Description and characteristics of the Malachite gooseberry variety, planting and care

Despite the appearance of many new fruit and berry products of Russian selection, attention to old species does not wane. One of these reliable gooseberry varieties is Malachite. It was developed more than half a century ago. It most likely got its name from the color of its young leaves, which are indeed malachite.

History of selection of the Malachite variety

People consumed the fruits of wild gooseberries back in the 16th century. But the berries were sour and small. Working to improve the qualities of the shrub, domestic and foreign breeders created new varieties. Already in the 17th millennium, more than a thousand species of gooseberries were described.

The creation date of the Malachite variety is considered to be 1959. Although breeding work on it began in the late 40s. Malachite is the result of crossing 2 known species: Black Negus and Date. The author of the bold idea is K. D. Sergeeva. According to her program and methodology, tests of a new variety were carried out. In 1959, the gooseberry Malachite was entered into the State Register.

Description and technical specifications

Gooseberry Malachite was recommended for cultivation in almost all regions of Russia with short summers and long, cold winters. The variety has absorbed the best qualities of other types of gooseberries, for which many gardeners have fallen in love.

External parameters of the bush

The 1.5-meter plant has a wide, dense crown, but at the same time compact:

1. The bush is spreading and fast growing.
2. Light green shoots, intertwined with each other, are covered with long, infrequent thorns.
3. The gooseberry bush Malachite is self-pollinating, bisexual. With skillful care it can bear fruit for up to 30 years.
4. The shoots have light green bark, smooth, not at all pubescent, sometimes acquiring a bluish tint.
5. Malachite-colored leaves are three- and five-lobed.

Taste and description of berries

Gooseberry Malachite large-fruited:

1. Emerald berries weighing up to 6 g each with white veins visible through the transparent dense skin.
2. The taste of the fruit is dessert, sweet and sour, pleasant to the taste. With a subtle aroma. Contains a large amount of ascorbic acid.
3. Ripe berries may not fall off for a long time, gradually acquiring a yellowish tint.
4. Thanks to the strong skin, the fruits are stored for a long time and can be easily transported.

Important: the berries come off without a stalk, which is a big plus when picking the fruit.

The berries are universal in use: they are eaten fresh and processed, jams, jams, compotes, and sauces are made.

Ripening period and yield

Peak fruiting in Malachite occurs from the 4th year of life. Fruit ovaries are formed already in the second year. The bush begins to bloom in May, and in July the emerald-colored berries already ripen.

They do not ripen immediately, but in stages, so until the end of August the gooseberry bushes are full of green fruits.

The yield indicators of the Malachite variety are high. Gardeners collect up to 7 kg of healthy and tasty berries from one bush.

Drought and frost resistance

When creating the hybrid, breeders offered it for cultivation in any climate zone. Gooseberry Malachite is viable and easily tolerates temperature changes. Young seedlings will not freeze in temperatures down to -25 °C without shelter (provided that they are covered with snow).

A cool summer with a monthly rainfall will also not affect the fruiting and growth of the berry plant. But a hot, dry summer can adversely affect the harvest. The bush must be watered abundantly. Otherwise, the gooseberries will not give a good harvest, and the fruits will be small.

Immunity to diseases and pests

Gooseberry Malachite is resistant to many fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew. Attacks of pests such as moth and sawfly are also not dangerous for the variety.

Gooseberries can be affected by diseases:

• septoria;
• rust.

Preventive treatment of the berry garden will not be superfluous.

Pros and cons of the crop: is it worth growing?

Some gardeners like any garden crop, and they grow it with pleasure. Others are not satisfied with some qualities. Gooseberry Malachite, having many positive characteristics, has negative sides.

According to many gardeners, the gooseberry variety Malachite is worthy of attention. It’s no wonder that experienced gardeners have been growing it for many years and are not going to give it up.

Recommendations for cultivation

Malachite is an unpretentious bush. It grows in open ground on almost any soil, even clay.

