The story of the appearance of this variety began with the fact that new gooseberry varieties from America were brought to the UK. Along with them came a previously unknown disease in Europe - powdery mildew, or sferotek. The disease spread throughout the continent, destroying many unique local varieties, and has reached Russia.
In 1920, the Russian biologist and breeder I.V. Michurin set himself the task of developing a variety resistant to the disease, but at the same time having a decent taste. He crossed the European gooseberry with the American, having immunity to the sphere library. The breeder did not plan to draw up documents for a new variety, but was going to use it to get new hybrids. But this black gooseberry was so fond of gardeners that it gained popularity and the name Black Negus.
Grade gooseberries Black negus
Culture Description
Bushes of the black negus are powerful, sprawling, can reach up to 2 m in height. A feature of this variety are thorns (the spike can reach a length of 2 cm), which Negus inherited from a wild American ancestor.
Characteristics of berries
The black berries growing on this gooseberry are unusual for this species: small, completely smooth, sometimes with a slight bluish bloom, hold well on the bush, even the overripe berries do not fall. The pulp of the Negus fruit is tender, maroon, the seeds are very small, the skin is thin.
For your information! For those who do not like spikes, the Black Prince variety is suitable - it's a gooseberry-free. The dark color, juicy taste and aroma of this gooseberry will not leave anyone indifferent.
Grade Features
Black Negus gooseberries begin to bloom in May. Berries are sung all at the same time in late July - early August. During the ripening period, the shrub looks very beautiful: black berries densely cover the branches on the gooseberries, do not crack from rains and can sag until late autumn.
Important! The black negus begins to bear fruit early, with good care already in its second year. The yield of one bush can reach 7-8 kg.
Taste qualities
Black negus has an unusual taste: sweet and sour berries, similar to Isabella grapes, have a bright aroma inherent only to this variety.
Drought and frost resistance
Since this gooseberry variety was bred in Russia, it is distinguished by frost resistance. He is not afraid of the Russian winter: neither frosts to −25 ° C, nor spring frosts, nor cold winds, so this variety has taken root in all regions of the country.
Black negus can rightfully be called a drought tolerant plant, but drying out the soil affects the amount of yield.
Resistance to diseases and pests
This black gooseberry acquired immunity to diseases and pests from the American "relative". Sphereotka, rust and other fungal diseases are not able to harm him
Berry use
The bright color and the original, rich taste of the fruits of the Black Negus found their place in cooking. It is used as a food coloring, and gooseberries are also used to make various wines and tinctures. Black Negus wine has a bright grape flavor and aroma, as well as a velvety wine color.
Gooseberry jam
Black negus berries contain many useful substances, and the amount of vitamin C in it is greater than in ordinary gooseberries, so it is used for making juices, compotes and preserves.
Note! Darker berries contain more nutrients.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
If there is a gooseberry variety that is ideal for growing in any garden plot in any region of Russia, then this is Black Negus gooseberry, a description of all its advantages would take up a lot of space, so below are only the most basic of them:
- wonderful taste;
- many nutrients and vitamins;
- unpretentiousness;
- frost resistance;
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- spectacular appearance;
- good transportability and long shelf life of fruits.
Note! Gooseberries have only one drawback - spikes, which make it difficult to harvest and care for the bush. But this minus can be used for good: from the Black Negus a wonderful hedge is obtained.
Planting young seedlings on the site
Seedlings are best used annuals, they are easier to accept, they do not need a large landing hole. Before planting, they are treated with a root-forming preparation according to the instructions. To activate the growth of the root system before planting, cut the roots of seedlings by a couple of centimeters.
Time and landing pattern
Black negus will equally well take root in both autumn and spring planting. But if you plant a plant in the fall, it should be borne in mind that from planting to the onset of frost, it should take about 1.5 months for the bush to undergo adaptation, and its root system will strengthen before winter.
Shrub planting
Important! Black negus is a spreading shrub, therefore, when group planting, 1.5 m should be left between seedlings and at least 2 m between rows.
