Currant: botanical description, features of growing the plant

Currants are a perennial plant from the gooseberry genus, which is very popular and has many different types. But in practice, only a small part of the varieties are represented in gardening, which are known for their excellent taste and beneficial qualities.

Breeders are constantly adding to their currant collections, thanks to its demand.

Currant - botanical description

bush
Currants are bushes and subshrubs up to 1.5 meters high, with a powerful root system. Sometimes, together with the root shoots, the entire rhizome goes to a depth of 1.5 meters. Young bushes, as a rule, form drooping shoots of green or brown color. The older the plant, the straighter and stronger the branches of the bush.

Currants have alternate leaves, often with a serrated border. The upper part is darker than the lower part. The back of the leaves or the veins on them often have hairiness. Foliage color may vary between varieties. The most common is dark green, but there are also dull green or bright light green leaves; on ornamental species there are even dark red, orange, and crimson colors that change throughout the season.

Most currant species are deciduous shrubs. However, there are varieties (mostly from tropical countries) that do not shed their leaves throughout the year.

The inflorescences of the plant are small brushes with small flowers of white, red, pink shades collected in them. The number of flowers in a brush can be from 5 or more. Most often, currants are a monoecious plant, but there are exceptions in the form of dioecious bushes, which have both male and female flowers, but they are collected in separate tassels. Currants have the ability to self-pollinate. It is known that without the participation of insects, up to 60-70% of flowers on a bush can set.

Currant blossom

Peak flowering usually occurs in mid to late May, although this all depends on the climate where the plant grows.

The berries formed on the bushes are also collected in clusters (especially pronounced in red and white currants). They grow in a regular round shape, but very rarely they can be oval or oblong. The taste of the berries is often sour or sweet and sour. Less often - completely tasteless. By color, the fruits are black, red, yellow, colorless, white. The surface of the peel can be either glossy or rough. Small oblong seeds ripen inside the berries.

Every year the currants are all in bloom - white, but there are almost no berries. What with her?

Andrey Proshkin

Take a closer look at the flowers. If they are not a five-pointed star, but with many petals, then this is terry. A viral disease in which the stamens turn into petals and the pistil atrophies. There are no berries from such flowers. And the bushes urgently need to be uprooted and destroyed - they are contagious. If everything is fine with the flowers, then boron deficiency may have an effect. When there is not enough of it, the ovaries fall off. Then you need to dilute 10 grams of boric acid in a bucket of water and spray the currants a couple of times in the evening during flowering.

NeRosa

Go over the flowers with a brush. Cut off some of the weak branches. Feed the bushes with organic fertilizers. The currant harvest does not happen every year.

Victoria Tchaikovskaya

weevil.

young woman

new bushes do not bear fruit right away. Loves water

Tatyana 1111

I have silver currant - bright yellow flowers. Yoshta and ordinary currants and porichki are yellow and red - the flowers are light green. I don’t know of any currants that bloom all covered in white. Therefore, I think that maybe you don’t have a currant bush, but something else (for example, corona spirea - it also blooms in early spring and is covered with white flowers).

Distribution area

The exact place where the currants came from is still not known. Therefore, many regions attribute to themselves the status of the “homeland” of black or red currants. For example, it is known that on Slavic lands currant bushes grew in the wild and were actively domesticated already in the 10th century, before the Baptism of Rus'.

However, most sources agree that the bushes spread around the world from warm Asian countries, just like raspberries.

The temperate climate is perfect for this plant. For example, it is well known that the best berries in terms of taste and beneficial properties grow not in hot climates, but in cool and fine summers of mid-latitudes.

Traditionally, currants were grown in Rus' in monasteries. Its bushes filled the space between the fruit trees.

Picking currants

With the invasion of the Tatar-Mongols, part of the population of Rus' migrated to the east and then to the west of Europe. This is how currants spread to Poland, the Baltic Sea countries, Germany, France, Spain, and then to the British Isles.

Today, this garden crop grows wild and domesticated on all continents except Antarctica and Australia. In the wild, the plant can be found in swampy places, lowlands, on the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds, as well as in the shade of deciduous and coniferous forests.

By region

When choosing seedlings, a gardener should focus on several rules, the main ones:

adaptation to local climate conditions;
composition of the soil at the dacha site.

Focusing on these indicators, gardeners initially create optimal conditions for the growth and development of plants and increase the yield of garden berries.

We do not recommend using a high-yielding variety of southern selection in Siberian conditions. Such a plant will simply dry out after the first winter.

For the Urals

The climate in the region is continental, this is due to the location of the region inside Eurasia. The multi-kilometer length, especially from north to south, covers 2 climatic regions - the cold Barents Sea and the hot steppes of Bashkiria. Different conditions in the foothills and on the plain. These varieties are intended for cultivation in various conditions.

Red:

Lights of the Urals.
Beloved.
Ural souvenir.
Chuklovskaya.
Red Cross.

Black:

Pygmy.
Venus.
Atlant.
Slav.
Dashkovskaya.
Rhapsody.

White:

Smolyaninovskaya.
Versailles.
Ural white.
Purple.
Ermak.
Isabel.

The best varieties of black and red currants for the Urals with a detailed description are presented here.

For Siberia

The climate of the region is heterogeneous in content. Most of the territory has harsh farming conditions, short summers and early winters. Therefore, for such varieties, winter hardiness is the main indicator. Many varieties have been cultivated using wild plants.

Red:

Beloved;
Dutch pink;
Chuklovskaya;
In memory of Gubenko.

Black:

Buraya;
Minusinka;
Mystery;
Luchinka;
Hercules.

White:

Versailles white;
Belaya Potapenko;
Minusinsk white;
Red Siberian.

In addition to the above, we note that the above varieties of golden currant are successfully grown in the region. Other 15 best varieties for Siberia are described in this material.

