Description of black currant variety Belorusskaya sweet, planting and care

Among the existing varieties of black currant, Belarusian sweet stands out due to its increased frost resistance, good immunity to common diseases and abundant harvest. This variety of fruit crop allows you to collect up to 5 kilograms of berries from one bush, which have a pleasant taste. This variety produces the first harvest the next year after planting.

History of variety development

Belarusian breeders were involved in breeding this blackcurrant variety. The plant was officially included in the relevant state registers in the late 70s of the last century. The culture is based on two hybrid varieties, from which Belorusskaya sweet borrowed the best properties.

After breeding this variety of currant, breeders conducted research for 10 years, according to the results of which the plant was recommended for cultivation in 10 Russian regions.

Main pros and cons

Belarusian sweet currant stands out thanks to:

• self-pollination;
• early fruiting;
• stable yield, which increases after the first four years;
• berries that are distinguished by their pleasant taste and ability to withstand long journeys;
• frost and drought resistance;
• resistance to a number of diseases and pests.

The main disadvantage of the crop is that the berries on one cluster ripen unevenly.

Currants, despite being drought-resistant, require regular watering. However, with excessive moisture intake, fungal diseases develop.

Biological features

Belarusian sweet currant is unpretentious in terms of care. This variety is recommended for growing on plots for beginning gardeners. It is also noteworthy in the culture that the plant is able to bear fruit when growing in shaded areas.

Description of the bush

The Belarusian sweet currant bushes are characterized by rapid growth.The plant forms a medium-spreading crown with shoots whose height reaches 1.2 meters. Young shoots are characterized by a matte shade, diluted with a pink-violet tip. After the first 2-3 years, ovaries form on the stems. In the eighth year, it is recommended to cut off the shoots, since fruiting decreases during this period. By the age of 15, old currants should be uprooted.

Root system, buds and flowers

When planting a plant on a site, it is necessary to take into account that the root system of young currants is located at a depth of 30 centimeters. Therefore, currants should be planted in areas without strong winds. Over time, the plant takes root to a depth of two meters.

The buds of the Belarusian sweet currant have the following characteristics:

• sizes - medium;
• shape - elongated, with a sharp tip;
• type - growth, flowering, “dormant” (the first to form new shoots);
• color - light pink.

The flowers of the Belarusian sweet currant have a yellowish-green or pink tint. As the inflorescences develop, they take on the shape of a bell.

Berries and yield

Currants bloom gradually, which is why the berries, which weigh up to three grams, ripen unevenly. The length of the fetal brush does not exceed seven centimeters. The berries have a sweet and sour taste, which is formed by sugars and ascorbic acid. Up to 9 fruits are formed on one brush.

The yield of the crop depends on age. One bush 3-5 years old can produce up to three kilograms of berries. Over time, this figure increases to six kilograms.

Area of ​​application of fruits

Belarusian sweet currant is a universal variety that is used to treat various diseases or prepare drinks (juices, compotes, medicinal teas), preserves, jam or pies. The fruits of the crop are dense, due to which the berries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, and in the freezer for several months, without losing their original properties.

Characteristics of the variety

After the appearance of the Belarusian sweet currant variety, they tried to grow it in various territories. Today the plant grows in 45 Russian regions. This range is explained by the characteristics of currants.

Resistance to low temperatures and drought

If you cover the roots in the fall, the Belarusian sweet currant variety tolerates even severe frosts well. However, in cases where the air temperature drops sharply during flowering, the plant does not produce a harvest. In addition, the crop can survive for several days without watering.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

More often, Belarusian sweet currants suffer from powdery mildew and other fungal pathologies. It is also possible for aphids to appear on the leaves. Less commonly, the plant is affected by the bud mite.

Landing rules

The productivity of the plant and the ability of currants to withstand the negative influence of the external environment depend on compliance with the rules and conditions of planting. Before the start of the season, it is recommended to select a suitable location on the site and prepare the seedlings.

Recommended disembarkation times

Gardeners recommend planting currants in September or October. In this case, it is necessary to immediately determine the place of growth. The culture does not like repeated transplantation and may die.

