White currant - planting in spring
Planting of white currants in spring is carried out in mid-April, since it is important to do this before the buds open.
White currant is a small shrub about one and a half meters with dense green leaves. The fruits of the bush may vary in color and size depending on the variety. The berries are cream-colored, sometimes yellow or pink. The shape of the berries is spherical, up to 10 mm. Gardeners love white currants not only for their high taste, but also for their resistance to pests and good transportability. White currant fruiting begins in mid-summer.
White currant has good resistance to drought - this is facilitated by the peculiarity of its root system. The roots of the plant reach an average depth of 45 cm, but some roots go as deep as a meter. The roots grow more readily in width, occupying about 100 cm from the bush.
It is important that the roots are in a closed container before planting. Planting work begins when the plant is dormant - in early April. At this time, sap flow has not yet begun and the plant will be able to better take root in a new place.You can plant currants using cuttings or seedlings. It is necessary to ensure that when planting, a plant with closed buds is used.
The best place to plant white currants will be a well-lit, windless area. Since currants are a moisture-loving plant, it is permissible to choose low-lying places with high humidity. The optimal location of groundwater is 60 cm from the soil surface.
In a plot of loamy soil with neutral or slightly acidic soil, planting holes measuring 50 by 50 cm are prepared. Humus, superphosphate and potassium are added as fertilizers. The currants are placed in the planting hole at an angle, and the root collar is deepened by 5 cm. The roots are sprinkled with earth and the plant is watered. It is important to mulch the soil after watering. For this, it is best to use humus. After planting, currants need nitrogen fertilizers.
White currant - beneficial properties and contraindications, recipes
Culinary recipes from white currants, beneficial properties and contraindications will help diversify the scope of this valuable berry.
White currants are rich in vitamins, organic acids, fiber, sugars and microelements. White currants are inferior to black currants in terms of vitamin C content, but they are indicated for anemia because they contain more iron. White currant berries are useful to use to improve the circulatory system, for visual acuity, to normalize the functioning of the liver, kidneys and improve metabolism. Berries prevent the development of atherosclerosis and cleanse the intestines. It is useful to use white currant to improve memory, strengthen the nervous system and improve sleep.
Important: White currants are better suited for older people than other types.
White currant is a godsend for allergy sufferers, since it contains all the necessary vitamins and is free of allergens. This is due to the absence of a coloring pigment that causes allergies.
The berry has contraindications that should be taken into account when included in the diet. It is better to avoid currants for people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
The acid contained in fruits can irritate the walls of the stomach, especially if its functions are weakened by high acidity or peptic ulcers.
White currant berries should be consumed with caution by people suffering from heart, liver and kidney diseases, as well as those with thrombophlebitis.
To preserve the beneficial properties of berries, they are used for various preparations. A popular dish is white currant jam. To prepare it, you need to take a kilogram of berries, 1.5 kg of sugar and 400 ml of water. Boil the washed berries in sugar syrup until tender. You can add additional ingredients to taste. Pour the jam into prepared containers and preserve.
You can use another recipe to make homemade jelly.
To do this you will need a kilogram of white currants and two kilograms of sugar. The ingredients are mixed in a saucepan and simmered over low heat. It is important to stir the mixture all the time until it reaches the spoon. If the consistency is thick, you can add a few tablespoons of water. The resulting jelly should not spread. It is very important that the preservation container is wide but low.
A variety of drinks and sauces are prepared from white currants. Berries are added to baked goods, main courses and canned food.
White currant - planting and care in Siberia
Planting and caring for white currants in Siberia has several differences from other regions. This is facilitated by climatic features that adjust the time of planting and harvesting. Planting is carried out in early spring, choosing a sunny area protected from the wind. Planting holes are dug up to 50 cm deep. The soil must be fertile and slightly acidic. Lime must be added to acidic soil.
When planting, add a bucket of compost or humus. The seedlings are placed at a slight slope, and the roots are sprinkled with soil and watered. The ground is mulched with peat. Further care of the plant consists of watering, hilling and weeding. It is necessary to periodically fertilize the bush and carry out preventive pruning. In spring, currants need nitrogen fertilizers, and in summer you can feed them with organic matter.
Important: The soil should always be loose and moist - this will provide the plant with access to nutrients and oxygen, and also protect it from diseases.In the autumn, they are treated against pests and related diseases. During this period, the shrub needs mineral fertilizers. Pruning is also carried out before the onset of cold weather.
White currant fruiting begins at the end of summer. For Siberia, it is important to plant varieties with early or medium ripening. Currants tolerate cold well, but young seedlings are best covered with plastic wrap for the winter.
Primus white currant
White currant Primus is a low shrub native to the Czech Republic. The variety is characterized by high yield and resistance to frost and disease. Currant Primus does not require special care methods, but some standards still need to be observed. The productivity of shrubs directly depends on agricultural technology. The plant grows best in fertile soil that maintains high humidity. The root system of the shrub is shallow, so the proximity of groundwater to the soil surface will have a positive effect on the growth of currants. It is best if they are at a distance of about 1 meter.
Primus currant begins to bear fruit in mid-summer. The berries are large, light yellow in color, and have a sweet and sour taste. If the bush is located in a shady area, the size of the berries may decrease. Therefore, they choose unshaded areas with a distance between bushes of about one and a half meters.
Currants need regular watering, mulching the soil and hilling. It is also necessary to carry out preventive pruning to remove damaged branches. Currants respond well to fertilizing, for which nitrogen and organic fertilizers are used.
For the variety to show all its best qualities and delight you with abundant fruiting, choose only high-quality planting material. Seedlings purchased from a nursery take root well on the site and are less susceptible to diseases. Such plants are characterized by good frost resistance and high yields.
White currant - propagation by cuttings
Propagation by cuttings of white currants is a popular method used by gardeners. It gives good results and cuttings can be obtained in unlimited quantities. Propagation can occur by both lignified and green cuttings. In the first case, the material is taken from annual shoots.
To do this, in the spring, healthy branches no more than 30 cm in length are selected. The lower part is cut off above the bud, and a few centimeters of the top are completely removed from the upper part. For further development, the plant will require greenhouse conditions. The cuttings are planted in spring in fertile soil. 3 buds should be visible above the soil surface. The earth is mulched and watered. Over the summer, the cuttings will develop a good root system and can be planted in an open place.
When propagated by green cuttings, the material is taken from healthy young branches no more than 15 cm in length. Excess leaves must be removed and the cuttings placed in a nutrient mixture. This will promote rapid root formation. The cuttings are planted in soil prepared in the greenhouse. To create suitable conditions for plants, you can cover them with film or plastic. With sufficient moisture and the absence of direct sunlight, the root system will form within a month. From this moment the cuttings can be planted in a permanent place.