Choosing a landing place
For planting gooseberries, you should choose a sunny and not very windy place, but for the unpretentious variety Black Negus it is possible to plant in a small shade.
Shrub should be planted on an elevated (in the extreme case, even) surface, because excess moisture is harmful to the roots of the plant. The place where groundwater rises close to the surface is also not suitable for planting.
The composition of the soil does not matter, gooseberries will grow and bear fruit on any soil other than clay. But in order for the plant to reach its full potential and bear fruit abundantly, they choose a loose fertile soil rich in organic fertilizers for planting.
Site preparation
Before planting seedlings, it is advisable to dig the soil and get rid of weeds with roots, because when the thorny shrub grows, it will be problematic to clean under it.
Important! Black negus is undemanding to the soil, but it is better to choose sandy-loamy or loamy, with a pH of about 6. If planting is made in clay or poor soil, then you need to fertilize it with humus or compost.
Landing process
Pits for seedlings are dug with a width of 40 cm and a depth of 50 cm, they are fertilized (humus or compost are good as top dressing, if there are none, then superphosphate and potassium can also be used), and water is poured. The roots of a seedling are dipped in a clay mash and lowered into a hole under a slight slope so that the root neck is sprinkled with 5 cm of soil. After planting, the seedlings are cut, leaving 4-6 buds on each. Seedlings are abundantly watered, about 10 liters of water per bush will be required.
Seedlings should be watered abundantly
Features of seasonal care
Black negus needs a rare but plentiful watering: 3-5 times a season up to 10-30 liters of water under the root of each shrub. If the summer is dry, then you need to water the plant more often.
Gooseberries are fertilized from 1-2 years after planting. Top dressing is done 2 times a year: in the spring, until the buds open, and in the fall.
Black gooseberry is a very prickly plant, therefore, in order to get rid of frequent loosening and weeding, tree trunks are covered with mulch.
Growing gooseberries on trellises
Growing gooseberries on trellises facilitates harvesting and accelerates the ripening of berries. The branches of the bush have a fan, directing them upward evenly on the surface of the trellis at a distance of about 20 cm from each other.
Spraying the shrub with infusion of orange peels, onion husks or with a solution of Baikal-EM-1 will protect it from aphids.
In early spring and on the eve of winter Black negus needs to be cut, all weakened branches, small shoots and non-bearing shoots must be removed in a timely manner. For branches aged 2 to 7 years, anti-aging pruning should be performed. In spring, it is advisable to shorten the top of the bush by 1/3.
Note! To increase the size of the berries, you can trim the green shoots in the summer, leaving 5-7 leaves on them.
To prepare gooseberries for the winter, it is enough to prune and water the plant abundantly. The heat capacity of the soil increases with the amount of water on the eve of frosts, and the soil freezes more slowly.
Gooseberry Pruning
Breeding
Black negus propagates in standard ways.
- Cuttings. In the autumn, young shoots are separated, cut into cuttings with 3-4 buds and planted in soil at an angle of 45 ° so that 1-2 buds remain above the ground.
- Division. The shrub is dug up and divided into two parts. One of them is being planted in a new place.
- Layering. This is the most effective method of reproduction: in spring, one of the shoots of the bush is bent to the ground and dug up. The plant is regularly watered, and after the growth of new shoots is fed. In autumn, a new plant is separated and transplanted.
- Shoots. Cut and then root the branches that are formed close at the base of the plant. This method of reproduction is not suitable for bushes older than 8-9 years.
- Branches. A well-formed twig with a part of the root system is separated from the mother plant and transplanted to another place.
Pest and Disease Control
To protect the plant from pests in the early spring, until the buds are awakened, it should be treated with hot water.
Note! One shrub consumes a watering can of hot water with the addition of a pinch of potassium permanganate and 1/3 teaspoon of boric acid.
Today, breeders are breeding many new varieties of berries, and usually new products are superior to their predecessors. But there are varieties not subject to time, for example, gooseberry Black negus. And although Negus is a gooseberry with almost a century of history and is a retro-grade, its taste can give odds to many modern hybrids. Therefore, he still remains one of the most beloved berry crop gardeners.
