Description of the white currant variety Versailles, planting and care

Among agricultural crops, the Versailles white currant variety is very popular. It is chosen for its relative unpretentiousness to growing conditions, resistance to adverse environmental factors and high performance indicators. In addition, she has proven herself exclusively on the positive side. To grow Versailles white currants, you need to familiarize yourself in more detail with the rules of planting and care.

History of selection

French breeders worked on the creation of Versailles white currant in 1850. The culture came to the territory of Russia in the last century; it was entered into the State Register in 1959. White currant is suitable for cultivation in the North-Western and Central regions, Volga-Vyatka and Central Black Earth regions, as well as in the Middle Volga and Ural regions.

Features of red and white Versailles currants

Since white currants are one of the varieties of red currants, they have many similar qualities. In particular, a high concentration of nutrients in the fruits, a pleasant taste and aroma, slight sourness, and ripening time. As for consumer qualities, white currants have low acidity and high sugar content.

External parameters and characteristics

To ensure that growing Versailles white currants is as productive as possible, it is recommended to know its strengths and weaknesses and a detailed description of the variety.

Bushes

Versailles white currant is an early ripening plant. The bush forms a fairly developed underground part, its lateral roots are located at a depth of 40 centimeters. The main root is located at a depth of 1 meter.

The erect bush reaches 1.2-1.5 meters in height. The number of shoots is not so large, but they all have an intensive growth rate.The leaf blades have a rich dark green color and a bluish tint. There are 5 blades on them.

There is fine pubescence on the inner side. The edges of the leaves have short, blunt teeth. Fruit buds of Versailles white currant are formed only in the second year of life.

Flowers and berries

Versailles white currant attracts the attention of gardening enthusiasts with its ability to produce rich harvests. At the flowering stage, yellowish-white bells bloom on the bushes. There are flowers and berries on elongated straight petioles.

The size of the fruits in diameter is almost 10 millimeters, and their weight is up to 1.3 grams. Under favorable conditions, the bush is capable of producing up to 4 kilograms of delicious berries. The fruit pulp is dense, the skin is transparent and light cream in color. According to the description of the variety, Versailles white currant is not prone to shedding; the berries are firmly attached to the petioles.

The sugar content of Versailles white currant is 7.5%, and the acidity is 2.3%. Per 100 grams of product there are 38 milligrams of ascorbic acid.

Resistance to low temperatures, drought and diseases

Versailles white currant has increased immunity to powdery mildew, but not to anthracnose, which must be taken into account when growing it. The plant's frost resistance is also at a high level; it can be planted even in northern regions. Resistance to dry weather is good, but keeping the bushes without abundant watering for a long time is not worth it. Irrigation measures are especially necessary at the stage of fruit bud formation.

Among the harmful insects, white currants can suffer from shoot aphids, which suck out all the nutrients, gooseberry moth, and currant sawfly.Elimination measures must be taken immediately after identifying the first signs of their presence on the bushes.

Productivity and use of fruits

The productivity indicators of Versailles white currant per hectare are 8 tons. The fruits have a universal purpose; they can be used fresh, for making desserts, and as a raw material for winter preparations.

Pros and cons: is it worth planting on the site?

Among the positive characteristics of Versailles white currants, the following are noted:

• high yield;
• large fruit;
• undemanding to growing conditions and care;
• high winter hardiness;
• drought resistance;
• does not require additional pollinators;
• the fruits do not fall off after ripening.

Despite a number of advantages, white currants also have their disadvantages:

• spreading of the bush;
• low level of resistance to anthracnose.

Landing Features

In order for Versailles white currant to quickly take root and grow, you need to know the main points of planting it in a permanent place.

Selecting a location and landing dates

To obtain a rich and tasty harvest, it is necessary to choose a well-lit place for planting seedlings, otherwise in the shade the berries will be sour and inconspicuous. In addition, the clearing should be protected from draft winds; it is better to give preference to areas near the walls of buildings and fences.

For Versailles white currant, it is not advisable to choose places with close groundwater (up to 1.5-2 meters). Under conditions of high humidity in the soil, the root system of the bushes will be subject to putrefactive processes, which will provoke their death. The soil should be fairly light and fertile. The best option is loam and sandy loam with a neutral or slightly acidic environment.

