Red and white currants: features of cultivation and care, varieties. White currant varieties. Soil preparation and fertilization

Agricultural technology for white currants.

Features of planting and growing.

1. General information about white currants. Useful properties of white currant.

White currant is very useful due to its high pectin content; it is used to remove toxins and waste from the human body, helps prevent the development of inflammatory processes, is used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, and inhibits the development of neoplasms.

White currant berries contain mineral salts and vitamins important for health, such as vitamin A, C and P, as well as tannins and pectin. Despite the fact that white currants are inferior in vitamin C content to black currants, they contain no less of this vitamin than strawberries and raspberries. White currants have a higher content of iron, which is necessary for blood vessels, and potassium, which has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the heart and removes blood from human body excess fluid, which, for example, prevents the formation of swelling and bags under the eyes. There is also more vitamin P in white currants than in black currants, and the content of vitamin A is even higher. White currant berries contain vitamins B1 and B2, tannins and carotene in small quantities. According to scientific research White currant berries also contain coumarins and furocoumarins; they are valuable substances that have antitumor and analgesic effects, as well as other healing properties. Coumarin is a naturally occurring substance that is considered a medicine that treats excessive blood clotting. The pectin content in white currants is comparable to pharmaceutical drugs, and there is as much iodine in it as in feijoa or persimmon. Possessing valuable medicinal and nutritional properties, white currant helps improve the functioning of the intestines and stomach, and by increasing sweating, it provokes the excretion of excess salts from the body, acts as an anti-inflammatory, choleretic, hemostatic, antipyretic and laxative. White currants cleanse the body well, thanks to their high content of pectins, which also help eliminate “bad” cholesterol.

2. Choosing a place for white currants.

White currants require a well-lit place. Otherwise, the sugar content of the berries may decrease and overall decrease harvest.

White currants should be planted along fences or other hedges. A little wind protection will not harm it, especially on the north side.

White currants do not tolerate stagnant water. If there is a possibility of flooding of the bush in the area, drainage should be done if possible. Otherwise, the shrub will have poor development or even its death.

White currant requires light, slightly acidic soil (pH 6-6.5), medium and slightly podzolized, loamy and sandy loam soils.

3. Planting currants white and care.

A white currant seedling should be buried 5-10 cm when planted in the ground.

Branches young seedling currants are cut by half to two thirds.

White currants do not require mandatory cross-pollination, however, the yield from cross-pollination (the presence of two or more different varieties) increases, the berries become larger and have a better taste.

The feeding area of ​​one white currant bush is 1-2 sq.m. The distance between two neighboring bushes is 1-1.5 meters.

White currants should be fed in the spring. When planting, you should add organic fertilizer (horse humus or humus), from mineral nutrition you can take 70-80 g of double superphosphate, 30-40 g of potassium sulfate or 100 g of wood ash.

Watering white currants should be carried out 2-3 times a week at the rate of one bucket of water per adult bush, twice a day (morning and evening). Very important good watering in the period July-August, when fruiting occurs, and at the same time flower buds are laid on the bushes, forming the next year's harvest. If there is a lack of moisture during this period, crop losses are possible both in the current and next year.

White currant is a frost-resistant crop. However, in order to protect the bush from early frosts and snowless winters, it is recommended to mulch with horse humus in the area around the tree trunk.

4. Pruning white currants.

With proper pruning, you can not only increase the yield of the bush and the size of the berries, but also save it from diseases.

When planting, the branches of a young currant seedling are cut by half to two-thirds. This will help him bush faster.

White currant pruning should be done in early spring before buds open (usually the month of April), or late autumn before frost, after harvesting.

Pruning of branches is carried out close to the ground - stumps should not be left.

It is necessary to remove the oldest (over 10-12 years old) and diseased shoots.

Branches with berries that grow close to the ground and even lie on it should be removed.

It is necessary to periodically thin out the bush to increase the yield and prevent the appearance of diseases and pests.

Of the young shoots, only a few strong and erect ones should be left. Weak and crooked ones should be removed.

If you want to tidy up an old bush (rejuvenate it), then start cutting out a few of the oldest shoots every year. You cannot take and cut off too many shoots at once, as this will be a very big shock for the shrub.

A properly pruned bush should have 2-3 branches of each age (2 one-year-olds, 2 two-year-olds...2 ten-year-olds). Total approximately 15-20 branches.

Currant - favorite garden berry. In our country it is grown everywhere. This culture has gained popularity due to its taste, nutritional and healing properties. Breeders have bred thousands of varieties different colors currants Each of them has its own characteristics.

Currants, like other crops, come in different varieties. Each of them has its own specific shape, size, berry color, pulp consistency, taste, aroma and much more.

Currant varieties differ from each other in the size of the fruit clusters and the density of the berries on them. A different terms ripening allows you to increase the period of consumption of berries in fresh.

Red and white currants

Usually, currants of these two colors are considered as one crop, since the berries differ only in color. Red currants were known back in the 5th century. It was grown by the Dutch for beauty. First of all, her decorative qualities, the berries were of no interest. Red currants have become very popular in Europe. In Russia, they became acquainted with this culture only in the 15th century.

She became known much later. Even at the beginning of the last century, it was considered one of the red currant varieties with a berry color atypical for this species. These two varieties do not have a pronounced aroma, but differ in taste and beneficial properties. The best varieties of white and red currants are unpretentious to growing conditions, but they feel better on loamy and sandy loam soils. These are very light-loving plants, undemanding to moisture. It should be remembered that if there is insufficient lighting, the berries lose their taste and color. The culture is resistant to diseases and damage.

