Description and characteristics of red currant variety Natalie, planting and care

A vegetable garden at the dacha has always been considered a source of pride for the owner. There are plants that not only bring a good harvest, but also decorate the land. The popular red currant variety in the Russian Federation, Natalie, is just that. Upon completion of ripening, the red fruits hang on the currant bushes, delighting the owner and delighting guests and neighbors.

Description and characteristics of Natalie currants

The bushes are slightly spreading and have an average height. Shoots that are not lignified are of medium thickness, green in color, with a slight red tint in the upper part. Shoot growth is straight. Shoots that have become woody have a gray-brown color. There is no pubescence.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The red currant variety Natalie is very resistant to diseases. The most common pests for this variety are gooseberry sawfly and leaf aphids. In July-August, the plant may be affected by powdery mildew.

Drought and frost resistance

Currants tolerate cold well, but drought and excess moisture can harm them. It is recommended to plant it in loamy soil. For fertilizers, it is worth using organic matter, for example, humus additives. It is better not to plant currants in acidic soils.

Ripening period and yield

The variety, according to its scientific description, is considered mid-season. It is possible to collect approximately 3.5 kilograms of fruit from one bush. Ripening usually ends in mid-summer.

Transportability

Natalie is considered a transportable variety. However, transportation of fruits must be carried out by packaging the berries in small containers.

Suitable region and climate

18 years ago, Natalie was included in the state register of selection achievements. Currants can be grown in any region of the Russian Federation, except for the Northern, Lower Volga regions, and the Far East. The variety is classified as a temperate climate crop.

History of selection

The variety was bred in VSTISP by crossing red currant varieties. The variety was created by V.M. Litvinova and N.K. Smolyaninov.

Main pros and cons

Advantages of Natalie's red currant:

• frost-resistant (tolerates frosts down to minus thirty degrees);
• It bears fruit for a long time (you can pick berries from a bush for up to 10 years);
• fruits that are ripe are not subject to shedding;
• the fruits have good taste;
• transportable;
• can be stored for a long time;
• resistant to diseases and pests.

The main disadvantage of the variety is that after the fifth or sixth year of life the bush can become too spreading. Under the weight of the fruit, the shoots bend strongly, which is why it is necessary to install supports.

Growing rules

You can grow currants in almost any soil that is enriched with useful additives. It is not recommended to plant seedlings in acidic, alkaline, or too dry soils.

Site selection

It is recommended to plant on level areas. Additionally, currants can be planted in the upper/middle parts of hills. The area must have good lighting. The optimal place is a path along the fence, which will protect the seedlings from wind gusts.

Choosing healthy planting material

You need to select seedlings that meet the following criteria:

• there are several well-developed shoots over 30 centimeters long;
• there are at least 2 kidneys;
• rhizomes are yellow, with hairs, keratinized;
• many lateral roots.

Soil preparation

You need to dig a trench or separate holes (the distance between the holes is from one to one and a half meters). The depth of the holes should be from 10 to 20 centimeters. The excavated soil must be mixed with the following additives (the number of additives per square is indicated):

• organic matter (wood ash) - from 3 to 4 kilograms;
• granulated superphosphate - from 100 to 150 grams;
• potassium sulfate – from 20 to 30 grams.

It is necessary to thoroughly mix the additives with the soil. If the rhizomes come into contact with fertilizers, they can get burned, which is why the seedling will not take root well.

Planting process

The landing algorithm is as follows:

1. Immersion of planting material into the hole, carefully straightening the roots.
2. Arrangement of planting material at an angle. This will ensure the formation of additional rhizomes and allow the development of buds that are located at the level of the root collar.
3. Light compaction of the soil as the soil is filled.
4. Filling the planting material up to half.
5. Watering the seedling (half a bucket of water for 1 bush).
6. Complete filling of planting material.
7. Watering the seedling (from 10 to 15 liters of water per bush).
8. Mulching the soil around the planting material. This will prevent the soil from drying out and forming a crust. Mulching can be done using organic matter - sludge, manure, sawdust.

Features of caring for the variety

According to gardeners, red currant bushes bring a large harvest if they are properly cared for. The plant needs regular watering and feeding. For the winter, bushes are pruned (for their proper formation).

Watering

To activate the growth of currant shoots after the winter season, before the buds open, the plant is irrigated with water at a temperature of eighty degrees. Red currants, like black currants, are highly sensitive to lack of moisture, especially in March. If you do not irrigate the plants in a dry spring, the ovaries may fall off and the fruits that remain may be crushed.

One square requires 25 liters of water.Water is poured into furrows made around a circle with a diameter of 60 centimeters (the center of the circle is a bush).

Top dressing

In mid-spring, 10 grams of urea are added to the soil to a depth of 30 centimeters. It ensures the saturation of the bushes with nitrogen elements that stimulate growth. At the beginning of summer, the soil needs to be fertilized with organic additives. Add 0.3 liters of manure or cow manure to 5 liters of water. The solution is poured into the plants at the root.

In mid-summer, plants are treated leaf by leaf. It is necessary to use a complex additive (5 liters of water mixed with 2 grams of boric acid and 5 grams of manganese sulfate).

Trimming

Pruning of bushes is carried out in the spring and autumn seasons. Pruning helps rejuvenate plants and improve yields. Once every 5 years, excess branches that thicken the bush are pruned. About 17 shoots are left. All dry and frozen branches need to be pruned, this will allow new branches to grow.

Reproduction

It is possible to obtain seedlings yourself. In the spring season, strong shoots are selected and buried, leaving the upper part outside. In the autumn season, when the cuttings take root, they are separated from the “native” bush and planted in another place.

Protection from winter cold

The variety is not afraid of cold weather, however, if we are talking about growing Natalie currants in the Far East, it is necessary to build a shelter. The best option is mulch. The ground on which currants grow is covered with a layer of manure and silt (manure and silt are mixed in equal proportions, the consistency of the mixture should resemble rich sour cream).

The height of the layer should be 4 centimeters, the radius of the coating should be approximately 0.7 meters.During winter cold, soil covered with mulch will not allow heat to pass through, saturating the soil with useful elements and protecting the bush from pests.

Possible diseases and pests, control and prevention

Red currant Natalie is susceptible to the following pests and diseases:

1. Powdery mildew. Topaz is used after the bush has flowered and fourteen days before harvest.
2. Gall aphid. The problem is solved by using Karbofos solution.
3. Gooseberry sawfly. Iskra is used. It is mixed with water in a ratio of one to ten. One and a half liters of solution is poured under the bush.

Harvesting and storage

In July, currants begin to actively bear fruit. The berries that are collected are very resistant to transportation. They can be stored in the refrigerator or cellar for about 30 days. Fruits can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months. For transportation you need to use small plastic containers.

Natalie is classified as a table variety. When processed, the berries do not lose their own properties. You can use them to make drinks, dressings, and add them to baked goods.