Content
Shalunya currant is an ultra-early ripening variety that is one of the first to produce a harvest. The plant was bred at VNIIS named after. Michurina. The parent varieties were Dikovinka and Detskoselskaya. In 2006, Shalunya currant was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation.
Description of the currant variety Shalunya
According to the description of the variety, black currant Shalunya is a low-growing, slightly spreading bush. Its shoots are straight, thin, shiny, gray-brown in color. The buds are medium in size, reddish, elongated. They are located on the branches one by one.
The Shalunya variety has five-lobed leaves of medium or small size. Moreover, they are convex, wrinkled, located on the shoots at an angle. Their blades are sharp at the edges, the middle part is longer. The petiole is of medium size, anthocyanin colored, slightly pubescent at the base.
The flowers are goblet-shaped and medium in size. The sepals are pale in color, with purple stripes along the edges. The brushes are short, straight, 4 to 6 cm long.
The blackcurrant variety Shalunya is recommended for the Central Black Earth region.When grown in other areas, the bush may freeze in winter.
Description of black currant berries Shalunya:
- round shape;
- black skin with a slight waxy coating;
- large sizes;
- weight from 1.5 to 2 g.
The berries of the Shalunya variety have a good sweet taste. Their tasting score is 4.8 - 5 points. The composition of black currant includes dry and P-active substances, ascorbic acid, and pectin. Fruits gain up to 11.5% sugars.
Characteristics
Before purchasing Shalunya blackcurrant, its characteristics are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to resistance to drought and cold, yield, and quality of berries.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Blackcurrant Shalunya has average resistance to drought. To obtain a harvest, the bush is regularly watered. Its frost resistance is high. Plants do not freeze when the temperature drops to -30 °C.
Productivity of the variety
Currant variety Shalunya produces a harvest in the very early period. The first berries ripen in early June. Up to 3.5 - 4 kg is removed from one bush. The fruits do not bake in the sun and do not fall off. Over time, the size of the berries does not decrease.
The Shalunya variety is self-fertile. Ovaries are formed without cross-pollination. All berries are aligned and the same size. Their value does not change during the growing season.
Application area
Blackcurrant Minx for universal use. The berries are used fresh for vitamin cocktails, healthy breakfasts, and pie fillings. The variety is also suitable for processing into preserves, jams, and compotes.
Berries of the Shalunya variety tolerate storage and transportation well.At the same time, they retain their taste and do not release a lot of juice.
Pros and cons of the variety
Benefits of Blackcurrant Shalunya:
- precociousness of young bushes;
- high productivity;
- self-fertility;
- sweet dessert taste;
- immunity to diseases.
Disadvantages of Shalunya currants:
- need for care;
- Average resistance to spider mites.
Reproduction methods
To propagate black currant varieties Shalunya, vegetative methods are used:
- Cuttings. In the spring, lignified shoots 5-8 mm thick are selected from the bushes. They are shortened to a length of 20 cm, an oblique cut is made on top, and a straight cut on the bottom. The cuttings are stuck into light, fertile soil so that two buds remain above the surface. They are watered and fed with mineral complexes throughout the season. In the fall, currants are dug up and transplanted to a new place;
- By layering. A strong and healthy branch is taken from the Shalunya currant, which is lowered to the ground and secured with staples. Soil is poured on top so that the top of the shoot remains above the surface. The cuttings are regularly watered and mineral fertilizers are added to the soil. In autumn they are separated and planted from the mother bush;
- Rhizome division. This method is used when transplanting black currant Shalunya or for the purpose of rejuvenating the bush. The rhizome is dug up and divided into parts with a knife. The resulting seedling should have several shoots and strong roots. The sections are sprinkled with wood ash. The seedlings are transferred to the prepared place.
Planting and care
In warm climates, black currants are planted in the fall, in October or November, and wait until the end of leaf fall, when the plants go into dormancy. If there are less than 3 weeks left before the onset of cold weather, then the work is started in the spring.The seedling is buried in the ground, and sawdust or humus is poured on top.
Blackcurrant grows in different soils. The best results are obtained by growing the bush in slightly acidic fertile soil. If the soil is sandy and light, then organic fertilizers must be used. Acidic soil is limed. The optimal pH level is 6.5.
For the Shalunya variety, choose a sunny area, protected from the cold wind. The plant tolerates partial darkening. The best places for planting are located on the western or southern side.
Preparing the site for black currants begins in the fall. The soil is dug up and cleared of weeds and plant debris. For 1 sq. m add 5 kg of compost or rotted manure, 100 g of superphosphate and 1 liter of wood ash.
Two-year-old plants with three strong shoots are suitable for planting. The currants should be free of mold, rotten areas, cracks and other defects. 2 - 3 hours before planting, keep the roots of the Shalunya seedling in a bucket of water.
The procedure for planting black currant variety Shalunya:
- Dig a hole 60 cm deep and 50 cm in diameter.
- To fill the pit, prepare a substrate: fertile soil, compost, 50 g of superphosphate, a handful of wood ash.
- The hole is filled 2/3 full with the resulting mixture, then a bucket of water is poured into it.
- After 2 - 3 weeks, when the soil shrinks, fertile soil is poured into the pit.
- A currant seedling is placed on top, the roots are straightened and covered with soil.
- The soil is compacted and watered abundantly.
- The shoots are cut off, leaving 2-3 buds on each of them.
Aftercare
By pruning black currants, a healthy bush is formed. In early spring, during the dormant period, dry, old, broken branches are removed.5 - 6 strong shoots are left per bush. Pruning stimulates the appearance of new strong branches that will bear fruit next year.
Black currant prefers moderately moist soils. During drought, the Shalunya variety is watered every 10 days. The bush requires 20 liters of warm, settled water. Watering is especially important during flowering and crop formation.
Every year, black currants are fed with mineral complexes. In the spring, before the buds open, ammonium sulfate is used. For 1 sq. m requires 30 g of fertilizer. Then the soil under the bush is mulched with compost or manure. When flowering, currants are watered with a solution containing superphosphate and potassium salt. Add 40 g of each substance to 10 liters of water.
Preparing for winter will help black currant Shalunya survive frosts. In late autumn, before the onset of cold weather, the bush is watered abundantly and covered with earth. Then a layer of humus or peat 10-15 cm thick is poured. To protect against rodents, a metal mesh is used to wrap the shoots.
Pests and diseases
Shalunya currant variety is resistant to fungal diseases. Lesions may appear during cold and rainy summers. The first signs of disease are the appearance of brown or red spots on leaves and shoots. In this case, the bush is sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, copper oxychloride, and solutions of Oxyx or Topaz.
The Shalunya variety may be attacked by spider mites. This is a small pest that is difficult to detect with the naked eye. It is identified by the web that envelops the leaves and berries. The tick feeds on the sap of leaves.As a result, black currants develop poorly and do not produce a harvest. To combat the pest, the bushes are sprayed with Karate, Antiklesch, Fitoverm.
Conclusion
Shalunya currant is an excellent variety for the Black Earth Region. It is distinguished by early fruiting, high yield and quality of berries. Caring for the Shalunya variety includes watering, fertilizing, and pruning the bush. The plant is resistant to drought, diseases and pests.
