Description of currant variety Dar Smolyaninova, features of planting and care

The blackcurrant varieties on the market are very diverse. It is she who is more in demand among gardeners than the others (golden and red). It not only has an excellent taste and aroma, it is simply a storehouse of vitamins. There are 8 times more of them in currants than in citrus fruits. One of the most popular currants is the Dar Smolyaninova variety.

How the variety was developed

The variety was bred at the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Lupine by crossing the linear hybrids 4-15-90 and 42-70. The creators were Astakhov A.I. and Zueva L.I. Included in the State Register of varieties approved for use in the Central Region since 2007.

Biological description of culture

An extra-early variety, approved for use in the Central and Volga-Vyatka region. Smolyaninova's gift is self-fertile, resistant to frost and drought. Moderately resistant to fungal diseases (anthracnose and powdery mildew).

Bush and root system

The bush is medium in size, moderately spreading and dense. The shoots are erect, olive-colored, matte, and of medium thickness. The leaf is large, wrinkled, three-lobed, with a convex and bare blade, light green in color. Blackcurrant has a fibrous root system, without a main root and with moderate branching of small lateral roots. They are located in the surface ball of the earth and reach a depth of up to 40 centimeters.

Flowering, berries and yield

The flowers are pale purple, with reddish sepals. The brush is of medium length, sinuous and pubescent. There are 6-8 flowers on it. The berries grow on the cluster, not tightly adjacent to each other. They are very large, weighing from 2.08 to 4.5 grams each. The black berry is round, with a dry tear.

The peduncle is thin, green, of medium length. Productivity (average) is: 13.3 tons/hectare (you can get 2 kilograms of berries from one bush) and maximum: 17.2 tons/hectare (2.6 kilograms per bush).

Characteristics of black currant

The chemical composition is very rich: vitamins, macro- and microelements. Vitamins included in black currant:

Macronutrient table:

Table of microelements:

Calorie content – ​​44 kilocalories. Contains proteins - 1 gram, fats - 0.4 and carbohydrates - 7.3 grams per 100 grams of currants.

Resistance to sub-zero temperatures and drought

The variety Dar Smolyaninova belongs to the varieties of currants that are resistant to frost and drought. The shrub does not require shelter for the winter and tolerates spring frosts well. Recovers quickly and easily after the winter season. In dry weather, currants must be watered frequently and the ground under the bush must be mulched to retain moisture as long as possible.

Susceptibility to diseases and parasites

Smolyaninova's gift is resistant to fungal diseases (anthracnose, septoria and powdery mildew). Not susceptible to kidney mites.

Important! Black currants cannot be planted near bird cherry, buckthorn, hyssop and fennel! Pest infestation may occur!

How to plant a variety on a plot

To grow this variety on your site, you need to follow some important planting rules for black currants, taking into account the characteristics and needs of this variety (soil, light).

The best time to carry out work

The best time for planting is considered to be the end of September and the beginning of October.Before the onset of cold weather, the roots should be well established and strengthened in the soil. This time will be enough, and in the spring new shoots will appear. You can plant in the spring, only early. Before the kidneys begin to awaken and sap begins to flow.

Selecting a seedling and planting site

A place for planting must be chosen that is sunny and preferably protected from northern winds. Experienced gardeners recommend planting along fences or paths.

Currants can grow in any soil, except saline and swampy soil, with low air permeability, as well as in areas flooded with flood waters. In such areas, bushes need to be planted on a hill or made into mounds.

If the soil is too light, sandy or, conversely, heavy and clayey, it must be fertilized with compost or humus before planting the bush. The most desirable soil for this crop is slightly acidic.

It is advisable to choose a two-year-old seedling that has already undergone the first formative pruning. It is done in order to increase the density of the bush. Its root system should already be well formed. Leaves and shoots should be clean and healthy, without visible diseases.

Preparing the beds

When planting currants in the fall, the beds are prepared in advance. In spring, the land needs to be prepared in the fall. To do this, you need to add nutrients to the soil, per 1 square meter:

• humus - 10 kilograms;
• wood ash – 1 kilogram;
• superphosphate 100 - 200 grams.

Mix everything well and dig up, adding this nutrient mixture.

Currant planting technology

There is nothing complicated in planting this crop, the main thing is to follow some rules:

1. Prepare the site in autumn or winter.
2. Dig it up and fertilize it further: add 10 kilograms of humus per 1 meter.
3. Fill the planting holes with a nutrient mixture 2 weeks before the intended planting. The hole should be about 50 centimeters deep and wide. Mix the soil from the pit with 2 tablespoons of superphosphate, a handful of wood ash and 5 kilograms of compost. Stir and fill the hole 2/3 full.
4. Wait until the soil settles and becomes compacted.
5. Pour 5 liters of water into the hole.
6. Place the seedling in the hole, maintaining an angle of 45 C.
7. Spread the roots, sprinkle soil on top and press down a little with your hand.
8. Add another bucket of water.
9. Then you need to trim the shoots, leaving 2-3 buds on each.

