- Authors: Institute of Fruit Growing of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus
- Appeared when crossing: White large x Belarusian
- Name synonyms: Ribes uva-crispa Belorusskiy saharniy
- Growth type: medium-sized
- Description of the bush: medium spreading, compact
- Escapes: straight, spiky, medium thickness
- Thorns: medium sized, quite abundant, single, double and even triple, green or light brown in color
- Sheet: large, grayish green
- Berry size: large
- Berry weight, g: 4-8
Gooseberries are grown in large quantities in garden plots as they are healthy and tasty berries. Among the popular and not capricious ones, it is worth highlighting the Belarusian sugar variety, which is characterized by incredible taste.
Breeding history
This mid-early variety was bred by breeders on the basis of the Institute of Fruit Growing of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. At the heart of the variety, two popular types were used - White large and Belarusian. Recommended for cultivation in the Central and North-West regions of Russia. It is recommended for cultivation of a fruit shrub on the territory of Belarus, Ukraine, Russia (southern regions, Siberia, Ural).
Description of the variety
The Belarusian sugar gooseberry belongs to medium-sized shrubs, growing in height up to 100, in rare cases up to 150 cm.The bush is compact, neat, medium spreading, endowed with a moderate thickening of gray-green glossy foliage, thin but flexible branches, as well as strong single or double studs thorns. The flowering period is mid-May. During this period, the shrub is covered with small flowers that are pollinated by insects.
Gooseberries are self-fertile (more than 60%), but additional varieties located on the site will not interfere, since due to cross-pollination, yield indicators can increase significantly.
Characteristics of berries
The variety belongs to large-fruited species. The average weight of gooseberries is 4-8 grams. The berries have a regular, spherical shape with a barely elongated base. The ripe fruit is covered with a light green color with light stripes. The surface of the berries is smooth, matte, without edges. The skin of the gooseberry is thin, not tough, but firm.
The purpose of the variety is universal - the berries are eaten fresh, processed, canned, frozen, used in cooking. Berries harvested at the stage of technical maturity can easily endure long-term transportation, and can also be stored for a long time.
Taste qualities
The taste and marketability of gooseberries are excellent. The pale green pulp of the berries is tender and juicy. The taste contains both sweetness and pleasant sourness. The pulp contains almost 14% sugars, 2% acids, vitamin C, tannins, flavonoids, pectins and many other useful components.
Ripening and fruiting
The Belorussky Sugar variety belongs to the medium early. The plant begins to bear fruit in the second half of July. The bush gives yields for 14-18 years. Fruiting in the bush is abundant and amicable. Ripe berries do not crumble or bake under the scorching sun.
Yield
Yield indicators are estimated as average. Having provided the necessary care, from 1 bush per season can be removed from 3.5 to 6 kg of useful berries.
Growing regions
The fruit shrub is massively grown in Belarus, and has also gained popularity in Ukraine. In Russia, the berry grows in the southern regions, in Siberia and the Urals.
Landing
Fruit shrubs are planted both in spring (first half of April) and in autumn (October). It is recommended to plant seedlings at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from each other. It is better to place them near a hedge or building, which will provide reliable protection for the plant from drafts and strong winds. When choosing planting material, you should pay attention to the thickness of the shoot (at least 5 mm) and the development of the rhizome (at least 15 cm long).
Growing and care
It is recommended to grow gooseberries on light, loamy or sandy loamy soils with neutral or weak acidity. The site must receive sufficient light and heat. The plant does not like stagnant moisture, so the groundwater must go deep. The plant can be propagated in two ways - cuttings or layering.
Gooseberries require standard methods of care - watering, feeding, loosening and mulching the soil, sanitary and aesthetic pruning of branches, as well as protection from insect infestations and prevention of diseases. In regions with harsh winters, the plant should be protected from excessive cold - mulching the growing area of the bush using spruce or spruce branches.
Disease and pest resistance
The plant has a high immunity to many diseases and pests. The fruit shrub is completely unaffected by spheroteka, rarely susceptible to fungal diseases and powdery mildew, and is also resistant to anthracnose. Timely treatment of bushes with special preparations will help protect from invasions of pests.
In order for the gooseberry to produce a good harvest, it is necessary to devote time to disease prevention.
Resistance to adverse climatic conditions
Gooseberries are well adapted to unstable climates, including cold winters (down to -29 degrees). The plant easily tolerates drought and heat, and after adverse weather conditions it quickly recovers.