Content
Currant Laysan is a variety of Russian selection, known for more than 20 years. It produces fairly large golden-colored berries with a pleasant taste and aroma. They are used fresh and for preparations: preserves, marmalade, fruit drinks, compotes and others. Excellent as a honey plant. At the same time, the flowers cannot self-pollinate, so they need to plant several bushes.
History of selection
Laysan is a variety of rare golden currant, bred by breeders N. Abdyukova and M. Abdeeva at the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the mid-90s of the 20th century. The variety was successfully tested and entered into the register in 1999. Approved for cultivation throughout Russia:
- middle lane;
- Northwest;
- southern regions;
- Ural;
- Western and Eastern Siberia;
- Far East.
Description of the golden currant variety Laysan
The Laysan currant bush is moderately spreading and does not take up much space. The shoots are straight, strong, the surface is matte, brown in color (in young branches).Erect branches reach 2–2.5 m in length, the total height of the bush is up to 2.5 m (vigorous crop).
The root system is well developed, it penetrates 2 meters into the ground. Therefore, even in drought, the plants feel quite good. In this case, a significant part of the roots is concentrated on the surface (they grow horizontally), at a depth of 30–40 cm.
The leaves are medium sized and green. The surface is shiny, without pubescence, the shape is three-lobed, the notches are deep. The bases of the leaves are straight, the notch is shallow.
Laysan currant flowers are medium in size (diameter up to 1.5 cm). The color is bright yellow. Each inflorescence produces 5–15 flowers. A characteristic feature is a pleasant aroma. The sepals are small, brightly colored, covered on the outside with a slight layer of fluff. The ovaries are bare, rounded, there are no edges.
The clusters are short (2–3 cm in length), dense, with 5–6 fruits on each of them. Laysan currant berries are medium in size - weight ranges from 1.3 to 2.8 g. The shape is round, the color is yellowish-orange, golden, the surface is glossy, and has slight pubescence. The taste is balanced, with hints of sweet and sour, refreshing. At the tasting it received a rating of 4 points out of 5.
Chemical composition:
- sugar (total) – 11.8%;
- acids (total) – 1.1%;
- vitamin C content: up to 70 mg per 100 g.
Laysan berries resemble gooseberries in appearance
Characteristics
Laysan currant adapts well to different climatic conditions. The variety is high-yielding and produces tasty fruits of an interesting golden color. Tolerates heat, drought and severe frosts.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The currant variety Laysan is drought-resistant. In order not to lose yield, it is recommended to increase watering to twice a week. Winter hardiness is high, so it can be grown in most Russian regions. Spring frosts affect up to 12% of shoots.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening time
Currant Laysan is a medium-ripening variety. The flowering period occurs at the end of May and the first half of June (only 2–3 weeks). The fruits appear in early July.
Productivity, fruiting and keeping quality of berries
The productivity of Laysan currants is 6–8.5 kg per plant (or 168 centners per hectare). Since the skin of the berries is not very strong, the shelf life and transportability are average. The main harvest period is in the second half of July. Fruiting begins at the age of three and reaches its peak at seven years.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The description of Laysan currant states that the variety is not affected by pests and diseases: the plant’s immunity is quite good. However, it is impossible to completely exclude the invasion of pests, fungal, bacterial and viral infections. Therefore, in the spring, in the first half of April, it is recommended to carry out one preventive treatment with a fungicide:
- Bordeaux mixture;
- "Maksim";
- "Topaz";
- "Fitosporin";
- "Hom."
Insects can be dealt with using folk remedies, for example, a solution of laundry soap, soda, ammonia, wood ash, tobacco dust. An infusion of garlic cloves, onion peels, and mustard powder helps well. In extreme cases, insecticides can be used:
- "Fitoverm";
- "Vertimek";
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Aktara";
- "Confidor" and others.
If chemicals are used, the harvest can only be harvested after a few days.
Advantages and disadvantages
Laysan currants are distinguished by good endurance, immunity and high yield. Unusual golden-colored berries have a marketable appearance and a pleasant, refreshing taste.
Laysan currant produces large berries with a pleasant aroma
Pros:
- high productivity;
- attractive appearance;
- decent taste;
- good immunity;
- frost resistance;
- drought resistance;
- honey production (up to 100 kg of honey per 1 hectare);
- relatively fast ripening times;
- undemanding to soil and care.
Minuses:
- the harvest often crumbles;
- the leaves contain poisonous hydrocyanic acid;
- bushes need pollinators.
Features of planting and care
Laysan currant grows well in different types of soil, except clayey and marshy soils. Seedlings can be planted in mid-spring or in late September - early October (a month before the first frost). When choosing a location, pay attention to the following factors:
- lighting – the area is open or with a slight shadow;
- relief - better at higher elevations, unacceptable in lowlands;
- protection from the wind – optimally along the fence.
The soil for planting Laysan currants is prepared several months in advance. The soil is dug up and fertilized with humus (5 kg per 1 m2) or complex mineral fertilizer (40 g per 1 m2). If the soil is clayey, you need to embed sawdust or sand into it - 500 g per 1 m2.
The landing algorithm is standard:
- Within a few hours, Laysan currant seedlings are immersed in a solution of Kornevin, Heteroauxin or another growth stimulant.
- Planted at an angle of 45 degrees.
- Sprinkle with soil so that the root collar goes to a depth of 3–5 cm.
- Tamp down a little and water with a bucket of settled water.
- All branches are trimmed, leaving 5-6 buds on each of them.
To grow healthy currant bushes of the Laysan variety, as in the photo and in the description, summer residents in their reviews recommend following the basic rules of care:
- Young bushes are watered every week, adults - 2 times a month (in hot weather 2 times more often).
- Fertilizers: in spring, urea or ammonium nitrate (15–20 g per 1 m2), in summer during flowering and after harvesting, superphosphate is given (40 g per 1 m2) and potassium salt (30 g per 1 m2). At the end of the season, you can pour in an infusion of wood ash (100 g per 10 l).
- Weeding and loosening the soil as needed.
- Mulching for the winter with sawdust, peat, and leaf litter.
- In the spring, frozen branches are removed, and formative pruning is done in the fall. Every 5 years the bush is rejuvenated by removing old Laysan currant shoots
Application in landscape design
The bushes are tall (up to 2.5 m), moderately spreading, produce bright green foliage, yellow flowers and beautiful berries of an interesting golden hue.
Currant Laysan looks self-sufficient in a single planting
The culture is often used to decorate the garden. It is grown in single plantings as a hedge. Bushes are planted in rows along the road.
Conclusion
Laysan currant is an unusual variety that produces golden berries with a pleasant taste and aroma. The bushes are unpretentious and tolerate drought and winter frosts well. They do not require special care, so both experienced gardeners and novice amateurs can cope with cultivation.
Reviews with photos about the Laysan currant variety
