Given the healing and taste properties of gooseberries, many gardeners have a desire to propagate the bushes of this berry. With a strict adherence to the process technology, it will not be difficult even for a novice gardener to do this.
The best time to breed shrubs
The optimal period for reproduction depends on the method chosen, the gooseberry variety, the age of the plant, and the ultimate goals of the gardener. More often it is autumn or spring. For example, layering is taken in early spring. Green cuttings are planted in early summer, dry - in mid-autumn. The division of the bush is carried out in autumn and spring, more accurate dates also depend on the climatic conditions of the region.
In addition to choosing the right time of the year, it is important to follow the recommendations for the care of planting material, to create favorable conditions for the growth of shoots. For the active development of the root system, young gooseberries need heat, moisture, top dressing and regular hilling.
For the reproduction of gooseberries, only healthy plants without defects of bark and deformation, signs of fungi and viral infection are selected. This is determined by visual inspection. It is recommended to carry out the procedure before the growing season, otherwise there will be no harvest in the season.
Gooseberry breeding methods in summer and autumn
The process is simple, the result depends on the planting material. Gooseberries are propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering, the method of dividing an adult bush. Each method has its own subtleties, from 1 to 10 strong seedlings are formed at the output, ready for transplanting into open ground.
Layering
This is the easiest and most affordable way to reproduce gooseberries. The procedure does not cause stress in the bush, as shoots with an already developed root system are planted as an independent plant.
It may happen that the gooseberry branches themselves descend to the ground, under the influence of wind they dig in the soil and take root. Having noticed this, the gardener only has to look after the cuttings or timely plant them from the mother bush.
Gooseberries use arched, vertical and horizontal layering. As a maternal, it is advisable to choose a bush 2-6 years old with branched roots and shoots. The soil is previously dug up, fertilized with manure and humus.
Horizontal
With this method, the fruiting of gooseberries does not slow down. In addition to a good harvest, you can get a large number of shoots. For reproduction, 1-2-year-old shoots are taken. The age of an adult gooseberry should not exceed 2-3 years. When using older plants, the number of matured seedlings is reduced.
Preparation for the reproduction of gooseberries begins in 1 year. Old and diseased shoots are removed, bushes are trimmed. In this case, you can count on healthy seedlings with a strong root system. This method is suitable when for 1 season you need to get a lot of shoots.
Gooseberry propagation technology by horizontal layering:
- Choose 5-7 healthy shoots, exclude the presence of infection.
- Dig a hole 10 cm deep near the mother bush.
- Lay the branch on the bottom of the hole, fix it with wire or brackets.
- Fill the shoot with soil, do not trample.
- Pour plenty of warm water.
It remains only to take care of the shoots and wait for the rooting of the young plant. For this:
- Water the shoots moderately so that the root system does not rot.
- When there are branches from the ground, apply a layer of humus as a fertilizer.
- After 2 weeks, spud shoots, to a height of 5 cm.
- If young leaves fall, cut the shoot from the mother bush.
- Transplant to a constant place of growth.
With good care, the mother bush does not stop bearing fruit, and the crop from a young plant can be harvested next season.
Vertical
This breeding method is more suitable for 4-6 year old plants. The adult gooseberry is rejuvenated, the next 2 years does not bear fruit. At the exit, from 3 to 7 young shoots.
Technology of reproduction of gooseberries with vertical layering:
- Remove the shoots of the mother bush in the fall.
- With a young shoot height of 20 cm, half fill it with soil.
- Use a vertical peg as a support.
- Spread the soil throughout the season.
- When watering, use the aryky method, so as not to spoil the hilling.
- In the autumn, dig a branch with leaves and a powerful root system.
- Transplant a young plant to a place of further growth.
Arcuate layering
To obtain strong seedlings, multiply gooseberries with arcuate layers. The method differs from the horizontal one in the shape of the shoot, the method of deepening into the soil, and the number of seedlings.
Sequencing:
- Bend the cuttings of an adult bush into an arc.
- Dip the ground in the middle (in one place) so that the top is visible from the ground.
- Trim the end of the stem for better branching of the young plant.
- When a strong seedling appears in the fall, divide it with the mother bite.
- Dig, transplant to a permanent location.
Cuttings
Cuttings are carried out in the spring, summer and autumn periods, depending on the goals of the gardener. You can get a lot of planting material at a time. The need for a cuttings method arises if the plant you like is located on another site, or there is a desire to diversify the gooseberry varieties in your garden.
The age of the mother bush is not older than 8-10 years, otherwise gooseberry cuttings are poorly rooted. Choose a healthy plant - without defects and obvious signs of the disease. Propagation by cuttings is time-consuming, it is easier to use layering.
General rules:
- the lower cut is oblique; the upper is horizontal;
- the root system is formed after 1 month of cuttings;
- a stalk with 2 buds, 2 leaves (at least) is selected;
- the slice is treated with a growth stimulator;
- the stalk needs the first plentiful watering.
Green cuttings
Choose young shoots on which the bark has not yet appeared. To get strong shoots, cuttings in the autumn.
Green stalk propagation technology:
- Cut a stalk 15 cm high with 6-8 leaves in the middle of summer.
- Place the bottom of the shoot in a growth stimulant solution for 12 hours.