At proper care these two varieties of currants give a high yield. Bushes strewn with red and white berries look very beautiful. The fruit formations of white and red currants are longer lasting than black currants, the berries are evenly distributed throughout the bush, they are less dense with shoots. The plant can bear fruit for 15-20 years, growing without transplanting to another place.

Red currant: varieties

1. "Varshevicha" is distinguished by the originality of the color of the fruit. They have a distinct dark purple color. This is a self-fertile variety and ripens late. A large, powerful bush produces many round or slightly compressed fruits. The berries are medium-sized with juicy purple flesh, have a sour taste and form a long cluster. Ripe fruits remain on the branches for a long time. Due to its high yield, unusual fruit color and decorative appearance of the bush, this currant variety is popular among gardeners. Fresh berries are consumed less often; more often they are processed.
2. “Beloved” is a variety that has an average ripening period. The bush is not characterized large sizes, medium branching and thick straight stems. The round berries are bright and medium in size. There are a lot of them on the hands, and they are evenly distributed. Fruit sweet and sour taste have universal purpose. This variety is not afraid of severe frosts; it has high yield and is not affected
3. A typical representative of the mid-ripe currant variety, the photo of which you see above, is “Svetlitsa”. The bush is medium in size, compact and has erect shoots. The round berries are not large in size, but very juicy and tasty. This variety, despite its small berries, produces high yields and is not susceptible to fungal diseases.

Large-fruited red currant

1. "Chulkovskaya" red currant belongs to old variety, which even today attracts the attention of lovers and specialists of this type of crop due to its early ripening and taste qualities of the fruit. The red currant variety is distinguished by its small size. The best varieties include Chulkovskaya currant. Long clusters are strewn with large red round or pear-shaped berries. They are distinguished by their tender, juicy flesh and sweetish taste. Ripe berries remain on the branches for a long time without falling off. This sweet variety Currants are consumed fresh or processed.
2. The variety "Jonker van Tete" has mid-early terms maturation. This Dutch currant variety was developed in early 1941. It gained popularity in our country in the nineties of the last century for its excellent taste and resistance to diseases and damage. This variety produces high yields and is resistant to low temperatures. The red currant variety is distinguished by its powerful, large, dense bush. The best varieties include this particular species. On long or medium-sized clusters you can count up to ten very large, bright berries. The shape of the fruit is round or pear-shaped, they are covered with a dense, elastic skin. The pulp is juicy and very pleasant to the taste. That’s why they love to eat these currants fresh.
3. Large-fruited currant variety "Ural beauty" is one of the best varieties domestic selection. It is distinguished by low spreading bushes and disease resistance. Therefore, the leaves are preserved until the first frost. The culture belongs to the early stages of ripening. The disadvantage is that the yield increases gradually, in direct proportion to the long-term growth of wood. The berries are large in size, have excellent taste and a pleasant aroma.

White currant: varieties

1. "Prygazhunya" is a variety of white currant and has a medium ripening period. The bushes of the plant are distinguished by medium growth vigor, the branches are spreading, and when the harvest is abundant, they bend and droop. On clusters of medium length there are usually many not very large berries of light pink color and round shape. Sweet and sour fruits have a universal purpose. Ripe berries remain on the tassels for a long time and do not fall off. At this time they are intensively acquiring taste qualities. Currant white variety"Prygazhunya" is ideal for freezing. This variety bears fruit abundantly and has excellent taste.
2. "Dutch" white currant belongs to an old variety, but in Lately is being persistently replaced by other, more promising species. Although many gardeners believe that it is in vain. The bushes of this plant are not very spreading, compact, which allows them to make maximum use of the area of ​​the site when planting them. This currant variety bears fruit better in moist, fertile soil and is resistant to low temperatures. The berries are medium-sized and have a round, slightly compressed shape. Their skin is transparent. Seeds and veins on the surface are clearly visible. The pulp is juicy and has excellent taste. Ripe berries do not fall off and are harvested in one go. This currant is good fresh. But its processing will not affect the taste.
3. White currant variety "Versailles" is well known to gardeners who grow it on their plots. It is attractive for its high yields and tasty, large-sized berries. Its bushes are compact and medium in size. This currant produces large yields, growing on fertile soils. Tolerates frosts well. In terms of ripening time, it belongs to the middle varieties. Large berries also have a round shape. They hardly change in size during the growth process. Their skin is transparent, seeds and veins are visible through it. The pulp is very juicy, it harmoniously combines sugar and acid, which gives the fruit a refreshing taste. The berry is especially good when eaten fresh. In addition, jam, compotes, juices, syrups, jams and much more are prepared from it.

Red currant: benefits

Red currant berries are rich in potassium, iron, succinic and malic acids. They also contain carotene. Eating berries promotes elimination from the body excess liquid, serves as a preventive measure for heart and vascular diseases.

Red currant fruits are used in the treatment of diabetes. They eliminate nausea and stimulate appetite. They are used as diuretics, anti-inflammatory, hematopoietic, laxatives and restoratives. Eating apple juice and those contained in berries charges the body with energy. Therefore, they are recommended for use by older people. Red currant juice maintains body tone at the proper level.

Harm of red currants

Obvious and indisputable. But in some diseases it can be harmful. In this case, it should be excluded from the diet. Drinking juice is strictly contraindicated for people suffering from stomach ulcers, hepatitis, gastritis and reduced blood clotting.

