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Propagating black currants is quite easy. Today we’ll talk about how to do this in the fall using cuttings. Growing this tasty and healthy berry is justified: it takes up little space in the garden, but at the same time gives a rich harvest with proper care. Red currants contain a lot of pectin, but black currants contain vitamin C and organic acids.
Harvesting cuttings
To propagate currants by cuttings, you need to prepare annual shoots in advance. They must be woody, healthy, and undamaged. For harvesting, take an annual shoot approximately 0.7-0.8 centimeters thick. Let’s say right away that you can reproduce in this way:
- black currant;
- red currants;
- white currants.
The best time to take cuttings is considered to be autumn. This is no coincidence, because sap flow slows down, the plant does not lose moisture, and in the spring it takes root with greater force. Cut suitable shoots with pruning shears, and then divide them into cuttings with a sharp knife. The length of the cuttings is 20-30 centimeters.
Currant cuttings occur according to the following scheme:
- the upper part of the cutting is cut at an angle of 90 degrees;
- the angle of the lower part is 60 degrees.
The upper and lower parts of the shoot are not used for rooting, since they most often die off. Now the cut areas need to be treated to avoid moisture loss. For this you can use:
- beeswax;
- hot paraffin;
- garden var.
The choice of treatment agent is carried out individually. If you need to save the cuttings, they are wrapped in a damp cloth and then placed in polyethylene. So, they will retain life-giving moisture.
After the cutting process, currants can be propagated in several ways to choose from:
- save planting material until spring and start breeding when the first warm days arrive;
- root the prepared shoots at home and plant them in open ground in the spring;
- Plant the cuttings in the ground directly in the autumn days; they will be able to take root on their own in the spring.
Let's consider the last option for propagating currants in the fall. Its advantage is that it is less expensive. In the spring, some cuttings may not be accepted and will have to be removed.
You can harvest shoots in the spring, when they are still green, and then save them using the proposed method until autumn.
Advantages of propagation by cuttings
Black currant is one of gardeners' favorite plants. It is represented by low compact bushes, produces a bountiful harvest and is easy to propagate. Blackcurrant berries are incredibly healthy. They can be eaten fresh, frozen for the winter, preserving their beneficial properties, and made into preserves and jams. It is usually propagated in one of two ways:
- cuttings;
- layering.
Propagating currants by layering is a good way, but we won’t talk about it today. When breeding currants by cuttings, the following advantages are undeniable:
- the ability to cut a plant all year round, even in winter;
- the root system of the plant is not damaged;
- an ideal way to develop a new variety.
When layering is used for propagation, adult bushes have to be dug up, disturbing their root system. The only advantage of propagating currants by dividing the bush is that 100% of the seedlings take root. When propagated by cuttings, the efficiency is slightly lower - about 90%.
Methods for rooting currant cuttings
Propagation of black currant by cuttings in autumn is preferable to spring. In this case, you can choose any of three methods to choose from.
So, the shrub cuttings have been prepared, you can get to work. You can root shoots in the following ways:
- prepare a special substrate and root the plants in it;
- root the cuttings using a growth stimulator;
- Leave the pieces in water to form roots.
The last method is considered the simplest and most accessible. The cuttings are placed in clean water for two weeks. The water is changed daily. As a rule, roots appear already on the tenth day, and after two weeks the plants can be transplanted into the soil.
The second method involves adding any growth stimulant to the water, of which there are many on sale today. This could be “Kornevin”, “Heteroauxin” and others. The preparations will enhance root growth and make them stronger.
It will be a little more difficult for those who want to make a special substrate. For this you will need:
- large plastic glasses;
- turf land;
- aspen or alder sawdust;
- vermiculite;
- water.
The soil mixture itself for growing currants is made from turf soil and sawdust in a ratio of 1 to 3. The sawdust is first steamed.
Now you can take the glasses, make a few holes in them and put a row of vermiculite on the bottom. Now the substrate is poured on top and the cutting is inserted. In this case, at least two buds must remain above the soil surface.
Now you need to water the cutting well with water at room temperature. There is no need to heat the water. When watering the cutting regularly, just keep an eye on the currants. The soil should not dry out, but it should not be in water either. Peat is often added to the substrate; this will have a beneficial effect on the seedlings.
You can combine two methods when growing roots, for example, first grow them in water and then transplant them into the soil mixture. The optimal temperature for germination is 20 degrees.
Planting cuttings in the ground
Propagation of currants by cuttings in the fall should be carried out long before the onset of cold weather. It takes at least two weeks for the cuttings to develop good strong roots. They are taken from cuttings in August, when the summer heat subsides. In the southern regions, this work can be done on warm autumn days.
At least two weeks before transplanting plants into open ground, a number of autumn works in the garden are carried out. First, they dig up the soil, preparing it for planting. Secondly, holes are formed for new bushes. The depth of the hole is small and depends on the size of the cutting itself. This is approximately 25-35 centimeters.
The third step is feeding. It is also done in advance. Autumn fertilization is an important procedure, however, it is worth remembering that the roots should not touch the fertilizer, otherwise they will get burned.That's why the hole for blackcurrants is made a little deeper. You need to enter in it:
- superphosphate;
- humus or peat;
- wood ash or potassium sulfate (1-2 tablespoons).
A layer of soil is laid on top of the fertilizer. Currants are very fond of feeding in the autumn.
Planting is carried out in warm, but not hot weather. The planting dates coincide with the propagation of currants by dividing the bush. Propagation of red currants by cuttings occurs in exactly the same way. Myself cuttings when planting in winter they tilt at an angle of 45 degrees. Below is a detailed video for your viewing pleasure:
The density of planting of seedlings is of great importance. The denser the planting, the less fruit the bush will produce. Black and red currants are also similar in this regard. It is required that the plant receives enough light, nutrients, and is able to form a good crown. As a rule, the distance between seedlings is 1 meter.
Additional factors are the varietal characteristics of currants. You can plant cuttings for autumn growing in winter in trenches, without observing a large interval between them, and in the spring transplant them to a permanent place. Planting trenches drip along the cord. The distance between the cuttings in the trench is 15-20 centimeters. After planting, the soil around the seedling needs to be compacted.
If the autumn turned out to be cold, you can save the cuttings altogether and start growing them in the spring.
Currant care
We found out how to propagate currants in the fall using cuttings. Let's talk about caring for young seedlings.
As soon as the air warms up to +10-12 degrees in spring, the formation of currant leaves will begin. We advise you to transfer the transplantation of autumn cuttings to the fall, and not to do it in the spring. This will ensure better development of the shrub. Care consists of applying fertilizers (superphosphate) and protecting them from pests.
The main pest of black currant is the bud mite. It affects the kidneys themselves. American powdery mildew is also dangerous for young seedlings. Red currants are not affected by it. Choose varieties that are immune to this complex disease, since it is impossible to get rid of it.
Propagating black currants in the fall is not a difficult task, but it is worth treating it responsibly.