For the Middle Band

Regions in the middle zone cannot provide plants with heat, especially during the flowering period. The temperate continental type brings cold and snowy winters and cool, rainy summers with periods of drought and high temperatures. The climate is formed under the influence of the Arctic Ocean, whose winds bring cold and the Atlantic, which carries heat and precipitation.

Red:

Aleander;
Karachinskaya;
Exotic;
Perun;
Kilian;
Venus;
Mermaid;
Treasure.

Black:

Loyalty;
Vigorous;
Curiosity;
A little prince;
Openwork;
Bagheera;
Selechenskaya.

White:

Versailles white;
Belaya Potapenko;
Minusinsk white;
Red Siberian.

For the Moscow region

The temperate continental climate of the region is a smooth or sudden and sharp transition from warm and mild European weather to the sharply continental Asian climate.

The distant location of large bodies of water allows for a smooth flow from one season to the next. But sudden changes in temperature occur when various atmospheric fronts arrive.

The best varieties of currants for the Moscow region are seedlings with a flowering period in mid-May and the beginning of harvesting in June - July. We recommend planting late varieties of currants, as the flowering period shifts to the end of May, and we begin to harvest in August.

Red:

Early sweet;
Jonker Van Tets;
Rachnovskaya;
Natalie.

Black:

Belarusian sweet;
Detkoselskaya;
Dobrynya;
Paulinka;
Moscow;
Izmailovskaya.

White:

Belyan;
Dessert boulogne;
Dessert;
Ural white;
Minusinsk white.

Classification

Today, at least 190 types of currants are known. Some of them traditionally grow in the wild, while others have been successfully cultivated by humans for a long time.

The most common varieties with fruits are black or red. However, there are varieties whose berries have a yellow, white and even green tint.

To classify all types, the following gradation is used:

According to the timing of ripening of berries (early, mid-ripening, late and very late varieties).
In terms of immunity and resistance to frost.
By size (the largest berries can grow up to 7.8 grams) and color of the berries.
By yield.

Special varieties have been bred for cultivation in Russia that can easily survive the winter even in severe frosts. It is known that in our country no more than 35 species are most popular.

Features of choice

When choosing a berry variety, it is important to take into account its characteristics and qualities. Different seedlings and types of berry plants have different flowering and ripening periods.

Early varieties are more susceptible to damage by late frosts, but allow you to harvest fruits as early as June - this is the best option for the south. Such currants bear fruit before the onset of intense heat, the bush can develop and prepare for wintering.

Regional weather conditions are a quality that primarily influences the choice of currants for your site. If the region has a constantly dry summer and warmth comes early, this is an option for purchasing early-ripening currants. In the middle zone and Moscow region, the optimal option is medium or mid-late varieties of shrubs.

The productivity and longevity of your plant depends on the correct choice:

of the thermal regime in the region on the development of the bush . Berry plants are frost-resistant plants. The level of winter hardiness directly depends on the regionalization and type, compliance with the rules of care. A sudden frost damages annual growth and fruit buds, and causes a decrease or complete loss of yield. Therefore, when planting bushes, we try to place them on the south side of the site in places where there are no drafts or constantly blowing wind.
Lighting requirements . Plants require adequate nutrition from sunlight. But in the southern regions, you will need to plant bushes in partial shade, especially black currant varieties. It is important to consider the growth of shrubs.
Humidity - for currants this quality of the place is important. It is not recommended to plant all types of plants in a wetland or in an area with close groundwater flow. Here the plants become covered with lichens, there is a greater risk of fungal attack, and the roots of the bushes are washed away and begin to rot.
The main task of the gardener is to decide on the type, variety and planting location to properly prepare or purchase a good seedling . First of all, we pay attention to the measles system of the seedling. It should be without dry roots and have an extensive root system.

It is better to purchase seedlings from a nursery; here they undergo pre-sale preparation against diseases and correspond to the specified variety and species.

In any region it is difficult to find the ideal variety of currants of different types that would meet all needs. We recommend purchasing several seedlings of different ripening periods, the best varieties for the region.

Nutritional value and composition

There is no doubt that most berries are always beneficial for human health. Of course, currants are no exception to the rule. Thus, in terms of vitamin C content, berries of all varieties of currants are among the leaders among food products consumed by humans.

Currants are rich in vitamin C

C they contain . As it matures, its concentration gradually decreases. And during heat treatment in berries, it is almost completely destroyed.

For example, it is known that the concentration of vitamin C after 2 weeks after ripening is 70% less than the initial indicators.

INTERESTINGLY , currants are also characterized by a high content of vitamin C in their leaves, flowers, buds, and buds.

The fruits of this plant are also rich in vitamins A and B. Thus, in vitamin A they are seriously ahead of apples, pineapples, and oranges.

A real storehouse of benefits is the mineral composition of currants of all varieties. The composition can contain iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, iodine, fluorine, boron, calcium, sodium. Coumarin, which is especially rich in leaves and buds, has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.

Currants can be consumed by people on a diet. Berries consist of 83-85% water.

Currants are considered a low-calorie product. In 100 gr. berries contain no more than 40 kcal. Composition of fruits per 100 g:

water = 83-84%;
carbohydrates = 11-12%;
acids of organic origin (malic, phosphoric, citric) = 2-3%;
proteins = 1%;
ash = 1%;
fat = 0.2%.

But it is important not to forget that berries will not harm the figure exclusively in fresh or dried form. All other dishes, as a rule, greatly increase their energy value due to additives.

Currant compote

Even in compote, the calorie content of the product is 55-60 Kcal per 100 ml. Ice cream with currants will already contain 200 Kcal per 100 grams. Jam or berry jam, widely known in our country, will give about 290-300 Kcal for every 100 grams.

General plant care issues

Watering

Watering in the first month of spring depends on how snowy the winter was. If there is sufficient snow cover, the soil will be well saturated with water and the plant will not need watering. If there was little snow, the currants should be watered regularly.

Blackcurrant is more demanding of water

During the formation of berries and flowers, especially in cases where the weather is hot, the soil should be moistened at least once every 4-5 days. The currant root system requires moisture penetration to a depth of about 30-40 cm, which means that for watering in hot and dry times, the water consumption will be about 25 liters per 1 square meter. m plot.

