Content
Early sweet currant is one of the most common garden crops grown in Russia. This is explained by the fact that the variety is undemanding to natural and soil conditions and does not require special care. The bushes of the variety have a beautiful appearance and produce a harvest in the form of bright red fruits with an expressive sweet and sour taste.
Description of red currant Early sweet
The Early red currant variety was bred by Russian breeders N. Smolyaninova and A. Nitochkina in 1963. In 1974, it was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements and recommended for planting in regions such as the Central Black Earth, Volga-Vyatka, East Siberian and Central.
The main characteristics of the bushes of the red Early sweet currant variety are:
- height – up to 1.5 m;
- bushes - compact, semi-spreading, with average growth rate;
- shoots - without edge, medium thickness;
- buds are single, tightly adjacent to the branches, medium in size, gray-brown in color and elongated in shape;
- leaves - 3- or 5-lobed, medium in size, with finely serrated wavy edges;
- seeds – small;
- berries - reach 0.5-0.9 g, have a medium size, rich red color and a refreshing sweet and sour taste
The round berries remain dry when torn off, making the harvesting process easier. The brushes can reach 10 cm in length, taking into account the size of the petiole.
The variety has early ripening periods and is self-fertile, pollinated by its own flowers.
Characteristics
The variety of red Early sweet currant is represented by low bushes, with bright red fruits that have a pleasant dessert taste. The prevalence of Early sweet currant is associated with the advantageous characteristics of the variety, which are appreciated by Russian gardeners.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The variety tolerates low temperatures well and is adapted to sudden and prolonged cold spells down to -30 °C. Severe frosts can lead to freezing of the root system and a decrease in yield.
Red Early sweet currant is drought-resistant. But during the period from the formation of flowers to the ripening of berries, it is necessary to monitor the level of soil moisture. Irregular watering and lack of precipitation negatively affect growth and fruiting rates. Excessive moisture content has a detrimental effect on the condition of the root system of shrubs.
Productivity of the variety
Early sweet currants are undemanding to growth conditions, but only with intensive fertilizing can you expect good yields. With proper care, the annual harvest from one currant bush can reach 8 kg. The same figure for commercial cultivation is 12 or more tons per hectare.The main share of the harvest is provided by young shoots, no more than a year old, the fruiting of which lasts from 4 to 6 years. On branches older than 6 years, the volume of berry formation is reduced, so they are removed first.
The berries ripen simultaneously. They stay on the branches for a long time and do not require urgent collection. Even overripe fruits are suitable for food. But excessively delaying the harvest of the Early Sweet variety leads to baking of the berries in the sun and a decrease in their sugar and vitamin content.
Red currants have good storage and transportability characteristics. The main disadvantage of the Early Sweet variety is the “deflation” of the berries, the diameter of which decreases from the base of the cluster to its top.
Application area
The variety Early sweet red currant is characterized by a high content of pectins, which help treat diseases of the gastrointestinal system, remove waste and toxins from the body, prevent inflammation, and slow down the formation and development of neoplasms. Eating red currant berries helps remove excess salt from the body, increasing sweating.
The fruits of red Early sweet currant tolerate transportation well. Drying and freezing methods are used to store berries of this variety. When frozen, the beneficial properties are preserved for 3 months. Longer storage at sub-zero temperatures leads to a decrease in the nutritional value of the berries.
Dried berries are considered a semi-finished product. The drying process is carried out in special cabinets. The shelf life of berries prepared in this way is 6 months.
By maintaining a high level of humidity, freshly picked fruits can be stored without any processing in the refrigerator for 20-45 days. To increase the shelf life of fresh berries, it is recommended to pick them slightly unripe.
Fruits collected in time are used to prepare:
- sauces;
- jam;
- compotes;
- marmalade;
- jams;
- fillings for pies.
Pros and cons of the variety
Currant bushes are quite compact and do not take up much space on the site. The advantages of the Early Sweet variety include the following quality characteristics:
- high productivity;
- dessert taste of fruits;
- undemanding quick harvest after ripening;
- winter hardiness.
Another advantage of the red Early Sweet variety is its immunity to pests and diseases during fruit ripening.
Disadvantages include excessive growth of young shoots and dependence of the yield on the quality and nutritional value of the soil.
The variety loves sunny, windless places with fertile soil and low groundwater levels. Does not tolerate shade and heavy clay soils.
Reproduction methods
You can propagate red Early sweet currants in several ways:
- By layering. The soil is loosened near a suitable bush. From the central part of the bush, grooves are dug under strong shoots 1-2 years old. The branches are bent and placed in grooves, secured with iron staples made of wire. The depth of the furrows should be 5-7 cm, and the length should correspond to the size of the branches, which are covered with earth, leaving only the tops above the surface.