Choosing the optimal location

The optimal place for planting the Belorusskaya sweet currant variety is considered to be an area with loamy soils.Due to the large root system, it is not recommended to germinate the crop in areas where groundwater lies less than one meter from the surface. The plant should be planted in open areas, near fruit trees, whose foliage will protect the berries from the scorching sun in summer. It is advisable that the growing area be sheltered from strong winds.

Preparation of beds and planting material

For planting in private gardens, it is recommended to take 1-2 year old seedlings without visible signs of damage or signs of disease. The length of the roots should be 15-20 centimeters, and the shoots - 30-40 centimeters.

A day before planting, it is necessary to soak the seedlings in Kornevin’s solution, and an hour before soaking them in a mash of red clay. In the place where currants will grow, the soil must be mixed with humus, 100-200 grams of superphosphate and 500 milliliters of wood ash (half a liter jar).

Landing algorithm

Due to active growth and large crowns, it is recommended to plant bushes at a distance of 1.5 meters. There must be at least 2 meters between rows. Planting of crops is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. In a suitable area on the site, holes are dug with a width and depth of 50 centimeters.
2. A 10-centimeter drainage layer and fertilizer made from compost and wood ash are placed at the bottom of the hole.
3. The seedlings are placed in the prepared hole so that the root collar deepens 5 centimeters.
4. The seedlings are tilted at 45 degrees relative to the ground and covered with soil.

After planting, the soil near the bushes should be watered and mulched. Then you need to trim the seedlings, leaving 4-5 buds.

Nuances of crop care

Currants require gardeners to regularly water and weed the soil around the bushes. If necessary, the plant is treated for pests.

Frequency of watering

After the snow melts, the bushes are watered as needed, as the soil dries. It is important to avoid waterlogging of the soil. 2 weeks before harvesting, it is necessary to stop watering. Due to the abundance of moisture, the berries crack.

How and what to feed?

During flowering, nitrogen fertilizers are applied under the bush before watering. When the berries begin to ripen, complex feeding is applied. And after harvesting, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied. Plant development is promoted by foliar organic feeding.

Trimming

During the warm season, it is recommended to remove painful and withered shoots from the bushes. In the second year after planting, you need to form a support around the plant on which the branches will rest. With the onset of autumn, the shoots are shortened by 2-3 centimeters from above.

After planting, the plant must be pruned regularly. In the second year after planting, all shoots are removed, with the exception of the four strongest ones. Over the next two years, gardeners leave 3-6 large zero shoots. After 6 years, it is recommended to cut off woody shoots.

Mulching and loosening beds

To ensure a normal flow of oxygen to the roots, gardeners recommend loosening the soil after each watering. Under the bush, it is necessary to apply and periodically update mulch from dry grass or pine needles from the beginning of the season.

Preventative treatment

In order to prevent infection, each spring currant bushes are treated with hot water containing potassium permanganate crystals. Also suitable for these purposes are drugs that fight infectious diseases. Wood ash and garlic infusion, applied at the root, help prevent the appearance of aphids.

Do I need to cover it for the winter?

Shortly before the onset of frost, it is recommended to cover the root system with compost or humus.

How to propagate a bush?

The Belarusian sweet currant variety reproduces:

1. By cuttings. In spring, you need to cut off several branches and place the shoots in a container of water. When the first roots appear, the seedlings are sent to a permanent place in the garden bed.
2. By layering. During the warm season, it is necessary to press the branch to the ground. After rooting, such a seedling is cut off from the main bush and transplanted to a new location.

In rare cases, gardeners propagate currants by seeds. This option is labor-intensive and requires special skills and patience.

Reviews

Elena, Sergiev Posad

“The Belorusskaya sweet variety attracts with its delicious berries, which we use mainly for making jam. Over the several years that currants have been growing on the site, there have been no problems with growing bushes.”

Anton, Krasnodar

“We took three cuttings from a bush from a neighbor. Everyone settled into the new place. Already in the third year, a bountiful harvest was collected from the bushes. Now the plant consistently produces several kilograms of tasty berries.”

Victor, Yaroslavl

“Belarusian sweet currants have been growing on the site for several years now. During this time, I planted new bushes more than once, using both cuttings and seedlings. Each time the plant took root well.”