Description and characteristics of Vologda currants, cultivation and care

Black currant variety Vologda is another one of the most undemanding and also large-fruited varieties of Russian selection. The history of this specimen goes back to the 90s. At the same time, the variety was included in the State Register. Vologda is a frost-resistant species with a late ripening period. Thanks to these features, it became popular. The variety is widespread in the middle Volga, Far East and North-West Russia.

Characteristics and description of Vologda currants

The height of the bush reaches up to 1.5 meters. These are not very large figures, but the plant is very spreading to the sides, which means that currant plantings do not like cramped conditions and require a lot of free space. The foliage on the shoots is dark green in color; in the fall it becomes red-brown, and the shoots bend, arching. Currant blossoms begin in May; the flowers are small, yellow-green, collected in racemose inflorescences.

The first harvest can be harvested at the end of July. The bunches of Vologda currants are quite long, from 8 to 10 cm, on which there are up to 14 large berries. The skin on the berries is very dense, the weight reaches up to 2 grams; at the top of the tassel there are specimens weighing up to 3 grams. The taste of the fruit is more sour than sweet. This fact is due to the presence of a small amount of sugars and an abundance of ascorbic acid. Currants do not ripen smoothly. The ripening period lasts until the end of August.

Vologda is characterized by weak fruit shedding, but in the sun the berries can burst and become soft.

The variety is self-pollinating, but if several currant bushes are planted on the site, the yield will be significantly higher. The harvest can be harvested in the second year of life.

Advantages and disadvantages of Vologda

The description of black currant variety Vologda testifies to its advantages, such as:

1. Good survival rate when planted in autumn.
2. Fruiting begins in the second year.
3. Resistant to low winter temperatures.
4. The berries are large and do not fall off.
5. The variety is resistant to powdery mildew, bud mite and other specific diseases.
6. Rich content of ascorbic acid in fruits.
7. Easily tolerates any weather and climatic growing conditions.

The disadvantages of currants are the extended period, as well as untimely ripening of the berries on the cluster. In addition, when overripe, the berries burst and acquire a sour taste, begin to ferment and become moldy. Bushes require a lot of space to grow.

Features of cultivation

Like other varieties, Vologda currants have certain planting rules.

Landing dates

You should start planting the crop from the end of September to the end of October. These are the optimal times; at this time, the mother bush is already shedding its leaves and accumulating nutrients for wintering. The same thing happens in the lateral offspring. If you transplant such seedlings, they will quickly adapt to the onset of the first cold weather.

An interesting fact is that the root system of the black currant variety Vologda does not enter a dormant state, which means it develops in winter. Therefore, new plantings quickly take root and can produce the first results next year.

In the spring, Vologda can also be planted, but this is done in April, after the snow has melted and the upper layers of the soil have thawed. This option for planting dates may not be suitable for many growing regions, since in April the weather is not yet stable and the threat of frost remains.

Preparing the bed

The bed is located in an area with good lighting, protected from draft winds and scorching sun. Usually, currant plantings can be seen along high fences in a summer cottage.

To prepare the soil for planting currants, it is important to do the following:

1. Carefully dig up the soil on the site, remove the roots of weeds, and level it.
2. If the soil is highly acidic, add lime at the rate of ½ kg per 1 m².
3. Lime is mixed with the soil using a rake.
4. They make holes.The dimensions of the hole should be: up to 40 cm deep, up to 50 cm wide.

Important! The site should be located away from close groundwater.

Selection of seedlings

It is better to plant two-year-old seedlings. They should be strong with a well-developed root system. Sprouts rooted in separate glasses are perfect. They will more easily endure the stress during the transplant, and will also get used to it quickly and will not get sick.

The purchased seedling must have two or more main lignified roots and smaller lateral ones. Saplings with one shoot are also not suitable for fruitful planting and future cultivation of the plant.

Advice! The roots should be yellow; if the color is dark, it means that the seedling was not stored correctly, was frozen or rotted. If the seedling has blossomed, the leaves should be bright green, without visible damage, and the height of the shoots should be at least 35 cm.

Distance between bushes

For one adult blackcurrant bush, a distance of 1.5 meters from the neighboring bush is required. If it is decided to place the currants along the fence, then you should also retreat 1.5 meters from it.

When the bushes are arranged in a row in the garden bed, about 2.5 meters are left between the rows so that you can easily move along the strip, for example, with a wheelbarrow when removing garbage or with a watering can.

