Gooseberries Dates can be planted on the site by both a beginner and an experienced gardener. The crop is valued for its high yield and large berry size.
gooseberry varieties "Date"
gooseberry "Date" is the most popular variety in the horticultural and industrial market
due to the dense surface, the berries of the gooseberry "Date" remain torn for a long time, easily tolerate long-term transportation
The history of breeding varieties
Gooseberry Date is a real long-liver, the first mention of the plant can be found in the prehistoric period. In the 13th century, French breeders began to closely engage in the cultivation of shrubs, a special breakthrough was achieved in England in the 19th century.
The "Land of Fogs" provided Phenicia with favorable conditions for growth and development. Since that time, the shrub began to occupy a leading place among all representatives of this culture in Europe. After some time, breeders moved him to America.
However, not everything was so cloudless, powdery mildew spheres and sphere libraries were brought to Europe from America on a plant. After the appearance of pests, the gooseberry Date died. Over time, they were able to develop an improved variety. It is a hybrid of European and wild American crops. An improved version of the Date is resistant to disease, it is about him that will be discussed in the article.
Description and characteristics of the gooseberry variety Date
Dates are characterized by high (up to 2 m) spreading bushes. Shoots are straight or slightly bent, it all depends on the location of the plant, they are covered with single thorns, except for the tops. The gooseberry has strong roots extending more than 2 m deep into the ground.
The leaves are large green. The flowers are small with small white-green petals. Often single. The bush bears ripe fruits, the mass of one - up to 20 g. Berries are oval or round green.
Gooseberry Phenicia is also popularly called Goliath.
Bush
The branches are wide, long and strong. The foliage grows very quickly. The plant is tall, with proper care and proper planting can reach 2 meters, and sometimes even become taller. Strong thorns are located on the stems, a huge number of them are observed on adult stems.
Leaves and peduncles
The foliage of the plant is colorful green, the surface is glossy with round tips, medium size. Peduncles are small, the edge is not very pronounced.
Berries
With enhanced care, the weight of one berry reaches 20 g. Gooseberries grown in a sunny area can boast almost black fruits. The berries are pear-shaped, but you can also find round ones without edges.
The standard color of the berries is light brown or burgundy. The pulp is green with a few seeds. The taste of berries is sour, in the fruit a large amount of sugar - 9%. The strong aroma of the berries can be noted even when removed from the branches.
Yield
Productivity is the result of regular bush maintenance. Sanitary pruning and top dressing are the main activities that help to get a rich harvest. Gardeners claim that from one bush you can get up to 8 kg of berries. It all depends on the conditions of its cultivation.
Drought and frost resistance
This culture is characterized by high resistance to cold and sudden changes in temperature. The date can survive -35 degrees. As for drought resistance, the variety does not suffer from heat and burning sun, as it has strong roots.
Advantages and disadvantages
Gooseberry Phenicia is not liked by everyone, some consider it irrational for growing in the garden. Consider the pros and cons.
Advantages of Gooseberry Phenicia:
- frost and drought resistant;
- brings a good harvest;
- berries do not grow smaller even after ten years of fruiting;
- fruits can be transported and stored for a long time.
Gooseberry Disadvantages:
- too much sprawling branches, takes up a lot of space on the site;
- difficult care;
- late ripening period;
- shrub exposed to American powdery mildew.
Growing gooseberry dates
The culture is very demanding on the landing site. The plant does not get along next to the currant, cannot grow too close to other shrubs. The distance between plants should be at least 1.5-2 m. Too wide roots grow not only in depth, but also in width. Crowding of shrubs leads to reduced yields and increased sensitivity to diseases.
Landing dates
You can plant in the spring and autumn. It all depends on the climate in the region. Almost all gardeners give preference to planting in the fall, because during the winter time the shrub will take root, the roots will become stronger. The date needs to survive low temperatures so that in spring it grows and develops faster.
