Content
Radiant red currant (Ribes Rubrum Luchezarnaya) is considered one of the best domestic varieties. The variety shows high yield, excellent resistance to frost, and has good resistance to fungal diseases. The fruits of red currant are rich in vitamins and nutrients and are universal in use.
Red currant “Luchezarnaya” can be grown in the northern regions of Russia
History of selection
Red currant seedling “Luchezarnaya” was bred at the South Ural Research Institute. It was obtained by open pollination of the Faya plodorodnaya variety. It has been under state variety testing since 1990.
Description of the red currant variety Radiant
Red currants of this variety are recommended to be planted in the Ural, West and East Siberian regions; they can also be cultivated in the middle zone and other districts of Russia.The plant has a beautiful shape and does not lose its decorative effect throughout the season. According to gardeners, the crop is unpretentious to grow and caring for it does not take much time. The bushes are slightly spreading, compact. The shoots are medium in size, slightly curved. The clusters are long, strewn with large, red, round-shaped fruits weighing up to one and a half grams. One tassel can grow up to 15 berries with juicy pulp, which have a dessert taste, sweet with a slight sourness. Purpose – universal, can be used both fresh and for processing. Most often, delicious compotes, fruit drinks and jam are prepared from it, and added to pies fillings. The variety is characterized by dry detachment of fruits, high content of vitamins C, K, B9 – 36, 11, 8 mg. The berry is not prone to shedding; when ripe, it can hang on the hands for up to three weeks. It is not necessary to harvest immediately after reddening. The bushes of this variety are covered with small and medium-sized green leaves with a matte, wrinkled plate. The teeth are blunt and short.
The variety shows the best yield results in sunny areas
Characteristics
The variety has excellent characteristics and taste. Red currant bushes “Luchezarnaya” are resistant to drought and severe frosts, are rarely subject to fungal diseases and insect attacks, and have a high yield. The shrub is perennial, self-pollinating. The timing of berry ripening is affected by climatic and weather conditions.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
Currant “Luchezarnaya”, like other varieties of the crop, belongs to the mesophytes. Due to the high saturation of the top layer of soil with active roots, it tolerates drought well. In addition, it has increased resistance to winter and adverse weather conditions. Flowers do not pay “attention” to late spring frosts; returning cold does not negatively affect the harvest. Frost resistance zone 4.
With proper pruning, the “Luchezarnaya” variety is resistant to return frosts better than others.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
“Luchezarnaya” is a self-pollinating variety of red currant, bisexual. The bushes bloom closer to June, but this factor is greatly influenced by weather conditions and the region in which the crop is grown. The first berries usually begin to ripen in July, towards the end of its second half. In Siberia, the harvest is carried out at the end of July - August, depending on the average monthly temperature and the number of sunny days. Therefore, the ripeness of currants is judged visually. It is better not to harvest the berries immediately, but a week after they are fully ripe.
Productivity and fruiting
Red currant “Luchezarnaya” is a variety with a medium-late ripening period. The crop is self-fertile, brings a very good harvest - up to 9 kg per bush and up to 2 kg per square meter. Berries with dry detachment, round shape, large, weighing from 0.6 to 1.4 g. The highest rates are for shoots of six and seven years of age.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Red currant “Radiant” has strong immunity to many common diseases among the crop. Resists powdery mildew and is rarely affected by anthracnose.Not afraid of pests such as moth and sawfly.
Cases of bushes of the “Luchezarnaya” variety being damaged by terry and rust have been recorded; very rarely, white spotting may appear.
Insects that threaten berry plantings include:
- aphid;
- spider mite;
- weevil;
- glass
Advantages and disadvantages
The “Luchezarnaya” variety is one of the ten best varieties of red currants. It has a number of advantages.
The “Radiant” currant bears fruit best in the sixth to eighth year of life.
Advantages:
- bountiful harvest;
- large fruits;
- high resistance to frost;
- excellent taste;
- immunity to fungal diseases.
Flaws:
- average resistance to anthracnose.
Features of planting and care
It is better to propagate “Radiant” currants by cuttings, which should be planted in a planting hole at an angle of 60 degrees. Before planting, it is advisable to soak the seedlings in water for a couple of hours. Since red currant is a light-loving plant, you should choose a sunny, ventilated place for it. The soil should have a slightly acidic or neutral reaction. Ideally, it will be loam, forest soil with a high humus content, or black soil. After planting, the “Luchezarnaya” currant seedlings are watered and mulched, and the soil around is well compacted. The above-ground part of the sprout is shortened by four buds.
Throughout the life of the bush, you should perform basic care for it, and do the following on time:
- watering;
- loosening;
- pruning;
- apply fertilizing.
Water the currants as the soil dries, weeding and loosening are carried out after moistening.For proper formation of the plant, old, damaged and unnecessary branches should be trimmed, leaving strong and promising ones. By the fifth year, the “Radiant” red currant bush should have no more than 20 skeletal branches. The crop is fed three times per season:
- In spring - urea (20 g per bush).
- At the time of flowering - bird droppings (1:15) or mullein (1:8).
- After harvesting - potassium and phosphorus.
Foliar fertilizing with microelements has a great effect. Spraying with zinc sulfate, potassium permanganate, and ammonium molybdic acid (2 g per 8 liters of water) will help increase the yield and size of berries.
If you do not prune the bush, the risk of it freezing will increase.
Conclusion
Red currant “Luchezarnaya” is an excellent variety that produces a high yield, has tasty and large berries that are universal in use. Compotes, jams and tinctures are prepared from the fruits; they are consumed both fresh and after freezing. Following agrotechnical recommendations, with timely and proper care, the variety will bring a good harvest and will allow you to obtain vitamins from the fruits throughout the year.
Reviews with photos about red currant variety Luchezarnaya
