Tall currant, description

According to the description, tall currant differs from ordinary currant in the height of the bush. Most often, tall varieties are found among representatives of red and white currants and can reach a height of up to 2.5 m. Tall varieties also include new varieties of black currants and varieties bred in the USA and Canada. Some decorative currant varieties can reach a height of up to 5 m.

Currant is an integral part of the history of Rus', since even then it was considered the most popular berry. Due to the dense thickets of bushes along the river banks, many of them received a characteristic name. The Moscow River was called Smorodinovka due to the abundance of wild currants along its banks. However, at that time it had a different meaning, since the Slavs used the word “currant” to describe a strong, persistent smell.

Information about currants dates back to the 15th century, but refers to wild varieties. They began to domesticate it much later, and at first it was red currant. Black and red currants are still considered the most popular species in our country. The most vitamin C is found in black currants, slightly less in red currants, and in last place is white berries. White and red currants are more unpretentious in care and bear fruit longer, but the berries have more acidity and wateriness. There are more than 200 species and varieties of currants, differing in bush size, yield and size of berries.

Tall varieties of black currant are:

• Tatiana's day. A variety with good winter hardiness. The berries are large, sweet and sour.
• Excellent student. The variety is well suited for the middle regions of Russia. The berries have a high taste and almost no sourness.
• Triton. A Swedish variety that withstands frost well. The yield of the variety is good.

Among red and white currants there are more tall varieties. The most productive of them are:

• Rondom. Red currant, reaching a height of up to 2.2 m. The berries are large and universally used.
• Houghton Castle. English redcurrant variety with good yield.
• Large white. A variety of white currant with high yield.
• Versailles white. Has good resistance to frost and drought. The berries are white, large, sweet and sour taste.
• Dutch pink. Large-fruited variety. The berries are white with a pink tint. The taste of the fruit is sweet and sour.

Tall varieties of currants are often used for the trellis growing method.

Currants in Siberia - cultivation

Growing currants in Siberia is a traditional activity for many gardeners. The popularity of this berry is so great that, despite the abundance of other berries, currants occupy one of the leading positions among berry crops. Along with cranberries and lingonberries, currants fully replenish the supply of vitamins and minerals. What is especially important for living in harsh climatic conditions.

Currant varieties that are resistant to frost and sudden temperature changes in the spring and autumn are suitable for the Siberian region. The Siberian summer is short, so fruiting should be no later than average, otherwise the harvest will not have time to ripen. Blackcurrant fruiting occurs in late July - early August. Some varieties may fall off, so harvesting must be done in a timely manner. Red and white currants ripen earlier than black ones, but this feature depends on the chosen variety.

For planting, a separate area with fertile soil is selected, where there will be no other crops besides currants. A good place for planting would be along the fence on the sunny side.

Tip: Plant several varieties of currants at a distance of about 2 meters from each other. This will allow them to pollinate better and increase productivity. Single currant bushes bear fruit with small berries in small quantities.

In the Siberian region, the sun plays an important role in the development of plants. Currants should be planted in a sunny place, without a hint of shade. It is best to choose autumn time - this way the shrub will better take root and get stronger. For planting, choose seedlings with a closed root system. Purchasing planting material from a nursery will significantly increase the survival rate of currants. In addition, such seedlings have higher yields and are better resistant to cold and disease.

Three years after planting, currants can be fed with organic fertilizers in the fall. In spring, it responds well to complex feeding.

Currants are watered regularly, but the soil should not be allowed to become waterlogged. Preventative pruning is carried out in autumn, removing old and damaged branches. It is also necessary to carry out weeding and hilling of the trunk circle.

It is better to cover young seedlings for the winter to give them the opportunity to safely survive the cold. In adult plants, branches can be tied with twine in a spiral manner. This will protect you from bad weather in winter.

Currant - vitamin composition

The benefits and healing properties of this berry are due to the vitamin composition of currants. The vitamin C content is highest in black berries, so they are often used to prevent colds. Currants also contain vitamins such as: A, group B, K. The berries are rich in citric, malic and phosphoric acid, phytoncides, tannins, and anthocyanins. Among the minerals there are magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, sulfur, iodine, etc.

Important: To enjoy a berry with a higher content of vitamin C, you need to pick it unripe. Upon reaching full maturity, the fruits lose a significant part of ascorbic acid.

Not only berries, but also currant leaves are suitable for preparation and canning. They contain no less vitamins than the fruits themselves. Regular consumption of currant berries will strengthen the immune system and relieve many diseases.

Currants - growing in an apartment

Growing currants in an apartment is no longer uncommon. The plant not only has valuable berries, but also has a decorative appearance. In addition, this is an excellent option for those who do not have a garden plot. Planting is carried out in a container up to 60 cm deep. This can be a large flower pot or flowerpot. The comfortable conditions of the apartment allow planting to be done both in spring and autumn.

Fertile soil mixed with superphosphate and potassium sulfate is placed in the container. The roots are carefully distributed in the selected container and sprinkled with earth. An isolated root system is less susceptible to pest attacks and does not require careful care. Watering is carried out as necessary, but you need to remember that apart from regular watering, the plant will have nowhere to get moisture and nutrients from. Therefore, skipping watering and fertilizing is not recommended.

For indoor conditions, a currant bush in the form of a small tree is best suited. To achieve this, when pruning, you need to remove all the side branches, leaving only the main trunk. The following year you can repeat the procedure, thereby stimulating the growth of the bush upward. Tall varieties of red and white currants are well suited for this method. It is more practical to plant them in an apartment, since they are more durable in relation to black berries.

For currants to bear fruit well, pollination is necessary. For these purposes, several varieties are planted for cross-pollination. At home, the plant will be less likely to develop well and produce large yields. Therefore, it is better to grow young seedlings in this way, and after they get stronger, transplant them to an open area.

Dutch red currant - description of the variety

A description of the Dutch red currant variety will be useful to those who are looking closely at this variety of red currant. This is the most time-tested variety, from which you can least expect unpleasant surprises. The shrub is rarely very dense, most often it is medium spreading. However, in the future there is a tendency towards increased growth. In the 3rd year after planting, you can begin regular pruning to prevent the crown from thickening.

The yield of one bush is about 5 kg. The berries are medium - up to 1 g, round, red. The fruits taste sweet and sour and are well suited for homemade preparations. The variety does not require careful care, but will delight you with regular harvests. The shrub has good winter hardiness and insensitivity to diseases and pests.