Gooseberry Prune is a popular variety of fruit and berry shrubs, which has become a favorite of many gardeners, thanks to undemanding care and the original taste of berries, leaving behind a pleasant plum aftertaste.

History of appearance

At the Research Institute of Horticulture named after I.V. Michurina, as a result of crossing the varieties Plum and Plum 259-23, a gooseberry variety Prune was created. The Uralsky region is considered the best place for breeding, but the shrub grows excellently in the Central region. Thanks to its genetic development, it resists well against fungal and infectious pathogens, and is suitable for the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Gooseberry Prune

Plant features

Gooseberry Commander

Plum gooseberry is a low-growing shrub of medium density, not spreading. It reaches a height of 1.5 meters. Powerful and thick shoots are inclined at the bottom, new branches rise vertically. The bulk of the thick thorns is located at the bottom of the shoot and does not interfere with leaving. Inflorescences are formed from 1-3 small flowers. Gooseberries self-pollinate, but if there are other varieties of shrubs on the site, then fruiting will be greater.

The plant has an early maturity. Large oval-shaped fruits, some can grow up to 2 cm in diameter and weigh up to 10 g, look like a plum. The dense skin with light veins is covered with a waxy coating. Ripening, they gradually change color, the more ripe, the darker: the young berry is red, and the ripe one is black. The taste is sweet and sour, with a sweet plum aftertaste. The fruits are considered very healthy due to their balanced chemical composition.

Characteristic per 100 g:

  • sugar - 8.5-10.8%;
  • acid - 2.2%;
  • ascorbic acid - 44.1 mg.

In the second year after planting, the Prune seedling begins to bear fruit. One mature bush gives up to 4 kg of berries. The average indicator ranges from 1.5 to 3 kg, there is no stable yield rate. Thanks to their dense skin, they can be transported without loss of quality.

Harvest

Prune gooseberries can be eaten fresh or processed. Unprocessed berries are the most beneficial to humans. They normalize blood pressure, help to strengthen the body, increase resistance to viruses, and improve the digestive tract.

Berries are suitable for making jam, jam, compote. Winemakers prefer this variety to all others; on its basis, original sweet wines with a pleasant aftertaste are obtained.

Interesting! Non-alcoholic fruit drinks quench thirst, tone up, since many useful substances are stored in them.

Gooseberry Prune has a high winter hardiness: slightly frozen branches are easily restored. The bush will withstand frost down to -34 ° C, but an experienced gardener believes that cold weather affects the yield. High temperatures in summer also negatively affect the harvest.

Landing

Gooseberry Beryl

The planting site is important for the gooseberry. It should not be low-lying or waterlogged. The seedling should not coexist next to raspberries and currants, since their root system is at the same level and will be at enmity. In addition, they have similar diseases and pests.

Planting Prune Gooseberries

The plant should be grown in the southern part of the site, away from trees, walls and buildings, as it strongly does not accept shade. The soil should not be acidic or clayey.The time for planting seedlings is early spring, when the frosts come down, but it is best to plant them in autumn, at the end of September, before the first frosts.

Having decided on the location, landing is carried out:

  1. Dig up the soil, remove weeds and debris;
  2. Dig a hole 50-55 cm deep and 40 cm wide;
  3. Add fertilizer mixed with humus and earth, and pour into the hole;
  4. A seedling with an open root system should be treated with a growth stimulating agent. Additionally, you can use an antibacterial solution to protect the gooseberry from disease;
  5. The length of the roots should not exceed 20 cm, the longer ones are cut off. Place the plant in the hole, evenly distributing the root system, cover with earth, slightly compact;
  6. At the very end, the seedling is pruned, 4-5 buds remain. The trunk circle is covered with a layer of mulch. It is best to use peat or sawdust;
  7. Surround the seedling with a small ditch, do not compact the soil much, pour about 4-5 liters of water for each seedling, loosen it so that the roots do not experience oxygen starvation.

Several young plants are distributed one meter apart when planting. For the first 10-12 months, seedlings are not additionally fed. Water regularly: once every 10-12 days, more often in extreme heat, but as the soil dries up.