Autumn planting period: mid-September-October. Carefully consider the calculation of time, until the first frost should remain at least 14 days.
During the spring planting, it is necessary to have time to plant the gooseberries before the buds open and the sap begins to flow. In almost all regions, this moment comes in March; in the following months, the seedling is no longer planted.
During spring planting, the survival rate of the seedling is much lower.
Choosing the right place
Powdery mildew is the main enemy of the plant, but the likelihood of its appearance on the bush can be prevented by choosing the right place for planting. The ideal option would be a sunny area, protected from draft and wind. The plant should not be planted close to the reservoir, the seedling will not take root in shady areas.
Gooseberry Phenicia is large in size, has branched roots, so the area for its cultivation should be wide.
Waterlogging of the soil negatively affects the root system, therefore, it is impossible to plant close to unpaved soils. Plant seedlings on loamy and sandy loamy soils, acidity is neutral or slightly acidic. The soil must contain useful elements, be loose and pass air quickly.
Soil preparation
Dolomite flour and lime should be added to the ground if the acidity level exceeds the norm. Dolomite flour helps to disinfect the soil and rid it of harmful microbes and insect larvae.
Organic substances are introduced into the depressions together with mineral dressings. After planting the seedling, the root circle should be mulched, humus is used. The first fruits can be obtained at the age of 3 years, in the northern regions - after 4 years.
Landing scheme
With a proper planting, the culture can grow strong, healthy and fruitful.
Algorithm for planting gooseberry dates:
- Dig up the soil beforehand (20 cm deep). Clean up grass and debris, be sure to remove wheatgrass.
- Fertilize (proportions for 1 sq. M): 8 kg of manure, 2 kg of fertilizing with potassium, 5 kg of nutrients with phosphorus.
- Dig a hole 50 cm deep, 40x40 cm in size.
- Divide the soil that is on the ground into two equal heaps. Leave the recess in this form for 14 days.
- Consider the size of gooseberries, the distance between plants should be at least 2 m.
- Soak the seedlings in root growth agent. Start planting plants.
- Find a root collar near the bush, a layer of soil should cover it by 8 cm during planting.
- Place the seedlings vertically, spread the root system.
- Make a soil substance: 1 bucket of humus, 200 g of superphosphate and 2 g of potassium dressings. Mix them with soil from one heap and cover the roots. Place the barren soil from the second pile on top.
- Compact the ground a little, water the plant at the rate of 10 liters per bush.
- Mulch the ground with sawdust.
When planted, the plant remains for the winter. Sapling care begins in the spring season. If the winter is too cold and without snow, then the plant is additionally insulated with agrofibre.
Gooseberry Care Date
Care for berry shrubs is not particularly different from each other. The main activities are: top dressing, land care, regular pruning and pest control.
We recommend that you obtain (from our article) information on how to care for gooseberries in the fall after harvest.
Watering
Gooseberry Phenicia is able to do without moisture for a long time, but it is often impossible to use this advantage. Do not allow complete drying of the soil surface. Waterlogging of the roots is also detrimental to the bush.
Determining the level of soil moisture is simple: take a handful of soil in your hands, everything is fine, if it is a little wet, it quickly crumbles, but does not stick. Regular, correct watering will help grow a strong and fruitful bush. It is carried out twice a month, it all depends on the climate in which the bush grows.
The soil should be moistened at 0.4 m, around the roots of the plant at a distance of 0.3 m, a long hole is dug 0.2 m deep, 3-5 buckets of water are poured into it. The amount directly depends on the age of the plant and its size. Use water at room temperature.
Watering is carried out:
- during the formation of shoots and ovaries;
- at the time of the formation of berries;
- during the ripening period of the crop.
Support
The branches of the bush are quite long, they need support. It is best to use pipes made of metal or plastic, you can also take wooden bars and a picket fence. 4 racks with a height of about 60 cm are driven in along the perimeter of the plant, pipes or strips are attached to them in a horizontal position. Hammered deep so that they can support the weight of a strong plant.
