Gooseberry variety Masheka was bred in Belarus about 2 decades ago. Gardeners value it for its yield, taste of berries and versatility of their use. Let's consider the characteristics of the variety, the features of its cultivation, how to plant and care for the crop. How to protect plants from diseases, propagation features, how to store and harvest crops, whether it can be transported.
Description of the variety
The bush of the Masheka variety is formed by dense shoots, spreading, of medium vigor.Young shoots are pubescent, the thorns are yellowish-brown, and grow obliquely. The leaves are dark green, dense, wrinkled, slightly shiny. The ovary is green, smooth.
On average, Mashek berries weigh 3-4 g, have an elongated oval shape, and smooth skin. The color of the fruit is brownish-red; fully ripe berries become dark brick-colored. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour. The yield is high, up to 6 kg can be harvested from a bush.
Brief characteristics of Mashek gooseberry
The variety is self-fertile; planting pollinators nearby is not required. Demanding on heat, produces a lot of growth. May reduce yields at low temperatures and high humidity.
Features of cultivation
Despite the productivity, in order to get a good harvest, gooseberries need to be looked after. And also just plant it in the right place. The variety prefers a flat, well-lit place where it will not be disturbed by winds. Gooseberries do not like acidic and heavily waterlogged soil; in such conditions they not only do not produce a large harvest, but also do not develop well enough. In terms of mechanical composition, the preferred soil is loose, sandy loam or light loam. Gooseberries grow worse on sand or clay.
Further care of the crop
After planting, the first berries on the bush can be collected in the 3rd year of their development.Peak fruiting occurs in the 5th year and lasts until the age of 20.
Watering and fertilizing
Despite the drought resistance declared by the manufacturer, Masheka gooseberries need irrigation, especially during dry periods. It is convenient to organize watering using drip irrigation. If it is not there, the best method of watering is to water in grooves, for which you need to dig a circular trench near the bushes at a distance of 30-40 cm from the center of the bush. You need to pour at least a bucket of water into the groove.
To prevent the soil from drying out quickly, you need to spread mulch around the bushes, cover them with sawdust, dry grass or straw. Excessive watering is dangerous during the berry filling period and can lead to cracking.
Pruning and shaping the bush
Formation ensures normal development of plants and makes a good start for fruiting. The peculiarity of the variety is that it produces a lot of shoots and often thickens, causing the quantity and quality of berries to decrease.
Gooseberry Masheka bears fruit on shoots of 1-2 orders, fruit buds are laid on last year's shoots. Pruning rules: in 1 year, leave 3-5 strong shoots, cut out the rest. To branch shoots, cut off the tops. On adult bushes, you need to periodically remove old, fruit-bearing, broken, diseased, and pest-damaged bushes. Old branches need to be replaced with shoots, but if there is a lot of it, remove it so as not to thicken the bush.
Preparing for winter
The Masheka variety is cold-resistant, but in regions with cold winters it is necessary to cover the soil under the bushes with mulch, and the bushes themselves with agrofibre. In snowy winters, you need to shovel snow under the plants.
Protection from diseases and pests
Masheka gooseberry can suffer from septoria, anthracnose and powdery mildew. Fungicide treatments should be carried out at least 2 times - before flowering and after harvesting; if the berries show signs of infection, they should be sprayed with biofungicides. If you use chemicals, you need to pay attention to the waiting period; it should not be longer than the planned harvest date.
Subtleties of reproduction
The variety is propagated by layering, green shoots, which are buried near the bushes. You need to choose healthy, well-developed shoots for rooting. Until autumn they remain near the bushes, by which time their roots should have grown. Gooseberries are transplanted to a permanent place in the first autumn or next spring.
Collection, transportation and storage of berries
The berries are picked when they are ripe but not yet soft. You need to wear gloves to protect your hands from thorns. Mashek fruits do not fall off the shoots, but there is no need to overcook them. The berry separation is dry. In rainy weather the fruits are resistant to rotting.
For storage, gooseberries should be collected slightly unripe, carefully picked, and placed in containers or perforated bags. Store in the refrigerator, where it can keep for up to 2 weeks. Overripe berries need to be processed as quickly as possible.
The Belarusian variety Masheka may also be interesting for Russian gardeners. From each bush you can harvest 6 kg of first-class berries, such a yield is sufficient for a private farm.The agricultural technology of cultivation, care and propagation of the variety are standard, and any gardener can do it.