- In a greenhouse, dig holes 5 cm deep, deepen the stalk.
- Plant cuttings at a distance of 5-7 cm from each other so that the root system does not intertwine.
- Maintain the temperature in the greenhouse to 30-35 degrees.
- After 2 weeks, use nitrogen fertilizer to strengthen the roots.
- In the spring, transplant young branches to a permanent place.
Cuttings can be carried out on the open ground, but in this case the plant must be properly wrapped up for the winter, otherwise the root system freezes, the plant dies.
Lignified cuttings
The older the gooseberry shoots, the more difficult it is to root them. Therefore, lignified cuttings are used less often than green shoots. Reproduction is carried out at the end of the gooseberry growing season - in September, October.
Sequencing:
- Cut stalk 15-20 cm long from woody stems.
- Bind the 20 prepared twigs with a dense cloth, but do not squeeze.
- Place a bunch of branches in a mixture of peat and sand.
- Leave to periodically moisturize.
- After a month, divide the bunch, dry on sawdust until spring.
- Tilt the cuttings, plant at a distance of 5-7 cm from each other.
- Above the ground, leave 3 buds.
- Plant rooted cuttings in open ground in the fall.
Combined cuttings
If young shoots have grown to 10-15 cm in length, propagation is carried out by combined cuttings. This method is fast, has a good survival rate, is not much different from planting green stems.
Sequencing:
- Cut a young shoot with a piece of last year’s bark.
- Put in water, use the drug to stimulate growth.
- When the roots appear (after 15 days), transplant the stalk into wet sand, into the greenhouse.
Branches
For propagation, a branch of an adult plant with a strengthened root system is used. To verify this, the roots are partially excavated, visually inspected. In order not to damage the entire root system, a side branch is selected.
Sequencing:
- Cut off a wide shovel part of the mother bush.
- Cut to half growth (approximately 25 cm).
- Make a hole with a depth of 20-30 cm, fertilize the soil.
- Place the cuttings in a pit at an angle.
- Fill the hole with soil, mulch, pour plenty of water.
- Sprinkle with soil again, trample the soil.
- After 2 weeks, feed the bush with nitrogenous fertilizer.
- Transfer the young plant to the place of constant planting in the fall.
Dividing the bush
The method is reliable, carried out at the beginning or end of the growing season. The best time to divide the bush is from mid-October to April. The need for such a reproduction of gooseberries arises in 3 cases:
- The plant is more than 10 years old, and its fruiting has noticeably worsened.
- The bush has grown greatly and interferes with the site.
- There was a need to transplant an adult bush to another place.
Since young shoots give a branching of the roots, divide the bush only if they are present (approximately 3-4 parts). Sequencing:
- Dig up an adult bush.
- Flush the root system with an intense stream of water.
- Divide the root system so that in one part there are 2-3 young shoots, most of the roots.
- Sprinkle slices with crushed charcoal.
- Cut the old bush with an ax, divide the younger bush with a sharp knife.
- Remove damaged and underdeveloped parts of the root system.
- Transplant the updated plant to a permanent place.
- Spread the earth, shorten the branches by a third.
It is better to carry out this procedure in the fall, then there are more chances to get a good harvest in the next season. For fruiting, regular hilling of the soil under the bush, high-quality watering is necessary.
If the bush has grown significantly, this negatively affects the yield indicator. A good way out is dividing an adult bush.
Sowing seeds
The reproduction of gooseberries by seeds is not always successful, which is associated with cross-pollination of plants. The transfer of pollen from one variety to another leads to the loss of symptoms of the mother liquor. In addition, the seed quality of some manufacturers leaves much to be desired. It is recommended to take grains of an adult plant.
When gooseberry is propagated by seeds, the sequence of actions of the gardener is as follows:
- Divide the ripe fruit, get the seeds.
- Rinse in water from the pulp, let dry naturally.
- Prepare container, fertile soil and drainage.
- At the bottom of the container, lay gravel, expanded clay, brick.
- Enrich the soil with humus, sand.
- Make small indentations 5 cm apart.
- Spread the seeds in them, lightly sprinkle with earth.
- Pour the soil in a container, cover with cling film or glass.
- Maintain a temperature of 3-5 degrees.
- When seedlings are formed with 2 leaves, transplant them into open ground.
From 1 container, 5-7 strong seedlings are obtained. Weak and defective processes are best removed immediately. Water the soil as it dries, otherwise the root system will rot. Even from healthy seedlings, the desired gooseberry variety is not always obtained, the issue of fruiting also remains in question. This is the main disadvantage of seed propagation.
Features of reproduction of gooseberries without thorns
Gooseberry varieties that do not have thorns breed green cuttings or all kinds of cuttings. When landing, follow these rules:
- The upper cut is straight, the lower is oblique.
- Choose shoots 15 cm long.
- Before planting, dip the cuttings in a solution to stimulate root growth.
- Plant in a greenhouse at an angle of 45 degrees, moisten the soil first.
- Spread beds, treat with peat and humus.
- For winter, wrap the cuttings with dry foliage.
- When the seedling reaches 20 cm, transplant it into open ground.
The choice of the method of reproduction of gooseberries is individual. The determining factors are the plant variety, climatic conditions, the desired result. In general, the procedure is simple, the main thing is to strictly follow the recommendations proposed in this article.