Black currant

The name of this type of culture comes from the word “currant”, which translated from Old Russian means “persistent smell” characteristic of this species. Black currants are popular among gardeners, and their delicious berries have long been loved by children and adults. The description of currant varieties provides a wide choice of crops. After all, this plant is characterized by resistance to low temperatures and fungal diseases. Black currant is early fruiting, high-yielding crop with annual fruiting. It does not have great requirements for growing conditions. And its berries have excellent taste and healing properties.

Black currant: varieties

1. "The Little Prince" is an early variety. It is distinguished by a low bush and its convenient shape, which simplifies harvesting. It is resistant to all diseases, severe frosts and prolonged drought. Fruits regularly and abundantly. The berries on the tassels are densely arranged and ripen at the same time. This makes them easier to collect. The brushes are small in size, available in pairs and singles. The berries are juicy, bright black in color, covered with a thin, delicate peel. Lovers of sweet and sour fruits will like them.
2. "Lacy" black currant is a highly self-fertile variety. It is frost resistant. He is not afraid of sudden weather changes. The intense heat does not bother him. It bears fruit regularly and has a consistently average yield. This crop is resistant to powdery mildew and anthracnose. But sometimes it is affected by kidney mites. Curved thick brushes come in short and medium sizes. The round berries are large, shiny and have a sweet, sour taste. If you choose which varieties of currants are better, you can stop here.
3. "Baghira" belongs to the late variety and is characterized by high frost resistance and bountiful harvests. A slight freezing of the shoots is observed if frosts and thaws alternate frequently. This variety is not damaged by blight and anthracnose, but powdery mildew can sometimes harm the plant. On thin small branches the fruits are evenly distributed. The berries are the same size and have a pronounced black color. The shiny thin skin is very durable. The fruits have a delicate aroma and sweet taste.

Large-fruited black currant

1. "Exotica" is the largest-fruited blackcurrant variety. Is different high yield and early maturation. The bush is powerful, tall, the branches are erect and strong. They do not sag from the weight of large berries, which evenly form a cluster. The fruits are juicy and have a pleasant sweetish taste. The best varieties of black currant are represented by this type of crop.
2. "Aleander" refers to varieties of large-fruited black currants. It is distinguished by a tall, spreading bush and the branches lying underneath it. Leaves dark green, powerful and slightly wrinkled. The plant is resistant to powdery mildew and anthracnose, but is prone to damage by bud mites. The culture of this currant variety tolerates the harsh winter months well, but is not subject to drought. comfortable conditions for its growth and abundant fruiting. There are many large berries on long, thick arched clusters. They have a pleasant taste and fragrant aroma.
3. "Selechenskaya-2" is included in the best varieties black currant. Tall, compact bushes have many strong branches that do not need staking. This variety is not afraid of fungal and tick-borne diseases. Very rarely it is affected by a kidney mite. This universal variety, tolerates severe frosts and prolonged heat well. On strong curved clusters there are many very large berries, similar to gooseberries. The fruits are covered with durable, thick skin. They do not break during harvesting. The berries are tasty, sweet, and have a unique delicate aroma.

Beneficial properties of black currant

A description of currant varieties would not be complete without talking about their benefits. Blackcurrant is the most healthy berry of all that exist. It is called the storehouse of substances necessary for humans. It has an excellent taste and is valued for its high healing properties. The berry contains a large number of ascorbic acid, carotene and biotin, which is called the vitamin of youth.

Black currants have long been found wide application V folk medicine. The content of iron, potassium and magnesium allows the fruits and leaves to be used for anemia, vascular and heart diseases. Black currant is rich in pectins, phytoncides, essential and tannins.

The berries of this currant variety reduce cholesterol levels, treat eczema and skin diseases, and help with depression and stress. Ulcers and gastritis are treated with flowers and young leaves of black currant, and rheumatism and kidney problems are treated with berries. Currently, there are thousands of recipes based on black currants for various diseases.

Currant diseases

Currants, like other plants, are affected by diseases and damaged by pests. If you plant the best varieties of currants on your site, you can avoid infection with many infectious diseases. But you need to know the most common ones.

1. Anthracnose is a disease of leaves, their petioles, stalks and fruits. It affects plants starting in May. Characterized by the appearance of small spots Brown, which grow over time. The leaves begin to turn yellow, curl and fall off. The shoots slow down and do not have time to mature. To prevent the disease in early spring and late autumn, you should dig up the ground around the bush. And before the buds bloom, spray with a solution of vitriol. You can use Bordeaux mixture. It is sprayed four times during the growing season: during bud break, at the end of flowering, half a month after flowering, after harvesting.
2. Terry fever is a viral disease and therefore can spread quickly. The carriers are bedbugs, kidney mites and aphids. This disease is characterized by changes in the shape and color of leaves and flowers. The plant stops bearing fruit. To combat the disease, branches are cut off or the entire bush is removed. The main thing is to fight the spread of the disease.

Currant pests

1. The kidney mite is very small and can only be seen through a magnifying glass or magnifying glass. It damages which acquire a spherical shape and do not produce leaves and flowers. The tick waits out the winter in the kidneys. Distributed through planting material, birds and insects. Effective means the fight against this pest has not yet been invented. But the fight must be waged. To do this, the plant is sprayed several times: before buds open, two weeks after it and before flowering begins. There are a lot of spray solutions. In any store they are presented in a large assortment.
2. The sawfly has a good appetite. He eats all the leaves. Its larvae are found in cocoons that are buried in the ground under the bush of the plant. This is where the pest waits out the winter. The fight against it consists of autumn digging and spraying in several stages: when buds open, buds form, and at the end of flowering. To prevent the pest from multiplying, its larvae are periodically shaken off and burned.

