Harlequin gooseberry: variety description and characteristics, 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 is able to produce crops for 20 years. To achieve good performance, it is worth providing the culture with normal care.

Description and characteristics of gooseberry Harlequin

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

Berries

Gooseberries of this variety have a rounded shape and a dark red hue. They have a smooth surface. Inside is a juicy pulp of sweet and sour taste. It has a dense texture. 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, bushes need watering. Otherwise, there is a risk of severe yield reduction.

Harlequin gooseberry is characterized by resistance to temperature fluctuations in winter. At the same time, in spring, inflorescences and buds may suffer from night frosts. If you properly prepare the plant for winter, it can withstand temperatures as low as -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. It occurs in late July or early August. All berries ripen at the same time.

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

Scope of application

The fruits of this variety are suitable for harvesting. They make jam, marmalade, wine. The berries are sour in taste, so they are rarely eaten fresh. The fruits are characterized by a hard peel, which helps to increase the shelf life of the berries. After harvest, 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 can be attacked by aphids and garden sawfly. 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 virtues of culture include the following:

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

At the same time, culture has certain disadvantages:

not too high yield;
lack of resistance to septoria and sawfly attacks;
pronounced sour taste.

Crop specifics

In order for a plant to develop normally and bear fruit fully, it needs to provide comprehensive care.

Timing

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

Choosing a suitable location

Harlequin is suitable for light soil. It is not recommended to plant it in clay or waterlogged soil. Groundwater should be deep enough. A well-lit area is suitable for gooseberries. In the shade, the yield of the plant decreases, and the fruits become smaller.

Selection and preparation of planting material

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

seedling age should be 1-2 years old;
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 a plant for planting, it is worth soaking 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.

Plant pattern

Planting bushes is a row or hole method. Each plant requires a space of at least 1 square meter. When mass planting plants, it is important to make good row spacing. It should be 1.5 meters.

Plant Care Tips

In order for a plant to develop normally, it needs to provide quality care. It must be complex.

Irrigation

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

Feeding

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 thawing the soil, a composition based on 200 grams of wood ash and 40-50 grams of Nitrophoska is applied for 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 autumn, 10 kilograms of humus should be added to the 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, 10 centimeters from the bush is to place a vertical peg. It is recommended to tie gooseberries slightly above the middle. This should be done 1-2 years after planting.

Pruning shrubs

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

Preparing for winter

After harvesting, the bush should be sprinkled with Bordeaux mixture. Fallen leaves are recommended to be collected and burned or put in compost pits. The soil around the shrub should be well dug up and fertilized based on potassium and phosphorus.

It is recommended to carefully dig up the soil.

A mound of loose earth should be made around the bush. This helps to protect the plant from rodents. After that, the soil is covered with a layer of peat. Its thickness should be 10 centimeters.

In winter, gooseberries are recommended to be sprinkled with a dense layer of snow. If it is absent, it becomes necessary to use any covering material.

Combating diseases, pests

This variety of gooseberry is susceptible to various types of blotch and rust. To prevent such problems, it is necessary to remove the remains of plants from the site. It is also important to avoid dampness and shading.

In spring and autumn, bushes are recommended to be treated with Bordeaux mixture with a concentration of 1%. Fungicides are allowed to be applied before flowering and after its completion. They are also used after harvest.

To prevent attacks of parasites with the advent 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, insecticides cannot be dispensed with.

Propagation of gooseberries

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

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

Harvesting and storage of crops

The crop ripens in late July and early August. Picking berries is recommended by hand. This is best done in dry and cloudy weather. 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 give a full harvest, it must be properly looked after.