Content
Black currant Gulliver was obtained by Russian breeders. The variety produces large, tasty berries rich in vitamins and antioxidants. The crop is resistant to drought and winter frosts, and tolerates spring frosts without loss of yield.
Characteristics of the variety
Black currant Gulliver was bred in the Bryansk region. Since 2000, the Gulliver variety has been included in the state register. It is grown in the Central and Northwestern regions, as well as in the Volga region.
Description of the variety and photo of Gulliver currant:
- early maturation;
- the period from the appearance of inflorescences to harvesting is from 55 to 67 days;
- vigorous bush;
- powerful curved branches;
- wrinkled leaf blade;
- clusters are medium in size, containing from 9 to 17 berries.
Characteristics of Gulliver variety berries:
- round shape;
- weight from 1.7 to 6 g;
- black color;
- shiny surface;
- medium skin thickness;
- sweet and sour taste;
- ascorbic acid content – 156 mg;
- taste rating - 4.4 points.
From 2.5 to 3.5 kg of berries are harvested from a bush of the Gulliver variety. Due to its strong skin, currants withstand transportation well.
Berries of the Gulliver variety are used fresh and for canning.They are used to obtain components for vitamin drinks and pie fillings. The berries are frozen and jams, jams and compotes are prepared from them. The leaves are steamed to make herbal tea.
The winter hardiness of the variety is -28 °C. According to reviews, Gulliver currants tolerate more severe winters under snow cover.
Planting a crop
Black currant Gulliver grows well in lighted areas. Before planting, fertilizers are applied to the soil. Seedlings are purchased from trusted nurseries or obtained independently from the main bush.
Selecting a location
Gulliver currants grow in one place for 12-15 years.
The culture prefers fertile loamy soils. If the soil has high acidity, it is reduced by adding lime.
To ensure that sandy soil retains moisture longer, you need to add peat and humus when digging. The composition of heavy clay soils is improved with coarse river sand.
Currants are planted on the southern or southwestern side of the site. Choose a place that is sunny and protected from the wind. Lowlands where cold air and moisture accumulate are not suitable for planting crops.
Preparation of seedlings
Gulliver currants are purchased from nurseries or from trusted suppliers. High-quality seedlings have roots 15-20 cm long without growths or damage. The optimal plant length is 30 cm, the number of shoots is from 1 to 3.
If Gulliver currants are already growing on the site, then you can get the seedlings yourself. The Gulliver variety is propagated by dividing the bush, cuttings or layering.
At currant transplantation its rhizome is divided into parts with a sharp knife. Each new bush should have several strong roots.The cut areas are treated with crushed coal.
To propagate the Gulliver variety, shoots 20 cm long and 5 mm thick are selected from cuttings. In the fall, they are cut off from the bush and placed in a container filled with wet sand. For 3 months, the cuttings are kept at a temperature of +3 ° C, then buried in the snow or left in the cellar until spring. After the snow melts, the cuttings are planted in the ground.
To obtain seedlings of the Gulliver variety by autumn, layering is used. In spring, two-year-old branches are bent to the ground and secured with staples. The shoots are covered with soil, mulched with humus and watered regularly throughout the season. In autumn, the cuttings are separated from the bush and transferred to the chosen location.
Sequence of work
Gulliver currants are planted at the end of September or in April. Preparation of the planting pit begins 2-3 weeks before planting. If you immediately place currants in a hole, then when the soil settles, the seedling will be damaged.
Procedure for planting black currants:
- Dig up the area, add 7 kg of humus and 1.5 liters of wood ash per 1 square meter. m.
- Prepare a hole 40 cm deep and 50 cm in diameter.
- After 2-3 weeks, plant the currants. Deepen the root collar by 4 cm.
- Water the plant with warm water.
- Trim the shoots, leave 2-3 healthy buds.
Since Gulliver bushes are vigorous, they are planted at a distance of 1.5 m from trees and shrubs.
After planting, the bushes are watered twice a week. The soil is mulched with humus. For the winter, the bushes are hilled. To protect against freezing, young plants are covered with agrofibre.
Care
Although black currants are considered an unpretentious crop, regular care ensures high yields. During the season, it is enough to water the bushes and feed them with useful substances.Preventive treatments help avoid the spread of diseases and pests.
Watering
The number of ovaries and the quality of the blackcurrant harvest depend on the supply of moisture. Excess moisture is detrimental to the roots, as it leads to their rotting. For irrigation, water is used that has settled and warmed in barrels.
Intensive watering is provided at the following stages of blackcurrant development:
- when inflorescences form in early June;
- during the ripening of berries in July.
For 1 sq. m add 25 liters of water. For watering, grooves 10 cm deep are made at a distance of 30 cm around the bush. When the moisture is absorbed, loosening is performed to improve air exchange in the soil. Mulching the soil with humus or peat helps reduce the number of waterings.
Feeding
Black currant Gulliver is fed with minerals and organic matter. When applying fertilizers to the planting hole, the plants are provided with useful substances for a couple of seasons. In the third year, they begin to fully fertilize the currants.
In early spring, urea, ammonium nitrate or other nitrogen fertilizers are applied. The norm for young bushes is 40 g, adult currants require 25 g. The fertilizer is embedded in the soil to a depth of 30 cm. Nitrogen promotes the appearance of new shoots and leaves. Instead of urea, they also use slurry, which is poured under the bushes.
60 g of superphosphate and 20 g of potassium salt are dissolved in a 10-liter bucket of water. The solution is poured over the currants at the root. Treatment is carried out after flowering and when the berries ripen.
In autumn, the soil under Gulliver bushes is dug up and fertilized with humus.Additionally, wood ash is added, which helps replenish the supply of nutrients in the soil.
Trimming
Timely pruning of black currants helps to rejuvenate the bush, eliminate pathogens and pest larvae. The bushes are pruned in early spring before the buds open. Repeated pruning is carried out in the fall after leaf fall.
The Gulliver variety produces the main harvest on annual shoots. Fruiting branches remain for 4 years. Old and weak shoots are cut off with pruning shears.
The shoots located inside the bush do not have enough sunlight. As a result, the yield decreases, and the berries do not gain sugar. On average, 15-20 branches are left per bush.
In summer, broken branches and root shoots that are not planned to be used for propagation are removed. Blackcurrants are pinched at the top. This is how strong branches are obtained on which the harvest ripens.
Protection from diseases and pests
According to reviews, Gulliver currants rarely get sick if agricultural practices are followed. The variety is resistant to powdery mildew, anthracnose, and rust. For prevention, the bushes are treated with a solution of the drug Fundazol or Fitosporin. Currants are sprayed in dry, cloudy weather.
If a disease is detected during the growing season, additional treatment is performed. The use of chemicals is stopped 3 weeks before harvesting.
Black currants attract aphids, butterflies, caterpillars, mites and other pests. Preventive treatments help protect bushes from insects. in spring and autumn currants sprayed with solutions of the drug Karbofos.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Gulliver currant is a large-fruited variety that is resistant to frost and drought. It is propagated by cuttings, layering or by dividing the bush. Plant care includes watering and fertilizing. To rejuvenate the bush, pruning is performed. The Gulliver variety is not susceptible to diseases and pest attacks.
Gulliver berries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. A delicious vitamin tea is prepared from blackcurrant leaves.
How tall does Guliver currant grow?