Today we will talk about white currants. We will tell you how to properly plant white currants in the spring, choose a place for planting and suitable soil. After reading this article, you will have enough knowledge to grow healthy and fruitful currants.

Did you know? Currants belong to the order Saxifragaceae. This order also includes peonies, bergenia and money tree.

The best varieties of white currants

First you need to figure out what is the difference between white currants and black or red ones.

In addition to color, white currants have other features: they are more suitable for older people than black and red ones due to their ability to prevent diseases associated with increased blood clotting.

Also, white currant contains less ascorbic acid, so it is more valued by people with high stomach acidity. Let's choose the most valuable varieties

currants

The most common variety of white currant. This is a mid-season variety that has a spreading low bush. Versailles currant produces large berries (diameter - 1.1 cm, weight - 0.7 g). The plant is medium-winter hardy and produces an average yield (about 8 tons per hectare). Important!

– This variety of white currant is resistant to powdery mildew. mid-early variety , which is different high resistance to the cold, very delicious berries and precocity. The bush of this variety is semi-spreading, medium height . The berries have a mass of 0.5 g, the yield per hectare is approximately 5.8 tons. The main advantages of this variety are annual fruiting and high resistance to frost (since the variety was bred for temperature conditions

Siberia).

This variety was also bred in Siberia. Belyana has an average ripening period. The bushes of this variety are small and semi-spreading. The berries can reach a weight of 1.5 g, which makes them different from the berries of previous varieties. They ripen simultaneously (however, they have poor transportability). The Belyan variety is immune to powdery mildew. The main advantages of the variety are self-fertility and good annual yield. The disadvantages include the fact that the plant is susceptible to anthracnose. This variety is winter-hardy and has medium-early berry ripening. Dutch white gives a good harvest; The berries are quite large and round. The bush of this variety irregular shape

, short. The advantages of Dutch White are resistance to anthracnose, self-fertility and easy propagation by cuttings. Mid-season variety

All varieties of white currants have both pros and cons. Some produce a large harvest, but have little resistance to diseases. Others do not get sick, but also bear less fruit. Of course, there are varieties that combine disease resistance and yield, but they are not so easy to find.

The main thing when choosing currants is to buy what you need. Therefore, carefully inspect the seedlings when purchasing.

Proper planting of white currants

Once you have your eye on the desired variety, we move on to the correct selection of seedlings, planting sites and soil preparation.

How to choose a seedling

When purchasing a seedling, it is difficult to determine its variety, condition and presence of diseases. Therefore, you should pay attention to the following:

1. Roots. If a seedling's root system is completely cut off, it immediately disappears. Ideally, it should have two main roots (at least 40 cm long) and many small adventitious roots. It is better to take a seedling with wet roots, which are placed in a container with water or a special mineralized mixture.
2. Branchiness of the shoot. If you have a seedling without shoots or sprouts, then you should definitely refuse such a purchase. Choose well-branched seedlings with intact branches.

The most common variety of white currant. This is a mid-season variety that has a spreading low bush. Versailles currant produces large berries (diameter - 1.1 cm, weight - 0.7 g). The plant is medium-winter hardy and produces an average yield (about 8 tons per hectare). Carefully inspect the branches of the seedling. If you think they are dry or semi-dry, refuse to purchase.

For planting, you need to choose a sunny place that is slightly blown by winds. If possible, choose a place where groundwater lie at a depth of about 2 m.

Do not plant currants in lowlands where moisture will accumulate in the spring. In such places, the plant will become covered with lichens and wither.

The most common variety of white currant. This is a mid-season variety that has a spreading low bush. Versailles currant produces large berries (diameter - 1.1 cm, weight - 0.7 g). The plant is medium-winter hardy and produces an average yield (about 8 tons per hectare). Currants produce maximum yields when pollinated with pollen of other varieties.

Soil preparation and fertilization


If we talk about the soil for white currants, then it is unpretentious to the substrate in which it is planted. It will dry out and wither only on salt marshes or in waterlogged soil.

However, to obtain maximum yield and healthy seedlings for seedlings, currants should be planted in more fertile soil.

White currants are planted both in autumn and spring (after the earth has warmed up). Loamy soil is excellent for the plant, which is dug up and cleared of weeds before planting.

When planting in the fall, holes are dug in advance so that the soil has time to settle. Their depth should be about 40 cm and 50 cm wide.

The most common variety of white currant. This is a mid-season variety that has a spreading low bush. Versailles currant produces large berries (diameter - 1.1 cm, weight - 0.7 g). The plant is medium-winter hardy and produces an average yield (about 8 tons per hectare). When digging a hole, the top fertile layer must be laid aside separately. The bottom layer is mixed with mineral fertilizers.

When planting, the roots are distributed throughout the entire depression and covered first with a mixture of mineral fertilizers (peat, humus, superphosphate), and then with soil from the top layer. It is important not to overdo it with fertilizers, otherwise you will burn the currant roots.

The plant must be planted at an angle of 40-45˚ so that it develops a strong root system. When planting several bushes nearby, maintain a distance of 1 m so that the plants do not drown out each other.

Growing and caring for white currants

You planted a bush and it took root. Now the main thing is to properly care for the plant, apply fertilizers and prune on time.

