Content
A redcurrant bush should be on every personal plot. It is called the berry of health and is valued for its decorative appearance. It can be difficult for a novice gardener to decide on a variety, since there are so many of them. Pay attention to the unusual Viksne currant, which can be either red or white. Let's look at her photo, read the description and reviews of gardeners.
Origin of the variety
Viksne currants were obtained in Latvia at the Ogre fruit and vegetable station, which is engaged in the development of new varieties experimentally. The authors of the variety are breeders T. Zvyagina and A. Viksne. They got it from currant seeds Varshevich, which is characterized by the original color of the berries.
In 1997, the Viksne variety was included in the Russian state register. There is an opportunity to grow a plant in the Northwestern part of the country and in the Black Earth Region.
Description of the hybrid
There are two types of Viksne currants: red (also called cherry and pomegranate) and white. The subspecies are similar in almost all respects. They differ in the color and taste of the berries.
Bushes
Bush Viksne currant has spreading branches and can reach a height of 1 to 1.5 meters. The shoots are thick and straight, colored gray-brown. The buds are oblong and small, slightly deviated from the shoot.
Sheet The berry bush has five lobes, a wavy edge and a dark green color. Its surface is smooth and matte. The plate is straight, slightly pubescent below. The teeth are medium-sized, blunt, crenate-shaped.
Flowers medium in size, shaped like a deep saucer. They are located on large racemes that grow up to 11-16 cm in length. Sepals are pale, with lilac stripes.
Berries
The average weight of berries varies within from 0.7 to 0.9 grams. They are round, slightly elongated, with bright veins. Currants have a pleasant aroma and refreshing sweet and sour taste. Gardeners rate it 4.5 points. The pulp contains a small amount of seeds. The skin is thin but durable.
Viksne cherry currants have dark red berries, which is why this species is sometimes called pomegranate. The white-fruited shrub produces fruits of white-yellow color. For other characteristics, the subspecies have a similar description. Viksne currant differs from other varieties in its high content of pectin (2.4%) and vitamin C (up to 37 mg per 100 grams).
Ripe berries do not fall off and do not spoil. They can hang on the stalk for a long time without losing their external and taste qualities. Red and white currants are collected together with clusters, since tearing off the berries can damage the skin.
Varietal features
Currant Viksne – mid-early and high-yielding variety, which is not afraid of frost, traditional diseases and pests.
Productivity and ripening time
This variety of berry bush gives a good and regular harvest. Red and white Viksne currants begin to bear fruit in the second or third year after planting. If you plant a seedling in early autumn, you can get the first small harvest (2-3 kg) in summer. The plant blooms in May, and the fruits ripen in mid-July.
The maximum amount of currants is harvested in the 5th-6th year of fruiting. Under favorable conditions from one bush You can remove up to 10 kg of juicy berries. The average yield of Viksne is 5-7 kg. One hectare of plantings can produce 17 tons of currants. This is quite a high figure.
Advantages
The currant variety Viksne has a number of positive aspects:
- resistant to low temperatures, the plant can withstand severe frosts even without shelter;
- tolerates drought and sudden changes in air temperature;
- gives a stable and high yield;
- resistant to anthracnose;
- the berries have excellent commercial and taste qualities;
- ripe fruits not prone to shedding, they can hang on a bush for a long time.
Many gardeners prefer this variety of currant, which is why it is gaining popularity.
Flaws
Like any variety, Viksne has some disadvantages:
- plant May be affected by red gall aphids (reddening of leaves);
- due to early ripening, the fruit buds of the bush may freeze, which will lead to a decrease in yield;
- with prolonged drought and lack of watering, the currants will be small and sour;
- fresh berries cannot be stored for long periods of time.
Viksne deserves attention, as her advantages outweigh her disadvantages.
Application
Viksne currant variety is distinguished by its versatility. It can be eaten fresh, frozen and processed. Due to the high pectin content in the berries, they make excellent jam, jelly, jelly and preserves. Summer residents prepare delicious homemade wine from white currants.