Water should be poured directly under the bush so that drops do not fall on the leaves. You can use either the previously mentioned circular furrow around the bush, into which you pour water when watering, or, conversely, make a small hill around a circle with a diameter of 30-40 cm that does not allow the water to spread. The height of such a slide should be about 15 cm.

At the end of the growing season, if dry weather persists, it is necessary to water the plant before mid-autumn so that it can prepare for winter.

It should be noted that black currant is more demanding on the amount of moisture. Typically, water consumption for black currants is about a third more than for red currants.

Top dressing

Currant feeding

When planting seedlings, the supply of fertilizers will be enough for them for a period of up to two years, however, after this period, they will need to be fertilized regularly. At the beginning of spring, the plant requires nitrogenous fertilizers. The ideal fertilizer for young bushes is urea. Its application rates are about 40 g per bush for young plants, while plants older than four years will require approximately 20 g per bush.

In the fall, it is best to use organic fertilizers. Approximately 5-6 kg of chicken droppings, compost or rotted manure are added to each plant. In addition, you will also need mineral fertilizers - about 50 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium sulfate.

Don't forget about immunizing supplements. At the beginning of summer, the plant must be fed three times with a special mixture consisting of:

boric acid (3 g)
potassium permanganate (5 g)
copper sulfate (30 g)

These substances are mixed in 10 liters of water and it is necessary to irrigate with this water. The next two waterings repeat the procedure. Such watering will increase the plant's resistance to most diseases and pests.

Trimming

This procedure is necessary so that the plant can bear fruit as efficiently as possible. To do this, diseased, weak and too old shoots must be removed from the plant. Most of the berries are set on last year's shoots of branches that are 4-5 years old. Therefore, if a plant branch is more than 6 years old, it must be removed.

Removing old branches from black currants

You should also remove dead or diseased branches and branches affected by pests and diseases. With proper pruning, red currants can bear fruit without loss of yield for about 15 years, black currants for about 20 years.

The main pruning of the plant should be done in the fall. However, some of it is produced in the spring. In the spring, frozen branches are cut off, broken and dead ones are removed.

In summer, young shoots of this year should be pinched to stimulate their branching or to form the correct shape of the bush.

Pruning black currants in autumn is done as follows:

when planting a plant - to a height of 12-15 cm from ground level
second year of life - all branches are cut off, except for the 3-5 strongest; they will become the basis of the bush
third and fourth years - the shoots of this year are cut off, leaving 3-8 most developed

Older plants are pruned from year to year according to the following scheme:

last year's shoots - the tops are shortened by about 1/4 or 1/3 of the length
branches of the 2nd and 3rd years are pruned to 2-3 buds on each branch
branches older than 6 years are completely removed

The bulk of pruning of red (white and golden) currants is done in the spring. Its principle exactly repeats the procedure carried out with black currants, but with a slight difference. The tops of growths are not pinched and shoots of the 2nd and 3rd years are not shortened. As for “old” branches, you should simply delete all branches older than 7 years.

There is one more exception for red currants: its “old” branches can maintain good fruiting even after 7 years. Such branches can be left, but it should be shortened to the outermost (from the ground) fork. At the same time, its fruiting period will last another 2-3 years.

Varieties

In Russia, there are a number of the most popular varieties of currants. As you might guess, when choosing a variety for Russia, frost resistance of the variety, as well as immunity to common pests and diseases, becomes important.

Black currant Summer resident

The most popular variety that produces blue-black berries. The variety is characterized by early ripening of the crop, as well as high resistance to cold.

In addition, spider mites are less likely to settle in Dacha, and the bushes are less susceptible to fungal infections. The variety has optimal yield (up to 4-5 kg of berries per bush) and the ability to self-pollinate. But this variety does not tolerate heat well.

Blackcurrant Vigorous

Another very popular variety, well suited for temperate climates and regions north of Moscow.

It is believed that this variety is ideal for preservation; its fruits are sweet, rich in vitamin C, and tasty. Among the advantages of the variety are rapid ripening (in mid-summer) and decent winter hardiness. But the short life cycle of the bushes (no more than 7 years) will be recorded as a minus.

Red currant Vika

The popularity of the variety lies in the fact that it produces large yields and winters well.

The bushes may produce small berries, but there are a lot of them. They all have an impeccable sour taste.

White currant White fairy

A rather unusual, but increasingly popular variety of white currant for universal use. In particular, the fruits are equally well suited for fresh consumption, adding to dishes or canning.

The strengths of the White Fairy are stable yields and early ripening. An inconvenience can be attributed to the strong density of the bushes, which often interferes with the smooth harvesting.

What variety of berries comes in three colors?

For example, strawberries come in white, red and yellow. And the name of red strawberries is “GREEN strawberries” =)) - more than a year ago

LexyLu

Remembering my parents’ garden plot, I come to the conclusion that these are currants)

Traditionally red and black) with their own aromas and tastes. And then I remember how I waited for a couple more bushes to turn one color or another, but they remained unchanged. And only then did my mother say that these are white currants) As for me, they are very reminiscent of red ones)

Although it is possible that there are still varieties of berries that are so rich in color, I, unfortunately, do not know :(

Features of care and agricultural technology

Let currants be called an unpretentious plant, well adapted to cultivation in Russia. However, wild currants differ from cultivated ones, primarily due to the quality of care for the latter. It is human attention that helps to obtain better and more stable harvests year after year.

Spring care

Spring care for currants should begin at the end of March - beginning of April. Few actions are required, but to prepare the plants for good yield, you need:

Collect all debris and leaves after wintering. Dampness and garbage are the first places for pests to breed and viruses to spread.
Fertilize the area , giving preference to nitrogenous fertilizers.
Carry out targeted spring pruning of currants (without fanaticism), removing only old or dried shoots so that they do not waste the bush’s strength.
Treat against pests as a preventive measure.

