Baltic gooseberry: characteristics, features of cultivation and reproduction

Baltic gooseberry is another variety of incredibly tasty sweet and sour berries. The variety is popular among gardeners who do not get tired of writing praise for the Baltic gooseberry on various gardening forums. The bushes of this plant have an average ripening period and do not need special care. Of course, in order to get the best yields, you need to have information about the culture, which we will share with you below.

Baltic gooseberry: photo

The history of the breeding of the Baltic gooseberry variety

Gooseberries appeared on the territory of our vast country back in the distant 11th century and were grown at monasteries. And only many centuries later, these bushes with their aromatic and tasty fruits began to be grown in private gardens for the preparation of jams, preserves, infusions and for fresh consumption.

The Baltic gooseberry variety was obtained thanks to the work of scientists, which was carried out from the middle of the 20th century at the Leningrad fruit and vegetable experimental station. Such scientists as I.S. Studenskaya and N.M. Alekseeva. For breeding, the varieties Industriya and Mysovskiy 17 were crossed.

Despite the fact that the Baltic gooseberry variety, today, does not occupy a leading position among gardeners in popularity, it is quite promising and every year it increasingly begins to be found in garden plots. The bushes of this variety can be grown in any region of Russia, but in the conditions of the far north it will be safer to plant them in closed areas.

Baltic gooseberry: variety description

The Baltic gooseberry is a very compact plant no more than 110 centimeters high and resembles a ball. Its straight shoots are quite thick and covered with thorny, sharp single or double thorns. Small rounded leaves are painted in a rich dark green color. Their surface is shiny and slightly wrinkled, and has slight pubescence on the inside. The fruits of the Baltic gooseberry are colored in light green shades, their shape can be oval or round.

The peel on the fruit is covered with wax and does not have a fluffiness on the surface. Being in the open sun for a long time, a slight pigmentation in the form of red spots may appear on the berries, which does not in any way affect the quality of the fruit.
The pulp of these berries is sweet with sourness, which makes it possible to use them in the preparation of hot dishes, preserves, jams, liqueurs, infusions, and of course to use them fresh. The fruits are of medium size and their weight does not exceed 4 grams.

Plant resistance to various climatic conditions

Due to the fact that this variety was bred in Russia, it is able to easily endure frosts down to -35, but if you plan to grow these bushes in regions with especially harsh winters, then it is better to do this in greenhouses, otherwise the shoots may die.
As for the resistance to drought, here and there, this plant proved to be quite patient.However, if the plant remains without moisture regularly and for long periods of time, then its fruits become smaller, taste and yields decrease.

Productivity of the Baltic gooseberry

The Baltic gooseberry has an average ripening period. Flowering begins only in the second half of May, and you can enjoy the ripe fruits already in early August. Depending on the region of growth, the timing may vary slightly. Yields of this variety are always high and allow you to remove up to 13 kilograms of berries from one bush. This also happens because the plant half pollinates itself on its own, which stimulates the development of fruits.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Baltic gooseberry variety

Baltic gooseberry is actively gaining its popularity, as it has a lot advantages very important for gardeners. For example, even an inexperienced gardener can grow it, since the plant is undemanding to care for and forgives mistakes. The bushes give consistently high yields, are resistant to severe frosts, to various diseases common among these crops. In addition, they are very versatile in use.

As for disadvantages then they include the need to plant next to the bushes of those plants that will contribute to pollination, since the Baltic, only half of itself pollinates. But here we need to draw your attention to the fact that planting such plants will increase the yield, and their absence will not reduce it. Also, the disadvantages include thorns that completely cover the branches, fruiting is relatively late.

As you can see, this plant has many more advantages than disadvantages, which are very relative.

Growing up: where, when and how?

Planting Baltic gooseberry bushes is no different from planting other varieties, the main thing is to take into account the climatic conditions in the region where the plant will grow and small nuances regarding this particular variety.

Gooseberry bushes can be planted both in spring and autumn.

Most gardeners prefer to do this in the spring. In central Russia, the procedure is carried out in mid-April, while flowering should not begin on the seedlings, and the leaves may only be slightly open. If you plant a plant that has started flowering, it will be extremely difficult for them to adapt to new conditions and there is no guarantee that it will be able to develop at all.

If you decide to plant the bushes in the fall, then you need to do this in September so that they have time to adapt and, accordingly, safely survive the approaching cold. Having planted them in the garden before the onset of frost, most likely the seedlings will simply freeze.

Gooseberries prefer to grow in open, sunny areas. With a lack of heat and light, yields drop significantly, and the berries become small. Also, the site must be protected from strong winds and drafts. If the groundwater is located closer than one and a half meters to the surface of the earth and there is no possibility to plant the plant in another place, then it is necessary to make an artificial embankment, and put rubble on the bottom of the hole to increase drainage. The gooseberry loves moist soils, but does not tolerate stagnant water, as this provokes rotting of the root system, which entails the death of the bush.