Necessary conditions for planting seedlings

The main requirement for the site is the absence of nearby groundwater. The place for planting gooseberries of the Malachite variety should be well lit by the sun, although partial shade will also suit it.

Planting dates and scheme

Autumn and spring are the periods when gooseberry seedlings are planted. But many gardeners argue that planting the Malachite variety in the fall is preferable, since it will be easier for the young plant to endure a frosty winter, and the spring awakening will be more effective.

The seedlings are planted when all the leaves have fallen and there is at least a month left before the onset of cold weather. Since the Malachite gooseberry bush is spreading, when planting, you should maintain an interval between plants of at least 1.5-2 meters.

Seedlings are buried at least 55 cm.The length of the shoots should not exceed the length of the main root (ideal).

Important. If the bushes are planted too densely, this will complicate the care of gooseberries and will not provide the plants with the necessary ventilation, which will negatively affect the future harvest.

Seasonal Care Basics

Malachite is a variety that does not require special care or time. It is minimal:

• watering;
• loosening;
• application of fertilizing (if necessary).

Loosening the soil

Since the main root of the berry plant is powerful and developed, access to air is needed for better growth and development of the plant. Therefore, it is necessary to loosen the soil, while removing weeds.

Loosening should be done carefully so as not to damage the roots, since they are located close to the surface of the earth.

Regularity of watering

It is especially important to water the seedlings when planting. After planting the Malachite gooseberry bush, it is watered abundantly (1-1.5 buckets are poured under each plant). The gardener must check the soil moisture. The soil should not be allowed to dry out or become waterlogged. If the summer is not hot and moderately rainy, then the Malachite berry does not need watering.

Fertilizing

For stable yields and maintaining the productive life of the Malachite gooseberry, it needs annual feeding.

The first one can be added before the snow melts. It is scattered in handfuls along the contour of the crown of the bush. Urea and ammonium nitrate are suitable. If there is no more snow, you will have to use a hoe to deepen the fertilizer a little.

After half a month, watering with diluted mullein or herbal infusion in a ratio of 1:2 is allowed. (10 liters of water, 5 liters of mullein or herbal infusion).

According to experienced gardeners, it is advisable to feed the berry garden with dry mixtures, since the bush “prefers” to absorb them slowly.Rapid absorption of nutrients along with watering is undesirable.

Pruning and shaping the bush

Guaranteed long productive life gooseberry bushes - pruning, crown formation. Malachite is not a standard variety, so every year dozens of new shoots grow in the berry garden:

1. The first of the prunings should be carried out as soon as the seedling is planted. The shoots are shortened and no more than 5-6 buds are retained.
2. Then the bush is pruned until the buds swell. For the purpose of lush flowering and the ovaries of large fruits, fresh shoots are shortened by at least 10 cm.
3. In autumn, old branches that are more than 5 years old are removed, almost at the root. Shoots that are sick or damaged are also pruned.

Malachite is a fast-growing bush; its branches are long and can droop under the weight of the berries. The berry plant needs support. A reliable rope used to tie the bush in the middle will do. Or they make supports from metal or wooden hoops, mounted on pegs-racks 50 cm high.

Important. When forming bushes, areas of especially large cuts are lubricated with garden varnish to prevent infections.

Preparing gooseberries for winter

First, you need to remove all the debris under the bush: fallen leaves, broken branches. Then add mulch:

• humus;
• peat;
• manure.

After pruning and fertilizing, before cold days arrive, the root zone of the bush is sprinkled with a layer of soil. Although the Malachite variety is frost-resistant, such protection from the cold will not hurt it.

Then the bush is covered with snow. If it is not there, you can cover the berry garden with agrospan (if necessary). Gooseberry Malachite is a worthy variety. Gardeners love it for its unpretentiousness, vitality in any conditions, almost never gets sick, and the harvests delight with tasty and healthy berries. The middle-aged variety firmly holds its position without disappearing from household plots.