Description and characteristics of currant varieties Gulliver, planting and care

One of the most unpretentious fruit bushes to care for is the black currant variety Gulliver. Its bushes are too tall, which is unusual for currants, and can grow over large areas. In addition to the gigantic size of the bush, currants have giant berries, which is why they got their name - Gulliver.

Description and characteristics of Gulliver currant

Black currant Gulliver has the following characteristics that contribute to better agricultural practices.

Suitable climate

Taking into account the fact that currants require shelter for the winter at -28 degrees and below, this means that they are demanding of warm winters or a large thickness of snow, which must be taken into account when choosing a place for planting. The variety tolerates spring colds well, without loss of the future harvest.

In summer, currants tolerate heat well, but it is necessary to ensure timely and regular watering as the earthen clod around the bush dries out.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Gulliver is a blackcurrant variety that is considered moderately resistant to pests and diseases. Diseases and insects characteristic of currants may appear on the bushes from time to time.

Origin story

The variety was first bred at the Bryansk Research Institute by breeders Zueva and Astakhov, and registered in the register of fruit and berry crops in 2000. Most in demand in the Volga region and the North-West region.

Reproduction

The variety propagates, like other types of black currant, by lateral shoots from the root system, but it is better to buy a ready-made seedling in a nursery or from trusted amateur gardeners. This technique will help preserve varietal characteristics.

Pros and cons of the variety

Each variety has its own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are:

1. The Gulliver currant variety is very productive. Fertility from one bush reaches up to 6 kg. But this is not the limit; with the right agricultural technology, this figure can be increased.
2. The berries are very large and tasty, with some sourness. Great for home canning. The size reaches a five-ruble coin. One berry weighs on average about 4 grams.
3. You can start collecting in July. The fruits ripen together and do not fall off if the bush grows in the shade or in bright light.
4. Does not require cross-pollination, but if it is provided, the yield will increase significantly.
5. For several years, fertility does not decrease.
6. It is considered resistant to low winter temperatures and high summer temperatures.
7. Resistant to attack by powdery mildew, rust and bud mites.

Among the disadvantages, there is strong growth, which is why the bushes need a lot of space.

The nuances of planting currants

First, it is worth considering each step of planting Gulliver black currants.

Landing dates

Bare-rooted currant seedlings are planted both in spring and autumn. The choice depends on the capabilities of the gardener. In spring it’s April, May, if the ground has already thawed and had time to warm up. In autumn - in September or October. In this case, the young seedling has time to take root, its roots grow and adapt to winter frosts. If winters are expected to be warm and late, then the dates are shifted by about a month. Regional climate is taken into account.

If the seedling is grown in a container in advance, its roots have already adapted to the soil; it can be planted at any time, but before the first frost.

Selecting a location

Currants love good light, but cannot tolerate direct sunlight; this nuance should be taken into account when choosing a site. There should also be no strong winds or nearby groundwater or swampy areas.

It grows very well on slopes, where snow may linger in winter, which will protect it from low temperatures.

It is necessary to plant bushes at intervals of 1.5-2 meters. If the plants are planted very close, fruiting will begin much faster, but the yields will be meager and the berries will be small in size.

Site preparation

This is one of the main stages in growing currants. Future productivity depends on its correctness. Clearing the land of perennial weeds that will not oppress the plant, and applying fertilizers have a fairly effective effect on the life of currants in the future:

1. In the selected area, dig up the soil, as usual, to the size of a bayonet shovel. They sort out the ground from weeds and their roots.
2. Mark the location of the bushes, taking into account the capabilities of the plant and the garden plot.
3. Dig a planting hole measuring 30-40 cm deep and 50-60 cm in different directions.
4. Fertilizers are poured into the bottom of the hole so that they cover ¾ of the hole and mixed with a small volume of soil. As fertilizers you need to take 10 liters of compost, 200 g of superphosphate, 60 g of potassium compounds or wood ash.

The holes can be prepared in advance, or just before planting.

Selection of planting material

It is important to remember that the selected seedling must produce a large harvest, and therefore meet the following requirements:

1. Must be one or two years old. Old bushes, even if they are small, may not take root or will be very painful.
2. The roots should not be dry at the time of purchase and after delivery home. To do this, they are wrapped in a wet cloth.
3. Choose the healthiest shoot that will quickly grow.
4. If the bush is in a container, inspect it externally. It should contain swollen buds or blossoming leaves of bright green color.

If the seedling is faded and does not inspire confidence, you should discard it and choose another one.

Landing instructions

Upon inspection, the roots should be sufficiently formed; if there are dried ones, they are cut off.The seedling must have at least four roots up to 20 cm long. The number of branches is up to three pieces on one young sprout.

The seedling is deepened into the ground to the length of the root system, while leaving the root collar above the surface.

Before placing the currants in the hole, pour ½ bucket of water into it. The plant is sprinkled with the remaining soil, compacted and watered abundantly. After planting, the soil surface is mulched with peat so that the moisture does not evaporate too quickly and the soil does not crack from the sun. The mulch can be loosened along with the soil, with caution around the bush.

Plant care rules

All rules for caring for black currants are similar. Basically there are no differences. What is included in these rules.

Watering and fertilizing

Gulliver currant is a moisture-loving variety, especially if the weather is windy and dry. Water in the evening so that the bush is saturated with water while it dries. For one medium-sized bush, two 10-liter buckets of water are enough.

Important! Make sure that moisture does not get on the plant at the time of flowering and fruiting. This will reduce the quality of the product.

Regular fertilizing, like nothing else, increases productivity. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in the spring, phosphorus and potassium in the fall. During active growth, organic matter is added. The application area should be wider than the crown of the bush. In the year of planting, a one-time addition of a complex of fertilizers to the hole is enough.

Trimming

Pruning is an important agrotechnical technique for currants. It is carried out in spring or autumn. Shoots that are five years old or more are cut out. They also remove dry, diseased branches broken by snow and winds.

Important! The purpose of pruning is to sanitize the bush, and also to prevent the crown from thickening and the berries from becoming smaller.

Shelter for the winter

Another important procedure for preserving the Gulliver variety on your site. Although currants can withstand frosts down to -30 degrees, it is better to protect them from freezing in advance:

1. Install items for snow retention.
2. Wrap branches and trunks with any rag.
3. Cover with a blanket, spruce branches, old boxes, wooden crates.

This is possible when the currants are not large. When the plant is very large, only snow will save it.

Protection from diseases and pests

Fortunately, the Gulliver currant variety is resistant to the bud mite, the most dangerous enemy of the entire berry garden. But it can be attacked by other diseases and pests:

• aphid;
• moths;
• gall midges;
• glass

To protect your plantings, you need to take preventive measures: remove fallen leaves in the fall and dig up the soil. The foliage is burned to destroy insect larvae, which overwinter well and begin to develop in the spring. In the spring, currant bushes are treated with solutions of insecticides and fungicides.

Harvesting and storage

Berries are picked in the morning and evening; such fruits will be stored longer. The sun makes them lethargic. Harvesting begins as the currant skin turns black. If it rains, you should wait until the fruits dry. Moisture is unfavorable for further preservation.

Long-term storage of fresh berries is impossible, but they can last up to a year in the freezer. In addition, excellent compotes, preserves, jams and other preparations that are very tasty and healthy are prepared from currants.

The Gulliver currant variety is loved by gardeners for its gigantic size, low shedding from the bush, rapid ripening and high yield.But if you don’t take the rules of care seriously, you won’t be able to achieve this.