The Baltic gooseberry variety, like other varieties, can grow on all types of soil, but prefers fertile, loose, well-drained with a low level of acidity. If the soil in your area is clayey, then you will need to add river sand there or make an earthen embankment, which will create suitable conditions for the plant.
You can plant bushes where before that both annuals and perennials grow, but with the preparation of the soil, adding there mineral and organic fertilizers that will saturate the soil with nutrients necessary for good growth, development and fruiting. This must be done in advance.

Sapling selection

The choice of a seedling is a very important point, for the most part it depends on it what crops you will remove from the bush and how long it will bear fruit. Before purchasing, consult with a nursery specialist or a seller in a specialized store. It is not recommended to purchase seedlings from hands, as they will not be able to give you any guarantees for them.

When buying, inspect the plant carefully. The root system should be branched, free from damage, rot and dry areas. The shoots should also be free of any stains, which is a sign of disease, mold or moss. They must be strong and resilient. Pay attention to their bark, there should be no damage on it.
If a new plant requires transportation or a little storage, then the roots must be wrapped with a damp cloth or dipped in a clay mash. This method will not let the roots dry out.

Before you plant your seedlings, you need to prepare them. To do this, you need to cut off the tops of the shoots so that the length of each is not more than 20 centimeters. This preparation promotes better branching. Remember to remove any parts that may have been damaged. Always use washing tools when pruning to avoid infection or burrs.

Interesting fact. People who work in enterprises with toxic substances or heavy metals contained in large quantities in the air need gooseberries. Gooseberry berries contain large amounts of pectins, which contribute to the elimination of all toxins from the human body and cleanse it.

Landing rules

Before planting seedlings in open ground, you must prepare the site in advance and make holes. The planting scheme is no different from those used for planting other varieties. The holes should be located at the insistence of 1 meter along the row and one and a half meters between the rows. If you plan to use the technique when caring for plants, then you need to leave more space between the rows for its passage.

The diameter of the hole should be slightly larger than the root system, as a rule it is 60 centimeters. Next, you need to fertilize them. To do this, mix 2 buckets of humus with 2 buckets of peat, add 300 grams of ash, 300 grams of phosphate, 40 grams of potassium and 150 grams of lime and mix well. Next, gently spread the roots of the seedling and lower it into the hole so that the root collar remains above ground level, fill it with soil so that there are no voids left, tamp it and water it abundantly.

Once you're done, lay in a layer of peat, sawdust, or straw mulch. Mulching will retain moisture in the soil, prevent weeds from developing, which will allow the plant to receive more oxygen and nutrients.
Baltic gooseberry care:

The Baltic gooseberry does not require special care. All he needs for good fruiting is regular watering, weeding, loosening, mulching, pruning twice a year and periodic feeding. You may also need a support that will help the branches not to bend under the weight of the fruit.

Soil care

Watering should be carried out when the earth dries out 5 centimeters in depth.

The next watering after planting is necessary for the plant, when the ovaries and young shoots begin to form, as a rule, this is the beginning of June.

Further watering is carried out during the ripening of the fruits. The third time - in the fall, when the harvest has already been harvested.

For watering young plants, one bucket is enough for each bush. When the plant reaches two years old, you need to spend 3 or 4 buckets of water for each. Experienced gardeners recommend digging small grooves around the plant so that the jet is directed correctly.

Disease prevention

The Baltic cultivar is a plant resistant to many diseases, but it can be affected by some pests that can cause great harm to the plant. Prevention is a great way to protect gooseberry bushes.
In order to protect plants from the attack of aphids, moths and sawflies, it is recommended to treat them with an ash solution at the rate of mixing 1 kg of ash with 3 liters of water. Or treat with insecticides and acaricides.

It is necessary to carry out such actions even before the buds begin to bloom. In case of an attack by pests, carry out the procedure again after flowering ends.

If you notice brown spots on the branches or leaves or a light bloom on the inside of the leaf, then you need to treat the bushes with a solution of copper sulfate. Processing is carried out in the spring.

Fertilization

Gooseberries bear fruit abundantly and for a long time if they grow on fertile soils, so regular feeding is important. During the season, fertilizers are applied three times.

For the first time, they are used for feeding on the basis of nitrogen and potassium. This is done in the spring. It is necessary to apply fertilizers after watering the soil so that nutrients in a larger volume and faster are delivered to the roots. After feeding, the soil must be loosened.
When digging up the ground in the spring, add no more than 50 grams of ammonium nitrate there, this will allow the bush to develop faster and better.
The next top dressing is carried out when flowering ends. During this period, complex mineral fertilizers are suitable, which can be purchased at a nursery or a specialized store.

