Gooseberry Gingerbread Man: variety description and characteristics, planting and care with photo

Gooseberries are a tasty and he althy berry, the popularity of which among summer residents is only increasing with each goth. The only problem with the berry, which makes it reluctant to plant on the site, is the large number of thorns growing on the bushes. Unfortunately, not many people know that more than 40 years ago gooseberries of the Kolobok variety were bred, the bushes of which do not have thorns. Let's take a closer look at this marvel of breeding and find out how best to grow it.

History of variety breeding

For the first time, the gooseberry variety Kolobok appeared in 1977, by crossing two cultures popular at that time - Smena and Pink 2.Due to its unpretentiousness and taste, it has become popular almost throughout Russia. Thanks for such a successful experiment should be the famous scientist-breeder Popova I.V., thanks to whose work many wonderful varieties of gooseberries were born, which are in demand to this day.

Description and characteristics of the Kolobok variety

Describing the gooseberry variety Kolobok, I would like to pay special attention to the following characteristics:

• appearance of the bush;
• taste and appearance of berries;
• yield;
• maturing dates;
• resistance to sub-zero temperatures;
• protection from diseases and pests;
• thornless.

Pay attention! Gingerbread man is not considered the best representative among gooseberry varieties, but in terms of the combination of positive qualities it is not inferior to its competitors.

External hive parameters

According to the totality of external parameters, Kolobok has average indicators:

• height - medium;
• in length, the bush develops up to 1.5 meters;
• spreading - medium;
• degree of thickening of the crown - slightly above average;
• leaves are large, deep green;
• leaf petioles are short, and they grow either individually or in small groups of 3-4 pieces;
• thorns are extremely few, and those that are, short and weak. They are very difficult to prick.

Keep in mind that the shoots on the branches grow back quickly, and the bush needs systematic pruning.

Taste qualities and description of fruits

The taste of the berries is pleasant, giving off a slight sourness. They are equally pleasant to use both fresh and as a compote or jam.The berries are quite weighty and juicy. The weight of one ranges from 4 to 8 grams. The shape of the berries is round, smooth. The skin is firm, with obvious signs of a waxy coating, and its color ranges from cherry to dark red.

Gingerbread Gooseberry tolerates transportation over long distances without losing its original appearance. The berries contain a large amount of vitamins, especially groups stand out:

• С;
• E;
• Q3.

In addition to vitamins, Kolobok is rich in potassium. There are about 250 grams of potassium per 100 grams of the product.

Ripening dates and yields

Regarding the timing of ripening and yield, experienced gardeners share the following figures:

1. From one bush, depending on the quality of its care, they collect from 4 to 10 kilograms of the product.
2. According to the ripening period, it belongs to mid-ripening crops.
3. Most of the harvest is concentrated on branches 1 to 2 years old.
4. The first fruits appear early.
5. The bush bears fruit systematically over many years of life.
6. Berries ripen in the first half of July, continuing until the end of summer.

Resistance to sub-zero temperatures and droughts

Frost resistance is good, which allows you to grow a crop even in the northern regions. Problems can arise with sudden thaws that knock down the vital rhythms of the bush. If in your region the change of seasons is abrupt, without smooth transitions, consider purchasing a different variety of gooseberries.

Short-term drought is tolerated well, but you should not leave the bush without water for a long time. Water it periodically and a good harvest will be your reward.

Immunity to diseases and pests

Possesses strong immunity, and is not afraid of most of the diseases inherent in culture. Particularly resistant to:

• powdery mildew;
• anthracnose;
• late blight.

Of course, you shouldn't leave gooseberries to fend for yourself. Check plantings from time to time, removing damaged or infected parts. If you follow these principles, there should be no problems.

Pros and cons: is it worth growing in a garden?

Among the indisputable advantages experienced gardeners distinguish:

• high immunity;
• good ground adaptation;
• early fruiting. With proper care, the bush begins to bear fruit from 3-4 years of life;
• good regeneration rates.

Flaws:

• prolonged drought sensitivity;
• poor tolerance to sudden changes in temperature. Balanced by high regeneration rates, but the bush is more likely to die;
• need for systematic trimming and shaping.

Accordingly, if there are no sudden changes in temperature in your area, and you can devote time to pruning the bush, there are no obstacles to growing gooseberries in the garden. With proper care, it has a presentable appearance that does not spoil the overall landscape.

