Content
Currant Ilyinka is a Russian variety obtained by breeder Ilyin. Presented with red and black currants. Both varieties produce very large and tasty berries that received good to excellent tasting marks. The crop is characterized by high productivity and a long fruiting period (up to 15 years).
History of selection
Ilyinka consists of two series - red and black currants. Obtained by breeder V.S. Ilyin. on the basis of the South Ural Research Institute. He took the Dutch variety Jonker van Tets as a basis and carried out several pollinations with different species.
The application for admission was submitted in 2003, and in 2004 the variety entered state tests. In 2017, Ilyinka currants were included in the Russian register of breeding achievements. It has good winter hardiness, so it can be grown even in regions with extreme climates.
Description of the currant variety Ilyinka with photo
When describing a variety, special attention should be paid to the appearance, height of the bushes, shape, size and taste of the berries. The main parameters of the red and black varieties are presented below.
Red
Red currant Ilyinka is represented by a medium-sized bush with a fairly dense, medium-spreading crown. The shoots are thick, pubescent, straight, light green. The buds are small, light brown, matte, oval-elongated in shape, have a sharp apex, are located singly throughout the shoot, deviating slightly from it. The petiole trace is narrow, rounded.
The leaves of the Ilyinka red currant are five-lobed, medium and large in size, dark green in color, the surface shines in sunlight. The leathery, wrinkled plates are slightly concave along the midribs. The blades themselves are pointed. The middle part is longer than the sides, has additional protrusions, is elongated, often with a bent apex. The angle between the midribs of the lateral lobes can be straight or acute. In this case, the side elements are widely spaced from each other.
The basal lobes of the Ilyinka red currant leaves are not so well developed. At the base of the leaf there is a noticeable notch of medium depth, the shape is round. The teeth along the edges are uneven, they can be small or large, and the “claws” are clearly visible.
The berries are large, juicy and very sweet
The flowers of the Ilyinka red currant are small, saucer-shaped, pink in color, and have a noticeable ridge. The sepals are cherry-brown or light brownish, touching each other. The brushes are small, up to 6 cm, hanging down, quite dense. The axes are thin, green, without pubescence, ribbed, curved. Petioles are short.
Ilyinka red currant berries are quite large, on average the weight reaches from 0.8 to 1.6 g, they are one-dimensional and have a round shape. The color is dark red, rich. Each fruit contains several seeds. The cups are closed, round in shape. The stalks are medium thick, green, short.
The taste of Ilyinka red currant berries is very pleasant, with a balance of sour and sweet. At the tasting it received the highest score - 5 points. Berries are universally used; they can be used fresh (stored in the refrigerator for several days), for jam, fruit juice, jam and other preparations.
The red currant variety Ilyinka is distinguished by good yield - each adult bush brings from 3.4 to 5.0 kg. For industrial cultivation, the figure is 13.6 t/ha, the maximum recorded is 20.0 t/ha.
Winter hardiness is very high - the Ilyinka variety is specially bred for cultivation in Western Siberia. The culture is self-fertile and therefore does not require pollinators. It has good immunity to powdery mildew, anthracnose, and sawflies. However, diseases cannot be completely ruled out - it is necessary to carry out preventive treatments and inspect the bushes.
Black
Black currant Ilyinka is represented by a bush of medium height up to 1.5 m. The crown is spreading, dense, pyramidal in shape. The shoots are strong and thickened, strong enough, so they do not need support. The leaves are medium dense, the plate is palm-shaped, the teeth are rounded. Shades of leaves range from bright green to duller. Flowers and berries are formed on fruit racemes 4-6 cm long.
The berries of Ilyinka black currant are large, reaching 4-5 g. The skin is smooth, elastic, pure black. The pulp is aromatic and juicy, tasting score 4.4 out of 5 points. The fruits are transportable and durable, they can be transported over long distances.
The berries are large, marketable, transportable
The yield is quite high - up to 5.5 kg can be harvested from each adult bush. According to the ripening period, Ilyinka belongs to the early varieties: the berries are formed from late June to mid-July.At the same time, the first fruits ripen in the second year, and a full harvest can be harvested already from the third season. The total duration of fruiting is up to 15 years.
Advantages and disadvantages
Ilyinka is a new variety of currant that has already caught the fancy of many summer residents. The crop is productive, has excellent winter hardiness and immunity, and can be grown even in the climatic conditions of Siberia. Produces berries of a very pleasant taste with juicy and aromatic pulp.
Ilyinka currants can be grown for yourself and for sale.
Pros:
- large fruits;
- very pleasant taste;
- good immunity;
- high productivity;
- The variety is self-fertile - pollinators are not needed;
- excellent winter hardiness;
- strong shoots - no support required;
- can be grown in Siberia.
Minuses:
- the bush produces quite a lot of growth;
- needs regular feeding;
- If care is not taken, the fruits become noticeably smaller.
How to plant
Currant Ilyinka belongs to the early large-fruited varieties, so it is better to plant it in the fall - from the beginning to the end of September, and when grown in the middle zone, the Volga region - until mid-October. At the same time, spring planting is also allowed, but then the time frame is greatly reduced: it is necessary to do it before mid-April.
Seedlings are purchased from nurseries, from suppliers with good reviews and many years of experience. The soil for planting Ilyinka currants begins to be prepared several months in advance. First you need to choose a suitable place - it should be sunny, fairly spacious, dry, without stagnant water (not in a lowland).
The area is cleaned, dug up and compost is applied in a bucket per square meter or complex mineral fertilizer 50 g per the same area. When planting Ilyinka currants, proceed as follows:
- Mark several holes with a depth and diameter of 70 cm at intervals of at least 1.5 m. It is best to orient them along the fence to avoid blowing through the bushes with through winds.
- Place small stones up to 10 cm high at the bottom for drainage.
- Root the seedling in the center at an angle of 45 degrees and sprinkle it with fertile soil.
- Then compact and, if necessary, add soil so that the root collar is buried 7-8 cm.
- Water with pre-settled water.
- All shoots are trimmed, leaving three buds on each.
- After a few days, mulch for the winter - in Siberian conditions, the layer height should be at least 15 cm.
Features of care
Ilyinka currant is unpretentious and grows well even on infertile soils. But in order for there to be a lot of harvest, and the fruits themselves to be large, it is necessary to provide normal care:
- Watering is given to young seedlings weekly, to adult bushes - twice a month.
- Fertilizers are applied regularly. In early April, Ilyinka currants need to be fed with ammonium nitrate or urea, and during flowering, superphosphate and potassium salt should be given. It will not be superfluous to water it monthly with mullein infusion 1:10 or bird droppings 1:20.
- The soil is periodically loosened and weeds removed. To keep them as small as possible, mulch is laid.
- In early spring, before sap flows in the tissues, pruning is done and old and frozen branches are removed. At the same time, fungicides are applied to prevent fungal diseases.
To get a good harvest, fertilizer should be applied every month.
Conclusion
Ilyinka currant is a high-yielding crop with excellent winter hardiness and tasty berries. Intended for cultivation in Western Siberia, but can also be cultivated in the regions of Central Russia. The variety is unpretentious, but for stable fruiting it is recommended to regularly water and feed it.
Reviews from gardeners about Ilyinka currants