Remember, you should treat plants with insecticides before flowering begins (May). Folk remedies are softer, so they can be used longer, but their effect is not always good.

Currant care

How to care for currants in summer

In summer, the emphasis in care should be on watering and fertilizing .

This plant loves moisture, so it needs to be watered at the root up to 1-2 times a week.
In terms of fertilizers, in the summer it is better to give preference to organic mixtures. For example, manure.

Treatment for pests or treatment for diseases/viruses should be done only as an emergency, if it is really necessary, and not partly at the first opportunity.

Autumn care and preparation for winter

When the currants have given up their harvest, the bushes need to be prepared for wintering. A few simple steps will do for this.

2-3 weeks before frost, the bushes should be fed with potassium or phosphorus . This will help the plant harden.
There is no need to water the bushes in the fall. But 1-2 weeks before frost, it makes sense to organize the last, moisture-charging watering . The abundance of water will allow the roots to harden and the young branches to become woody.

ATTENTION! In the fall, you should never apply nitrogen fertilizers!

The most important autumn stage is currant pruning . You need to get rid of not only old shoots that have bear fruit for more than one year, but also diseased, weak branches. We can say that it is in the fall that the foundation of the future harvest is laid.
When the first snow falls, it won’t be a bad idea to throw it a little on the bushes at the root, as if to shelter the plant from the cold air.

At the end of autumn and all winter, the garden rests, requiring no maintenance.

Planting currants

Planted currants
First of all, you need to take into account that for currants you need to choose the sunniest places available on the site. There should be at least 2 meters between bushes.

The best time to plant new bushes is early autumn or early spring.

It is better to prepare for planting in advance: dig holes 1-2 weeks in advance and fill them with compost or manure. Before planting directly into the ground, it is worth adding fertilizer - for example, superphosphates.

Seedlings should be planted vertically, sprinkled with soil on top and the area compacted. Black soils are considered the best soils for currants. After all the procedures, the bushes need to be watered at the root.

UNDER NO EVENT should you mulch bushes with sawdust, as they strongly oxidize the soil.

Watering

Currants love moisture , so during the peak months of heat, the frequency of watering should not be less than 2 times a week. You need to start watering currants already with the first warmth, when the air warms up to +10С.

Watering currants

The optimal rate in summer is up to 40 liters for each bush. In spring it is 1.5-2 times less.

In addition to classic watering, you can use drip irrigation.

Treatment

With proper care and ideal conditions on the site, pest control may only be required once a year and be preventive in nature. As a rule, the best time for processing is early spring .

Reproduction

Root suckers . This is the most basic and simplest option for propagating this variety. The shrub usually produces abundant growth. You can simply dig up young, but already lignified shoots and plant them in the right place. Thus, at the same time, thinning of the bush occurs for effective fruiting. The planted shoots must be watered abundantly at first.
By layering . Another simple option is to bend the branch to the ground, press it with brackets, sprinkle it with soil, and water it. After rooting, the cutting must be separated from the parent and planted.
By cuttings . As usual, cuttings are carried out in the spring, cutting off short shoots with two or three buds, which are placed in water for a day. Then they are planted in a box with a mixture of soil and humus, watered, covered with polyethylene and kept in a sunny place. By the leaves emerging from the buds, one can judge the readiness of the seedlings for planting in a permanent place in a month and a half. Cuttings can also be harvested in the fall, but in this case they need to be wrapped in bags and left in a cool place for the winter.

Trimming

In fact, you need to trim the currants. This simple process will significantly improve the yield and quality of the fruit. But pruning also has its own subtleties that are important to observe.

How to prune currants in spring

As a rule, spring pruning is corrective and quick. You only need to get rid of diseased shoots that have deteriorated over the winter. There is hardly any need to go into a frenzy - carelessness can greatly reduce the harvest.

Although some gardeners practice pruning bushes in the garden not before winter, but in early spring. Here, as they say, the choice is up to everyone.

Pruning currants in autumn

Typically, the most severe pruning occurs after harvest, before winter . At this time, you need to get rid of old branches, diseased shoots and places damaged by pests or viruses, fungi. In addition, at the very end of autumn, you need to help the plant and remove the remaining foliage (for example, using a thick glove).

All cut branches, especially if they are infected with viruses or pests, should be burned.

Old and diseased shoots are cut off at the root, as low to the ground as possible. But it is also advisable to shorten young branches by 10-20 cm.

It is permissible to treat sections with ash or coal. This will help the plant cope with stress faster.

Currant pruning

Features of pruning red currants

Red currants can also be pruned twice a year. The key pruning is in autumn or early spring, when the plant has not yet had time to wake up after winter.

An important feature of pruning red varieties is that they need to actively form the apical part, removing old branches and leaves, thus giving more light to young shoots.

You also need to adhere to these two rules:

You need to shorten the shoots by no more than 5-6 eyes (buds).
It is enough to leave 10-15 branches of different ages on the bush, but no less.

Autumn pruning of currants

Why don't currants bear fruit?

It is believed that currants are an unpretentious plant. And this is actually true - it grows in the forest without any care, and besides, it bears fruit. But it also happens the other way around, when the bush looks good, develops normally, but there are no berries. Why does this happen?

If the bush is no longer young, has been in one place for many years, but does not even try to bloom, then most likely it is due to its age. Fruiting of currants occurs mainly on relatively young shoots - no older than four years. Every year it moves to the edges of the bush, and the branches gradually lose their ability to form growth. Typically, currants, both black and colored, bear fruit well for ten years or a little more. Then flowering stops - the bush ages.

What to do with such a plant? The easiest way is to uproot and plant a new bush. But you can try to rejuvenate him. To do this, the plant is greatly thinned out, removing all old and mossy branches and leaving only the youngest shoots. Sometimes they even cut it off at the root in order to get friendly growth next year. And, of course, it is necessary to feed the currants with organic matter or complete mineral fertilizer.

