Gooseberry Mashenka

Introduction

Mashenka is a gooseberry variety that belongs to the genus of thornless. He fell in love with modern gardeners for a long time, primarily due to the fact that he is not at all capricious when it comes to caring for a plant, and in general can withstand sudden temperature changes and frosts. In this article, we will dwell in more detail on how to choose the right variety, take care of it in order to get a decent and tasty harvest of Mashenka gooseberries.

In general, it is worth pointing out that the variety is more correctly called not Mashenka, but Masheka - in honor of the Belarusian noble robber who defended the poor from outside attacks. But in Russia and Ukrainka this variety was mistakenly called Mashenka gooseberry, and the name took root. Now they decided not to rename it. The culture was bred by a Belarusian breeder about 20 years ago, but has already gained immense popularity far beyond the borders of the neighboring country.

Gooseberry Mashenka: characteristics of the variety

Of course, the characteristics of the variety must be made on the basis of the characteristic features and characteristics of the plant and berries. The root system of the plant is very powerful, it includes several key rod processes that can go deep into the soil about half a meter. There are also many small roots that are responsible for absorbing mineral components and substances that are contained in the soil. The bushes themselves are very decorative, especially when the harvest is almost ripe. On average, a plant can reach about one and a half meters in height, no more, but for this variety, some care is still needed.

The shoots of the Mashenka gooseberry variety are very powerful, thickened. They grow obliquely, not straight, and are painted in an attractive light green hue. There are thorns on the plant, but they are very small, almost imperceptible. The foliage is medium in size, dark green in color and slightly glossy. The flowers when blooming are small in size, they are collected in inflorescences in two pieces, their color is anthocyanin.

As for the berries that appear on the bush, they are usually medium in size. The average weight of one berry is about 4 grams, it is colored in an orange-red hue. The skin is very thin, but at the same time dense, when biting through, a characteristic bursting sound appears. The fruits are generally planted very densely, located along the entire length of the branch. This makes the bush very productive and fertile, which is certainly an extremely positive feature of the plant.

The variety has some positive and negative traits and properties. The pros and cons also need to be mentioned, because these factors can greatly affect whether a grower chooses this variety for growing or not.

The main advantages of the gooseberry varieties Mashenka (Masheka) are as follows:

- this variety is very resistant to winter frosts, as well as, in general, to temperature extremes and frosts

- the quantity and quality of fruits are very highly appreciated by the gardeners themselves, who are just engaged in the cultivation of the Mashenka variety

- the crop is very versatile, it can be moved long distances, it will feel quite comfortable. The fruits will not lose their taste, appearance and characteristics after transportation

- the gooseberry bushes of the Mashenka variety, as we have already mentioned, are quite decorative

- the variety is resistant to diseases and pests, but it is still better to periodically take some preventive measures

- the variety is self-pollinated, so there is no need to plant shrubs nearby for pollination

There are also several disadvantages that we simply cannot fail to mention. A huge amount of root growth is formed, which greatly complicates the processing of the area around the shrub. Also, the variety is quite picky about lighting, but in general it can tolerate partial shade. Waterlogged soil is the main enemy of the plant, as it can lead to the development of certain diseases, especially diseases of the root system.

Gooseberry Mashenka belongs to drought-resistant varieties, and she needs watering only when the plant enters the active phases of the growing season. Basically, if we are talking about frosts, then the variety can withstand a drop in temperature to an average of minus 31 degrees, while completely losing its capabilities and properties. The culture is also weakly susceptible to pests and diseases, fungi and viruses, but at the same time it is best for a gardener to follow all the rules of agricultural technology and cultivation of the variety. Only with the complicity of the gardener himself can you get an excellent decorative and, moreover, a fruiting plant.

Fruiting begins around the third year after the shrub has been planted in open ground. Annually, from one gooseberry bush, you can collect about five kilograms of excellent fruits that have excellent taste characteristics, and can also be stored for a long time. If you properly care for the shrubs, then the fruits can be obtained continuously for more than fifteen years.

