle of summer and continues until September.

The berries are harvested as they ripen, as this juicy product spoils quickly. Therefore, without waiting for the mass ripening of fruits, pick ripe berries as often as possible. Overripe gooseberries lose their presentation and often crumble.

As we have already noted, it is undesirable to transport fruits over a long distance, since this gooseberry has a very thin peel. Because of this, the fruits are injured. This means that you need to transport gooseberries very quickly and carefully.

How to grow Gooseberry Consul

To grow this gooseberry variety, it needs to be properly cared for. They grow it on completely different types of soil. However, for high yields, it is best to give preference to loams. The soil will need to be loosened regularly. Soil fertility is also an integral and important indicator.

Remember, adult bushes cannot be transplanted, as they are very difficult to tolerate this process. Therefore, you will need to immediately select a permanent habitat for your gooseberry. It is best to plant gooseberries in a well-lit area. A little shade in the area can also be a great habitat for this plant.

This variety does not like drafts, so take care of protection from the wind. It is best to plant gooseberries near a fence or building. It is best to give preference to two-year-old specimens when choosing seedlings, as they take root faster.

The seedling should be more than 20 cm in length, and there should be at least three shoots on one bush. It is important to examine the root system as well; it must be well branched and developed. Of course, it is best to purchase seedlings in specialized stores, nurseries. However, if you do not have such an opportunity, you can go to the nearest local market.

As we noted above, it is best to choose one-year-old or two-year-old seedlings. The plant should have good roots and no damage to the shoots. It is good to choose seedlings that are sold already in the ground, since in this case the adaptation process will be easier. The plant should also be free of rot and any defects.

The bush should have several branches with active points. Remember, how you plant the plants depends on its further fate, as well as fruiting. Therefore, you need to strictly follow the landing rules. This will help the bushes to quickly adapt to a new place and develop more actively in the future.

Best to plant gooseberries in the fall, so the plant's root system will be well strengthened. And in the spring, with the first rays of the sun, the first buds will bloom on the gooseberry. And you won't waste precious time.

But you can plant gooseberries and in the spring. However, in the first year of harvest, you are unlikely to wait. Maintain a distance between bushes. The distance between plants should be at least one and a half meters. This is necessary so that the root systems of both plants feel normal, and the gooseberries have enough nutrients.

Organic and mineral fertilizers, as well as peat, are usually placed in the pit. The planting hole should be rectangular, approximately 50 by 60 centimeters. It is recommended to soak the seedling in a stimulating solution before planting. This is necessary in order for the root system to develop more intensively.

The seedling is placed in a planting hole, the roots are well spread, and then covered with earth. The root collar should be slightly buried in the ground. So new shoots will develop more actively. The trunk circle must be tamped well and then watered.

It is recommended to mulch the soil. So moisture will be better retained in the ground, and weeds will not bother you and your plantings. Sawdust, straw and compost are used as mulching material.

About leaving

Of course, planting correctly is half the battle, but without good care you will not achieve a high yield. Therefore, carefully study this paragraph of the article and follow our recommendations.

The gooseberries will need to be regularly fed, watered, and formative pruning.

Despite the fact that this variety is unpretentious, gooseberries do not like drought. therefore moisturize the soil is needed often enough. It is especially important to do this during flowering and fruiting.

For young shoots, they are very often exposed supports so that the branches do not tilt to the ground, and in the future it was convenient for you to harvest.

Due to the fact that all the branches are tied up, the fruits will be evenly illuminated by the sun, and the shoots will be blown through. This will also help to avoid the appearance of rot on the berries. Also, good air circulation helps to strengthen the immunity of plants.

In order to make support, it is best for you to stretch the net around the bush, having previously strengthened it with a peg. Twigs of plants are already tied to this design. But be aware that in this gooseberry variety, the shoots generally grow vertically, so support may not be needed.

Also Thornless gooseberry Consul is recommended regularly feed in order to get a good harvest. This variety loves potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, which are applied up to 2 times a year to the soil. In order to reduce the acidity of the soil, it is recommended to add wood ash to the soil.

Before winter, it is good to cover the bush with organic fertilizers in order to warm the ground.

As we noted earlier, gooseberries will often be needed. prune... The first time they do this is already at the time of landing. Moreover, 2/3 of the length of the branches is left at the seedling. Sanitary pruning should be done every year. To do this, remove old and diseased branches.

Excess shoots are also recommended to be cut regularly, as they interfere with the development of the plant, taking away nutrients. Make sure that all branches are evenly illuminated by the sun, do not allow thickening.

After you have done the formative pruning, you will need to loosen the soil.

If speak about breeding of this variety, it should be noted: Consul propagates by layering and cuttings.

About cuttings... Gardeners say: it is best to harvest the shoots in the fall. In this case, the branches are recommended to be cut at an angle, the length of one cutting should be about 15 cm. It is important to leave several active buds on each shoot.

In order for the roots to form faster, the cuttings are treated with a growth stimulant. Shoots are usually placed either in moist, loose soil or in sand until spring and left in the basement.After that, they can be planted in open ground.

But remember, the cuttings will need to be watered regularly, otherwise the root system will not form like that. Note that young twigs are easily separated from the mother bush, so this method of reproduction is loved by many gardeners.

Before the onset of winter, sanitary pruning should be carried out, the bushes should be treated from pests, the fallen leaves should be removed, the plants should be fed and insulated. Of course, the variety is very winter-hardy, but some gardeners still recommend covering the bushes.

Conclusion

As you already understood, Consul is a wonderful variety. The gooseberry actively bears fruit, its berries are incredibly tasty and sweet, but the owners of the plant do not cause any trouble. Consul tolerates low temperatures, droughts well, he is resistant to diseases and pests. And its fruits are conveniently transported over long distances.

It is not without reason that the Consul gooseberry variety is so popular in Russia and abroad.