When a healthy and young bush refuses to bear fruit, then most likely it is simply not suitable for the given climate. This happens when currants are damaged annually by spring frosts, or fruit buds die in winter due to low frost resistance. The fact is that southern varieties are not adapted to the changing weather conditions of the northwest. The buds begin to grow early and, frozen, can no longer bloom.

Another reason why a young and healthy currant bush may not bear fruit is the lack of pollinators. Although most varieties are self-fertile, sometimes there are those that produce only one or two berries without cross-pollination, and even then not every year. There is only one treatment here - pollination must be ensured by any means.

And finally, there are cases when young bushes grow beautifully, have lush dark green foliage and huge annual growth. But no matter how much they are fed or watered, they do not begin to bloom. Most likely, such plants are simply “fatten” - endlessly increasing their green mass due to excess nitrogen in too “fat” soil. To force them to bear fruit, it is necessary to eliminate the cause that caused the imbalance of nutrients, feed them with potassium and phosphorus, and monitor what fertilizers get to the areas close to the roots.

Lack of harvest can also be caused by bush disease. Its signs are revealed during flowering. Diseased flowers have abnormally narrow petals and overgrown pistils. The flower brush becomes like a thin twig, covered with yellowish scales instead of berries. The leaves grow three-lobed and abnormally elongated. The disease is contagious and cannot be treated. Sick bushes must be uprooted and burned along with the roots.

Prevents the formation of berries and damage to currants by glassworms, as well as insect pests that eat away the pistils of flowers and young ovaries. According to some reports, even large forest ants that have proliferated in the area can do this. It is better to fight them using biological methods, but if these do not help, you have to use stronger chemicals.

As a rule, there are no hopeless situations. If desired, you can restore fruiting in one way or another, especially if the variety is rare and valuable, capable of producing good and tasty berries.

indasad.ru

Advertising from Google AdSense

!!! To find the seedlings, crop, variety, etc. you need, use the search located at the top of each page. On the site you can find almost any planting material: seeds, seedlings, etc. You need to look for yourself and not wait for a “goldfish” for services. For personal questions, contact the authors at the addresses indicated on the pages. Personal correspondence is deleted. Catalogs for planting material for 2016 are updated. We advise you to regularly check for changes in the relevant sections and pages of the site.

When entering a comment, please indicate your name and region and your e-mail address.

How does a currant bush reproduce?

There are 3 ways to propagate all varieties of currants:

Cuttings.
Reproduction by branches.
Dividing the bush.

All options are well known to experienced gardeners. There are no special requirements for them in relation to currants - everything is the same as for other garden crops.

Typically, the bush division process is the least used because it is complicated. The optimal time for this procedure is late autumn or very early spring.

Cuttings and tappings are the two most popular methods. Interestingly, you can use such methods in autumn, spring and even summer.

Propagation of currants by cuttings

Growing

Before planting bushes, you need to decide on a location. It should be unshaded and open to the sun. Currants grow well on chernozems, dark chestnut, chestnut soils, gray soils. But it can bear fruit well on any recultivated ones. That is, enriched with humus, moist. You can read more about the specifics of growing currants here.

Landing Features

The currant bush is placed in a hole at an angle when planting.

Preparing for planting and this process itself is somewhat different from setting up a garden of pome or stone fruit crops:

Since black currant loves moisture, it is better to plant seedlings in grooves to make watering easier.
In the fall, it is necessary to feed the soil well with organic fertilizers and dig it up to the depth of a bayonet with a shovel placed vertically to the ground.
It is necessary to constantly loosen to prevent the appearance of weeds.
Features of the planting itself: before planting, the bushes are pruned so that no more than 15 cm of the ground remains. In early spring, this is done even lower, leaving stumps with 4 buds.

In spring, currants begin to develop very early, so planting is best done in the fall.

Distance between bushes

The distance depends on the variety. Because bushes are tall, medium-sized and short. Black currants are placed according to a pattern of 2 x 1.5 meters, and red and white - 1.5 x 1.25 m. If planted more densely, the berries will be small, and caring for the bushes will be somewhat more complicated.

Diseases and pests

Currants are characterized by diseases that are characteristic of the entire Gooseberry family, to which it belongs.

Anthracnose is one of the most common fungal diseases of horticultural crops in temperate climates. The reason most often lies in excessive humidity. It manifests itself when the leaves dry out completely or yellow, brown, or burgundy spots appear on them.

Anthracnose

Terry disease is a disease that is transmitted from pests: aphids, mites, bedbugs. The bush gradually withers, the leaves change shape, and fewer flowers and berries are formed.
Powdery mildew - a white coating first appears on leaves, flowers and berries, which over time turns into a brown dense crust, destroying the crop.

Powdery mildew
Among the most common pests are:

Aphids are a frequent companion of ants, who don’t care what they eat: be it currants or any other garden crop. How to fight aphids, read our article “Aphids on currants: how to fight and what to treat with.”
Currant glasswort is a butterfly caterpillar that lives and feeds in the stem, gradually rising from the root to the top of the bush. Unfortunately, the affected branches invariably die, gradually drying out, and it is extremely difficult to get rid of the pest.

Glassware

Leaf galitz is a pest that settles on young bushes, slowly destroying first the green cover and then the berries.

Fortunately, many diseases can be cured and pests can be eliminated. There are quite a lot of ways today. However, it is even more important to help the plant fight. What does this mean? In creating favorable conditions in the garden and, of course, introducing into practice annual proactive preventive treatment with folk remedies or mild purchased insecticides.

Black

Let us briefly list the good varieties of blackcurrant and take a closer look at several popular varieties:

"Leningrad Giant";
"Raisin";
"Selechenskaya";
"Tatyana's Day";
"Black Pearl";
"Michurinskaya";
"Rita".

This list can be continued endlessly; breeders are constantly releasing new productive varieties to the market. Let's take a closer look at several popular types of shrubs. The best 21 varieties of blackcurrant are described at this link.