The properties of white and red berries at elevated temperatures are widely used. Currant juice not only quenches thirst, but also works as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent. Red currant of this variety contains substances that normalize and regulate blood clotting. Vixne is used to prevent heart attacks.
Features of landing
If you adhere to the basic rules of agricultural technology when planting currants and provide the bush with regular care, you can grow a healthy and strong plant that will bring a stable harvest.
Landing dates
The optimal time for planting Viksne currants is in early autumn, in the last ten days of September or early October.. The time reserve before the onset of stable frosts should be from 2 to 3 weeks, so that the seedling has time to take root and grow stronger. The air temperature when planting currants should not fall below +6 degrees. In the spring, the young bush will give its first shoots, and in July you can already get a small harvest.
Vixna can be planted in early spring, but this must be done before the buds swell. The currant will grow and develop all year long. The first berries can be collected only in the second year after planting.
Requirements for a seedling
It is recommended to buy Viksne seedlings only from trusted sellers. It should have a well-developed root system, and the branches should be strong and woody. The bark may have cracks and may peel off in places, which is quite normal.
There should be no young shoots or leaves on the bush. The best option is a two-year-old seedling with a lush and strong root system.
Site selection and preparation
In order for the Viksne seedling to take root well, develop quickly and produce a rich harvest in the future, you need to correctly select and prepare the site for planting it:
- The place should be open and sunny, but at the same time protected from the cold wind. Currants can grow in partial shade, but they does not tolerate completely shaded areas. The ideal place is near the fence.
- For the Vixna shrub, slightly moist soil is needed; wetlands and stagnant water should be avoided. Groundwater should not be closer than 80 cm from the surface.
- The plant feels comfortable in light, slightly acidic, sandy or loamy soils. Heavy and clayey soil weakens the roots.
- The landing site should be flat and slightly elevated.
Several months before planting Viksne currants, the area should be cleared of roots and weeds. The soil needs to be dug to a depth of two shovels so that it better absorbs water and allows air to pass through. If the seedling will be planted in the spring, preparatory work must be carried out in the fall.
Planting process
Before planting, the seedling should be carefully inspected and damaged and dry parts should be cut off. Step-by-step instructions for planting red currants of the Viksne variety:
- Dig grooves or holes 40-45 cm deep and wide. The distance between bushes should be at least 1.5 meters. If you plant plants closer, they will interfere with each other.
- Fill each hole 2/3 full with a prepared mixture of 1 part humus, 2 parts peat or compost, 250 g of superphosphate and 60 g of potash fertilizers. You can also add a little wood ash to it.
- Water the planting hole with 5 liters of water.
- Straighten the root system of the seedling and, tilting it to the side 45 degrees, lower it into the recess.
- Cover the bush with soil, deepening its root collar by 6 cm. This will allow it to form more new roots.
- Lightly trample the soil around the currants and water generously with settled water.
- Shorten the shoots, leaving no more than 4-5 buds on each (15-20 cm from the ground).
It is recommended to mulch the soil around the bush; this will prevent rapid evaporation of moisture.
Features of care
Despite the fact that the Viksne variety is unpretentious, you need provide him with minimal care. On average, the plant needs watering every three to four days, especially during fruiting and flowering. Water should be poured onto the currant circle at the rate of 2-3 buckets per bush.
Need it on time take away weeds, as they contribute to the spread of aphids and clog the soil. It is recommended to loosen the soil around this variety of currants. But this must be done carefully, since Viksne’s root system is located shallow.
The plant is fed twice. Before the berries begin to ripen (in spring or early June) apply nitrogen fertilizers – urea or ammonium nitrate.Immediately after flowering, the currants are fed with bird poop or mullein. In the fall, during digging, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are added to the soil.
Mature bushes of this variety do not require constant pruning. But every spring it is recommended to remove damaged and dried branches.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Viksne currants are not only easy to handle, but also beautiful and not picky. During the fruiting period, red and white berries against a background of green foliage will decorate any garden. Therefore, gardeners plant it in the most visible place in their garden plot.