As the shoots grow, they are periodically sprinkled with soil. When the sprouts reach a length of 10-12 cm, they are hilled. The soil must be kept moist at all times. Grounded branches are cut from the main bush at the end of September and carefully dug up. The branches are divided into parts, the number of which must correspond to the number of formed and rooted shoots. Poorly developed layerings of the Early Sweet variety are grown throughout the year, the rest are planted in the soil. - Lignified cuttings. At the end of August or early September, sanitary and rejuvenating pruning of sweet red currant bushes is carried out, during which several healthy shoots are selected, all foliage is removed from them and divided into parts about 20 cm long. The upper cut should be straight and pass over the bud, the lower an oblique cut is made under the kidney. Each shoot should have 4 buds.
The cuttings are treated with root-forming stimulants and grounded in loose nutrient soil for rooting at an angle of 45 °, leaving 1-2 buds above the surface. A distance of at least 10-15 cm is left between the planted cuttings of red Early sweet currants. The beds are regularly watered and periodically mulched with mature compost or peat. If the cuttings were planted late, they are covered first with spruce branches and then with non-woven covering material to protect them from frost. To ensure that the humidity level is optimal, the soil is covered with black film and only then the cuttings are planted, making holes in it. In this way, the soil will be protected from drying out, and the cuttings will form a root system much faster. - Green cuttings. In June, during the period of the most intensive emergence of shoots, the shoots are cut off along with part of the mother branch. Then the cuttings are taken so that the length of the shoot is 5-7 cm, and the branch on which it grew is about 4 cm. The lower leaves are removed so that they do not interfere with planting. The finished cutting is planted by placing part of the old branch horizontally and deepening it into the soil by 3-4 cm. The young shoot should be positioned vertically. The beds are watered, moistening the soil to a depth of 7 cm, and mulched. It is necessary to shade the plantings from the hot sun. The cuttings are planted in a permanent place of growth after a year.
- Dividing the bush. This method helps when it is necessary to transplant the bush to a new location. To do this, dig it up, after cutting off all the old and damaged branches. The roots are shaken off the ground and cut into pieces with a sharp shovel. A young bush of Early sweet currant is divided in half, and 3-5 parts are obtained from adults.
Each division is buried in the soil 5-7 cm deeper than the mother bush was previously located. Green seedlings are shortened, leaving 15-20 cm above the soil. Until the cuttings take root, they must be watered frequently and abundantly every day.
Planting and care
In order for the bushes to grow well and bear fruit, it is necessary to pay great attention to the choice of planting site and soil preparation. The area begins to be cultivated a couple of months before the seedlings are planted. It should be well lit; the lack of sunlight in the berries of the Early Sweet Red Currant variety will reduce the sugar content, and the overall yield will be low.
Young bushes need to be protected from the wind. To do this, it is recommended to plant them along walls, hedges or fences, retreating 1.2 m from the fences.
In areas prone to flooding, seedlings of Early sweet currant do not take root or grow very weak. To avoid stagnation of water, it is recommended to make a drainage covering on the surface of the earth. The soil should be slightly acidic, loamy, sandy loam or medium and slightly podzolized.
The optimal time for planting red currants of the Early Sweet variety is at the end of summer or beginning of autumn. When planted at a later period, the seedlings will not have time to take root and will die. The size of the pit should be 0.4 m wide and 0.5 m deep.
The hole is filled with soil mixed with a nutrient mixture prepared from the following components:
- 7-9 kg of manure or compost;
- 200 g superphosphate;
- 35 g of potassium sulfate.
Fill with 2 liters of water and mulch with wood shavings or sawdust. The distance between seedlings should be 80 cm and 2.5 m from fruit-bearing trees growing in the same area. A distance of at least 1.5 m is maintained between the beds.
Aftercare
Caring for seedlings of the Early Sweet Red Currant variety after planting includes several stages:
- Feeding. Held in the spring. During planting, ready-made mineral mixtures or organic fertilizers in the form of humus or horse manure are applied.
- Watering. For each red currant bush of the Early Sweet variety, use 1 bucket of water in the morning and evening 2-3 times a week.During the period of fruiting and the formation of flower buds, when next year's harvest is formed, currants must be watered frequently and abundantly.