How to care for the soil

When the plant's first buds begin to swell, it should be watered from time to time. hot water(temperature up to 70˚С). This way you will save him from possible pests that sleep in the ground.

You need to loosen the soil and feed the white currants. Loosening also needs to be carried out if the soil near the currant is woody (the roots of the plant must breathe).

After cultivating the soil, the ground near the bush can be covered with rotted leaves or other organic matter. So you will feed young plant, protect it from pests, drying out and hypothermia of the roots.

Don't forget about watering. It should be done more often on hot sunny days. But it is worth refusing to moisten the soil when the temperature drops sharply or strong wind, as the roots may freeze.

Thus, white currants do not require specific care or expensive fertilizing. With proper care, the seedling will quickly take root and produce a good harvest.

Proper pruning and formation of a white currant bush

Pruning currants is an integral part of plant care. Each extra branch is wasted strength and energy of the plant.

In addition to healthy branches, the bush also spends energy on sick branches that do not bear fruit. That is why do not skip this part of caring for white currants.

Did you know? Unripe currants contain 4 times more vitamin C than ripe ones. During ripening, the amount of vitamins decreases. A minimum of them is contained in overripe berries.

Currant pruning is carried out for the first time immediately after planting. At the same time, the tops of all shoots are removed, leaving 3 buds on each. In this way, the crown of a new bush is formed.


Pruning white currants, unlike black currants, is carried out not in the fall, but in the spring (sometimes in the summer, after harvesting). Pruning consists of removing old branches (which are at least 7 years old), unnecessary shoots (shown in the picture below), broken, diseased and frozen branches.


The correct bush should consist of 20 branches, the age of which does not exceed 8 years.

If you follow the instructions, you will get a bush with a well-developed crown and a large number of small fruiting branches.

Harvesting

Currants should be picked in warm, dry weather. This way you will get a product that will be stored for as long as possible. Pick the berries with tassels, carefully so as not to crush them. For collection, you can use wide baskets or other containers with a wide bottom.

The most common variety of white currant. This is a mid-season variety that has a spreading low bush. Versailles currant produces large berries (diameter - 1.1 cm, weight - 0.7 g). The plant is medium-winter hardy and produces an average yield (about 8 tons per hectare).If the berry must be transported, then it is harvested before it is fully ripe.

If the berries of your white currant variety ripen at the same time, then you need to harvest the entire crop on time so that it does not become overripe and fall off. If the currants are not processed, then on the day of collection they are placed in the refrigerator and stored there.

It is also worth knowing that if dew has fallen on the currants, then they need to be dried fresh air and only then put it in plastic bags and store in a cool place.

The main thing when picking currants is not to crush the berries and not to store them wet to avoid rotting.

Methods for propagating white currants

The simplest and most popular method of propagation is cuttings.

Cuttings are taken only from one-year-old shoots; the shoot must be healthy and intact. The cutting is cut about 25-30 cm long. After cutting, it must be dipped in paraffin so that the future seedling does not lose moisture. In this form, the seedling can be stored in the refrigerator until planting.


Before planting, the paraffin is cut off with a sharp knife. The cuttings are planted so that no more than 2 buds remain on the surface (and at least 4 underground). After planting, the ground is fertilized with peat or humus. The main thing at this moment is to preserve moisture in the cutting as much as possible.

The second method of propagation is by horizontal layering. To do this, in the spring, grooves up to 10 cm deep are made under the mother bushes. Developed two-year-old shoots are placed in them, pinned with hooks and the middle of the shoot is covered with earth.


Throughout the summer, the cuttings are mulched and watered abundantly. When autumn comes, the rooted shoots are separated from mother bush and transplanted to another place. Those cuttings that are poorly rooted are left on next year, without separating from the mother bush.

White currants are not propagated by seeds at home, as this is very labor-intensive work, and the percentage of young plants produced is very small.

In our country you can hardly find a garden plot without fragrant currant thickets. But if black and red berries are very popular among gardeners, white currant varieties sometimes turn out to be undeservedly forgotten.

And, often, the place allocated for it is not the best and is not pampered with care. And it’s very vain, oh, how vain. After all, white currants have unique advantages.

And few people know that in the old days good hostess I always brought my beloved husband a mug of white currant juice at night - so that male power grew stronger.

Why white currant? Science still hasn't figured it out. But in the past, people knew for sure that transparent fruits also strengthened male strength.

• White currants differ favorably in taste from their currant sisters. Its berries are very aromatic and tasty. The culture owes its delicate taste to its high sugar content.

In addition, white currants are absolutely non-allergenic - they can be safely consumed by all people. It's time to get to know the charming white-fruited beauty better.

Secrets of a tender plant

The properties of white currant are simply magical. This is enough unusual look currants, its berries are amazing: delicate, light, sometimes creamy in color, with transparent skin.

They look like small lenses with translucent eye bones. And these babies have fantastic capabilities:

♦ Medicine. The White Princess is a real storehouse of useful vitamins (she stores large reserves of thiamine, pyridoxine, beta-carotene, folic acid, routine).

The culture contains microelements important for humans (magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium), and organic acids.

Light currant varieties are distinguished by a high content of pectin (a polysaccharide that has the ability to remove toxins, harmful compounds and waste from the body).

The powers of white currant:

• Restore full activity of the cardiovascular system.
• Has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the hematopoietic system.
• Prevent the occurrence of neoplasms.
• Protect the body from premature aging.
• Regulate the activity of the gallbladder.
• Prevent the appearance of atherosclerosis.
• Improve the functioning of the liver and adrenal glands.
• Adjust cellular metabolism.
• Restore vision and memory.
• Strengthen the nervous system.

