Description and characteristics of the sugar red currant variety, planting and care
Red currant is a berry with a specific sour taste. Few people know about the existence of Sugar Red Currant, which has a special aroma and rich sweet aftertaste. It is impossible not to love such currants. Even children will love it. And the amount of vitamins in it is countless. It is worth knowing how to properly grow currants in a summer cottage in order to get a rich harvest.
Breeding history of the variety
The Sugar variety was bred in the Soviet years by the breeder NK Smolyaninov. By crossing, he developed a special type of berry, which is distinguished by large, dense berries and a sweet taste.
Sugar currant immediately fell in love with summer residents. It is actively grown in the Volga region, the northern and northwestern parts of Russia.
The advantages and disadvantages of culture
The Red Sugar variety has been used in summer cottages relatively recently. Despite this, it is gaining more and more popularity due to its advantages:
- A large crop is harvested from one bush.
- The plant, with proper care, bears fruit for 20 years.
- Frost resistant.
- Doesn't require much maintenance.
- The fruits are used for a wide range of activities: eating, compote, preserves, wines and liqueurs.
- The leaves of the plant are not susceptible to third-party pests.
- The berries do not crumple, they can be transported over long distances.
- Productivity all summer.
It is worth noting the disadvantages of the variety. Before growing a plant, the gardener should familiarize himself with them:
- medium-sized fruits;
- susceptible to anthracnose.
By examining the pros and cons, an objective conclusion can be drawn regarding the Sugar red currant variety.
Description of the sugar currant variety
The bush of the plant reaches a height of 1 meter. One cluster has more than 15 flowers and 10 inflorescences. The taste is sweet, with a slight sourness.
Ripening period and yield of berries
The berry ripens in the summer season, the month depends on the region of germination. In the southern regions, with abundant sun, the harvest is harvested in July. In the northern, north-western latitudes, you will have to wait until August. Red currant is called an early variety.
A well-fertilized and well-groomed shrub gives up to 5 kilograms of harvest every season. Often the indicators increase to 7 kilograms.Berry fruiting period is over 20 years.
Transportability
The fruits are dense and textured, which allows them to be transported without losing their original appearance. The berries lie in a cool place for a long time. This will prevent you from processing them right away. When picking, be careful not to pick the fruits themselves, but the twigs. In this way, it will be possible not to damage the red currant.
Disease and pest resistance
With the annual treatment of bushes from pests, the blooming appearance of the plant can be observed for a long time. Despite the fact that most pests do not infect currants, you should still be wary of anthracnose. It will cause not only yellowed leaves, but also a meager harvest.
Processing should be carried out in the autumn, before the onset of a new stage of fruiting.
Resistant to drought and freezing temperatures
Due to its high resistance to heat and cold, red sugar currants are loved in many regions of Russia. It tolerates severe frosts well, after which it bears fruit successfully even in hot climatic conditions.
Nuances of planting sugar currants on the site
If you want to get a good harvest, you should take care of purchasing seedlings and a thoughtful planting site. Improper planting or an initially poor quality sprout will negatively affect further germination.
How to choose the right seedling
For the Sugar red currant variety, when choosing a seedling, the same criteria apply as for other bush plants:
- The roots should be voluminous.
- Green leaves - no damage, traces of previous diseases or pests.
- The branches are smooth, without a bumpy surface and delamination.
- The height of the seedling is at least 50 centimeters.
Important! If you are afraid of running into unscrupulous sellers, it is better to go shopping at a state nursery, where plants are grown for sale under the supervision of experienced breeders and agronomists.
Seat selection
The shrub is afraid of the winds; protect it by planting it by the fence. Take care of direct sunlight. With them, the berries will be juicier and more aromatic. When choosing a soil, give preference to a sandy surface with groundwater nearby. This is the most optimal medium for red currants.
Preparing the soil and planting pit
Be sure to prepare the land before planting. As a rule, not one, but several shrubs are planted at once. It will be enough to leave a distance of 1 meter between them. A hole must be dug 5-6 days before planting. Leave it in this state so that the earth can compact.
If you want to get an early and rich harvest, put mineral fertilizer or manure on the bottom of the pit. Pour water over the pit and place the Sugar currant seedling in it. Sprinkle 5-6 centimeters of soil on the bush. Create a special irrigation furrow around the currants. Gradually, the ground will level out, during this time the seedling will take root.
Dates and rules for disembarkation
Note that the shrub should be planted in spring or fall. This is the most optimal time for it to take root in the territory. The bush is frost-resistant, do not worry that it will not overwinter. Before the onset of cold weather, the seedling will take root, and will be able to survive the cold without consequences.
Important! The best month for planting is September.
The basics of seasonal crop care
It is important not only to choose and plant a seedling correctly, but also to care for it. Then it will turn out to harvest a good harvest. Despite the fact that red currant is not a whimsical plant, you still need to know the basic rules for caring for it.
Watering
The plant loves water, it is worth taking care of it. However, you do not need to overflow the bush either. When watering, make sure that the water only hits the roots, do not spray on the trunk and leaves.If the summer is rainy, then halve the amount of watering. If the weather is dry, then irrigation once a week is enough for the bush to be saturated with water.
Top dressing
Agronomists do not advise overdoing it with fertilizing currant bushes. If the bush is not sick, then limit yourself to natural fertilizing in the form of manure or eggshells. When a disease attacks the bush, the plant is treated with urea or saltpeter. Dissolve the purchased powder in 10 liters of water. Use top dressing along with regular watering. Especially effective are not only summer fertilizers, but also spring ones.
Important! After winter, the shrub is a little depleted; before the harvest season, it should be saturated with useful elements.
Soil care
Red Sugar Currant loves a well-groomed soil around them, without weeds and flowering plants. Starting in spring, the land should be loosened so that it is more fertile and gives a rich harvest. During the summer season, the soil does not require special care.
Shaping and trimming
After the flowering of the currant bush, you should take care of its pruning. Fresh and young shoots are left before winter. Get rid of those that have been bearing fruit all summer. Don't worry - the next harvest won't be any less. It is enough to leave 17-20 branches on the bush, the rest must be cut off.
Shelter for the winter
The variety is characterized by increased frost resistance, you should only worry about wintering in the northern regions of the country. It is worth taking care of the root system. Cover the roots with leaves or special plastic before winter. Please note that Red Sugar Currant loves fresh air, so in no case should you close its branches for the winter.
Reproduction of currant bushes
There are several ways to propagate Red Sugar Currant:
- Cuttings.
- Seeds.
It is more priority to use the cuttings method, since the seed does not convey all the characteristics of the variety. You may end up with a completely different kind of berry. The best time for grafting is September-October.
Recommendations of gardeners for growing varieties
Gardeners pay attention to some features when growing red currant berries.
- Yellowed and fallen leaves should be removed away from the bushes, they are the cause of infection.
- In spring or autumn, processing and fertilization of the shrub is required.
- Currants do not like weeds and plants around, the land needs to be thinned periodically.
Sugar red currants can be an irreplaceable dessert on the table. But only with proper care, watering and processing. Despite the fact that the variety is unpretentious, it requires compliance with certain norms and recommendations. By adhering to them, it will be possible to get a good harvest every year.