Bagheera

Mid-season currant, bushes with medium spreading branches. The shoots are straight, of medium length. The bark of young stems is light green; as it grows, it turns yellow and turns brown on older branches. The bud is medium in size, elongated ovoid in shape. Each

A large berry weighs 1.5 grams. It grows oblong in shape, with a sweet and sour taste.

The variety is resistant to high temperatures and drought with insufficient watering. Can be used for mechanical cultivation and harvesting.

Gross

The variety passed all tests and was included in the State Register in 1998. Zoned for planting in Siberia and the Urals. Medium-sized bushes with spreading branches of medium density with a light green covering of shoots, without significant pubescence.

After flowering, large berries grow, the average weight of which is 1.4 g. With normal care and optimal climatic conditions, the berries can weigh up to 2 g. The shape is round, with a shiny black surface and an average number of seeds in the middle.

The taste is sweet and sour. The variety is resistant to diseases and some garden pests. With a high level of winter hardiness, does not require planting pollinator plants.

Gulliver

The variety was included in the State Register of Plant Varieties after testing in 2000. Landing area: North-West of the country, Central and Volga-Vyatka regions. The bushes are vigorous, slightly spreading, with an average density of shoots.

Large berries can reach a weight of up to 3.2 g. The shape is round, with a shiny black surface. The taste is sweet and sour, the density of the berries is medium. Winter-hardy, resistant to late frosts and long dry periods. Not susceptible to powdery mildew, anthracnose, rust and spider mites.

The yield of currants from one bush is 2 kg.

Summer resident

Early ripening. The variety was bred by Siberian breeders. After testing in 2004, it was entered into the State Register. Zoned for the conditions of the North-West and Volga-Vyatka regions. The bushes are low-growing with an average level of spreading. The surface of the shoots is shiny and green.

The weight of the berries is up to 2 g. They are colored dark blue, the skin is thin and tender. Berries with a delicate taste and bright currant aroma. Frost-resistant, not susceptible to powdery mildew and spider mites. In case of late frosts, the bushes will have to be wrapped in covering material or fresh grass burned in a fire and protected with heated thick smoke.

The yield of currants from one bush is 1.6-1.7 kg.

Dobrynya

Since 2004, the variety has been approved for planting in the Central region and the North-West of the country. The bushes are medium-sized with compactly located shoots. The shoots are finely pubescent, colored with an olive-violet tint. The thickness of the shoot is average.

The weight of one berry can reach 6 g. Black, with a shiny, delicate skin, the fruits have an oval shape and a bright sour-sweet taste. Fruiting is early and intense. Resistant to low temperatures in winter and late spring frosts.

Average level of resistance to fungal diseases.

The yield of Dobrynya currants from one bush is 2.4 kg.

Regardless of the variety, type, region, the maximum productive period lasts for 7-9 years. After this, the bushes need to be divided and planted in new prepared holes. If this rule is not followed, the gardener will experience a decrease in yield and the berries will become smaller.

To obtain a bountiful harvest during the active period, you will need to constantly perform sanitary cuttings of old or infected shoots and perform all plant care operations.

How to store berries?

Unfortunately, the weak point for long-term storage of currants is the high water content in the berries and the thin peel. When fresh, fruits can be stored for up to 3 days. But there is an important condition: they should not be exposed to direct sunlight at all.

Fresh currants can last up to 5 days in the refrigerator, but it is important not to wash them after picking.

If there is a need to preserve the berries for the winter, then in this case only the freezing method is suitable - better than shock.

BY THE WAY , frozen currants have a higher concentration of vitamin C, since less water remains in the berries.

The most common way to store currants is canning. Most often it is closed by making jam from it. In this state, the fruits can be stored for up to several years.

Large-fruited species

In small suburban areas, large-fruited currant varieties are widespread. They allow you to collect large harvests of delicious berries from one bush. The weight of the fruit often reaches 1.7 grams.

Baraba

The Baraba variety bears fruit abundantly with large berries. The weight of each fruit is 1.5 grams. The plant is frost-resistant and not afraid of droughts, but is often susceptible to anthracnose.

Alpha

Winter-hardy Alpha of medium ripening is characterized by increased resistance to powdery mildew. It bears fruit with a large light red berry, the average weight of which is 1.5 grams. In favorable years, over 4 kg of harvest is harvested from one plant. The bush is endowed with a spreading crown with dark green foliage.

Azora

The late-ripening, winter-hardy Asora variety is a medium-sized shrub with dark green matte leaves. It bears fruit with dark burgundy berries weighing about one gram. The bush is resistant to major common diseases and is not afraid of frost.

Ilyinka

Early ripening red currant Ilyinka is a vigorous bush with large leaves. It bears fruit with large berries weighing up to 0.8 grams and dark red in color. The plant is very winter-hardy and is not afraid of drought. Practically does not suffer from powdery mildew.

Beneficial features

The lion's share of all the beneficial properties from eating currants in one form or another are associated with the content of the following substances:

organic acids (mainly citric, malic, phosphoric);
essential oils;
tannins;
phytoncides.

It is difficult to find a body system for which currants would not have a beneficial effect. For example, due to the high content of vitamin C, currants significantly improve immunity and are a high-quality substitute for citrus fruits, which are not typical for growing in the Russian climate.

Manganese in berries is an indispensable building element for the entire circulatory system and, of course, the human heart.

Vitamin A will help improve vision and also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, nails, and hair.

Pectins, fiber and phytoncides contained in currant berries, leaves and buds are high-quality diaphoretic and antipyretic substances that also have a bactericidal effect. Therefore, currants, along with raspberries, are also used in many folk anti-cold recipes.

We can say that currants can be used in the treatment of the following diseases:

cold;
ARVI;
flu;
hypertension;
diabetes;
avitaminosis;
constipation;
rheumatism;
arthritis;
gout;
dermatitis;
diathesis;
neurosis.

