Content
Black currants have been grown in Russia since the tenth century. The berries are valued for their high vitamin content, taste and versatility of use. The Pamyati Potapenko variety of currants is no exception, which has excellent characteristics that allow it to be grown in different climatic zones.
Currant flowering begins at a temperature of +12 ⁰С
History of selection
The Pamyati Potapenko variety was bred in the mid-nineties of the last century at the Novosibirsk fruit and berry experimental station. It received the name of the famous breeder A. A. Potapenko, who for several decades was engaged in breeding currants for Siberia. The scientist used varieties from the Far East, America and Scandinavia, trying to achieve high self-fertility, resistance to powdery mildew, and excellent transportability of berries from the berry bush.
To obtain Pamyat Potapenko currants, two varieties were crossed:
- Agrolesovskaya.
- Bredtorp.
After many years of testing, in 2001 the currant was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements and recommended for cultivation in Western and Eastern Siberia.
Description of the blackcurrant variety In Memory of Potapenko
The bush is of medium height, the maximum length of the branches is 120 cm. The shape of the crown is semi-spreading, with a diameter of 80 cm. Young shoots are straight, green, in adult plants they bend at the base, their bark acquires gray-brown shades.
The foliage of the Pamyat Potapenko currant is dark green, medium-sized, three-lobed. Arranged alternately on the stem. Leaf blades with denticles, a small notch and a crimson petiole. Their texture is matte, slightly wrinkled.
In racemose inflorescences 6-7 cm long there are from fifteen to twenty greenish flowers. The sepals are bent upward. The berries are large, round, and when fully ripe - black with a bluish bloom. Average weight – 2-3 g, diameter – up to 12 mm. The skin is thick, the taste is pleasant, sweet and sour, refreshing. Tasting score – 4.8 points. Sugar content – 7.2%, acids – 2.2%. The purpose of the Pamyati Potapenko currant variety is universal.
The best time to plant shrubs is early spring
Characteristics
Black currant Pamyati Potapenko inherited the best qualities from the varieties used in breeding. It is distinguished by winter hardiness, productivity, resistance to diseases and pests.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The Pamyati Potapenko variety is winter-hardy, as it was specially bred for the harsh conditions of Siberia. It belongs to the third climate zone and can withstand frosts down to -40 ⁰C.Flower buds, like shoots, are resistant to low temperatures and remain viable after spring frosts.
The variety is tolerant of drought; the lack of watering does not affect the yield, but premature shedding of the berries is possible.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
The Pamyati Potapenko currant variety is mid-season, self-pollinating, the flowers in the racemes are bisexual, so it does not need berry bushes of other varieties to form ovaries.
Flowering begins in May, and three months after pollination the berries ripen. The harvest period coincides with mid-summer. Severing the fruit from the brush is dry. Can be collected either manually or mechanized.
The biggest harvest can be expected in the sixth year
Productivity and fruiting, keeping quality of berries
Currants of the Pamyati Potapenko variety ripen gradually, the berries are harvested from July to August. To preserve their marketable qualities, they are plucked together with the brush and laid out in boxes in a small layer. In this form, the crop can be transported.
The shelf life is short, so immediately after picking the berries are cooled and placed in small containers. At a temperature of +2-4 ⁰С they retain their properties for two weeks. If frozen, you can use it after six months.
The yield of currants of the Pamyati Potapenko variety is 3 kg per bush. When grown on an industrial scale – 5 t/ha.
Berries are used in dry, fresh and processed form. They are used to prepare compotes, jellies, marmalade, sauces, and add to baked goods and fermented milk products.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Memory Potapenko currant has high immunity and rarely suffers from powdery mildew and anthracnose. To a lesser extent, the variety is resistant to hazel grouse and septoria.
Ryabukha
The first signs of a viral disease appear immediately after the buds open. The foliage becomes covered with small yellow oily spots. Their number is growing rapidly and their sizes are increasing. With severe damage, they merge, the tissue of currant foliage becomes thinner and dries. The disease leads to weakening of the bush, delayed development and a decrease in its productivity.
As a preventative measure, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the spread of infection vectors – gall aphids.
Septoria
White spot or septoria may appear on Pamyat Potapenko currants in June. Brown spots are visible on the leaf blades, later turning white in the center. The disease leads to massive death of leaves and their falling off.
As a preventative measure in the fall, litter under diseased plants should be collected and burned, the soil should be dug up and treated with a solution of Bordeaux mixture.
Among insect pests, the bud mite causes the maximum damage to Memory Potapenko currants. The first signs of damage are swollen buds and uneven development of shoots. Later, the plant lags behind in growth, and some of the shoots dry out. Up to several thousand mites can hide in each bud. Acaricides are used to kill pests.
The best predecessors for black currants are legumes
Advantages and disadvantages
Memory Potapenko currant occupies a worthy place among varieties that are well adapted to extreme weather conditions.
Lodging of the lower branches of an adult bush often interferes with its processing and harvesting
Among its advantages:
- frost resistance and drought resistance;
- ease of care;
- high immunity to pests and diseases;
- compactness of the bush;
- ease of processing;
- large fruit;
- regularity of large harvests;
- possibility of transportation;
- excellent berry taste;
- versatility of their use.
There are not many disadvantages to the Pamyati Potapenko variety:
- uneven ripening;
- tendency to shedding.
Features of planting and care
The lifespan of the Pamyat Potapenko currant is about 15 years, so you should carefully choose a place for it. Plant berry bushes in an area well lit by the sun. The soil must be moist, breathable and drained. The best option is fertile loam with a pH value of 6-6.5. If the soil is poor, add organic matter at the time of digging.
When planting currants in Memory of Potapenko, they act according to plan:
- Planting holes are marked with a gap of 1.5 m between them and 1.6 m between the rows.
- Dig holes with a width and depth of 50 cm.
- Lay a drainage layer (10 cm).
- Add humus, fertile soil, 100 g of superphosphate, 50 g of potassium chloride and mix.
- Place the seedling in the center of the hole, straighten its roots and cover it with soil.
- Compact the soil and water.
- Mulch the tree trunk circle with humus.
- Shorten the shoots by a third of the length.
Further care consists of timely watering, fertilizing, pruning and preparation for winter.
Currant roots lie at a depth of 40 cm
Watering, fertilizing
Watering of young seedlings is carried out twice a week. Later, after rooting, it is reduced to one, provided there is no precipitation.Moistening is carried out by sprinkling, drip irrigation or in the grooves near the base of the bush.
Since the plant has enough nutrients added to the planting hole, fertilizing is applied only in the third year. In the spring they fertilize with nitrogen, and in August with potassium sulfate.
Pruning, preparing for winter
To form a proper, healthy currant bush, diseased and damaged shoots are cut out early in the spring. Experts advise leaving no more than seven zero shoots, removing weakly growing and strongly inclined ones. To rejuvenate the bush, at the age of five years, a third of the branches are cut out.
Spring pruning rules:
Despite the frost resistance, it is worth preparing the currants - mulch the soil, and in winter cover the base of the bush with snow.
Conclusion
Currant variety Pamyati Potapenko is an excellent choice for gardeners. The variety is suitable not only for cultivation in Siberia, but also in other regions produces high yields, is resistant to diseases and pests, and winters well.
Reviews with photos about black currant variety Pamyati Potapenko
