Description of red currant variety Marmeladnitsa, planting and care

Red currant bushes are grown by gardeners to produce sour berries and for decorative purposes. One of the most common currant varieties is Marmeladnitsa, which has a high content of pectin, a gelling component.

History of selection and region of growth

The variety was bred in the 90s of the last century by crossing the Maarsis Promenent and Rote Spätlese varieties. The author of the variety is L.V. Bayanova, who sought to obtain a berry ideal for making marmalade and jelly products. In 1997, Marmeladnitsa currant was included in the official State Register of Agricultural Crops.

This variety should be grown in regions with warm and temperate climates. Favorable conditions promote active growth and abundant fruiting.

Description and characteristics of Marmalade

Having planned the planting of currants and considering the Marmeladnitsa variety as one of the options, you should familiarize yourself with the detailed description of the crop. The variety has a number of distinctive characteristics.

Bush and berries

The berries grow on dense, semi-spreading bushes. The plantings are medium-sized, with straight, powerful shoots and light pubescence. The buds are distinguished by pointed tips that bend away from the shoot. The five-lobed leaves are deep green in color and have a shiny surface and a pubescent back side.

Red currant clusters reach a length of 8 cm and are evenly distributed on the branches. Small berries weighing up to 1 g are valued for their dense pulp, pleasant sour taste and a large number of beneficial properties. The harvest is most often used to make jam, preserves and marmalade. The berries are also suitable for fresh consumption and freezing.

Disease and insect resistance

The Marmaladnitsa currant variety is resistant to bud mites and other common pests.Of the parasites for berries, only aphids are dangerous, which infect plants under unfavorable environmental conditions and violation of the rules of care. The culture has increased immunity to powdery mildew, anthracnose and septoria.

Resistance to sub-zero temperatures and droughts

Currant Marmaladnitsa tolerates low temperatures well without the risk of loss of marketable appearance and deterioration in taste characteristics. The drought resistance of the berry crop is average, and the bushes also tolerate hot weather well.

Advantages and disadvantages: is it worth planting?

When thinking about planting the Marmeladnitsa variety, it is advisable to compare all the advantages and disadvantages in order to make a final decision. The main advantages of the variety include:

1. Benefits from use. The berries contain a large amount of pectin and vitamin C.
2. Variability of crop use. The fruits are suitable for processing, freezing, storage and fresh consumption.
3. High yield. When grown in private garden plots and on an industrial scale, the bushes consistently bear fruit in large volumes.
4. Easy to care for. The variety does not require specific care; ripening fruits do not fall off.
5. Resistance to external factors. Currant Marmalade is immune to diseases, pests, temperature changes and drought.

The main disadvantage is the tendency of the berries to become smaller if not properly cared for. Also, the disadvantages are the demands on the composition of the soil mixture and the abundant growth on the bushes, which creates difficulties for inexperienced gardeners.

Planting currants

Planting seedlings in a permanent place of growth requires preparatory work and adherence to certain technology.In order for currant bushes to actively develop and bear fruit, it is important to choose a suitable location, take into account planting dates, and prepare the soil and seedlings.

Deciding on a place

Too high a temperature and direct exposure to sunlight adversely affect the growth of bushes. For the Marmeladnitsa variety, it is recommended to choose a semi-shaded place where the plantings will be in comfortable conditions. The correct choice of location prevents leaves from falling, shoots drying out and berries from becoming smaller. In this case, heavy shade should be avoided so that the plants are not exposed to fungal infections.

Optimal timing

The most suitable time for planting currants is the second half of autumn, when the sap flow in the shoots stops. In the middle zone, the Marmeladnitsa variety is planted in late October or early November. In the southern regions, it is possible to postpone the landing date to mid-November.

In northern regions with extreme temperature drops, it is better to plant currants in the spring so that the seedlings have time to adapt to new conditions.

Preparing the plot and beds

For the full development of plantings, currants should be planted in fertile soil. For this purpose, preliminary preparation of the site is carried out. 3-4 weeks before transferring the seedlings to a permanent place, the beds are treated with rotted compost, nitroammophos and wood ash.

After applying the fertilizer, the soil is carefully dug up or loosened. If it is not possible to carry out preliminary preparation, you should add fertilizing directly during planting of seedlings. In this case, the excavated soil from the planting hole is mixed with potassium chloride, superphosphate and compost. The resulting mixture is used to sprinkle seedlings.

Technology for planting seedlings

To avoid common mistakes, you should follow the step-by-step instructions. The planting process requires the following steps:

1. Dig a planting hole with standard dimensions of 50 x 50 cm. It is recommended to prepare the hole several weeks before planting.
2. Mix the fertile soil layer with organic fertilizers.
3. Place the currant seedling in the central part of the hole and straighten the roots so that their bases do not bend upward. The root collar should remain 6 cm below ground level.
4. The seedling is covered with earth, the top layer is lightly compacted and watered abundantly.
5. The area around the seedlings is covered with a layer of mulch. Straw, humus, peat, sawdust, and pine branches can be used as processing materials.
6. The top of the plant is trimmed, leaving no more than 4 buds on the seedlings.

How to properly care for the variety

Comprehensive care for berry crops involves regular watering of the bushes, the use of nutritious fertilizers, crown formation, and protection from frost. The quality of the harvest, the taste characteristics of the berries and the general condition of the plants largely depend on the timeliness and correctness of these procedures.

We organize proper watering

Marmaladnitsa currants, when grown in a temperate climate, have sufficient natural precipitation. Additional soil moisture should be carried out in severe drought conditions. It is also recommended to water the bushes during the period of intensive fruiting. Irrigation is carried out in the evening, after sunset, spending 20-30 liters of water on each bush.

For the convenience of watering plants, you can build a drip irrigation system.To retain moisture in the soil, the tree trunk circle is covered with a layer of mulch.

We carry out formative pruning

It is better to form the crown in the spring, before the buds open. In the first year of seedling development, 5-7 developed shoots are left on them. In the second and subsequent years, 5 annual or more mature shoots are left, and the rest are removed. Branches that are too old, damaged or withered should also be pruned. In summer, young shoots are pinched to stimulate the formation of replacement shoots.

Adding Nutrients

During the growing season, it is necessary to fertilize currants several times. The Marmaladnitsa variety needs the following fertilizers:

• in early spring, plants are watered with urea solution;
• during the period of active flowering, the roots are watered with a mixture of water and bird droppings, and the above-ground part is sprayed with potassium permanganate;
• In the fall, the bushes are fed with rotted manure or compost.

Sheltering bushes for the winter

When grown in northern regions, bushes are protected for the winter using covering material. Thick fabric, burlap or opaque plastic film is placed on top of the plants. It is also possible to provide natural shelter for the plant. To do this, you need to bend the branches towards the ground so that they are under the snow cover. The branches are fixed to the soil surface using weights, for which it is recommended to use logs or boards.

Reviews from gardeners about Marmeladnitsa

Galina, 36 years old: “They choose this variety for making jam. The berries taste good due to their pleasant sourness. There were no problems with care."

Lidiya Vasilievna, 58 years old: “This is not the first season I have been growing the Marmeladnitsa variety. The harvest is consistently large, the fruits are juicy.Last year I noticed aphids on the bushes, so I had to spray the beds with insecticides. The pest invasion did not affect the taste and quantity of the harvest.”