Content
Black currant Heiress is a variety of Soviet selection that appeared in the late 70s of the 20th century. It is characterized by winter hardiness and stable yield. The berries are sweet and sour, with a good taste. It is permissible to grow the variety in Western Siberia, the middle zone, the Volga region and other regions.
History of selection
Black currant Heiress was bred in the 70s of the last century on the basis of the All-Russian Selection and Technological Institute of Horticulture and Nursery Growing. The variety was obtained by V. M. Litvinova based on the Golubka and Moskovskaya varieties.
The tests, which began in 1978, were successful. Since 1994, the Heiress currant has been included in the register of breeding achievements in the Russian Federation. The variety has received approval for cultivation in the climatic conditions of Western Siberia and the Volga-Vyatka region.
Description of the blackcurrant variety Heiress
The bush is medium tall (120–150 cm). It has a compact, unthickened crown. The shoots are of medium diameter, straight, and may bend slightly during fruiting.Young branches have a bright color, after lignification they turn brown and shine in the sun. The leaves of the black currant Heiress are moderately large, of typical green color, with a slightly wrinkled surface. The leaf blades are slightly convex. They have noticeable slight pubescence. They shine moderately in the sun.
The clusters are medium in size and contain up to 10 fruits. Main characteristics of currant berries Heiress:
- medium size: from 1.2 to 1.5 g;
- the skin is thin, but at the same time durable;
- round shape;
- black color;
- matte surface;
- there is a small cup;
- the taste is sweet and sour, pleasant: according to the tasting score from 3.9 to 4.3 points;
- vitamin C content: 150–200 mg per 100 g;
- purpose: universal.
Black currant bush Heiress is medium-sized, compact crown
Characteristics
Since the variety was bred for the climatic conditions of Siberia, it tolerates unfavorable weather and frosty winters. The crop can be grown in almost all Russian regions.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
Black currant Heiress can withstand Siberian frosts, but it is advisable to cover young seedlings for the winter. In hot weather, additional watering should be provided at least once a week (2 buckets per bush).
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
The Heiress variety is self-fertile. The crop does not require planting other types of currants or pollinators; the fruits set independently. Ripening period is early. Flowering begins in the second half of June, berries can be collected during July. Fruiting is friendly.
Productivity and fruiting, keeping quality of berries
The yield of black currant Heiress, depending on age, climatic conditions and care characteristics, ranges from 2.1 to 3.5 kg.Fruiting is early (mid-July), the harvest must be harvested quickly, since the berries fall off when overripe. Due to the thin but dense peel, shelf life and transportability are good. The purpose of the fruit is universal. The berries are used fresh and in various preparations: jam, marmalade, fruit juice, compote. The fruits are ground with sugar.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Black currant Heiress has average resistance to common diseases: anthracnose, powdery mildew, terry.
There is no immunity against bud mite in black currant Heiress. Preventive treatment with fungicides is carried out in the spring. For this they use: Bordeaux mixture, “Fundazol”, “Ordan”, “Hom”, “Maxim”, “Skor”, “Fitosporin”.
Folk remedies are used against insects:
- decoction of potato tops, marigold flowers;
- infusion of wood ash with laundry soap, chopped garlic cloves;
- baking soda solution.
If the pest infestation is too severe, it is necessary to carry out 1-2 treatments with the following drugs: “Vertimek”, “Fufanon”, “Match”, “Inta-Vir”, “Green Soap”.
Advantages and disadvantages
Black currant of the Heiress variety is valued for its stable yield, unpretentiousness and pleasant taste. The berries are medium-sized and tolerate transportation well.
Heiress currant fruits are distinguished by their balanced taste and attractive appearance.
Pros:
- high winter hardiness;
- early ripening;
- can be grown in most regions;
- stable yield;
- good keeping quality and transportability;
- resistance to certain diseases;
- undemanding to growing conditions.
Minuses:
- there is no immunity to the kidney mite;
- tendency to shedding.
Features of planting and care
When purchasing blackcurrant seedlings, the Heiress must be inspected: the roots and leaves must be healthy, without spots. Planting is scheduled for the beginning of October (in Siberia a week earlier), or, in extreme cases, in April. The place should be free from stagnant moisture, protected from the wind. The soil is loose and fertile.
If the soil is depleted, then in the summer it is dug up, covered with compost or humus (5 kg per 1 m2) or complex mineral fertilizer (2 tablespoons per 1 m2). Sawdust or sand is added to clay soil - 500 g for the same area.
A month before planting, several holes are dug with a depth and diameter of 50–60 cm at intervals of 1.5 m. A layer of small stones is laid out at the bottom, and fertile soil is sprinkled on top. On the day of planting, the Heiress blackcurrant seedlings are placed in a solution of a growth stimulator. For these purposes, use aloe juice with water in a 1:1 ratio, “Kornevin”, “Heteroauxin”, “Zircon”. Then they are planted at an angle of 45 degrees, deepening the root collar by 7–8 cm. Water well and mulch with peat and sawdust.
Caring for blackcurrant Heiress is quite simple:
- Young seedlings are watered 2 times a week, adult bushes - 2-3 times a month (2 buckets of settled water). In hot weather, moisten weekly; the crown is periodically irrigated in the evening.
- Feeding 2–3 times per season: urea (20 g per bush) in April, complex fertilizer (30–40 g) during the formation of berries and after harvesting.
- After rains and waterings, the soil is loosened.
- To prevent weeds from growing, lay mulch and weed periodically.
- To protect the bushes from mice, moles and other rodents, a chain-link mesh is fixed around the trunk.
- For the winter, mulch and cover with spruce branches or burlap.
- Pruning the Heiress blackcurrant is not very difficult, since the crown does not thicken. In the spring, you need to have time to remove all damaged shoots before the buds begin to swell (the first ten days of April). It is better to postpone a shaping haircut until the fall.
Conclusion
Black currant Heiress is a rather interesting, although not very common variety. It does not require special conditions, tolerates winter well, and rarely suffers from disease. All gardeners, including beginners, can cope with growing this crop.
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