Content
Currants are a popular plant that can be found in almost every summer cottage. The berries of this shrub are valued due to the presence in their composition of a whole complex of useful vitamins and microelements, for their pleasant taste and unpretentiousness in breeding and growing. Black currant Litvinovskaya is a relatively recently developed variety by Russian breeders, which has proven itself very successfully among gardeners.
Description of black currant Litvinovskaya
The blackcurrant variety Litvinovskaya was invented in 2008 by crossing the Selechenskaya variety and the CH 6-28-105 form, at the same time an entry was made about this shrub in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation in 2008.
The blackcurrant variety Litvinovskaya is an early flowering variety. The shrub begins to bloom around mid-May. After a month and a half (late June - early July), the bush harvest is finally ripe and ready for harvest.
Description of black currant variety Litvinovskaya:
Part described | Characteristic |
Bush | It is quite tall and averages 1.5 - 2 m in length. Due to the fact that the branches of the bush are located straight, it is not very spreading. |
Plant root system | It is highly branched and can extend inward for approximately 0.4 m. |
Flowers | Color: lilac or pale purple. Placement on the hand - in groups of 7 - 11 pieces. |
Kidneys | They have an oval and slightly pointed shape and are located from the shoot. |
Leaves | The size of the leaves is medium, the color is bright green (at the base of the leaf the color is even more saturated). The structure of each leaf has a clearly defined vein system. All leaves are three-lobed and medium pointed. |
Berries | The shape is round, slightly flattened. The color of the berries is deep black, the peel is thick and has a glossy sheen. The berries have a very rich aroma, sweet taste and large size (the weight of one fruit can reach 4.5 g). |
Preferred places for breeding and growing | Central, Chernozemny regions. In addition, due to its fairly high resistance to cold, breeding is permissible in regions such as the Urals, Siberia, and the North-West. |
The description of black currant variety Litvinovskaya is clearly demonstrated by the photo:
Characteristics
The Litvinovskaya blackcurrant variety has a number of distinctive features, thanks to which it can be distinguished from the general mass of varieties of this plant. The main task of scientists in its creation was to develop a variety of black currant that would be distinguished from others by its high resistance to various weather and climatic conditions of the place where it grows, and would also produce sweet fruits. The described bush has become exactly like this.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The black currant variety Litvinovskaya is very frost-resistant. It tolerates cold winters, early frosts, and sudden spring frosts well. Such characteristics make it possible to grow the plant even in areas such as Siberia and the North-West.
Frost resistance of the shrub:
- the root system of the bush is not threatened by temperatures up to 17 degrees below zero;
- still closed flowers can withstand temperatures down to minus 5 degrees;
- open buds will be preserved at temperatures up to 4 degrees below zero;
- the resulting ovary will not die provided that the ambient temperature does not fall below minus 3 degrees.
The situation is completely different with the drought resistance of the black currant variety Litvinovskaya. It is very susceptible to heat and high ambient temperatures and does not tolerate drought. This fact obliges all gardeners to pay much more attention to the plant during periods of extreme heat and a long absence of rain.
Productivity of the variety
Black currant variety Litvinovskaya is a variety with a fairly fast ripening period. The bush begins to bloom in mid-May, and the harvest can be harvested at the end of the first summer month.
On average, about 2.3 kg of berries are obtained from one blackcurrant bush of the Litvinovskaya variety, which indicates fairly high yielding abilities.
Black currant of the Litvinovskaya variety is not prone to shedding, provided that all necessary conditions for planting and caring for the plant are met. If such a phenomenon does occur, then the cause of shedding is most likely:
- a large number of old branches on the bush (which indicates insufficient care of the bush);
- lack of moisture (especially during hot and dry periods, when the plant requires additional watering);
- incorrectly chosen landing site;
- pests (larvae and insects that cause irreparable harm to the plant);
- untimely collection of ripe berries and overloading of branches.
Due to the fact that the skin of black currant berries of the Litvinovskaya variety is very thick and durable, these berries tolerate transportation well. If we are talking about transporting crops over a very long distance, then it is imperative to use transport equipped with special equipment for transporting goods of this nature.
Chopping berries is not typical for this shrub. If this is the case, then the reason may lie in one of the following factors:
- improper care of the plant (incorrect or insufficient thinning, untimely pruning of old branches);
- incorrectly chosen landing site.
Application area
The purpose of black currant berries of the Litvinovskaya variety is universal. Due to their rich, sweet taste, they can be eaten fresh. They are also suitable for preparing various types of preserves, preparations and technical processing based on them.The industrial use of berries of this variety is facilitated by the fact that its fruits can be stored for quite a long time if all the necessary conditions are met, and also withstand transportation very successfully.
