Content
Black currant Ruben is a Polish winter-hardy variety suitable for cultivation in most regions of Russia. Produces tasty, juicy berries and aromatic leaves suitable for drying. It is characterized by stable yield and undemanding conditions for growing.
History of selection
The blackcurrant variety Ruben is the result of Polish selection, which has spread to Ukraine and Russia. Obtained on the basis of the Institute of Horticulture and Floriculture. The varieties Ben Lomond and Belorusskaya sweet are used as a basis. Not included in the Russian register of selection achievements.
Synonyms for the name of the black currant variety Ruben:
- currants;
- northern grapes;
- wig;
- Mokhovka.
In terms of its properties, Ruben currants are considered absolutely identical to the following varieties:
- Anniversary Kopanya;
- Beauty of Lviv;
- Black Sofievskaya.
Refers to mid-early specimens, suitable for traditional and industrial cultivation.
Description of the blackcurrant variety Ruben
Black currant Ruben is a medium-growing variety, reaching 150–200 cm in height.The bush is quite spreading, especially at the peak of productivity (the branches hang down under the weight of the berries). The crown is medium dense, rounded in shape. The branches are straight, the surface of young shoots is greenish, often with a shade of pink or gray. After being covered with a woody layer, the shoots become completely gray.
The leaves of blackcurrant Ruben are small and five-lobed. The color is rich dark green, the surface is matte, heavily wrinkled, embossed. The flowers are medium in size, light green in color, with pinkish streaks visible on the petals, collected in racemose inflorescences.
The berries are medium to large in size, typically round in shape. The diameter is 1–1.5 cm, less often up to 1.8 cm. The weight of one berry is 3–6 g. The surface is rich black, shiny. The skin of the Ruben blackcurrant fruit is quite dense, which allows it to withstand drought and transportation well. The pulp is juicy and has a delicate and balanced taste with hints of sweet and sour. The aroma is rich and pleasant.
Ruben blackcurrant can be grown in most Russian regions
Characteristics
Ruben blackcurrant is suitable for growing in different regions - from the middle zone and south to the North-West and the Urals. You can try planting in Siberia, but with obligatory shelter for the winter. The bushes tolerate frost and drought well and are undemanding to care.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The Ruben variety is winter-hardy, withstands frosts down to -34 degrees (zone 4). It also tolerates drought well, but in the event of prolonged heat it is necessary to provide weekly watering.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
Blackcurrant Ruben is a mid-early variety.Flowers appear in the second half of May, the first harvest ripens at the end of June, the main wave of fruiting occurs in July. The variety is self-pollinating. The bushes produce a stable harvest, even if there are no other varieties nearby.
Productivity and fruiting
The crop yield is average. 3–3.5 kg of berries are harvested from one bush. Fruiting of black currant Ruben begins at the age of two years. Each shoot bears berries for 5–7 years, after which it can be pruned. In general, bushes live up to 40–50 years, which is considered a kind of record among other varieties.
The berries do not fall off even after ripening, the detachment is dry, which makes picking easier.
With sufficient watering, the fruits of black currant Ruben do not bake in the sun - the harvest is preserved almost completely
The berries can be consumed fresh, and can also be used in preparations: preserves, jams, fruit drinks. They are frozen or ground with sugar in their own juice.
It is better to harvest them before flowering, when the maximum amount of nutrients accumulates in the tissues. The foliage is washed, dried, and laid out in one layer. Dry outdoors, in the oven, microwave or electric dryer.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Black currant Reuben is resistant to American powdery mildew. There is a risk of rust. Therefore, in the spring it is recommended to treat with any fungicide:
- Bordeaux mixture;
- copper sulfate;
- "Maksim";
- "Fitosporin";
- "Home";
- "Quadris".
If aphids, spider mites, bud mites, sawflies and other pests are detected, Ruben blackcurrant bushes are treated with folk remedies:
- wood ash with laundry soap;
- infusion of tobacco dust, shag, onion peels, herbs and garlic cloves;
- decoction of green yarrow, chamomile flowers.
If homemade solutions do not help, it is advisable to use special insecticides: “Green Soap”, “Aktara”, “Inta-Vir”, “Fufanon”, “Decis”, “Iskra” and others.
If chemicals are used, harvesting can begin no earlier than after 3–5 days (the waiting period can be specified in the instructions).
Advantages and disadvantages
Black currant Ruben is not as common in Russia as domestic varieties. However, some summer residents managed to appreciate the pleasant taste, unpretentiousness and stable yield of the crop.
The Ruben variety is valued for its delicious berries and fragrant leaves.
Pros:
- fruits of medium and large sizes, marketable;
- early maturation;
- leaves are suitable for tea;
- bushes grow up to 40–50 years;
- the yield is stable;
- high winter hardiness;
- can be grown in different regions;
- tolerates drought well;
- immunity to powdery mildew.
Minuses:
- affected by kidney mites, rust;
- the bushes are quite spreading;
- the yield is average.
Features of planting and care
Black currant Ruben prefers light, fertile soils in an open area (light shading is also allowed). You can purchase seedlings in the spring and plant them in April, but it is better to do this in the fall. The optimal planting time is early October.
The soil is pre-prepared in spring or summer:
- the site is dug up;
- if the soil is depleted, add a bucket of humus per 2 m2;
- if the soil is clayey, add 1 kg of sawdust or sand per 2 m2.
A few weeks before planting, it is necessary to dig a hole 60 cm deep (the distance between the bushes is 1.3–1.5 m), lay a 10-centimeter drainage layer of small stones and fill it with fertile soil. The landing algorithm is standard:
- Soak the roots of Ruben blackcurrant seedlings in a growth stimulator - “Kornevin”, “Zircon”, “Heteroauxin”.
- Place the seedling in the hole at an angle of 45 degrees and straighten the roots.
- Dig in with fertile soil so that the root collar goes to a depth of 5–7 cm.
- Lightly compact the soil. Pour in 10–15 liters of settled water.
- Mulch with peat, dry leaves, sawdust, hay for the winter.
Seedlings are placed at intervals of 1.3–1.5 m
Caring for Ruben blackcurrant includes several simple steps:
- Watering 2 times a month, 3 buckets per bush (in drought - weekly).
- Fertilizing - in spring urea (20 g per bush), in mid-June complex fertilizer (30–40 g) or organic matter (infusion of mullein, manure, mowed grass). A similar composition is fed after harvesting.
- Pruning: after planting, immediately remove all branches up to the third bud. Every spring they do a sanitary haircut. Remove frost-damaged and weakened shoots. In the first 3–4 years, a total haircut is carried out in the fall, leaving 3–4 healthy buds.
- Weeding, loosening - as necessary.
- Protection against rodents - wrap the currant trunk with netting.
- Shelter in regions with frosty winters: the roots are mulched and the top is insulated with burlap. The ends are fixed on the ground or on the skeletal branches of the bush.
Thanks to this, the plant will direct nutrients to the berries, and not to the green mass.
Conclusion
Blackcurrant Ruben is an interesting variety that can add to the collection of experienced gardeners and novice hobbyists. This is a winter-hardy crop that tolerates drought and other unfavorable conditions. The harvest is easy to harvest either manually or mechanized. The berries have an attractive presentation and interesting taste.
Reviews with photos about Ruben blackcurrant
