Hybrid currant, beneficial properties and contraindications
The beneficial properties and contraindications of hybrid currants are of great importance for gardeners who decide to grow this unique plant on their site. Currants belong to the gooseberry genus, so it is not surprising that breeders decided to combine all the best qualities of these berries into one plant.
Black currants contain large amounts of vitamin C, which is not enough in gooseberries. But vitamin P predominates in the latter. Currant berries are not so large, but the shrub has good yield. Gooseberries have larger fruits, but there are fewer of them and they are protected by thorns.
They have been trying to obtain hybrid currants for many years, increasing the yield and size of the berries. Also, breeders were faced with the task of increasing resistance to major diseases and obtaining a variety without characteristic thorns.
The basic system for crossing varieties was proposed by Michurin, and it was this system that was subsequently followed by breeders from other countries. At first, selection attempts were unsuccessful, the plants died or did not bear fruit. Finally, in 1970, the hybrid was obtained by breeder Bauer. For this, the German breeder used black currants and two types of gooseberries: ordinary and splayed. As a result, the resulting variety was named Yoshta.
Hybrid currants came to the USSR only 10 years later, and cultivation began in 1986
Important: The Yoshta variety is not the only hybrid currant variety; other varieties with good disease resistance and yield were subsequently created.Hybrid currant is a spreading perennial shrub about one and a half meters. The stems are smooth, without thorns, about 20 pieces. different lengths. Fruits with dark skin are collected in clusters of up to 5 pieces. The taste of the berries is pleasant sweet and sour. Fruits can reach a weight of 5 g or more.
The shrub is resistant to most pests and diseases. Withstands cold well. If grown correctly, one bush can produce up to 10 kg of berries.
Currants - beneficial and medicinal properties
The beneficial and medicinal properties of currants are no less valuable than their high taste. The fruits of hybrid currants are widely used in folk medicine and households.
The vitamin C content of hybrid currants is at an average level between currants and gooseberries. This makes the berry a good helper for strengthening the immune system. Fruits are the leader in vitamin P content, which improves blood circulation and increases the elasticity of blood vessels. And the high content of anthocyanins in berries helps destroy harmful bacteria. Together with vitamin P, they strengthen the walls of capillaries, especially in the retinal tissue and help cope with swelling.
Hybrid currant berries have good antioxidant properties - they neutralize the effects of free oxygen molecules. They will help with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as during the cold season. The berries are used for various diseases of the oral cavity, including for the treatment of cough. Infusions and decoctions are used for joint diseases, skin diseases, the genitourinary system and allergies.
Hybrid currant berries are well suited for dietary nutrition. Their calorie content is insignificant, but organic acids burn fat well.In cooking, berries are used to make jam, jam, sauce and baked goods. They can improve the taste of any dish. They are often added to a variety of desserts, which gives not only a unique taste and aroma, but also significant benefits for the body.
Among the contraindications, it is worth noting diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the high content of organic acids in berries, they can provoke attacks of gastritis, especially with high acidity. It is not recommended to eat berries if you have liver and heart diseases.
Due to the fact that hybrid currants have a well-groomed appearance, they are often used to create hedges.
Hybrid of black currant and gooseberry, care
Caring for a hybrid of black currant and gooseberry consists of timely watering, fertilizing and protection from possible diseases.
First of all, you need to choose the right place for planting. It should be a sunny, windless area of soil with good fertility.
Planting is carried out in spring or autumn. The plant takes root well and grows in a new place without problems. The roots of the seedling should not be dry or underdeveloped. You need to plant the plant in a prepared hole, carefully straightening the roots. A pit with a depth of 50 cm should be rich in compost and mineral fertilizers. Most currant hybrids require additional potassium. After planting, the plant must be watered and the soil mulched. In the future, after each watering you need to mulch.
Hybrid currants require frequent watering, but this can cause root rot. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to make a drainage system. It will provide the plant with a good supply of oxygen and rapid growth. Without fertilizer, the hybrid will develop very slowly, and fruiting will occur much later. Therefore, for a good harvest, it is necessary to feed the plant with potassium, phosphorus, superphosphates, saltpeter and nitrogen.
Tip: If you plant a hybrid next to other varieties of currants or gooseberries, this will increase the yield.It is necessary to regularly weed and mulch the soil. Hybrid currant varieties require less pruning, but they will benefit from light formative pruning. Its basic principles are identical to those of black currant.
Fruits ripen at the end of July - beginning of August. The berries can hang on the branches for a long time without falling off. They are not damaged during harvesting and tolerate transportation well.
Hybrid varieties of black currant
Hybrid varieties of black currant are not very diverse. There is only a small group of varieties obtained by breeders from currants and gooseberries. The first successful experiment was carried out in Germany. The variety was named Yoshta - from the merger of the names of currants and gooseberries. The variety has no thorns and a characteristic smell of currants. To increase productivity, it is best to plant several bushes. The berries are large, sweet and sour with a nutmeg flavor.
- EMB. An English variety that began to be cultivated recently. The plant is about one and a half meters, with large berries up to 12 g. The taste of the berries is more sour than other hybrids. The variety resists diseases and pests well.
- Chrome. The variety was obtained in Switzerland. Powerful shrub with black berries. The yield from one bush is about 5 kg. The taste of the berries is pleasant, sweet and sour.
- Yohilina. A variety with high yield. Needs regular formative pruning. The fruits are juicy, tasty and weigh up to 12 g.
- Rext. The shrub is often planted as a hedge because it has an attractive appearance. Among the spreading green crown, medium-sized purple berries are visible. The maximum weight of berries is 5 g. One of the best hybrid varieties.
Currant – Yoshta variety
The Yoshta currant variety is the first hybrid variety created by breeders by crossing currants and gooseberries. This is a perennial shrub with spreading branches, about one and a half meters high. Shrubs should be planted in unshaded areas on fertile soil. The distance between bushes is maintained up to 2 meters. It’s good if currants or gooseberries grow nearby.
A hybrid plant must be watered quite often, especially during the hot season. After watering, the soil is mulched. Damaged and diseased shoots are removed. Yoshta will begin to bear fruit in the 2-3rd year of cultivation and will delight you with juicy sweet and sour berries.
Hybrid of currants and gooseberries - variety Rext
The hybrid variety of currant and gooseberry Rext is often used to decorate the site. It is good because it is not too demanding on the soil and can grow even in the shade. But if growing a shrub is intended to produce a harvest, it is still better to plant it on the sunny side. However, in the sun the leaves of the plant quickly turn yellow.
An expressive bush of medium height with clearly visible purple berries. The berries are sweet and contain a large amount of sugar. Fruiting begins in the third year. The high taste qualities of the fruits allow them to be successfully used in cooking.
There are other varieties of hybrids, but they are not as successful and do not produce a good harvest. It is important to purchase high-quality seedlings so that the result exceeds expectations.
Caring for hybrid currants does not require special skills and can delight you with tasty and healthy berries.