Knowledgeable people claim that if a person wants to maintain good health, gain reliable protection from attacks by viruses and bacteria - he needs to eat only a handful of light berries every day.

♦ Cooking. What wonderful jams, jellies, fruit drinks, jams, compotes, desserts are made from the snow-white princess!

When making jelly, you don’t even need to add gelatin to it (due to the rich pectin content, sweet-sour berries independently form a jelly form).

• To prevent dishes made from light berries from turning out colorless, when cooking, you can add other fruits (cherries, raspberries, plums, black/red currants, cranberries) to them for a brighter color.

White currants are an excellent base for aromatic homemade wine, tasty liqueurs, and tinctures. Just a few fragrant brushes can replace 1-2 glasses of juice in the summer heat (berries are a great thirst quencher).

Attention! Despite the enormous benefits of this culture, it is not recommended to use it in the following cases:

• Gastrointestinal diseases.
• Gastritis with high acidity.
• Ulcerative diseases of the intestines and stomach.

But if you really want to test the healing properties of white currants, you can eat just a few berries, be sure to combine them with other foods.

Then currant acid will have time to leave the body and will not accumulate in it.

Bioportrait and varieties of white currants

All varieties of white currants are distinguished by a rich harvest. Thanks to its powerful, well-developed root system, the crop is not at all afraid of drought.

Its transparent berries do not fall off for a long time, holding tightly to the bushes. This gentle creature of nature will delight its owner with delicious fruits for many years, regardless of the weather (these varieties are winter-hardy).

• A big plus is the innate protective property of white-fruited varieties from the main pest of currant crops - the mite.

White currant, like its sisters, belongs to the Gooseberry family. Usually it does not grow more than a meter long.

But in an ideal climate for shrubs, the plant can stretch up to 3 meters.

The beauty usually blooms towards the end of the spring months, and fragrant fruits appear at the beginning summer season.

Which variety is better

The State Register of Breeders' Achievements includes the 10 best varieties of white currants. When choosing suitable variety It’s better to focus on your area of ​​residence.

For the Central Black Earth, Central regions

♦ Bayan. One of the best varieties of white dacha beauty in terms of yield, berry quality and disease resistance.

The bush is powerful, tall, it does not require additional trimming. Bayana berries are soft cream in color, very sweet with a slight sourness.

♦ White Fairy (or Diamond). The bush of the plant is formed very thick and lush. It has medium sizes. This variety is distinguished by good resistance to diseases and pest attacks.

Diamond white currant tolerates frost well and has excellent yield. The shrub needs a garter.

The berries of the plant are transparent, snow-white with a pronounced sourness.

♦ Cream. The variety has high qualities In terms of frost resistance, it is excellent at resisting diseases and pests.

Cream currants are high-yielding, their berries have a wonderful taste: they are very tender, sweet and sour, dessert-like.

♦ Smolyaninovskaya. The plant is vigorous, spreading, and has a rather sparse crown. This species is highly resistant to fungal infections.

The berries of the bush are large, they are tender, they delight with a beautiful white color and excellent taste.

Northwestern, Northern regions

♦ Uteborg. This currant is not tall and is distinguished by the density of the bush. The variety is not particularly resistant to diseases.

But Yuteborgskaya is proud of its high yield (you can harvest up to 6 kg from one bush) and pleasant-tasting berries with delicate skin.

Ural and Volga region

♦ Belyana. The famous, time-tested variety of white currant (it was bred in 1963). The bush is medium-sized and medium-spreading.

Belyana has excellent frost-resistant qualities; it can also resist diseases (except anthracnose). The berries have a light yellowish color.

They are extremely delicate in taste, sweet and sour, refreshing.

♦ Ural white. This is one of the sweetest types of white-fruited currant crops. It does not require special care from the owner and is highly resistant to cold, drought, and disease.

The berries of the Ural currant are slightly yellowish with a slightly noticeable sourness.

Siberia

♦ Minusinsk white. True Siberian - plants of this variety are distinguished by high winter-hardy and heat-resistant qualities.

♦ White Potapenko. Currants of this variety do not have high yielding qualities, unlike their sisters.

But it perfectly tolerates even the most severe frosts and dry periods. The berries are very delicate in taste, sweet and sour. They are slightly yellowish and transparent.

Experienced gardeners respect another variety of white currant - Versailles white. This is an old, valuable type of berry plant (it was bred by the French a couple of centuries ago).

Versailles is the best variety in terms of yield (one bush can give the owner up to 8 kg of berries).

Gardeners successfully grow Versailles White in almost all climatic zones.

Nuances of white-fruited varieties

The white-eyed princess is very similar to her red-fruited sister. Experts say that white currant is a variety of red currant, its “albino”.

They are indeed very similar in their biological portrait and methods of cultivation and care.

But there are significant differences with black. For white currants:

• Earlier start of the growing season.
• There is no thickening of the bushes.
• The yield is much higher (3-4 times).
• The cultivated varieties are self-fertile.
• The bushes are more compact, elongated upward.
• The berries do not fall off until late autumn.
• The varieties are more resistant to diseases and pests.
• Higher winter-hardy and drought-resistant qualities.
• Fruiting occurs much faster (2-3 years).
• The harvest is more evenly distributed throughout the bush.
• Longer lifespan (varieties can bear fruit for up to 20-25 years).