We will give several basic characteristics that relate directly to the fruits themselves. Their acidity is about two percent, and the sugar content is about 9.5%. Also, the fruits include ascorbic acid, various dry substances, pectins, phenolic components. They are very useful for the human body, for maintaining immunity and vital functions.

Planting and caring for the plant

In this part, we will take a closer look at what are the principles of planting the Mashenka variety and the basic rules for caring for the plant. Before planting a seedling, it is very important to carefully consider the choice of planting dates, as well as find an area where Mashenka (Masheka) gooseberry will feel most comfortable. After that, you can already start preparing the planting material, so that, as a result, we get a high-quality planting, which will give an excellent harvest in the future.

The plant can be planted in the spring, when the buds have not yet blossomed, or in the autumn, closer to mid-September, so that the plant has time to take root before the very first frosts. It is also worth considering the climatic features of the region on the territory of which the planting itself will be carried out. In the north or in the central part, it is best to plant a plant in spring, but in the south, autumn planting of planting material is perfect, from which it will not lose its properties and qualities at all.

The landing area must be selected taking into account how illuminated the area is, as well as how far from the planting groundwater will be located. Ideally, it is necessary to plant gooseberries from the southern or southeastern side, and groundwater can lie at a depth of at least one and a half meters, if deeper, then this will only be a plus for planting. The quality of the soil can be absolutely anything, it does not matter, the main thing is that the acidity is in a neutral position. In addition, the gardener is required to monitor the level of nutrient content of the soil. To do this, it is best to prepare the soil about six months before the gooseberries are planted in it.

Digging the soil is carried out to a depth of half a meter, the soil is disinfected using colloidal sulfur or using a solution of copper sulfate.Seven days after decontamination, the soil should be covered with sand, superphosphate and manure. If the soil is acidic, then it is necessary to add a certain amount of dolomite flour and wood ash. Their number depends on the area of ​​the site on which the bush will be planted. The plot is then carefully leveled with a rake.

The next important step is to select the planting material. A high-quality seedling is initially a guarantee that in the future the yield will be at a high level, and this is very important for obtaining good fruits. It is best to buy planting materials in specialized nurseries, where specialists have already processed the materials. Seedlings can be purchased both with an open root system and with a closed one, it depends on the preferences of the gardeners themselves. Before the seedlings are planted, they must be carefully examined in a day, cut off the shoots, leaving four strong buds on them, which will give abundant growth in the future. The root system is dipped into the growth stimulator "Kornevin", which also has a disinfecting effect.

Step landing is carried out in accordance with the following algorithm:

- planting material is placed in the hole, the gardener straightens its roots very carefully

- alignment is performed along the root collar - just after the hole is filled, the collar should be under the soil at a depth of no more than six centimeters

- the hole is filled with soil. You can easily compact the trunk circle so that there are no gaps between the roots and the soil. About ten liters of settled water is poured from above

- the soil is mulched around the plant, for this you can use sawdust or compost. Sawdust for these purposes is best mixed thoroughly with peat to obtain a homogeneous mass.

Gooseberry Mashenka as a whole, as we have repeatedly emphasized, is unpretentious if we are talking about leaving. If the gardener observes the most basic agrotechnical rules, then a bountiful harvest will be produced annually. At the same time, the plant will not be attacked by pests or a wide variety of diseases. The soil should be watered and also loosened for ventilation. So there will be no stagnant processes in it, and it will become a more favorable environment for the plant.

You should not give the plant a lot of moisture if there is already a sufficient level of precipitation. Weather conditions generally have a very serious effect on plants, so they must be taken into account, and then the plant will give an even more favorable result. The last watering is done around mid-September, when the plant has already yielded all of its harvest, and is preparing for hibernation. After each stage of irrigation is carried out, it is very important to loosen the soil, so it is possible to stimulate the flow of oxygen to the upper layers of the soil and, accordingly, moisture will be distributed more evenly than if these measures are ignored.

