Description and subtleties of growing gooseberries of the Olavi variety

Gooseberry variety Olavi is a Finnish variety, bred specifically for the northern regions. Thanks to its frost resistance and unpretentiousness, the berry crop is loved by many gardeners. Before purchasing a unique high-yielding variety, you should study its characteristics, planting and care features in detail in order to obtain the desired result.

Description and characteristics of Olavi gooseberry

Finnish breeders tried their best and bred the Olavi gooseberry. The universal variety is characterized by frost resistance and productivity.

Medium-sized bushes of the plant have a dense crown. The stems are straight, covered with thorns. Young shoots are colored green; after lignification they acquire a light gray tint. The plant is decorated with green foliage of 3-5 lobes. The leaf blade has a glossy surface with large teeth along the edges.

The fruits of the Olavi gooseberry are round in shape, their weight does not exceed 4.5 g. The thin skin is dark red and has a waxy coating. The pulp is distinguished by its juiciness and refreshing taste, harmoniously combining acidity and sweetness.

Advantages and disadvantages

Olavi gooseberry has a lot of undeniable advantages that confirm the need to have this shrub in the garden:

• productivity, one bush produces from 7 to 13 kg of fruit;
• excellent taste (4.5 out of 5 points);
• the plant’s ability to withstand temperatures down to -30 degrees;
• self-fertility, which allows you to obtain ovaries without pollinators;
• non-susceptibility to falling, the berries do not fall off before cold weather, while retaining their taste and presentation;
• resistance to many diseases and pests;
• versatility of berries;
• transportability of the crop, which is not damaged or deformed during long-term transportation;
• Preservation of fruits at room conditions for 3 days and in the refrigerator for 7 days.

To properly grow a crop, it is important to take into account the negative aspects of the variety:

• the presence of prickly thorns;
• small fruit size.

Features of growing crops

Planting work is recommended to be carried out in the spring before the buds open and in the autumn in the last days of September.

Selecting a location

For Olavi gooseberries, it is better to allocate an open area, protected from cold winds. Groundwater located close to the soil surface will negatively affect the development of the crop, since it cannot tolerate waterlogging.

Preparation of planting material

It is important to choose high quality planting material. To do this, pay special attention to the appearance of the Olavi gooseberry seedling and its root system. If the buds are healthy, the leaves are without pigmentation, and the bark of the branches has a fresh appearance, then this bush will fully develop.

Advice! Before planting Olavi gooseberries, place the root system of the plant in a special solution of sodium humate for 24 hours. With this procedure, the seedling will quickly take root..

Landing rules

When planting gooseberry seedlings of the Olavi variety, carry out the following algorithm of actions:

1. Make a hole no more than 50 cm deep.
2. Send the prepared seedling into the hole and place it at a right angle.
3. Carefully straighten the root system, adding and compacting the soil.
4. Water the plant abundantly, get rid of unnecessary shoots, leaving only 6 living healthy buds, so that the bush does not waste its energy on forming many shoots.
5. Mulch the soil in the root zone with peat or humus to accelerate growth and formation.

Proper planting of Olavi gooseberry seedlings will be a good help for growing the berry crop.

Tips for caring for the variety

To achieve a high-quality harvest, all plant care requirements should be taken into account.

Watering and fertilizing

Water at the root to protect the plant from fungal infections. The water should be warm and clean; cold liquid can slow down the growth and development of the root system.

The first time you need to fertilize after the formation of the first leaves, subsequent fertilizing should be carried out at the time of flowering and as the fruits are formed. As fertilizers, use potassium sulfate and the special preparation “Berry”, diluted in a ratio of 1:2.

Pruning and shaping the bush

The gooseberry variety Olavi needs annual pruning before wintering. As necessary, throughout the season, you can form the crown, getting rid of dry and diseased branches.

Preparing for winter

Before wintering, carry out sanitary complete pruning. The frost-resistant gooseberry variety Olavi does not need shelter for the winter. Hill up the tree trunk soil and sprinkle with sawdust or dry peat. If the bush is still young or just planted, you should tie it with twine and bend it to the ground, then cover it with non-woven material for the winter.

Protection from diseases and pests

Gooseberries of the Olavi variety are rarely susceptible to disease. Fungal infections settle on the plant in the event of sudden changes in temperature and high humidity. The main symptom of the disease is a gray film on unripe fruits. The problem can be solved using the chemical drug “Topaz” or “Oxychom”.

Harmful insects settle on the Olavi bush more often. The main enemy that poses a threat to the crop is aphids. The fight against it involves spraying the plant with a soap solution and disposing of anthills.

Advice! It is not recommended to plant the crop near a large concentration of ants.

Harvesting and storing gooseberries

The gooseberry variety Olavi is distinguished by a small number of thorns with sharp ends in the root zone, so picking will not be difficult, but it is still worth using gloves. It is better to harvest in the evening or in the morning, after the dew has disappeared.Ripe berries are easily removed.

If it is still green, you will have to make an effort to pick it, since the stalk is strong and strong.

Berries of the Olavi gooseberry variety are stored for 3 days in the fresh air in the shade. By placing the harvest in the refrigerator, you can extend the shelf life up to 7 days in a closed container. To preserve gooseberries until winter, you can freeze them, but they will not lose their beneficial properties and will remain tasty.