Empirically, I found out that there is a fundamental difference between dessert and technical varieties of gooseberries. Berries in the first case are equally well suited for fresh consumption as well as for processing. But technical varieties are more like wild, it is impossible to guess what kind of berries you will get at the exit. For myself, I identified several successful varieties that I divided into sweet, without thorns, early and mid-ripening.
Dessert varieties of gooseberries
For me, first of all, the taste of gooseberries is important, since I like it fresh. I also often cook confiture, and only sweet gooseberries are suitable for this.
White Nights
This variety ripens early, the bushes are heapy and compact, there are thorns, quite sharp. Berries ripen in different sizes, the maximum weight of one reaches 4 grams. Those berries that have spent more time in the sun turn yellow, there are a lot of seeds in them, about 20 in one fruit. From one bush you can collect up to 6 kg of berries.
Grade Benefits:
- has a real dessert taste;
- resistant to cold and drafts;
- self-pollinates;
- have immunity to powdery mildew.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- large and sharp thorns interfere with harvesting;
- berries ripen most often not very large;
- does not tolerate excess moisture.
Pink 2
The variety is very popular, its berries are not only sweet but also beautiful, dark red. The bushes have a sprawling shape, the thorns are long and sharp. One berry can reach up to 7 grams in weight, about 6.2 kg can be collected from one bush.
variety benefits:
- resistant to both drought and cold;
- self-pollinates;
- there is good immunity to typical gooseberry diseases.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- grows only on fertile soils.
Candy
This variety ripens late, but it is worth the wait. This is the sweetest gooseberry I've ever tasted, it's called Candy for a reason. One berry can reach up to 6 kg in weight, has a pink color, all fruits are covered with a thin skin and ripen in the same shape. Plus, the variety is extremely productive, up to 7 kg can be harvested from one bush.
Grade Benefits:
- great taste of berries;
- high immunity to typical "sores" of gooseberries;
- high degree of resistance to frost;
- very good yield.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- susceptible to septoria.
Non-thorn gooseberry varieties
Thorns can seriously hamper harvest, so breeders have bred varieties that don't have those pesky thorns. I recommend paying attention to three varieties that performed well in my area.
Consul
Mid-season variety, the berries of which are sweet in taste. It is specially bred for a temperate climate, the bushes are sprawling, tall (up to 2 meters). Annual shoots may have a small number of thorns, but then they disappear. The berries are colored red, and as they ripen, they become black, weigh up to 6 grams. With proper care, you can collect up to 3 kg of berries from one bush.
Grade Benefits:
- unpretentious to care;
- tolerates sudden changes in temperature;
- equally well suited for making jams and wine.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- does not tolerate drought;
- does not withstand transportation;
- very afraid of drafts.
Eaglet
Early maturing variety with black berries that can be used as food coloring. The berries are medium in size, one weighs up to 4 grams, the taste is not as sweet as in previous varieties. But the yield is plentiful - from one bush you can collect up to 7.2 kg of berries.
Grade Benefits:
- there is a strong immunity to powdery mildew;
- not afraid of frost;
- high degree of productivity.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- thorns do not always disappear completely from the plant.
Early ripening gooseberry varieties
Harvest from these varieties can be already in early and mid-July.
Amber
The bushes of this variety are sprawling, reaching up to 1.5 meters in height. The taste of berries is sour, they smell like honey, ripened fruits turn bright orange. One berry weighs a maximum of 5 grams.
Grade Benefits:
- have immunity to fungi;
- resistant to frost;
- berries are dense, tolerate transportation and preservation well.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- it is not included in the register, so it is difficult to find seedlings of this particular variety, and not its imitation.
Strawberry
This variety has appeared recently, but has proven itself well. Its berries are small, but the strawberry flavor is really present. The branches are covered with small but sharp thorns.
Grade Benefits:
- a decent degree of resistance to cold;
- bountiful harvest;
- well takes root on not very fertile soil.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- young plants can freeze and stop bearing fruit.
Altai license plate
This variety bears fruit well in all regions, the berries have a bright yellow color. Bushes do not scatter. The fruits have an almost dessert taste, but there is a slight sourness.
Grade Benefits:
- there is immunity to pests and powdery mildew;
- there are practically no thorns on the shoots.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- the harvest is not very plentiful.
Mid-season varieties of gooseberries
In this group, I have collected universal varieties, the berries of which can be tasted in July. All of them brought good harvests, and the taste of the fruits suited me.
Kolobok
An unpretentious variety with a dense crown and a small number of thorns. Berries ripen unevenly and are formed in different sizes. Ripe berries are painted in a dark burgundy shade, inside the pulp is pleasant to the taste with a large number of seeds.
Grade Benefits:
- phenomenal yield - up to 9 kg can be harvested from one bush;
- ripe berries do not crumble;
- able to adapt to climatic conditions.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- susceptible to fungal infections.
Reliable
The variety was bred in Siberia and fully justifies its name. You can always harvest from it, albeit not so plentiful. There are thorns on the bushes, long and sharp, but not so many of them form.
Grade Benefits:
- excellent immunity to powdery mildew and infections;
- ripe berries do not fall;
- has a classic gooseberry flavor.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- drought severely damages crop yields.
Seraphim
Universal variety, bushes of medium height. There are spikes on them, but very few. Ripe berries have a rich red color. I would not call the taste dessert, but berries are perfect for confiture.
Grade Benefits:
- fungus resistant;
- not afraid of frost;
- the fruits tolerate transportation well.
Minuses:
- too wet or dry environments reduce yields to a minimum.
I recommend having at least three varieties of gooseberries on the site. Thus, the harvest can be harvested all summer long and maintain the variety of tastes of your homemade preparations.
Read also: Methods of propagation of ordinary and remontant raspberries. Tips & Tricks
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