- Trimming. Carry out in April, before the buds open, or in the fall, after picking the berries, before the first frost. The procedure helps rid Early sweet red currants from diseases and increase yield and berry size. During planting, for faster growth, seedlings of the variety are shortened by 1/2-2/3 of their length. Branches should be cut close to the surface of the soil, leaving no stumps. Remove old and damaged branches, as well as those that spread along the ground.
To increase the volume of the harvest and prevent the harmful effects of diseases and insects, it is recommended to regularly thin out the red currant bushes of the Early Sweet variety. Do not prune many young branches at the same time. Old branches are cut out alternately every year. With proper pruning, each currant bush should grow 2-3 branches of all ages - 2 one-year-olds, 2 three-year-olds, 2 ten-year-olds. There are about 15-20 branches in total. - Preparing for winter. Red currant bushes of the Early Sweet variety provide shelter from the cold only in the frostiest regions of the country. They are first bent to the soil and covered with pine or spruce branches, fixing the shelter with boards or bricks. In temperate regions, leaves are raked and burned after leaf fall. It can be used as compost, spread under a thick layer of soil or peat. Near the bushes, dig up the ground to a depth of no more than 5 cm, then a little deeper, so as not to damage the currant roots. Mulch the soil with peat or chopped straw. The branches are tied so that they are not damaged under the weight of snow.
- Protection from rodents. Includes digging up tree trunk circles and row spacing in order to destroy mouse holes. The lower part of the trunk is tied with sedge, reeds or spruce branches, needles down. It is not recommended to use currants for these purposes, as they attract mice.
With proper care, each bush of Early sweet red currant can be reaped with a good harvest. To prevent the branches from lying on the ground under the weight of the berries, stakes are driven under them and horizontal slats are secured. Shoots with a large number of fruits are tied up, protecting the branches from possible breaks.
Pests and diseases
The variety of red Early sweet currant is resistant to most diseases and pests.
In the practice of gardeners, the following serious diseases of the variety are most often encountered:
- American powdery mildew (spheroteka). Fungal pathogens form a powdery cobweb coating, affecting currant shoots, fruits and leaves. Every 10 days it is recommended to treat with ammonium nitrate, mullein infusion and soda ash.
- Anthracnose leads to the formation of brown spots on the leaves, which are subsequently covered with black dots and shiny tubercles containing fungal spores.
- Rusty septoria manifests itself in the appearance of orange swellings on the leaves of red Early sweet currants. When the disease starts, berries and shoots are subject to fungal infection.
- White septoria causes the formation of gray cones with a brown edge on the leaves. With further proliferation of pathogenic fungi, the tubercles become covered with black spots of spores.
- Terry (reversion) causes genetic abnormalities in the development and formation of all plant parts of Early sweet currants.Instead of 5-lobed leaves, 3-lobed ones appear with reduced teeth along the edges.
To combat fungal pathogens, currants are treated with special preparations. It is also recommended to prune bushes and destroy all fallen leaves in the autumn. This will prevent further spread of diseases.
The spread of various diseases is often facilitated by insect pests. The most common ones include:
- Currant borer - intrastem pest. To eliminate it, all shoots are cut out and burned in the fall, since they are the overwintering site for the larvae.
- Glassware – capable of destroying the entire crop, lives in the middle of the branches and is difficult to destroy.
- Leaf aphid - sucks the juice from currant leaves and leads to their severe deformation.
- Currant bud moth – lays eggs in the green berries of the variety, in which the caterpillars then eat the seeds. The buds are also damaged and die without blooming.
- Ognevka – entangles the berries in a web and destroys them en masse.
- Spider mite lays thousands of eggs on young foliage. After 7 days, larvae emerge from them, entangle the leaf with a web and feed on its juices. The leaf blades become covered with microscopic dots, later becoming completely covered with a marble mesh.
- Kidney mite – affects only the buds of red Early sweet currants. Adult female ticks overwinter in large buds, which become leathery, lighter in color and appear swollen.
- Pale-legged sawfly – females lay eggs in a chain on the underside of the leaves. After 6 days, the emerging larvae eat up all the foliage, leaving only veins.
- Gooseberry moth. Voracious caterpillars eat all the currant foliage along with the veins.
Ridding red currants of the Early Sweet variety from most pests is carried out using agrotechnical methods - digging up the area, destroying damaged plants and their parts, as well as treating currant bushes with preparations such as Karbofos and Fitoferm.
Conclusion
Early sweet currants are widespread and loved by gardeners for their rich taste, abundant yield and unpretentiousness. The distinctive advantages of the variety are the early ripening of berries and fruiting of the bushes for many years. Growing early sweet currants is accessible even to an inexperienced gardener.