Process technology

Half a bucket of compost and rotted humus is poured into a pre-prepared hole. Organic matter can be replaced with mineral fertilizers: up to 200 g of superphosphate, up to 50 g of potassium sulfate or phosphorus and about 20 g of potassium. Pour a bucket of water into the hole and let it soak in a little. A young seedling is lowered into the hole.

Important! Place the seedling at an angle of 45 degrees so that the bush gains strength faster.In this position, additional buds will form faster on the root neck.

The roots are well straightened and sprinkled with soil, then the soil is trampled around the bush. It is necessary to compact it very well so that later the earth does not crack and emptiness does not appear in the roots. A small trench is made around the seedling, into which mulch is poured, which helps retain moisture in the ground and prevent it from evaporating.

Nuances of caring for the variety

Timely implementation of agricultural techniques, as well as their correctness, allow the black currant variety Vologda to grow faster, gain strength and produce an excellent harvest.

Top dressing

This is the main technique when growing any fruit and berry crop. Future productivity indicators directly depend on it. It is worth finding out in advance what fertilizers currants need and when they are applied.

Fertilizers applied during planting are sufficient for two years of active seedling growth. Starting from the third year, currants begin to be fed:

1. In the fall, when the currants shed their leaves, add organic matter. The area under the bush is covered with humus, and then dug up along with the top layer of soil.
2. In addition to organic matter, mineral fertilizers are also applied in the fall: potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen in the quantities specified in the instructions specifically for currants. Dig up along with organic matter.
3. During the formation of the ovary, potassium-phosphorus is added, these are superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
4. Nitrogen fertilizing is carried out three times a year: during the first sap flow, during flowering and after picking berries.

Proper application of organic and mineral fertilizers contributes to the good development of the bush in the spring, nutrition of the root system, and the formation of new buds in the fall.

Watering

Watering is an important procedure for currant bushes:

1. The first irrigation is carried out after the plant awakens, but before the buds appear. Water with hot water (70 degrees) with baking soda dissolved in it. This will destroy viruses, eggs and larvae of harmful insects.
2. Further moistening is carried out as the soil dries. Here you need to take weather conditions into account. Each bush requires up to 60 liters of water.
3. Water currants during flowering, during drought, after dropping the leaves.
4. During fruit ripening, irrigation is reduced.

Important! You cannot water Vologda currants from a hose with a direct stream under the bush, this will erode the root system.

Tillage

This includes timely weed removal, loosening and mulching. Weeds can be weeded by hand or with a small hoe with a shallow depth so as not to damage the upper part of the roots. In addition to eliminating weeds, the top layer of soil becomes loose.

Loosening is also carried out after watering, after applying fertilizers and after mulching. For mulch, you can take straw, fresh sawdust, chopped grass, peat, and pine needles.

Shelter for the winter

Currant Vologda does not require special shelter, as it is a winter-hardy variety. But if the winter has little snow, protection should be installed on the territory of the berry garden to collect snow. High snow cover will perfectly protect the plant from icy winds.

Trimming

This procedure is carried out annually. Pruning is necessary for the growth of new fruit shoots, as well as for the branching of the bush. During the season, currants are pruned several times:

1. During planting of young currants. Existing shoots are shortened by almost half, which allows additional strong branches to develop.
2. Berries appear on branches at the age of 1 year.At the same time, many new shoots appear on the bush every year. Therefore, branches that bore fruit last year must be pruned.
3. In the spring, dried branches broken by snow, damaged by rodents and diseases, and dried branches are removed from currants.

When pruning, you should pay attention to the condition of the shoots. If the buds on the shoot are swollen, then most likely a mite is at work; such shoots must be removed and burned. If the old branches are healthy, and there are flower buds on them and there are many of them, then it is better to leave this shoot. Young shoots are often very fragile and underdeveloped; they are also cut out so that they do not draw nutrients onto themselves.

Diseases and pests

Currant Vologda is a disease-resistant plant. But no one canceled preventive measures. Currants are attacked by the following diseases and pests:

Collection and storage

Currants are harvested as they ripen; the end of the harvest occurs at the end of August. The berries should be picked in the morning, when the sun is not out in full force. Such a crop will feel better and will withstand any movement over long distances.

There are a lot of ways to store Vologda currants: frozen, canned (compotes, preserves, jams). In any form, currants are suitable for culinary purposes.

Currant Vologda has existed in Russia since 1995. Over a fairly long period of time, it was able to become the favorite of many gardeners. When growing this variety, you don’t have to pay attention to the shortcomings, since the large fruit and abundance of the harvest are paramount.