Unusual berry eshta: cultivation and care

Information on growing and caring for eshta will be useful to gardeners who have chosen this unique and unusual berry.

Eshta, or as it is also called - yoshta, appeared relatively recently from two crops - currants and gooseberries. It was not for nothing that breeders crossed these berries - they really have a lot in common, and their taste characteristics and beneficial properties are at the highest level. When crossing, scientists aimed to increase the size of currant berries and get rid of gooseberry thorns. The resulting product more than met the breeders' expectations.

The fruits are large, black, with a slight blue tinge. The taste of the berry is pleasant, sweet and sour.

With proper care, eshta quickly grows and begins to bear fruit in the third year. The shrub is well suited as a hedge because it forms powerful shoots and does not require serious care. In general, eshta is resistant to many diseases and pests and tolerates cold well.

Tip: In order for the plant to bear fruit better, it is advisable to plant currants or gooseberries next to it.

It is best to plant shrubs in autumn in a well-lit area. Planting in the spring in arid regions is not advisable because high temperatures rise quickly. In cold regions, planting in spring is acceptable.

Before planting, apply organic fertilizers to the planting hole. The hole itself should go 60 cm deep. After planting, the seedlings must be watered and mulched with compost or peat. To be sure of the quality of seedlings, purchase them from a nursery. Good nursery conditions allow you to grow a healthy plant that will have better disease resistance and high yield.

Caring for the plant consists of timely watering and fertilizing. Watering is carried out at the moment of formation of the ovaries, as well as at the beginning and end of fruiting. In autumn, the bush is watered only after harvesting, so that the bush is well prepared for winter. The amount of watering is affected by weather conditions and other factors. In general, an adult plant needs about 40 liters of water so that the moisture goes into the soil at least 40 cm.

Pruning is not carried out often. During pruning, damaged and weak stems are removed.

The shrub, like currants, is very responsive to feeding.

Feeding eshta - a hybrid of currants and gooseberries

Feeding of eshta, a hybrid of currants and gooseberries, is carried out in several stages. In the spring, the shrubs are fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers, and in the fall organic fertilizers and superphosphate are applied. About 5 kg of organic fertilizers are needed per year. You can use diluted fresh mullein as them. Esta responds well to potassium sulfate.

They begin to actively use fertilizers from the 3rd year of the plant’s life.

To improve yields or accelerate growth, you can use complex fertilizers. They must be dissolved in water and watered on each bush.

Important: It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions when diluting the fertilizer. Excess fertilizer can greatly harm the plant.

If the shrub is planted as a hedge, it is less demanding when it comes to feeding. It is only necessary to occasionally form the crown of the plant.

Eshta - propagation by cuttings

Propagation of eshta by cuttings is one of the traditional options in addition to layering and dividing the bush. Cuttings are cut in the fall in September - October. These should be lignified cuttings about 15 cm long and 1 cm thick. They are also planted in the fall with a slight slope of 45°.

The soil for planting should be loose and treated to remove weeds. For better survival, the soil is combined with fertilizers. The obligatory ones should be phosphorus and potassium.

The upper bud falls as low as possible; it should not rise above the ground more than 2 cm. The plant must be watered immediately. The cuttings take root quickly, but they need to be insulated for the coming winter. The soil is hilled up and mulched with compost. In spring, the cuttings will begin to actively grow. They need to be watered and fed regularly.

Eshta - varieties and types

The varieties and types of eshta do not have much variety, since this hybrid appeared recently. The idea of crossing gooseberries and currants arose more than 100 years ago. All this time, scientists have been trying to create plants that would satisfy their expectations. But most of the bushes either died or did not bear fruit. Finally, in 1970, the German scientist Bauer managed to obtain the first successful hybrid. Then scientists in other countries, including Russia, took up selection.

All varieties obtained differ in the shape of the bush and the size of the berries. Yeshta feels good both in central Russia and in the south. The plant can be grown in colder climates, but the yield of eshta will be significantly reduced.

Main varieties of eshta:

• EMB. Variety from England. It has good yield and the ability to resist many diseases. It is drought-resistant, which allows it to be grown in the southern regions.
• Yohini. Tall shrub with good productivity. The fruits have a round shape and a juicy sweet taste.
• Rext. Russian variety with good yield. It is resistant to many diseases and has good frost resistance.

Eshta - medicinal properties and contraindications

The medicinal properties and contraindications of eshta must be known when consuming this healing berry.

Eshta berries ripen at the end of summer and can hang on the branches for a long time without damage. The fruits have a dense skin and tolerate transportation well. Fresh berries can be stored in a cool place for up to 3 weeks, and if frozen, you can enjoy them all year round. The berries can be dried in the oven, setting the temperature to about 60°. Dried berries are stored for up to 2 years and do not lose their beneficial properties.

Eshta fruits are rich in vitamin C. Its content is significantly less than in currants, but more than in gooseberries. Therefore, berries can be used to strengthen the immune system during the cold season.

The berries contain a complex of vitamins, anthocyanins, microelements and other substances. The berries are used for diseases of the heart and circulatory system. They help with anemia and prevent the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

For diseases of the gastrointestinal system, the consumption of eshta berries is also recommended. They normalize digestion, improve appetite and remove heavy metal salts. A small amount of ripe berries is used for diarrhea, and slightly unripe berries can be used for constipation.

The berries lend themselves well to processing; they are used to prepare drinks and dessert dishes. The fruits are suitable for making jam, marmalade, marmalade, jelly and for use in various baked goods.

Alcoholic drinks are prepared from the berries, which require aging for several months before consumption.

The greatest benefit comes from fresh berries, which are enough to consume a handful a day.

It is also widely used in cosmetology. Thanks to its vitamin composition, it has rejuvenating and regenerating effects. It is often included in masks, creams and other skin products.

It is necessary to remember that with prolonged heat treatment the berries will lose some of their properties. Eshta will provide beneficial properties in case of long-term and regular use.

Esta also has contraindications. The berry will not benefit people with individual intolerance and allergic reactions to this product. It is necessary to use eshta with caution in the presence of chronic diseases of the digestive system, as well as a tendency to blood clots. The use of berries is not recommended for diseases of the liver, kidneys and cardiovascular system.

Eshta is an amazing berry with its own characteristics and vagaries. Despite the fact that it is not as popular as currants or gooseberries, it deserves no less attention and deserves to be on your site.