Caring for gooseberries after planting

Care

Gooseberry Amber

Gooseberry Prunes are not capricious in their care, but attention and effort will need to be made to have a stable harvest. The main thing is to avoid darkened areas and excessive soil moisture. The bushes are fed, starting from the second year of life in the ground, regularly every season:

  • in spring - nitrogen fertilizers;
  • in summer, while the ovaries are forming, - potassium and phosphorus;
  • in the fall, at the end of the harvest, complex fertilizers.

If the leaves begin to turn yellow and curl, then you can additionally feed. Pest control should be done with special means suitable for the destruction of a specific type of infection. During the growing season, the plant is additionally fed with growth stimulants. During flowering, gooseberries are watered under the root with organic matter - a solution of manure. While the fruits are forming, it is useful to fertilize the soil with ash and a weak solution of organic fertilizer.

Many gardeners agree that spring watering a shrub with hot water is useful and effective. The high temperature will rid the earth of the larvae and spores of fungal diseases that may remain from winter. Watering, the near-trunk circle must be covered with a film that remains until mid-June. This will protect the plant from fire butterflies and gooseberry sawflies.

Loosening and weeding

The soil is loosened and weeded at the base of the trunk often, but not deeply. The roots are close to the surface, so the risk of damaging them is high. The area around the bushes should be kept clean. Frequent watering is needed, but avoid waterlogging, as this can cause disease.

Pruning

Get rid of old and dry branches, prune young shoots in a timely manner. Pruning is done at the beginning of the season in the spring and at the end, after harvest in the fall. While flowering, ovary and berry ripening are taking place, interference can have a negative effect. Bushes must be thinned out so that the fruits do not lack sunlight.

Preparing for winter

  1. Clear the root zone of the shrub: remove foliage and branches. Remove excess shoots;
  2. Loosen the ground to get rid of the larvae preparing for wintering;
  3. Cover the bushes with foil, although the creators of the Prune variety claim that this can not be done, but gardeners are reinsured;
  4. Build a shelter for young seedlings, and sprinkle rooted ones with sawdust.

Pests and diseases

The plant is susceptible to diseases of goblet rust and anthracosis. Pathogenic spores are carried by the wind or on the legs of insects. In the spring, while the ovaries are formed, the shrub is most susceptible to disease, but when the fruits are formed, the gooseberry's resistance increases.

Correct preparation for winter and care when the snow melts will help to cope with spring diseases. To prevent the bush from being exposed to these diseases, you need to remove weeds, throw away or burn old foliage.

Gooseberry affected by the disease

The most dangerous pests live in the soil (yellow gooseberry sawfly, moth butterfly), boiling water can fight them. If the shoots have been infected, then they are removed and discarded. You can get rid of aphids and glass cases using folk methods - a solution of laundry soap with ash.

Important! It is imperative that you read the instructions before using chemicals.

Pros and cons of the variety

The disadvantages of Prune gooseberry include crop instability. But this fact is rarely taken into account by gardeners when choosing a shrub, since the positive aspects prevail.

The pluses of breeding include:

  • original plum taste;
  • the benefits of berries;
  • long shelf life;
  • the elasticity of the fruit, which makes it easy to transport;
  • tolerates adverse conditions, temperature changes well;
  • not picky about care;
  • self-pollinated;
  • few thorns.

Interesting. The bush is not too sprawling and does not take up much space on the site.

Gooseberry fruits replenish vitamin deficiencies in the body, normalize blood pressure, and have a diuretic effect. Berries can be eaten in dietary nutrition, they are useful for people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.

Picture 5. Gooseberry is a tasty and healthy product

A detailed description of the Prune gooseberry variety, the basic rules of planting and care will help the gardener grow a strong and healthy bush and get a bountiful harvest. The most juicy and tasty fruits are black, and the taste of gooseberries resembles prunes, pleasant and refreshing. The plant does not require much effort and time. A little attention, and as a result, beautiful berries will enrich the summer and winter menu.

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