Pros and cons of the variety
Black currant of the Litvinovskaya variety has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages, like absolutely any other fruit-bearing plant species. This shrub has many more advantages and disadvantages than disadvantages.
Advantages | Flaws |
Large berries with a rich aroma and sweet taste. | Poor tolerance to too hot weather conditions and drought. |
The berries are easy to pick because they practically do not crush and are easily separated from the branches. | Instability to kidney mite. |
High resistance to low temperatures. |
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Good transport tolerance. |
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Practically not susceptible to fungal diseases. |
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The shrub does not need additional pollinators. |
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Reproduction methods
Propagation of black currant variety Litvinovskaya has several options.
Reproduction option | Characteristic |
Propagation using seeds | This method, as a rule, is used only by scientists to develop new varieties. |
Propagation by cuttings (with a woody trunk) | The most common and effective way |
Propagation with green cuttings | A more expensive method in terms of effort involved. It involves the initial planting of the cuttings in a greenhouse. |
Propagation by top cuttings | Complex method. It requires special equipment (to maintain a certain ambient temperature in the room where the plant grows, as well as the required air humidity). |
Breeding by layering | A method that guarantees the survival of a new plant with 100% probability. It will take 1 year to implement it |
Propagation by dividing bushes | The fastest and easiest way. |
Planting and care
In order for a blackcurrant seedling of the Litvinovskaya variety to take root on the site, you should start with its correct choice. It is recommended to purchase seedlings of this fruiting shrub exclusively from trusted nurseries and gardening stores. The plant must be completely healthy, there should be no rotten spots or spots on its roots and branches.
The next step should be choosing the right seat. It should be borne in mind that it must be selected in a bright area. It is preferable to plant the bush near the fence so that it is closed from the wind on at least one side. Blackcurrant grows well under the canopy of tall trees, which provide some protection from direct sunlight. The soil where currants are planted should be somewhat moist.
The timing of planting black currant varieties Litvinovskaya varies depending on the region of growth:
- in southern regions with a relatively warm climate, planting can be done both in spring and autumn;
- in the northern regions, the recommended planting time is only spring. Bushes planted in the spring that have not yet had time to take root in a new place may simply not survive the harsh climatic conditions of winter.
The algorithm of actions when planting blackcurrant seedlings of the Litvinovskaya variety should be approximately as follows:
- dig a hole (width - 0.6 m; depth - 0.5 m). When planting several seedlings at the same time, the holes should be located at a distance of at least 2 m from each other;
- at the bottom of the hole you need to lay a layer of fertilizers (humus + potassium + superphosphate) and cover it with a layer of soil (approximately 10 cm);
- pour these components with warm, settled water (about 5 l);
- Next, you need to plant the seedling, straighten its root system and fill it all with soil;
- The soil should be thoroughly crushed and another 5 liters of water should be added;
- After planting, it is important to prune the bush.
Aftercare
Subsequent care for black currants of the Litvinovskaya variety involves following standard procedures:
- Watering. The shrub needs the most watering at the time of flowering and fruit ripening. In addition, it must be remembered that this plant is not very resistant to extreme heat and therefore during the dry period it needs additional moisture. Watering one shrub at a time requires an average of 10 liters of water, and the soil must be moistened to a depth of at least 20 cm;
- Loosening the soil. This procedure must be carried out throughout the summer season, at least once a month;
- Feeding. For the first 2 years, the shrub does not need additional feeding. Starting from the 3rd year, the procedure must be repeated 4 times per season: in early spring, when the snow melts (nitrogen fertilizers); during the formation of berries (potassium + phosphorus); during the ripening period of berries (potassium + phosphorus); autumn (manure or compost);
- Pruning (involves thinning and removing dry branches). Performed in early spring and autumn;
- For the winter, it is recommended to insulate the trunk with horse manure and bend the branches to the ground, securing their ends with bricks;
- If there is a threat that the shrub may be damaged by rodents, care should be taken to protect the plant from them by using one of the mechanical or chemical means of protection.
Pests and diseases
The most common pest that most often affects black currants of the Litvinovskaya variety is the bud mite. Its parasitic activity leads to the fact that the plant buds take on an unusual shape, the leaves dry out, moisture leaves the bush, and the yield decreases. In order to detect the pest, it is necessary to carefully examine the plant, remove all affected buds, and if there are a large number of them, completely cut out the entire branch. As a preventative measure in early spring, it is recommended to pour boiling water over the bush or spray it with water with the addition of garlic juice. Special chemicals are highly effective, but they cannot be used during the fruiting period.
Conclusion
Black currant Litvinovskaya is a real discovery for gardeners. The berries of this shrub have a pleasant sweet taste and are characterized by early ripening. The plant is very unpretentious in care and, subject to all the necessary conditions for planting and subsequent processing, will delight its owner with a bountiful harvest for a long time.