Planting dates: early spring (before buds open) or autumn (late September-early October).

Preparing the site and beds

Preparatory measures should be carried out in advance (2 weeks), using deep autumn plowing. The area must be cleared of weeds and last year's leaves. To enrich the soil with useful substances, humus (10 kilograms) and superphosphate (100 grams) are used, this amount is calculated per 1 square meter.

To neutralize high acidity, you need to add 400-450 grams of wood ash per 1 square meter.

Selection and preparation of seedlings

High-quality planting material should have 3-5 skeletal roots, their length is 15-20 centimeters. In addition, sufficiently formed overgrowing fibrous roots must be present. Before purchasing, it is necessary to especially inspect the root system of seedlings; they should not show signs of disease, rot, or various types of damage.

In healthy specimens, the color of the shoots is rich green; when cut, the structure is moist.

Planting technology

Properly planted Versailles white currant is the key to successful rooting and a rich harvest in the future. The algorithm of actions regarding planting work includes:

1. Formation of pits measuring 50x50x40 centimeters.
2. Laying a drainage cushion made of expanded clay and small crushed stone.
3. Filling with a mound of fertile soil.
4. Placing the seedling and spreading its roots on different sides.
5. Covering the roots with soil and compacting it to avoid voids in the hole.
6. Water the bush with 1-2 buckets of water.
7. Mulching the soil with peat, the layer thickness should be 5-6 centimeters.
8. Shortening the seedling by 5 healthy buds.

If several seedlings are planted, it is recommended to maintain a distance of 1 meter between plantings, and the interval between rows should be 1.5 meters. Do not deepen the root collar more than 10 centimeters.

Proper crop care

Caring for Versailles white currant is not so difficult; the main thing is to carry out irrigation measures, feeding procedures, weed removal and pruning in a timely manner.

Watering and fertilizing

White Versailles currant bushes should be irrigated in moderation, avoiding overwatering. It is enough to water 3 times every 7 days (morning or evening). For one planting you need to spend 10 liters of water twice a day. Plants especially need irrigation at the berry ripening stage.

It is necessary to apply fertilizer compounds in the third year after planting; the amount of useful components included during planting is sufficient for the first two years. In the spring, it is recommended to add urea (50 grams) under the root, and after harvesting - chicken manure, where 10 liters of water are used per 1 liter of raw materials in combination with potassium sulfate (15-20 grams) and superphosphate (40-50 grams).

Rejuvenating and shaping pruning

It is necessary to prune Versailles white currant bushes:

• In the spring, performing a sanitary, rejuvenating and shaping procedure.
• In the summer, where infected twigs and unnecessary annuals must be removed.
• In the fall, ineffective branches are cut out and the number of shoots of different ages is regulated.

Every year you need to leave 4-5 annual shoots to form a strong and abundantly fruiting bush.

Caring for beds: mulching and loosening

It is not worth loosening the soil under the Versailles white currant bushes to a depth of 6-8 centimeters. This technique is necessary to prevent oxygen starvation of the roots. To preserve moisture, the soil is mulched with humus, peat, and rotted sawdust.

Preventive treatment against insects and diseases

To protect Versailles white currant bushes from diseases and parasites, it is recommended to use a working solution based on Bordeaux mixture, copper sulfate, and nitrafen. Drugs must be diluted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Preparing the bush for frost

Before wintering, the plant needs to be pruned after shedding its leaves, remove all ineffective branches, and shorten the rest by a third. Mulch the soil under the bushes with humus or compost, the layer thickness should be 10-12 centimeters. But first you need to loosen the soil, fertilize and water it. For reliability, currants can be tied into a bunch and covered with agrofibre.

Reviews from experienced gardeners about the variety

Marina, 45 years old

I purchased Versailles white currant seedlings from a nursery. For the third year now I have been receiving stable and abundant harvests. Care for the variety is minimal, which is very pleasing.

Sergey, 56 years old

I planted Versailles white currant bushes in my garden, and I couldn’t be happier. They tolerate winter quite well; I cover them with agrofibre. The taste suits me completely.

Yulia, 39 years old

I added the Versailles variety to my collection of white currants. In general, I am satisfied with everything, the care is standard, the harvest is rich.