- Authors: I. Popova (VSTISP)
- Appeared when crossing: No. 310-24 x Pink-2
- Name synonyms: Ribes uva-crispa Severniy capitan
- Year of approval: 2007
- Growth type: vigorous
- Description of the bush: medium spreading under crop load, dense crown with strong branching, direction of branches is oblique
- Escapes: non-lignified - of medium thickness, slightly curved, strongly branching, green in color, without pubescence; the tops of zero shoots have an anthocyanin coloration, no pubescence; lignified - of medium thickness, gray in color
- Thorniness: weak
- Thorns: short, less than 7 mm, thin, single, sparse, straight, matte, no gloss
- Sheet: three-lobed, large, dark green, pubescence of the lower and upper sides of the leaf is absent
There are a lot of gooseberry varieties. However, among them there are those that are more in demand - and this, among others, is also the North Captain. Only by knowing the features of this plant, you can get an excellent result in a short time and with minimal effort.
Breeding history
The North Captain was created at VSTISP. The project management was entrusted to the breeder IV Popova. To obtain the gooseberry variety Pink-2 and variety No. 310-24 were used. The official admission for growing the plant was issued in 2007. Therefore, a solid experience of using culture has already been accumulated.
Description of the variety
The North Captain has an official synonym - Ribes uva-crispa Severniy capitan. This is a purely technical culture. The height of medium-spreading bushes reaches 1.5 m. The crown is very dense and highly branched. The branches themselves grow with a slope.
The thorns of this shrub are quite impressive. Shoots that have not yet had time to woody have an average thickness. Their curvature is not great, but the branching will go on intensively. Pubescence is not typical. After lignification, the North Captain's shoots are gray in color, whereas they are initially green in color.
The leaves have a three-lobed structure. They are large and dark green in color. Pubescence is absent both below and above the leaf. The thorns of this variety are short, no more than 7 mm in length; they are single and sparsely located. Large flowers are oval by default; an important feature is the excellent recovery of damaged shoots.
Characteristics of berries
It is like this:
North Captain fruits are of medium size;
they weigh an average of 3.5-4 g when ripe;
the black surface of the berries is covered with a waxy bloom;
veins are lighter than the main tone;
rounded berries, the base of which is wider than the main part.
Taste qualities
The moderately firm rind does not have an unpleasant effect on the palate. It is thin and smooth. The sweet-sour taste is liked by the vast majority of summer residents and gardeners, and even gourmets are impressed by it. The share of soluble dry matter is 10.9%, and the concentration of sugars reaches 8.9%. The titratable acidity index is 2.9%, and the concentration of ascorbic acid is 12.1 mg per 100 g of fruit.
Ripening and fruiting
The North Captain is a typical mid-late gooseberry. Usually the ripeness of the crop is reached by mid-summer. The variety is self-fertile and will yield good yields even in the absence of other bushes. The fruiting period can be up to 20 years.
Yield
On 1 bush of such a gooseberry, it is possible to grow up to 10 kg of berries.The average level of productivity in plantation cultivation can range from 16.2 to 26.6 centners per hectare. Productivity is highly dependent on the weather and on the quality of agricultural technology.
Growing regions
The northern captain is zoned for the northwest of the Russian Federation. Therefore, we can assume that it will give good results in areas with a less severe climate - for example, in the Volga region, in the North Caucasus. However, there may already be unforeseen problems.
Landing
Before planting the gooseberry of this variety, the bushes should be cut off, leaving no more than 5 buds on each shoot. You cannot choose places where groundwater is close to the surface. It is optimal to plant in September or October. Spring planting is less efficient. The depth and diameter of the planting pit are 50 cm, and they add to the ground:
humus;
phosphorus;
potassium;
wood ash.
Growing and care
The North Captain should be trimmed as regularly as possible. This variety does not respond well to too much watering. In early spring, there is usually enough water left after the snow melts. Top dressing is applied only for 3 years and beyond. This is usually done in the spring.
Since the roots are shallow, loosening the earth is contraindicated. Treatment with insecticides and fungicides is carried out once every 6 months. In case of illness or pest infestation, the drugs must be applied immediately. In the case of a particularly harsh winter, peat mulching is recommended. Its layer should be at least 20 cm.
Disease and pest resistance
For this culture, they do not pose any significant danger:
American powdery mildew;
anthracnose;
septoria;
moth;
sawfly;
fungal infections of various origins.
In order for the gooseberry to produce a good harvest, it is necessary to devote time to disease prevention.
Resistance to adverse climatic conditions
The variety is considered a completely winter-hardy gooseberry variety. Fruiting is not disturbed either in a hot dry summer, or even after a frosty winter. However, it is still better to play it safe and help the plants survive difficult periods. The main support measures are the same as for other varieties.
Review overview
In the gardeners' assessments, it is noted that the North Captain:
well suited for blanks for the winter;
gives a small number of thorns (although some reviews refute this);
performs well from a gastronomic point of view in jams and preserves;
almost does not require shelter for the winter;
requires a small amount of fertilizer.