Introduction

In our climate you can grow several dozen clubdigitalmedia Cependant, seul votre pharmacien peut décider si le médicament est bon pour vous. Ainsi, si vous souhaitez vous épanouir, vous devez identifier votre objectif principal à l'avance. Se sentir mieux prend du temps, mais vous pouvez y arriver en faisant=”/sorta-smorodinu-opisanie/”>types of currants. These include both wild and cultivated species. The greatest diversity of wild currants is observed in mountainous regions: the Caucasus and the eastern Urals. In addition to the traditional red and black currants, there are also white and golden ones. However, the palm of popularity has been and is occupied by black currants for their taste and beneficial properties.

Red currant bush

Currants can be consumed raw; they can be used to make excellent preserves, compotes, jams, syrups, and so on. Since currants contain enough sugar and are capable of fermentation, a variety of artisanal alcohol is obtained from them, from wines and liqueurs to strong tinctures.

Black currant berries

The use of currants in medicine is due, first of all, to the presence in it of a huge amount of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) , as well as flavonoids and tannins. Moreover, these substances are contained not only in the berries of the plant, but also in its stems and leaves. In folk medicine, various infusions, decoctions and teas are prepared from currant leaves and berries.

Contraindications and who should not eat currants?

On the other hand, some people should refrain from eating all types of currants completely or partially limit their amount in the diet.

For example, currants contain quite coarse fiber (up to 4% per 100 g). It can irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum even in healthy people. If a person is sick with an ulcer or gastritis, then eating berries is quite capable of triggering an exacerbation of the disease.

In addition, people suffering from the following ailments are at risk:

increased blood clotting;
all types of hepatitis;
stroke and thrombosis of veins and blood vessels.

It is worth taking into account individual intolerance to the product. Although this condition is recorded extremely rarely.

People who are allergic to the berries or certain substances in their composition should also refrain from eating currants.

Use in cooking

All types of currants are quite widely used in cooking. Most often, the berries are eaten fresh, but there are many recipes for pickling, drying, freezing, and canning currants. The most popular dishes: jelly, pastille, marmalade, jam, compotes. Certain types of alcoholic drinks are made from black and red currants.

The special, original taste of currants is highly valued in cooking. At the same time, berries go well with other vegetables and fruits, invariably enriching the taste of dishes. Currants are used as an additive to milk soups, porridges, ice cream, pies, pastries, sweets, cocktails, fresh salads, and sometimes berries and leaves are preferred for decorating dishes.

Blackcurrants are a famous wild game snack in Finland. In Europe, this berry is common in the form of sauces in many cuisines, where it is also an additive to meat dishes.

In Russia, currants are traditionally used mainly for preservation needs - and, interestingly, not only the berries, but also the leaves are used. However, the cuisine of the Caucasus, which is geographically close to us, also gives preference to black currants in some dishes. In particular, we can mention the fairly well-known dolma - a dish very close to cabbage rolls, in which the meat filling is wrapped in grape leaves, but according to some recipes - in currant leaves.

Dolma in currant leaves

What is the difference between black, red and white currants?

Black and red currants are considered the most popular and in demand, and white currants are less common. What is the difference between different types of currants besides the color of the berries?

In black currant, all above-ground parts of the plant are extremely fragrant and aromatic, thanks to the essential oils contained in special glands densely located on the lower surface of the leaves. Unlike black currants, red and white currants have practically no smell; their berries taste more sour and watery. Therefore, you can get 10% more juice from red and white berries than from black currants.
Black currant is the record holder for the content of ascorbic acid; red currant contains 4 times less vitamin C. Red and white currants are almost identical in chemical composition, and yet the difference between red and white currants is that white currants are inferior to red ones in terms of vitamin C content.
Red and white currants are usually propagated by dividing the bush; black currants, in contrast, are more often propagated by cuttings.
Black currants differ from red and white ones in that they do not tolerate drought. Red and white currants are less demanding of moisture and can more easily tolerate a lack of water.
Black currants are much more vulnerable to diseases and pests. Red and white currants get sick much less often.
Red and white currants are relatively durable and can grow without replanting for 15-20 years. After 6-7 years, black currants begin to noticeably degenerate. In addition, black currants need regular, competent formation of the bush, otherwise excessive thickening has a detrimental effect on the harvest and the health of the plant itself.

Interesting facts and beliefs

Disputes about the true homeland of currants are still going on. It is generally accepted that this plant spread across the planet from Asia. In Russia, the largest number of wild species have been registered in the Caucasus and especially in Eastern Siberia.
Currants belong to the Gooseberry family, and in addition to gooseberries, closely related plants include peony, money tree, saxifrage and bergenia.
The ancestor of more than 190 types of currants known today is the wild black currant (Ribes Nigrum).
The Latin name for currants is Ribes. It is very similar to the Arabic “ribas” - the name of rhubarb, one of the favorite seasonings among the peoples of the East. It is believed that in the 8th century, after the Arabs conquered Spain, they did not find rhubarb in the new lands. Since the food needed to be seasoned with something, they began to use currants, which reminded them of the taste of the missing rhubarb. This is where the name of the plant comes from.
The Russian name for currant is derived from the word “stench” - smell. Indeed, blackcurrant has a lot of fragrant essential oils, and our ancestors noticed this. And in many pickles even today, currant leaves are specially added to improve the smell of the food being sealed. Today another archaism has gone out of use - “smorodit”. This verb for our ancestors meant “to smell strongly.”
Currant leaves contain as many useful substances and vitamins as its berries. Therefore, the leaves of this plant are also used - for example, for preparing supplies for the winter. By the way, currant leaves also contain phenolic compounds, which increase the shelf life of products.
Today, currants are grown all over the globe, except Australia and Antarctica.
Black soil is considered the ideal soil for currants.
Russia is the world leader in the collection of currants and raspberries.
In Rus', it was customary to make mash from currants.
Among the people, the name “monastic berry” was assigned to currants, since from ancient times it was actively grown in almost every monastery.
There is an opinion that the Moscow River was previously called Smorodinovka, since currants grew in abundance along its banks. This name of the river can be found in some Russian epics and fairy tales.
Currant leaves are used to brew tea and also add a special flavor to some meat or fish dishes.
Blackcurrant juice is one of the most common natural food colorings.
Note: to obtain the daily requirement of vitamin C, a person only needs to eat about 40 currants. On the other hand, unripe berries contain 4 times more vitamin C than ripe fruits.
The most useful substances are found in currants that grow in temperate and temperate continental climates, since the plant needs sunlight, but not southern heat.
Currants are capable of removing radioisotopes from the human body, so they are recommended to be eaten when exposed to radiation.
Blackcurrant, rich in pantothenic acid, has a beneficial effect on human immunity, and decoctions and tinctures from the berries improve brain function and memory.