After planting, currants will require care.

How to properly care for crops

Maintenance is simple, it includes: watering, pruning, fertilizing.

What and when to feed

Fertilizer is applied to the soil evenly. The diameter should be equal to the size of the crown of the bush itself. You can scatter it over the surface before watering or embed it shallowly into the ground (5 centimeters).

In spring, the plant is fertilized 2 times:

• at the beginning of flowering;
• in the berry formation phase.

If all fertilizing was done before planting the bush, then the plant is not fertilized for 3 years.

The first spring feeding includes:

• organic fertilizer solution (chicken droppings, rotted manure);
• complete mineral fertilizer;
• a mixture of organic and mineral fertilizers.

Fertilizing from manure is prepared as follows: add 1 part of mullein, 25 grams of urea or saltpeter to 10 liters of water. If you use chicken droppings instead of mullein, then you need to take 13-15 liters of water. Organic fertilizers can be replaced with nitroammophoska, in the amount of 40 grams per bush.

The second spring feeding should bring microelements to the plant. Can be used:

1. Wood ash - 200 grams per bush, with further shallow loosening and moistening.
2. A mixture of humus and potassium sulfate.
3. Mineral fertilizers with microelements, for example, Kemira, Yagodka.

These fertilizers are applied to the ground under the bush or sprayed (foliar feeding). To spray 10 liters of liquid, take 10 grams of fertilizer.

A week after the first root application, the first foliar feeding is performed. They use not only ready-made preparations, but also an infusion of wood ash and boric acid.

The second foliar feeding should be done while the berries are ripening.

In autumn, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied to the soil. The first application of fertilizers should be made immediately after picking the berries, the second - after a month, and the third - in November (add organic matter). The third feeding will begin to take effect after 3 months (in the spring).

How often to water a bush

This crop is very moisture-loving, so it needs regular watering - 2-3 times a week. If currants do not receive enough moisture, their yield drops and the berries become smaller. For one watering, one shrub needs 3-4 buckets of liquid.

Formative and rejuvenating pruning

The bush should be pruned in early spring, before the buds appear. First, branches damaged by diseases and mites are removed. And also broken and dried out.

Anti-aging pruning. Unlike red currants, black currants are capable of producing multiple zero shoots. This is the reason for the thickening of the bush and its very rapid aging. They need to be removed in time, and only branches left to replace the old ones that bear fruit.

Formative pruning. Remove all shoots that are older than 3 years.Because the first harvest of a branch is 27% of the 100% yield for the entire life of the currant. The second - 50%, and in other years - only 13%. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid to trim branches, because they will no longer bring a good harvest.

This is the key to a properly formed bush, with 12 erect shoots, as well as annual and biennial branches, which should be equally divided. If pruned correctly, the shrub will produce good harvests every year.

Loosening and mulching the soil

The soil around the bush must be dug up and mulched with sawdust or humus. The thickness of the mulch should be about 5-10 centimeters.

The next day after watering, the soil near the bush should be loosened and sprinkled with hay or sawdust. Weeds that appear must be removed immediately so that they do not infect the plant with diseases or pests.

Preventative treatments

For prevention purposes it is necessary:

1. Purchase healthy and strong cuttings.
2. Systematically inspect the bushes of the plant for the presence of diseases.
3. Destroy infection carriers (aphids, ticks) with chemical or biological agents.
4. Observe the dosage of fertilizing, since an excess of nitrogen fertilizers provokes viral diseases.

At the end of winter, pour boiling water over the currant bushes to kill pests and their larvae.

Shelter from frost

This variety tolerates winter well, but sometimes early frosts can take the plant by surprise. For protection, it is necessary to cover the bushes with covering, non-woven material or put on large paper bags.

Method of propagation of currants Gift of Smolyaninova

Some experienced gardeners practice propagation of currants. This is not very difficult, the main thing is to choose healthy cuttings for this purpose.

Reproduction methods:

• cuttings;
• layering;
• dividing the bush.

Reviews about currants

Igor Petrovich, pensioner, 64 years old.

“On my plot I have only the best varieties of currants, and Smolyaninova’s Gift is one of them.”

Elena, 46 years old.

“I really love Dar Smolyaninova currants for their aroma and large and sweet berries. Previously, I used berries only for canning, but I eat this variety fresh and am very pleased.”

Zoya Petrovna, 54 years old.

“I live in the Moscow region. I have been growing this variety for 7 years. Not only does it have delicious berries, it withstands our winters well. I am very pleased!"

The Dar Smolyaninova variety has proven itself only on the positive side. It is universal and has an early ripening period. Berries are not only tasty, but also very healthy. Due to the high content of vitamin C, doctors recommend using jam and decoction for influenza and acute respiratory infections.