Gooseberry Olavi: description and characteristics of the variety, cultivation and care

Gooseberry variety Olavi - Finnish variety, bred specifically for the northern regions. Due to frost resistance and unpretentiousness, the berry culture has fallen in love with many gardeners. Before acquiring a unique high-yielding variety, you should study in detail its characteristics, features of planting and care in order to obtain the desired result.

Description and characteristics of gooseberry Olavi

Finnish breeders have tried and bred gooseberry Olavi. The universal variety is frost-resistant and productive.

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

Olavi gooseberry fruits are round in shape, their weight does not exceed 4.5 g. The thin skin is dark red, has a wax coating. The pulp is juicy and refreshing, harmoniously combining acidity and sweetness.

Pros and cons

Gooseberry Olavi has a lot of undeniable advantages that confirm the need for acquiring this shrub in the garden:

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

For the proper cultivation of a crop, it is important to take into account the negative aspects of the variety:

• presence of prickly thorns;
• fruit size small.

Features of growing crops

Planting work is recommended to be carried out in the spring before bud break and in the autumn period in the last days of September.

Choosing a seat

Gooseberry Olavi is better to allocate an open area, protected from cold winds. Groundwater close to the soil surface will negatively affect the development of the crop, as it does not 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 he althy, the leaves are without pigmentation, and the bark of the branches is fresh, then this bush will fully develop.

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

Boarding 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 set it at a right angle.
3. Gently spread the root system, pouring and tamping the soil.
4. Plentifully water the plant, get rid of unnecessary shoots, leaving only 6 living he althy buds, so that the shrub does not waste its energy in vain in the formation of 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 berry crops.

Care tips

To achieve a high quality crop, all plant care requirements should be considered.

Water and fertilize

Water under the root to protect the plant from fungal infections. 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 top dressing should be carried out at the time of flowering and how the fruits will form. As fertilizers, use potassium sulfate and a special preparation "Berry", diluted in a ratio of 1: 2.

Pruning and shaping the bush

Gooseberry variety Olavi needs annual pruning before wintering. As necessary, throughout the season, crown formation can be carried out, getting rid of dry and diseased branches.

Preparing for wintering

Before wintering, carry out a sanitary full pruning. The frost-resistant Olavi gooseberry variety does not need shelter for the winter.Spud the near-stem soil and sprinkle with sawdust or dry peat. If the shrub 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

Olavi's gooseberries rarely get sick. Fungal infections settle on the plant in case of sudden changes in temperature and high humidity. The main symptom of the disease is a gray film on unripe fruits. You can solve the problem with the help of the chemical drug "Topaz" or "Oxyx".

Harmful insects on the shrub variety Olavi settle more often. The main enemy that poses a threat to culture is aphids. The fight against it involves spraying the plant with soapy water, disposing of anthills.

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

Collecting and storing gooseberries

The Olavi gooseberry variety has a small number of spikes with sharp ends in the root zone, so the collection will not be difficult, but it is still worth using gloves. It is better to harvest in the evening or in the morning, as the dew will come down. Ripe berries are easily removed.

If it is still green, you will have to make an effort to pick it, because 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 crop in the refrigerator, you can extend the shelf life up to 7 days in a closed container. To keep gooseberries until winter, you can freeze them, while they will not lose their beneficial properties and remain tasty.

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