resistant varieties of black currant (for different regions of Russia)

central region

'White', 'Gulliver', 'Summer Resident', 'Nadina', 'Nezhdanchik', 'Margot'

Middle Volga and Lower Volga region

'Volzhanka', 'Volga Dawns', 'Kuzminovka', 'Semiramis', 'Constellation', 'Shadrikha', Elivesta

Ural region

'Ariadne', 'Barricade', 'Vestal', 'Dashkovskaya'. 'Pygmy', 'Gift to Kuminov', 'Rusalka', 'Chelyabinsk Festival', Yuryuzan

Western Siberia

'Aleander', 'Early Altai', 'Altayanka' ('Effect'), 'Annadi*. 'Venus', Talinka', 'Harmony', 'Degtyarevskaya', 'Zabava', 'Kaslinskaya', 'Ksyusha', 'Mila', 4 'Nika', 'Otradnaya', 'In Memory of Potapenko', 'Dense-tasted', ' Rachel', Rita', 'Rusalka', 'Treasure', 'Chelyabinskaya', 'Vigorous'

Eastern Siberia

'Augusta', 'Glariosa', 'Irmen', 'Kalinovka', 'Lydia', 'Sweet Minusinskaya', 'In Memory of Potapenko', 'Early Potapenko', Treasure', 'Chernysh', 'Shadrikha'

Conclusion

Currant is a suitable plant for growing in Russia. We probably won’t be at all mistaken if we say that it should be on every personal plot. Moreover, we think that this is actually the case.

The thing is that growing currants is easy. This plant gets sick no more often than other crops, grows almost by itself, is capable of self-pollinating, and only in very rare cases may it fail to produce a harvest. Of course, all this gives reason to include this crop among the must-haves for any gardener.

Finally, it is worth noting that few berries can still boast of such diversity. The currant fruit harvest can be red, black, white, green, orange, and have a truly different taste for each variety, but it will always be called one word - currant.

Characteristic

Currant is a shrubby plant. One of the most common berry crops not only in household plots, but also in large agricultural enterprises. In Rus', currants appeared in the 10th-11th centuries, and in Europe in the 14th-17th centuries.

The culture comes from wild relatives. Wild currant thickets can now be found throughout almost the entire territory of our country on the banks of temperate rivers or near forest clearings.

The plant has several species and dozens of varieties, which differ in the height and shape of the bush, the size and taste of the berries, and their susceptibility to diseases.

We will talk about the characteristics of each species below, but now we will focus on the general characteristics of the plant as a biological species.

Simirenko L.P. in his works he wrote that in eastern Siberia, in the lower reaches of the Angara, he collected very large red currants, which are called sorrel there. The very fact of its location indicates that the plant can easily tolerate very long spring floods.

Kusta

Cultivated currant is a bush from 0.5 to 3 meters high with 10-20 branches of different ages. Main characteristics of vegetative organs:

Root system. Very powerful, going 1.2 - 2 meters deep. Therefore, some species can easily withstand long periods without rain;
Escape. In most cases, straight, elongated, of different ages. They can be brown, brown or gray-brown in color. Some varieties have splayed branches, which somewhat interferes with mechanical tillage;
Leaves. The regular ones consist of three or five blades. In some varieties the leaf blade is smooth, while in others it is pubescent. This hairiness may be on the lower part or run along the leaf veins. The color spectrum is varied - from green to red or orange. This is a feature of ornamental plants of this species;
Flowers and inflorescences. One erect or drooping raceme can have from 5 to several dozen flowers, about 1 cm in diameter. They can be monoecious or dioecious. Moreover, each species has its own color: yellow, red, pink, purple and others.

Fruits

If earlier, even about 20 years ago, a currant berry weighing from 0.7 to 1.2 grams was considered large, now, thanks to breeders, this figure has increased significantly. For example, the Slavuta variety has berries weighing about 2 grams. And per hectare you can get up to 120 centners. Currant fruits can be round or oval-oblong. To taste: sour, sweet and sour, sweet and sour, sweet and completely tasteless. The color of the berries also differs among different species. When ripe, currants are black, red, golden, green, white with a matte surface or visualized with a waxy coating.

Some varieties have a pronounced smell specific to currants, while others either do not have it at all, or it is very weak.

Growing season

The growing season of the plant begins in early spring, and the timing of development depends on the region of growth. This usually happens when the temperature reaches 5-6 degrees Celsius. In the southern regions this may be the end of February - the beginning of March, and in the northern regions the process occurs a little later. The buds swell, and after a few weeks, when the daytime temperature reaches about 11–12 degrees, buds appear and the bushes shed color. Currant flowers are not very attractive to bees, so if the weather is cool or rainy outside during flowering, the berry harvest will be lower than planned.

It is better to plant a self-fertile variety on the site.

Ripening time

35–40 days after flowering, depending on the variety, you can harvest. In summer cottages in Russia, currants ripen in mid-to-late June. A valuable feature of black currant is its ripening time - July. This is just the off-season for agricultural work. The harvest must be harvested on time, since the berries of some varieties can crumble when ripe.

Growing areas

Currants growing wild can be found in the temperate zone: on the banks of reservoirs and forest edges. Mainly in Eurasia and America. In our country, shrubs grow in almost all household plots in the southern and temperate regions.