Description of gooseberries of the Harlequin variety, planting and care rules

Harlequin gooseberries are preferred by many gardeners. This plant of Soviet selection is characterized by many advantages. It is not demanding on growing conditions. In addition, the culture has a long lifespan. With adequate care, the plant can produce crops for 20 years. To achieve good performance, it is worth providing the culture with normal care.

Description and characteristics of Harlequin gooseberry

The bushes of this variety are medium in size and have a medium spreading crown. They have large leaves and small flowers.

Berries

The gooseberry fruits of this variety are round in shape and dark red in color. They are characterized by a smooth surface. Inside there is juicy pulp with a sweet and sour taste. It has a dense consistency. The fruits can weigh 5 grams.

Drought resistance, frost resistance

The variety is able to tolerate short-term drought normally - a maximum of 2 weeks. In dry summers, the bushes need watering. Otherwise, there is a risk of a severe reduction in yield.

Harlequin gooseberry is characterized by its resistance to temperature fluctuations in winter. Moreover, in spring, inflorescences and buds may suffer from night frosts. If you properly prepare the plant for winter, it can withstand temperatures dropping to -30 degrees. At lower rates, there is a risk of damage to the buds and young branches.

Fruiting and productivity

Fruit ripening occurs 2 months after the start of flowering. This occurs at the end of July or beginning of August. All the berries ripen at the same time.

From 1 bush it is possible to collect 2 kilograms of fruit.

Application area

The fruits of this variety are suitable for harvesting. They make jam, marmalade, and wine. The berries have a sour taste, so they are practically not eaten fresh. The fruit is characterized by a hard peel, which helps to increase the shelf life of the berries. After harvesting, unripe fruits can be kept in a dark and cool place.

Variety resistance to pests and diseases

This variety is characterized by high resistance to diseases and pests. The plant is resistant to powdery mildew. In rare cases, it encounters septoria, viral mosaic and anthracnose.

Leaves and shoots may suffer from attacks by aphids and sawflies. For preventive purposes, it is recommended to use insecticides in the spring. This manipulation is carried out before fruiting begins.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The key advantages of culture include the following:

• resistance to fungal infections;
• low maintenance requirements;
• frost resistance;
• minimum number of spikes;
• excellent transportability;
• long storage period.

At the same time, culture also has certain disadvantages:

• not too high yield;
• insufficient resistance to septoria and sawfly attacks;
• pronounced sourness in taste.

Specifics of growing crops

In order for the plant to develop normally and fully bear fruit, it needs to be provided with comprehensive care.

Deadlines

It is recommended to plant gooseberries in late September or early spring. In the first case, the bush should be hilled high so that it does not freeze. Planting work is completed 3-4 weeks before frost.

Choosing a suitable location

Light soil is suitable for the Harlequin variety. It is not recommended to plant it in clay or waterlogged soil. Groundwater must lie deep enough. A well-lit area is suitable for gooseberries. In the shade, the plant's yield decreases and the fruits become smaller.

Selection and preparation of planting material

To choose the right seedling, you should consider the following features:

• the age of the seedling should be 1-2 years;
• its height should not exceed 40 centimeters;
• shoots should have black-brown bark;
• the plant should have 3 large semi-lignified roots and a large number of small fragments;
• shoots and roots should not have damaged areas.

To prepare the plant for planting, you should soak its roots in a clay mash for a day. To do this, mix 300 grams of earth and clay and add 1 liter of water. The plant can be pruned before planting.

Planting scheme

Bushes should be planted using the row or hole method. Each plant requires at least 1 square meter of space. When mass planting, it is important to ensure good spacing between rows. It should be 1.5 meters.

Plant care tips

In order for the plant to develop normally, it needs to be provided with quality care. It must be comprehensive.

Watering

Gooseberries should be watered several times during the season. The first time this is done in early spring, the second time during the flowering period. The soil is moistened for the last time before wintering. This should be done in early October. 1 bush requires 20-50 liters of water.

Top dressing

It is recommended to fertilize the bushes from the second year after planting in the ground. It is recommended to do this after the next watering, following the following scheme:

• after the soil has thawed, a composition based on 200 grams of wood ash and 40-50 grams of Nitrophoska is applied to each plant;
• before flowering, you need to use a composition based on 10 liters of water, 200 grams of bird droppings, 500 grams of cow manure, 50 grams of potassium sulfate and the same amount of ammonium sulfate;
• In the fall, it is worth introducing 10 kilograms of humus into the tree trunk circle - this is done at intervals of 2-3 years.

Support

After planting, young crops should be tied to a support.To do this, place a vertical peg 10 centimeters from the bush. It is recommended to tie the gooseberries slightly above the middle. This needs to be done 1-2 years after planting.

Shrub pruning

Maximum fruiting is observed on shoots 2-3 years old. It is recommended to delete older branches. The procedure should be carried out in late autumn. It is also worth removing weak branches that are directed into the crown, and thin shoots that thicken the bush.

Preparing for winter

After harvesting, the bush should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. It is recommended to collect fallen leaves and burn them or put them in compost pits. The soil around the bush should be dug well and fertilizers based on potassium and phosphorus should be applied.

It is recommended to dig up the soil thoroughly.

It is worth making a mound of loose earth around the bush. This helps protect the plant from rodents. After this, the soil is covered with a layer of peat. Its thickness should be 10 centimeters.

In winter, it is recommended to cover the gooseberries with a dense layer of snow. If it is missing, there is a need to use any covering material.

Disease and pest control

Gooseberries of this variety are susceptible to various types of spotting and rust. To prevent such problems, it is necessary to remove plant debris from the site. It is also important to avoid dampness and shade.

In spring and autumn, it is recommended to treat bushes with Bordeaux mixture at a concentration of 1%. Fungicides can be used before and after flowering. They are also used after harvesting.

To prevent attacks by parasites, with the arrival of spring, the soil around the plant should be dug up and covered with a layer of mulch. To control pests, you can use an infusion of mustard or hot pepper.In advanced cases, it is impossible to do without insecticides.

Gooseberry propagation

It is recommended to propagate Harlequin gooseberries by layering or dividing the bush. In the first case, it is worth making a furrow 10-15 centimeters deep near a healthy branch and placing the shoot in it. When the sprouts grow to 10-12 centimeters, they need to be hilled. In September the plant is moved to a new location.

To divide a bush, you need to dig up a large plant and divide the root with a sharp tool. After this, the resulting crops are planted in the ground.

Harvesting and storage

The harvest ripens in late July and early August. It is recommended to pick berries by hand. This is best done in dry and cloudy weather. The harvest can be stored at a temperature of +5 degrees for 10 days. If longer storage is required, it is recommended to freeze the berries.

Harlequin gooseberry is considered a popular plant. Its fruits are actively used for various preparations. In order for the plant to develop normally and produce a full harvest, it must be properly cared for.