Growing Tips

Experienced gardeners who have been breeding this crop for a long time recommend paying attention to the following things when growing:

• selection of landing site;
• compliance with planting dates.

Both points have a great influence on the formation and development of gooseberries. Take them seriously if you want a positive outcome.

Soil and site selection for planting

When choosing a landing site, be guided by:

• landing site must have good access to the sun;
• gooseberries love open spaces.

Favorable soil:

• loamy;
• sandy;
• clay.

Not suitable for breeding:

• wetlands;
• podzolic soils;
• soils with high acidity.

If there is no other choice, the acidity of the soil is lowered by adding:

• chalk;
• dolomite flour;
• limestone.

Pay attention! Additives to reduce soil acidity are applied at least 1 year before planting.

A month before planting, the soil is plowed up, all weeds are removed, after which the surface is leveled with a rake, and large clods of earth are broken.

Timing and landing pattern

Gingerbread gooseberries are planted either in spring or autumn. For spring planting choose the second half of March, early April. Autumn planting is carried out in September. This will allow the plant to adapt to a new place and prepare for wintering. If possible, choose the autumn option. It will facilitate the process of adaptation of the plant, and you will have to spend less effort on caring for it.

Bushes are planted in specially prepared pits, the diameter and depth of which is at least 45 centimeters. Use the following landing patterns:

• 2 x 1.5 meters;
• 1.7 x 1.7 meters.

You shouldn't plant closer. Severe tightness will affect future crops.

Rules of care

Gooseberry is not a very demanding plant, but the minimum care rules are still required. Worth paying attention to:

• loosening the soil;
• irrigation and bush fertilization;
• cropping and shaping;
• disease and pest control;
• preparing for wintering.

All these actions will not take you much time, but will guarantee the safety of the crop and high yields.

Loosening the soil

Loosening the soil is necessary after:

• fertilization;
• irrigation.

This will allow water and nutrients to better penetrate the soil. If the ground around the bush is covered with a layer of mulch, the frequency of loosening is allowed to be reduced, but this activity is definitely not worth abandoning. In such cases, loosening is done while replacing the old mulch with a new one. In addition, in the process of loosening, weeds are removed that interfere with the normal formation of a bush.

Irrigation frequency and bush fertilization by season (table)

In the first years of life, gooseberries are demanding on fertilizing and irrigation. If you decide to plant it for the first time, pay attention to the following table.

IrrigationModerate, constantModerate, constantModerate, constant Feeding

	Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
			Not required
Before bud break	Before flowering	Before fruiting	In preparation for winter season	Not required

Irrigation of gooseberries is required to be done constantly, avoiding strong drying of the soil or stagnant moisture. A long drought threatens with the following consequences:

• the skin on the berries will start to burst;
• bushes will begin to dry out.

Excessive moisture threatens to rot the roots and kill the crop.

The first spring feeding is carried out in March, the second - in May. Suitable for both mineral and organic fertilizers. Summer top dressing is carried out 1 time in late June, early July. Autumn feeding is carried out in the second half of September or early October. Suitable fertilizers with a high content of phosphorus and potassium.

Pruning and shaping the bush

Pruning gooseberries is best done in early spring, in the first half of March.Thus, you will give the bush a beautiful shape and spur growth. The problem is that the growing season starts very early. If you did not have time to prune before the first leaves appear, postpone pruning until autumn.

In autumn, first of all, old and horizontally growing shoots are removed. During the summer, it is allowed to remove damaged or pest-infested branches.

Disease and pest control

Despite the resistance to common gooseberry diseases, there are several varieties of pests that can cause significant damage to it. These include:

• aphid;
• glass case;
• spider mites;
• sawfly;
• gooseberry moth.

There are enough “folk remedies” to destroy them, and in advanced cases, chemicals sold in specialized stores will come to the rescue.

Preparing gooseberries for the winter period

Preparing a bush for wintering consists of the following steps:

• branches are gathered together, after which they are carefully tied with a rope in several places;
• the soil around is dug up and fertilized;
• the ground around is mulched;
• young bushes are covered with any covering material.

In severe frosts, you can pour as much snow as possible on the landing site. This will give the bushes extra protection.

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