The white currant harvest depends on proper care and nutrition. Self-fertile plants produce a lot of berries.

But with poor care, lack nutrients, most of the future fruits are “discarded” (the currant understands that it does not have enough strength for a rich harvest).

Therefore, it is very important to know the intricacies of caring for such a culture.

Tricks for growing white currants

White-fruited species differ from black-fruited ones in their preferences for place of residence in the garden. If chokeberry varieties can tolerate shaded, moist places, then the white-skinned beauty needs more light and dryness.

The ideal place for it should be:

• Well open and lit (if the plant does not have enough light, the berries will lose their sweetness). But it is desirable that on a hot afternoon a shadow still falls on the currants.
• With light sandy loam or loamy soil(soil acidity 5-5.5).
• With a depth of groundwater of about half a meter.
• Well protected from the winds.
• Moderately hydrated.

White currants are not particularly picky about the site; they grow successfully on lands of varying fertility. The only thing it does not tolerate is completely shaded, damp, wetlands.

If your garden has just such areas, currants can be grown on low mounds.

Subtleties of landing

When planting in autumn, it is very important not to miss the deadline, otherwise the young seedlings will not be able to prepare for the cold.

If you plan to plant currants in the spring, do it before the buds of the white-fruited varieties begin to bloom.

♦ Preparing the pit. The site should be prepared in advance so that the soil has time to settle (2 weeks before planting time). The diameter of the planting hole should be 50-60 cm, and the depth should be 40-45 cm.

Leave a distance between the seedlings depending on the currant variety:

1. Compact, upright varieties: 1-1.5 m.
2. Spreading, lush varieties: from 1.5 m.

Ground in landing pit must be mixed well with mineral and organic fertilizers(compost 8-10 kg, superphosphate 150-200 g, wood ash or potassium sulfate 30-40 g).

♦ Landing. When planting, deepen young white currant seedlings by 10-15 cm, no more. Then the young animals will be able to better develop their additional roots and begin to grow faster.

• If you place the seedling strictly vertically, you will have a bush that is more compact in size; if the currant is slightly inclined, the plant will become more lush.

After planting, the young plant needs to be watered abundantly, and the soil around the roots should be mulched with peat or humus and carefully compacted.

Then the bush is watered abundantly and heavily pruned to 3-4 buds, leaving only 10–15 cm of length from the ground.

Don't be afraid of such heavy pruning! It will only contribute to the development of a powerful root system and the formation of a strong, healthy culture.

Taking care of the beauty

♦ Watering. Root system white-eyed currants (unlike black currants) lie deeper in the soil; these varieties tolerate drought more easily, but, of course, they need moisture.

Water currants in dry weather once every 9-12 days. Consumption: 2-2.5 buckets per bush.

Watering white currants should be increased to 4-5 buckets in the following cases:

• Formation of ovaries (otherwise the plant may lose part of the future harvest).
• Before flowering.
• During rapid growth berries
• 2-3 weeks before harvest.

Water consumption can be varied (reduce/increase). Make sure that the root-inhabited top layer of soil (55-60 cm) is completely moistened when watering.

During the “wet” procedure, be sure to weed the ground. Arrogant weeds can take away the precious moisture needed by currants.

♦ Plant pruning. Such an important event is carried out at the beginning spring period(March, April). Try to get there before the buds open. Or reschedule the event until late fall.

Pruning is very important for the plant - if the currants are too thick, they bear fruit poorly. But the pruning technique is somewhat different from pruning black-fruited varieties.

• Keep in mind that the fruit buds of these crops are formed mainly in the base area of ​​one-year-old shoots and on the ringlets (small perennial fruit branches 2-3 cm in size).

In white-fruited crops, berries also ripen successfully on old shoots, so such varieties do not require too frequent rejuvenating pruning.

A healthy white currant bush should consist of 16-20 branches of various ages. Sanitary pruning is best done in the summer, after fruiting.

White currants are pruned:

• Branches older than 6 years (they are cut without stump).
• Low-yielding, diseased, broken, stunted shoots.

Begin pruning by removing branches that grow too low or too far to the side. The shoots should be cut to a bud that is directed outward and upward of the plant.

The resulting cuts are coated with garden varnish (be especially careful when cutting edges larger than 8 mm in diameter).

• From the 6th year of life, excess annual shoots should be removed from currants.
• From the 7th year, 3-4 of the oldest shoots of the bush are cut off annually, leaving 3-4 young (zero) shoots in return.

There is no need to shorten annual growths of white currants - after all, flower buds are located on their tops.

♦ Feeding. White currants are responsive to good nutrition. She will benefit greatly from nitrogen, potassium, organic and phosphorus supplements.

But know that the white-fruited beauty does not tolerate chlorine at all. Choose a comprehensive diet that does not include chloride additives.

In the third year of a currant’s life, it should be fed:

• In autumn. Under each bush, add a mixture of superphosphate (20 g), potassium sulfate (15-20 g), organic matter (compost/humus, ½ bucket). Instead of potassium, you can use ash (½ cup).
• In early spring. Currants need nitrogen supplements (ammonium nitrate 70-80 g).

After each application of fertilizers, be sure to mulch the soil with a mixture of peat and rotted manure. Mulching helps to better absorb fertilizers, protects the plant from weed growth and retains moisture for currants.

Liquid organic supplements will be very good for the white-eyed princess. It is better to apply them in early spring, immediately after the start of flowering (at the time of ovary formation) and 2 weeks before harvest.

