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Currants are an unpretentious berry crop that can be found in every household plot. For its tasty and very healthy fruits, as well as ease of care, it has earned the great love of gardeners. Dutch pink currant is very productive, surprising with the size and abundance of fruits, as well as the impressiveness of a slender, neat bush. This variety of European selection has gained wide popularity in Russia over the past few years.
Description of Dutch currant
Pink currant of Dutch selection is an ancient berry crop of Western European origin. The history of its appearance remains unknown: it is only clear that it was brought from Holland.
Dutch red currant is a late-ripening crop, characterized by a height of up to 1.5 m, a compact, medium-sized bush that is not prone to thickening. This ensures smooth ripening of fruits that can reach large sizes with proper care.The shoots of pink currant are strong, of medium size, its leaves are medium-sized, light green. The weight of the berries reaches from 0.6 to 1.2 g, but large specimens can weigh 2.5 g. Currant flowers of 15 pieces are placed in racemes, which, after fertilization, turn into juicy, tasty, round or elongated berries from light-colored pink to deep red.
Berry crops are grown everywhere in the southern, central and northern regions - in the Urals, Siberia, the Central Black Earth Zone, and the North Caucasus.
Description of Dutch red currant
From the description and photo of the Dutch red currant, it becomes clear that its rich red fruits have a high content of ascorbic acid. This explains their slightly sour taste and dense structure. The size of the clearly round berries is medium, weight - 0.9 g. Red currants are excellent for preservation in a variety of ways.
Description of Dutch pink currant
Dutch pink currants are somewhat different in description and taste from red currants, which can be clearly seen in the photo. Its pale pink berries are distinguished by their high taste and extraordinary aroma. Pink currants are sweeter than the red variety and do not produce the sourness characteristic of many varieties of this crop. It is very tasty and healthy when eaten fresh.
Characteristics
Dutch currants are unpretentious, but require the necessary care to produce a bountiful harvest. The culture grows equally well in sunny places and in light partial shade during the afternoon. It bears fruit best in fertile soils with sufficient moisture. Unpretentious, adapts to different growing conditions and climate.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The main feature of Dutch currants is its excellent winter hardiness. It can easily endure harsh winters under snow cover, but freeze during spring frosts when the snow melts. Therefore, in spring the bushes are covered with non-woven material. Young seedlings are prepared for winter by high hilling with snow or humus. There is no need to cover currants for the winter; they can withstand temperatures up to 45 degrees below zero.
Pink Dutch currants require sufficient moisture. But, unlike black or white currants, they are drought-resistant. Although prolonged moisture deficiency leads to a decrease in yield and shattering of fruits.
Productivity of the variety
According to gardeners, red or pink currants of Dutch selection are very productive, which significantly differs from other varieties of red currants. On average, from one bush with proper care and optimal growing conditions you can harvest from 6 to 9 kg. The fruits ripen in mid-to-late July, but remain fresh until September. The fruits do not fall off, do not bake in the sun, do not become smaller and remain on the bushes for a long time, pleasing the eye with beautiful tassels.
Application area
Dutch currants are suitable for fresh consumption and processing. It is great for preserving compotes, making jelly, preserves, and jam. Red currant berries, dense in structure, are stored for a long time and can easily be transported. The fruits of pink currants have a more delicate shell, so they must be transported very carefully.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pink currants of Dutch selection have the following advantages:
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- frost resistance and drought resistance;
- high taste qualities of sweet, without sharp acid, fruits;
- good yield and rapid ripening of berries;
- thin skin of the fruit with a small number of seeds.
There are no downsides to the berry crop.
Reproduction methods
To propagate pink currants, use one of the following methods:
- seed;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- dividing the bush.
The most effective, simplest method of propagating Dutch red currants, according to gardeners, is cuttings, which is also used for other types of red currants. Annual cuttings are taken from strong, developed branches and planted in a planting bed. Regularly moisten the soil, loosen it and, after rooting, plant it in a permanent place. For layering, elastic shoots are chosen, which are bent to the ground in pre-dug holes. They are fixed with metal staples and the tops are tied to the pegs vertically. By autumn, the cuttings are transplanted to a permanent place. If it is necessary to replant plants, use the optimal method of propagation - dividing the bush. They are carefully dug up after abundant watering, the root system is divided into several parts with a sharp knife and planted in a new place. Seedlings with young shoots take root best.
