Content
Currant variety Arcadia is a late-ripening crop of Russian selection. It has very large berries and high yield. Universal purpose: suitable for fresh consumption and home canning. You can grow both for yourself and for commercial purposes.
History of selection
Arcadia is a Russian blackcurrant variety bred on the basis of the North-East Federal Scientific Research Center named after. N.V. Rudnitsky. The authors are a team of specialists: T. P. Ogoltsova, A. A. Rusinov, G. A. Plenkina and G. N. Kosolapova. The variety has been tested since 2007 and was included in the register of breeding achievements in 2010. Approved for cultivation in the regions of the Volga-Vyatka region:
- Nizhny Novgorod;
- Kirovskaya;
- Chuvashia;
- Mari El Republic;
- Mordovia.
Description of the blackcurrant variety Arcadia
Currant Arcadia produces a medium-sized and moderately spreading bush with straight shoots of medium and large thickness. Their surface is matte, steel-gray in color, and there is no pubescence.
Currant leaves of the Arcadia variety are three- and five-lobed, medium and large in size.The color is yellow, sometimes with shades. The surface is matte, without pubescence, with wrinkles to the touch. The plate is concave and has deep cuts. The apex is sharp, the blades diverge at right angles. There is a medium-sized notch at the base of the leaf. The teeth are small, bendable, with a sharp edge.
The currant flowers of this variety are pale green in color, with medium sepals. Brushes both long and short. Their axes are straight and of medium size. Fruits are sparsely located.
Arcadia currant berries are black or brownish-black in color. The size is very large, with an average weight of 2.7 g, some specimens reach 5.2 g. The shape is round, the skin is thin, the number of seeds is small. The stalk is medium in size. The tear-off is dry, making harvesting easier.
Arcadia currant berries are very large
Characteristics
Quite a hardy variety that can withstand both frost and drought. Arcadia has sufficient resistance to common pests. Therefore, it can be recommended for cultivation in all regions of the middle zone.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The currant variety has good winter hardiness - it can withstand frosts down to -25 degrees. But in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East, shoots can freeze. Therefore, the crop requires obligatory shelter for the winter.
The bushes adapt well even to prolonged drought. To prevent crop loss, during hot and dry periods it is necessary to provide additional watering at least once a week.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
Currant Arcadia is a self-fertile variety. Almost all fruits set independently, without attracting pollinators. Therefore, it is not necessary to plant other varieties on the site.The crop is late-ripening: flowering begins in July, and the first berries are harvested in early August. If the summer is cold, there is a risk of reduced yield and deterioration in taste.
Productivity and fruiting, keeping quality of berries
The variety is distinguished by a fairly high and stable yield - 2.5 kg per bush (for industrial cultivation - 8.3 t/ha). Fruiting later. The skin of the berries is thin, but quite durable. Therefore, the shelf life is good: the harvest can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Fruits can be transported over long distances. Therefore, the variety is suitable for commercial cultivation.
Taste qualities
The pulp of Arcadia currant berries is juicy, the taste is refreshing, with a noticeable sourness. According to the tasting assessment, it received 3.5 points out of 5. The composition contains the following components:
- sugar (total) – 8.4%;
- acids – 2.4%;
- pectins – 1.1%;
- vitamin C – more than 85 mg per 100 g.
Arcadia currant berries have a pleasant refreshing taste
Resistance to diseases and pests
The culture has good resistance to bud mites, which distinguishes it from many others. It is also resistant to powdery mildew. But it is possible that they may be affected by other diseases and pests, for example, rust, anthracnose, aphids, moths and others.
Therefore, in the spring in April, preventive treatment is carried out annually with the following drugs:
- Bordeaux mixture;
- "HOM";
- "Skor";
- "Fitosporin";
- "Tattu" and others.
During the period of active growth (spring and summer), it is necessary to periodically inspect the Arcadia currant bushes. If pests are detected, you should immediately treat with folk remedies - infusion of wood ash, chili pepper, mustard powder, onion peels, decoction of potato or tomato tops.To more effectively kill insects, special preparations are used:
- "Karbofos";
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Ephoria":
- "Vertimek";
- "Fitoverm" and others.
At least 3–5 days must pass from the last spraying until harvesting (the waiting period is indicated in the instructions).
Advantages and disadvantages
Currants of the Arcadia variety are valued by summer residents for their very large berries that are easy to pick. They have a rather sour but refreshing taste. Great for jam and other preparations; They are also used fresh. The berry also has other valuable benefits.
Dry-tear fruits ensure good harvest storage
Pros:
- very large marketable berries;
- stable and high productivity;
- universal purpose;
- high degree of self-fertility;
- resistance to bud mites and powdery mildew;
- transportability and keeping quality.
Minuses:
- due to large berries, the branches may bend towards the ground;
- late ripening;
- taste with noticeable sourness.
Features of planting and care
Both spring (April) and autumn (October) are suitable for planting Arcadia currants. And the best time is late. The bush will have time to take root and will immediately begin to grow in the spring. For planting, choose an open, dry and fairly spacious place. Even in the summer, the site is dug up and compost or humus is added - a bucket per 2 m2. For clay soils you will need sand or sawdust - 1 kg for the same area.
A month before planting, holes are dug with a depth and diameter of 50 cm at a distance of 1.5 m from each other. Small stones are placed at the bottom, and fertile soil with peat and humus is covered on top.When landing, proceed as follows:
- The seedlings are soaked for several hours in a mixture of water, soil and a solution of a growth stimulator (Kornevin, Epin, Zircon).
- Place in the soil so that the root collar goes to a depth of 10 cm.
- Then tamp down a little and moisten abundantly.
- Lay a high layer of mulch.
When planting, the bushes must be watered
To grow productive Arcadia blackcurrants, as in the description of the variety and in the photo, you can pay attention to reviews from experienced summer residents who recommend adhering to the following rules:
- Young seedlings are watered weekly, adults - only during drought.
- Regular weeding and loosening of the soil is necessary (especially after heavy rainfall).
- Fertilizers begin to be applied from the second season: in April, ammonium nitrate (15 g per bush) or urea (20 g), in May, chicken manure (1:15) or mullein (1:10), after harvesting - wood ash (200 g ).
- Pruning - every spring and autumn (sanitary, formative, rejuvenating).
- Mulching with sawdust, pine needles, leaves - both during the summer and for the winter. In this case, the mulch layer should be high - at least 10 cm.
Conclusion
Arcadia currants are suitable mainly for the Central region. The crop can be cultivated not only in the Volga-Vyatka region, but also in the middle zone, in the North-West and in other territories. Care is not very difficult, so even novice gardeners can get a good harvest.
Reviews with photos about black currant variety Arcadia
https://youtu.be/ISf3vHkcq3g
