Currant Emerald Necklace: variety description, planting and cultivation

Green currant is not found in Russian gardens as often as other varieties, but it has interesting characteristics. Consider the description and main characteristics of the currant Emerald necklace, its advantages and disadvantages, features of cultivation and care. How to protect plants from diseases, when and how to harvest and store berries.

Description and characteristics of the variety Emerald necklace

The variety of green currant was bred in the 30s of the 20th century by Siberian breeders as a variety of black currant. The emerald necklace is considered one of the best achievements of Russian breeding.The fruits of the shrub are large, greenish, sweet and sour. Ripens in mid-late time. The plant forms a spreading, but undersized bush. Cold hardy, disease and pest resistant.

Main pros and cons

Pros and consthe original color of the fruit;productivity;good taste;cold resistance;disease resistance.

Disadvantages of the variety: not in demand among gardeners, so it can be difficult to find seedlings.

Growing Nuances

The currant variety Emerald Necklace is not picky about growing conditions, so it is also suitable for beginner gardeners.

In order for plants to develop well and bear fruit, they need to choose a suitable place and prepare seedlings for planting.

Where to plant

Currants are planted in a sunny place or in partial shade, but not in the shade, where plants give little ovary. Can be planted next to buildings, but not quite close to them. The site must be level or elevated. The place where currants will grow should be protected from strong or cold winds.

Date of planting

Currants, like other fruit bushes, are planted in spring or autumn. The main conditions - it should be moderately warm, the earth - not dry, but not damp. It is necessary to plant seedlings when they are at rest, that is, when the buds have not yet blossomed or all the leaves have already fallen. In this state, plants take root better.

Preparation of planting material

It is recommended to buy 2-year-old seedlings for planting, with a powerful root system, at least 20 cm long.The shoots of the bushes should be mature, 30-40 cm long. The day before being placed on the garden bed, the seedlings are soaked in a growth stimulator solution to speed up root formation and engraftment. Shoots are cut to 4-5 buds on each.

Boarding rules

First you need to prepare the soil: dig it up, level it. Then dig planting holes at a certain distance, add humus, ash and, if the soil is acidic, lime to bring the acidity to neutral. Planting pattern: 1 m between bushes and 1.5 m between rows. Planting pits must be at least 0.5 m deep and 0.7 m wide.

The planting process is simple: you need to lower the roots of the seedlings into the hole, spread them in different directions, fill in the voids up to the root neck and tamp the earth. Water each well with 1-2 buckets of water. Mulch the soil with mulch so that it does not dry out.

Care Tips

Complex of currant care Emerald necklace is standard. Plants need watering, feeding, pruning, protection from diseases, shelter for the winter.

Irrigation

Water newly planted bushes often so that they can take root. The soil during the first 2 months after planting should be constantly wet. Then you can water 1 time in 1-2 weeks, depending on soil moisture.

Plants need especially much moisture during the fruiting period, when the berries are poured and ripen.

Feeding

Fertilizer is applied from the next season after planting, 3 times a year. Fertilize with organic matter or mineral mixtures, in early spring, before flowering and after setting berries. If top dressing is not enough, then the berries will shrink, lose their characteristic taste.

Cutting

Pruning is carried out in the fall, during cleaning in the garden, or in the spring, before the buds open on the bushes. They cut out all the extra shoots, all those that bear fruit, are damaged by pests and diseases, and are frostbitten in the spring. They form a neat bush with 5-6 largest and strongest shoots.

Preparing for winter season

After pruning, the trunk circles are covered with mulching material. You can use straw, hay, sawdust, shavings, leaves and tree bark, cones, needles. In cold regions, you need to cover the stems with agrofibre.

Diseases and pests of crops

The Emerald Necklace variety is considered disease resistant. But, despite this, it is necessary to carry out preventive spraying with fungicides before the period of spread of fungal diseases. This will allow you not to waste time and money on treatment.

Prophylactic treatments will also help against pest damage. To prevent insect infestation, the bushes are sprayed with insecticide solutions. If pests have managed to harm currants, drugs are used in a therapeutic dose.

Cleaning and storage

Berries of the Emerald Necklace variety ripen in mid-late time. Ripe fruits are suitable for fresh consumption, transportation, processing and storage. They make excellent sweet homemade canned foods. They have a characteristic currant taste, but not as pronounced as blackcurrants.

Keep berries in the refrigerator or cellar, in small plastic containers or bags. Important storage conditions are low temperature, darkness and dry air.

Currant varieties Emerald necklace is distinguished by an unusual, light green color of the fruit.Otherwise, in terms of its characteristics, it is similar to its parent - the chokeberry variety. It also resists diseases well, is cold-resistant, unpretentious, always produces large berries, is comparable to black chokeberry in terms of the content of vitamins and nutrients.

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