Planting and care
For Dutch red currants, similar to other varieties of red currants, choose a sunny place, protected from cold, gusty winds and drafts. It is planted in the fall, in the first half, so that the young plants have time to take root and get stronger by winter.The crop bears fruit abundantly on fertile soils, so organic and mineral fertilizers should be added to the depleted soil. This crop should not be planted in lowlands or flooded areas to prevent root rotting. Before planting, humus or rotted manure and phosphorus-potassium granular fertilizers are applied to the site selected for it at the rate of 80 g per 10 square meters. m. The application of fertilizers is timed to coincide with the digging of the site, since they should be located deep enough. Plants are planted in planting holes, the size of which corresponds to the root system of the seedlings. When planting in rows, the distance between the bushes is about 1.5 m, and between the rows - 2.5 m, that is, 4 bushes can be planted on a 10-meter area.
The seedlings are planted at a slight slope, which will allow the bush to spread out and form a large number of shoots. When planting, it is necessary to ensure that the root collar is not more than 6–7 cm below ground level. The seedlings are buried, the soil is compacted and watered abundantly. After planting, all shoots are cut to a length of approximately 15 cm, leaving several developed buds on each. Mulching the tree trunk circle with peat or humus does not allow moisture to evaporate rapidly from the surface of the earth. When choosing seedlings you need to pay attention:
- for the presence of a developed root system with flexible roots;
- possible mechanical damage;
- absence of rotten places and mold.
Aftercare
From the description of the variety of red and pink Dutch currants, it becomes clear that they are very moisture-loving, and in order to grow a crop like the one shown in the photo, it is necessary to follow a watering schedule. It should not be frequent, but plentiful. It is enough to water the plant with warm water once every 10 days, and in drought, increase the number to 1 - 2 times a week, so that the currants will please you with a rich harvest. The volume of water per adult plant is 40 - 50 liters. In dry times, the shrub will respond well to sprinkling of the crown. It is not recommended to get carried away with this method of moisturizing, as the risk of developing powdery mildew increases. Dutch currants especially need watering during the period of flowering and ovary formation.
Every year in the spring, the tree trunk circle is mulched with rotted manure to a depth of 5 - 7 cm. The soil is periodically loosened to ensure optimal aeration and get rid of weeds. The berry crop responds well to the application of potassium-phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers, which are fertilized in early spring, during flowering and after harvesting. When laying ovaries, Dutch currants will gratefully respond to the addition of wood ash - 200 g per bush.
The bush needs pruning, similar to black and white currants. An adult bush should have 12 - 15 shoots of different ages, so old, weak branches are removed annually and 3 - 4 young shoots are left annually. During pruning, annual growths are not touched, and the rest are shortened to almost half the length. Pruning is carried out in early spring or autumn. Compact bushes do not need to be tied up.
Pests and diseases
Dutch red currant, according to experienced gardeners, unlike domestic varieties of red currant, is quite resistant to diseases and pests. However, incorrect agricultural practices can lead to:
- anthracnose, which is characterized by brown spots on the leaves;
- gall aphid, forming a colony on the lower part of the leaf and leads to the appearance of multi-colored spots on the leaves.
A fungal disease - anthracnose - occurs in the presence of weeds and uncollected fallen leaves in the tree trunk circle. Spores are spread with water, so in rainy summers berry bushes are more often affected by the disease. The fight against gall aphids involves treatment with insecticides. Preventive measures against pests and diseases of currants include timely weeding, removal of damaged branches and fallen leaves.
Conclusion
Dutch pink currants are easy to care for, unpretentious, but productive. In addition, it is very decorative and, in addition to the abundance of healthy berries, can be an excellent decoration for the garden. Even a beginner can easily cope with growing this berry crop.