For the third time, the same complex mineral fertilizers are applied in the fall. This top dressing is needed in order to saturate the plant with the substances it needs to form buds next year.

It is very important that nitrogen is not included in the composition of fertilizers applied for the second and third time, since it stimulates the growth of green mass, which is dangerous before the onset of frost, and during the period of berry formation, it can stop their development.

A good option is to add 20 grams of phosphate and 12 grams of potassium to the soil in the fall. Upon reaching the age of six, this dosage can be doubled.

Support for the Baltic gooseberry variety

The Baltic gooseberry begins to need support when it becomes an adult plant and its branches begin to lie on the ground under the weight of the fruit. The support is installed using wooden stakes that are placed around the bush. It is important that the stakes are treated with an antiseptic prior to installation. If you use metal poles as a support, then they must be pre-painted to avoid oxidation. You can also stretch a net around it, you can tie branches to it and move it to the required height.

Pruning

Pruning plays an important role in plant care. With the help of it, you can form bushes, update them, and make prevention against diseases and pests. In the first three years, it is carried out to give the correct shape to the bush. To do this, the root shoots are cut almost entirely, and half of the skeletal branches are cut.

4 years after planting, it is necessary to annually remove the shoots that thicken the planting. This is mostly related to having any damage or growing incorrectly. Since the fruits develop on shoots that are no more than 6 years old, it makes no sense to leave older shoots. By removing unnecessary, weak shoots, you stimulate the growth of new ones that can bring good yields.

The formation of the bush is done in the fall, after the leaves have completely fallen off. In the spring, pruning is done before the buds bloom.
The third pruning is done to increase yields. To do this, you need to cut off the top of all shoots, leaving 7 leaves on them

Harvesting and storage

Harvesting begins depending on the region of growth. It usually starts in August and ends in September.It is necessary to pick berries on a dry day in the morning or in the evening. Ripening occurs at different times, so the collection can be divided into several stages, collecting first those that are ripe, leaving them not yet ripe and returning for them after two weeks. Some people pick all the berries at once.

The stem of the Baltic gooseberry variety is very strong and, as a rule, it remains on the berries when harvested. To preserve the berries, it will take some effort to separate the stalks.
If you decide to keep the berries, they must be dried and then placed in boxes. In a cool dry place, they will be stored for a little over a week. To increase shelf life, place the gooseberries on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
As for conservation, then green, fully ripe or overripe fruits are suitable for it.

Preparing the plant for frost

The Baltic gooseberry is a very frost-resistant plant that does not require shelter down to -35 degrees. It is enough to make pruning before the onset of cold weather, apply fertilizers based on potassium and phosphorus and water abundantly.
It is also necessary to bend the shoots to the ground and cover them with a layer of snow.
If you live in regions with especially harsh winters, then you need to cover the soil with a layer of mulch from spruce branches and cover the plant with woven material.

Reproduction

Reproduction of the Baltic gooseberry variety is no different from other varieties and occurs by cuttings, dividing the bush or layering.

The simplest and therefore the most common method is layering. In this case, the shoots at the age of one or two years are bent to the ground, covered with soil, a small load is placed on top and watered abundantly. Throughout the entire period of growth and development, a new plant must be hilled and watered. In autumn, the young plant is separated from the mother plant and transplanted into a pot.

If you decide to grow your plant through cuttings, then you need to do this in June. To do this, you need to cut off shoots 12 centimeters long from the bush, while they must have at least two internodes. The resulting cuttings must be placed in containers to a depth of about 2 centimeters.

When planting cuttings, observe the distance between them in a row of 3 centimeters, between rows of 7 centimeters.
In order to propagate a plant by dividing, you will need to dig out a bush, divide the root system in such a way that young shoots remain on each part of the plant and plant them. Everything must be done carefully so as not to damage the root system.

Diseases and pests

Baltic gooseberry resistant to diseases plant and if you take care of it correctly, then most likely you will never encounter diseases and pests... Nevertheless, sometimes these bushes can attack such insects as: aphids, moths, moths and yellow sawflies. You can also encounter double leaves, which leads to the complete sterility of the plant. This disease can be identified by twisted and deformed leaves and buds. You can determine that aphids have appeared on the plant by the red swellings on the leaves. Sawflies eat the leaves, and the moth eats the fruits from the inside, leaving behind one cobweb.

In order to get rid of wintering pests, it is necessary to spray the bushes with herbicides, insecticides and acaricides in the first month of spring.

Treatment of the plant with a solution of copper sulfate will help to avoid fungal diseases.

Conclusion

It is not surprising that the Baltic gooseberry variety is gaining popularity, because it really deserves attention. The bushes of this plant give excellent yields with classic care. They are resistant to frost, which allows them to be grown anywhere in the country. And it has a high resistance to diseases, which allows you to grow them in your garden for many years.