An infusion of mullein (1:6) would be ideal as a liquid food. You can take chicken manure (1:15).

• It is better to introduce slurry into pre-dug grooves around the bush (made at a distance of 35-40 cm). After adding fertilizer there, the grooves are filled up.

Foliar feeding with solutions of potassium permanganate, ammonium molybdenum, zinc sulfate or boric acid (1.5-2 g of substance per 10 liters of water) will also be useful for the currant beauty.

Such spraying increases the size of berries in white-fruited varieties and increases their set.

White currants are very strong plant, she can easily endure frosts down to -45° C under the snow. She is not afraid of cold, but she should be wary of spring frosts.

Sudden cold snaps in spring can damage ovaries and flowers. To prevent such a nuisance from happening, cover early spring your favorite with a covering non-woven material.

So, we got acquainted with the three main types of currants: and white. These are the main ones, but there are also... That’s what we’ll talk about in the next article on the currant topic.

See you soon, dear readers!

Many people know and love black and red currants; these vitamin-rich berries have long become familiar inhabitants of our garden. But other varieties of the popular fruit bush, for example, white, golden, pink and even green (a subspecies of black).

White currant is the most famous among them and has been planted in gardens and front gardens for several decades. middle zone Russia. It belongs to the varieties of red currants, which were also selected based on the color of the berries, so in the catalogs of some agricultural enterprises you need to look for it in the sections devoted to red currants.

The best varieties of white currants

If you can find dozens, if not hundreds of varieties of black or red currants, then our gardeners were not particularly pleased with the number of varieties of white currants. Of the common varieties, we can safely recommend no more than 5-7 based on the main important indicators. The criteria for selecting white currant varieties are as follows:
taste of berries (at least 4.3-4.4 according to experts, sweetness);
berry size (at least 1 gram);
yield (at least 3 kilograms per bush);
frost resistance (currants must withstand frosts down to 30 degrees), which now often come to the Moscow region.

Therefore, you should understand that when choosing a variety suitable for the Moscow region, you should not be afraid of such comments as “currants are recommended for the Urals” or “recommended for Siberia” - this only means that these varieties can easily withstand frost.

Thus, you can safely plant such currant varieties in your garden as:
Belyan;
Boulogne white;
Dessert;
Minusinsk white;
Ural white.

Belyan
This variety is probably the thinnest and pleasant taste berries from all of the above. Tasters give them the highest score - 5 points. The size of the berries is not the same; on a cluster you can find fruits weighing from 0.6 to 1.5 g. The color of the berries is very light yellow, the berries are almost transparent, the skin is thin, which makes transporting the berries difficult - they get wrinkled on the road. It's better to recycle it locally. Currants ripen very quickly and are classified as mid-ripening varieties. From an adult bush you can have a nice summer collect up to 4 kilograms of berries. Drought resistant, but very severe frosts(from 34 degrees) afraid.

Boulogne
French variety. The berries are rated 4.5 points, they small size– up to 1 gram, but very dessert and savory, creamy in color. You can collect up to 4 kilograms from a bush. This foreign guest is afraid not only of severe frosts, but also of anthracnose.

Dessert
This German variety is distinguished by its early ripening and productivity; up to 6 kilograms of berries can be harvested from a five-year-old bush. The average size of the berries is 1-1.2 grams, they are yellow, taste sweet and sour, and are good for all types of processing. Currants are very frost-resistant and are not afraid of fungal diseases.

Minusinsk white
This berry has a good taste (4.6 points), but not the highest yield. The average harvest per bush is about 3 kilograms. The berries weigh 0.8–1 grams, they are yellowish and have a thin skin. It is very frost-resistant and drought-resistant, bred for Eastern Siberia, but it grows and bears fruit well in the Moscow region. Resistant to powdery mildew and aphids. One of the disadvantages is the relatively large seeds in the berry.

Ural white
Practically ideal variety. Assessment by berry tasters – 5 points. Large yellow berries weigh on average 1.1 grams; up to 6 kilograms can be collected from a bush. The variety is not afraid of either frost or powdery mildew. The only negative is that it requires infrequent watering and poor care berries can be crushed.
For those who already know what the best varieties of white currants are for the Moscow region, planting and caring for them will also not cause difficulties; they are no more difficult to care for than most fruit bushes.

Planting and caring for white currants

It is better to plant seedlings purchased from nurseries in early autumn, in the first ten days of September, then they will have time to take root before frost. In the spring, you can also plant seedlings, but this must be done before the buds awaken, and sometimes during this period the soil has not yet melted.
You need to choose a place for planting that is not damp, not lowland, but it will not be satisfied with mounds from which water will drain; currants are moisture-loving. According to the type of soil, clay and loam are quite suitable, but peat or humus must be added to the planting holes. It is necessary to choose a bright place; the yield of the bushes depends on the amount of sunlight.
Currants are self-fertile; there is no need to select a pair for pollination.
Caring for currants is also not difficult; in the spring the bush will require fertilizer; you need to apply potassium and nitrogen fertilizers, also superphosphate. It is better to apply biological fertilizers once every three years, but nothing prevents you from pouring berry cake or cleaning mushrooms under the bush during the summer season, this promotes growth. If you have a stove in your house, you can also add some ash to protect it from pests. Weeding the ground around the bush and removing perennial weeds is mandatory. Only manual removal is recommended, without pesticides.
If you follow all these recommendations, the white currant bush will delight you with dessert, delicate berries for a long time.

The best varieties of white currants for the Moscow region