There are also several preventive treatments available. The main prevention against pests or diseases lies in the fact that the gardener should comply with the most key agrotechnical requirements, which mainly consist in the order and abundance of moisture, as well as in soil care, fertilization according to schedules. It is also important for the plant to provide pruning, not only to form the bush, but also so that it fructifies better and does not waste its strength and energy on feeding non-viable branches.

In order to increase the immunity of the plant in winter, as well as to destroy some harmful microorganisms, gooseberry bushes should be periodically sprayed. Before bud break, a drug called Emochka-Fertility is perfect.At the moment when the very first ovaries begin to appear on the branches, it is necessary to use a solution of wood ash, which is sprayed on the leafy part of the plant. In autumn, a solution of copper sulfate is used to spray shoots and soil.

As a rule, during the first two years, Mashenka's gooseberry does not need to be fed, since the plant will take all the nutrient components from the soil. The first fertilizer should be applied to the plant in the third year of growth, even before the buds begin to bloom. It is best to use mullein for these purposes.

The second time fertilizer is applied in the autumn period, top dressing must be applied in parallel with water-charging irrigation. Fertilizers are applied here dry. In the morning, the gardener irrigates, after which he embeds superphosphate and potassium salts to a depth of about 10 centimeters.

The bushes are generally medium-sized, so there is not always a need to establish a support for them. But it should be borne in mind that due to abundant fruiting under the pull of the harvest, the shrubs can gradually droop, so you still have to put support. There are adaptations that a gardener can purchase in a specialized store, and there are also such adaptations that he can make with his own hands, taking into account the size of the plant and the characteristics of the area on which it grows.

The fruits do not ripen at the same time, this is a certain drawback of this variety. At the same time, they can stay on the branches for a very long time, without crumbling at all. This allows you to harvest in one go, immediately separating all the berries from the branches and sending them for further storage or preparation of any dishes. Observing a temperature of about plus 6 degrees, you can store the fruits for up to two weeks, they will not lose their properties, and will not deteriorate at all. In addition, they perfectly tolerate transportation, which is also an advantage.

A special stage is the preparation of the plant for the winter period. To do this, it is necessary to carry out water-charging irrigation, then apply fertilizer and thoroughly loosen the soil. After that, the soil is mulched about 5 centimeters, it is best to do this with compost.

Gooseberry Mashenka: reproduction and diseases

Of course, it is important to clarify in what ways the gooseberry of this variety can reproduce. As a rule, the bush gives a huge amount of root growth, so the reproduction task is very simple. In the spring, you can dig up several strong growths and plant them on a pre-harvested site using the same agricultural technique that we already described a little earlier. You can cut out all the root growth, and then the plant will multiply by layers and cuttings.

Growth stimulants are used. The most popular among them are Kornevin, Fitosporin, Zircon. They must be used exclusively in accordance with the instructions in the instructions. By the autumn period, layers emanate from the shoots, the branch should be separated from the mother plant, dug up and divided into several parts in accordance with how many layers were obtained. You can not immediately plant the parts in open ground, but first place them in peat cups, and only then, when the layering takes root, they can be sent to open ground in the spring.

If there is high humidity in the area where the gooseberry shrub grows, then it can be infected with various diseases. For example, powdery mildew, anthracnose, septoria. For these diseases, the treatment of the deciduous part with the Skor preparation, or Bordeaux liquid, is perfect.

If we talk about pests, then a gooseberry caterpillar can perfectly settle and feel on a plant. It can be eliminated through the process of dusting the plant and soil with wood ash. Tobacco dust is also used for the same purposes.Thus, Mashenka's gooseberry is excellent for growing in various regions of our country. The bushes are resilient and very decorative. However, they produce an excellent harvest that can be transported and stored for the first two weeks after harvest. It is important to follow all preventive measures, as well as agrotechnical rules.