Content
Sweetcurrant is a variety of Soviet selection, bred specifically for the regions of the Far East. It is characterized by increased winter hardiness and stable yield. Produces tasty, medium-sized berries for universal use. Suitable for fresh consumption and for preparations.
History of selection
The black currant variety Sladkoplodnaya was bred by Kuzmin A.Ya. more than 60 years ago. The work was carried out on the basis of the Far Eastern Research Institute. Two lines were taken as a basis - Primorsky Champion and Goliath.
The culture passed successful tests, and in 1959 it was registered in the register of selection achievements. It is highly resistant to bud mites and has excellent winter hardiness.
Description of the sweet-fruited currant variety
The description of the Sweetfruit currant gives different characteristics of the bush and fruit. The main parameters are presented below.
Bush
Blackcurrant bushes of this variety are medium-sized. The crown is moderately spreading. The shoots are small, straight, green, and have no pubescence. The leaves are classic, five-lobed, small in size, green in color.Minor wrinkles are visible on the surface. The blades are long and triangular.
The teeth are sharp, at the base of the currant leaf blade there is a noticeable recess of small depth, open type. The petioles are medium-sized and green. The leaf scar has an open shape.
The flowers are small in size, cup-shaped, pinkish in color, while the sepals are light green and do not close together. The clusters of sweet currants are small and drooping. Their petioles are short.
Berries
Sweet currant fruits are medium in size, weight reaches 0.6-0.7 g. There are not many seeds, the calyxes are medium in size. Round shape, black color.
The berries are sweet and ripen together
Characteristics of the variety
Among the characteristics of the variety, summer residents are most often interested in the indicator of winter hardiness, the taste of currants and yield. The main parameters are described below.
Taste qualities
The Sweetplodnaya currant variety produces fairly juicy berries with a sweet and sour, refreshing taste. At the tasting they received a rating of 4.0 points out of 5. The composition contains:
- sugar – 6.6%;
- acids – 3.0%;
- vitamin C – more than 143 mg per 100 g of pulp.
The purpose of the fruits is universal; they can be used both fresh and for preparing preparations - jam, marmalade, fruit juice and others. Also, the berries of the Sladkoplodnaya currant variety are suitable for freezing. In this form, they retain almost all valuable substances, so they will bring maximum health benefits.
Ripening time
In terms of ripening time, Sweet-fruited currants are classified as medium varieties. The fruits form en masse in the second half of July and ripen in the first ten days of August. The tear-off is dry, making harvesting easier. After picking, the berries can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.If there is a lot of harvest, it is better to immediately send it for freezing or processing.
Productivity
The yield of sweet-fruited black currant is quite high and reaches 3-4 kg per bush. Fruiting is generally stable and does not depend on the weather. To obtain a high yield, it is necessary to regularly water the bushes, loosen the soil and apply fertilizers.
Frost resistance
The frost resistance of the variety is very high; the bushes can withstand even severe frosts below -30 degrees. Therefore, they can be grown both in the Far East, but also in Siberia, as well as in neighboring regions.
Disease resistance
Sweet fruit black currant has good resistance to bud mite. However, it can suffer from powdery mildew, anthracnose and septoria. Therefore, it is always necessary to monitor the watering rate and prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. It is also important to carry out preventive treatments in early spring using fungicides and folk remedies.
Advantages and disadvantages
Sweet-fruited black currant is valued for its pleasant sweet taste, stable yield and, most importantly, for its high winter hardiness. This is one of the few varieties that can be grown in most regions of the Far East from Primorsky Krai to Kamchatka.
Each adult bush produces at least 3 kg of harvest
Pros:
- stable yield;
- delicious berries;
- very high winter hardiness;
- can be grown even in regions with harsh winters;
- resistance to bud mite;
- self-fertile - no pollinators required.
Minuses:
- no immunity to anthracnose;
- poor resistance to septoria, powdery mildew;
- the fruits are quite small.
How to plant
It is better to start planting Sweetfruit currants in the spring - at the beginning of March, so that by the first winter the seedlings have already taken root in the new place. The planting area should be sunny, but at the same time closed from draft winds - it is optimal to plant currant bushes next to the fence.
The soil should not only be fertile, but also quite loose, with a slightly acidic reaction. It is first dug up and fertilized with humus or compost - a bucket per square meter. If there is a lot of clay in the soil, add 3-5 kg of sand or sawdust to the same area.
When landing, proceed as follows:
- Dig several holes 60-70 cm deep at a distance of 1.5 m.
- A layer of small stones is placed at the bottom.
- Place the seedling in the center at an angle and sprinkle it with soil.
- Compact the soil so that the root collar is at a depth of 8 cm.
- Water with settled water.
- All shoots are shortened, leaving 2-3 buds on each.
Features of care
Sweet-fruited black currant does not require special care. But to get a good harvest, it needs to be watered periodically. Young seedlings are given water weekly, adult bushes - twice a month, and more often in hot weather.
In the spring, they are fertilized with nitrogen compounds; during flowering and bud formation, superphosphate and potassium salt are added. Once a month you can water with mullein 1:10 or chicken manure 1:20.
In summer, the bushes are watered as the soil dries out.
The earth is periodically loosened and weeded. Sanitary and formative pruning is planned in early spring. At the same moment, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment against pests, for example, with Bordeaux mixture, “Skorom”, “Maxim” or other drugs.
Conclusion
Sweetcurrant is one of the best varieties for the Far East and other regions with frosty winters. The yield is consistently high and the berries are tasty. It has good immunity, but can suffer from fungal diseases. Therefore, bushes need to be treated with fungicides annually.
Reviews from gardeners about sweet currants