Be careful - the supports should not damage the gooseberry root system.
Top dressing
The main rules for fertilizing:
- If during planting a large number of top dressings was used, then in the next three years, potassium or phosphorus should not be added.
- In the first three years after planting the gooseberry, nitrogen fertilizers are added (first half of May).
- From the 2nd year you can add: 10 kg of mullein, 50 g of ammonium nitrate, 150 g of wood ash and 80 g of superphosphate.
- In summer, add organic matter. To do this, mix: 1 part chicken droppings and 3 parts water. This mixture is infused, after fermentation, dilute it again with water in a ratio of 1:10 and pour under the plant.
Pruning
In order for the Date to bring a large number of berries, to be strong, it is necessary to prune annually. The best time is the beginning of spring before sap flow appears. Also, this event can be held in the autumn period of time after picking berries.
Basic tips for pruning gooseberries Phenicia:
- In the first year, remove all weak branches, leave up to 4 strong buds on the shoots, cut off the tops. During this period, the plant should already have 6 developed shoots.
- From the 2nd year on, prune off all weak shoots and damaged branches. Shorten last year's by one third.
- In the summertime, quickly remove shoots damaged by insects or diseases.
- The branches of the 7th and 8th year of life bring most of the harvest, but there must be shoots of different ages on the bush, otherwise the yield will change from year to year.
- As soon as the bush reaches 10 years, cut off all old branches that do not bear berries.
Mulching and loosening the soil
In order for the plant to bring a rich harvest, every year in the fall, you should dig up the earth by 15 cm. Only this should be done carefully so that the root system is not damaged. In spring, the soil is loosened by 10 cm, near the roots this procedure is carried out by 7 cm. It is better to use peat or compost as mulch. These materials help to retain moisture well in the soil.
Preparing for winter
The first thing to do is to remove all the old foliage and debris near the near-gooseberry circle. The remains are carried out from the garden, buried or burnt. It is better to use the second option, in this case, the pests die. This is followed by autumn pruning of old branches. The procedure will help Finik to renew the shoots and increase the yield next year.
Gooseberries are considered a frost-resistant crop, so if you live in the southern regions, then you should not cover the plant for the winter. But northern winds and frosts are harsher, and when the plant is located in cold regions, one cannot do without shelter. Agrofibre is used as a covering material; it perfectly protects the bush in winter.
Disease and pest resistance
As mentioned earlier, the ancestor of the current gooseberry, Date, died from the spheroteca and powdery mildew. Of course, breeders have created a variety with stronger immunity, but there are fears of infection with these diseases.
Protecting the garden culture is quite simple, you can treat it with Bordeaux liquid or other disinfectant. This event is best done after harvest.
For prevention, you can use the following chemicals: Fitosporin, Topaz, and Fundazole. These are means of complex action, they will save gooseberries from dangerous diseases and pests. Spraying can also be carried out at the beginning of flowering.
Gardeners reviews
Maria, 45 years old, writer, Moscow. I read a lot of literature for gardeners. In one of the books I met a description of gooseberry Phenicia. I especially liked the description of its berries and the appearance shown in the pictures. I decided to try to grow such a variety in my country house, and you know, I have never regretted it. Gooseberries have been growing for 5 years already, the berries are large and fruiting pleases me pleasantly.
Oleg, 67 years old, farmer, Krasnodar. He raised several bushes of such gooseberries. In general, I have no complaints about him, everything is fine. Only one problem - he gets sick too often.
Tatiana, 52 years old, historian, Yekaterinburg. I love gooseberries, they are juicy, tasty and healthy. All my children and grandchildren are happy to eat jams and compotes from it. The bush is unpretentious in care, high productivity.
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Gooseberry variety Date is an unpretentious berry crop. Proper care will help the plant grow and develop faster, be resistant to pests and insects, and bring a bountiful harvest every year.