Blackcurrant Belarusian sweet: variety description, planting and care with photo

Among the existing varieties of blackcurrant, Belarusian sweet stands out due to increased frost resistance, good immunity to common diseases and a plentiful harvest. This type of fruit crop allows you to collect up to 5 kilograms of berries from one bush, which are distinguished by pleasant taste. This variety gives the first harvest the next year after planting.

History of variety breeding

Belarusian breeders were engaged in breeding this blackcurrant variety. The plant was officially entered into the relevant state registers at the end of the 70s of the last century.The culture is based on two hybrid varieties, from which the Belarusian sweet borrowed the best properties.

After breeding this variety of currant, breeders conducted research for 10 years, according to the results of which the plant was recommended for cultivation in 10 Russian regions.

Main pros and cons

Belarusian sweet currant stands out thanks to:

• self-pollination;
• early fruiting;
• Stable yields that increase after the first four years;
• berries with good taste and ability to withstand long journeys;
• frost and drought resistance;
• resistance to a number of diseases and pests.

The main drawback of the culture is that the berries on one brush ripen unevenly.

Currant, despite its drought resistance, requires regular watering. However, with excessive moisture, fungal diseases develop.

Biological features

Belarusian sweet currant unpretentious in terms of care. This variety is recommended to be grown on plots for beginner gardeners. It is also noteworthy in the culture that the plant is able to bear fruit when growing in shaded areas.

Description of the bush

Belarusian sweet currant bushes are fast growing. The plant forms a medium spreading crown with shoots, the height of which reaches 1.2 meters. Young shoots are characterized by a matte shade, diluted with a pink-purple top. After the first 2-3 years, ovaries form on the stems. In the eighth year, it is recommended to cut the shoots, as fruiting decreases during this period. By the age of 15, old currants should be uprooted.

Root system, buds and flowers

When planting a plant on the site, it must be taken into account that the root system of young currants is located at a depth of 30 centimeters. Therefore, currants should be planted in areas without strong winds. Over time, the plant takes root to a depth of two meters.

Belarusian sweet currant buds have the following characteristics:

• sizes are medium;
• shape - elongated, with a sharp top;
• type - growth, flowering, "sleeping" (the first form new shoots);
• color - light pink.

The flowers of the Belarusian sweet currant have a yellowish-green or pink tint. Inflorescences become bell-shaped as they develop.

Berries and yields

Currant blooms gradually, which is why the berries, which weigh up to three grams, ripen unevenly. The length of the fetal brush does not exceed seven centimeters. The berries are distinguished by a sweet and sour taste, which is formed by sugars and ascorbic acid. Up to 9 fruits are formed on one brush.

Crop yield depends on age. One bush for 3-5 years is capable of producing up to three kilograms of berries. Over time, this figure increases to six kilograms.

Scope of fruits

Belarusian sweet currant is a universal variety that is used to treat various diseases or to prepare drinks (juices, compotes, medicinal teas), jams, jams or pies. The fruits of the culture are dense, due to which the berries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, and in the freezer for several months, without losing their original properties.

Characteristic variety

After the appearance of the Belarusian sweet currant variety, they tried to grow it in various territories. Today the plant grows in 45 Russian regions. Such an area is explained by the characteristics of the currant.

Resistant to low temperatures and drought

If you cover the roots for autumn, then the Belarusian sweet currant tolerates even severe frosts well. However, in cases where the air temperature drops sharply during flowering, the plant does not produce a crop. In addition, the culture is able to do without watering for several days.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

More often Belarusian sweet currant suffers from powdery mildew and other fungal pathologies. It is also possible the appearance of aphids on the leaves. Less commonly, the plant infects the bud mite.

Boarding rules

The productivity of the plant and the ability of currants to withstand the negative influence of the external environment depend on compliance with the rules and conditions of planting. Before the start of the season, it is recommended to choose a suitable place on the site and prepare seedlings.

Recommended drop off times

Gardeners recommend planting currants in September or October. In this case, it is necessary to immediately determine the place of growth. The culture does not like re-transplantation and may die.

Choose the best place

The best place for planting Belarusian sweet currants is considered to be a site with loamy soils. Due to the large root system, it is not recommended to germinate the crop in areas in which groundwater occurs less than one meter from the surface. The plant should be planted in open areas, near fruit trees, whose foliage will protect the berries from the scorching sun in summer.It is desirable that the growing area is sheltered from strong winds.

Preparation of beds and planting material

For planting in private gardens, it is recommended to take 1-2 year old seedlings without visible signs of damage or signs of disease. The length of the roots should be 15-20 centimeters, and the shoots - 30-40 centimeters.

One day before planting, it is necessary to soak the seedlings in Kornevin's solution, and one hour before, soak them in a mash of red clay. In the place where currants will grow, the soil must be mixed with humus, 100-200 grams of superphosphate and 500 milliliters of wood ash (half a liter jar).

Seating algorithm

Due to the active growth and large crown, bushes are recommended to be planted at a distance of 1.5 meters. There should be at least 2 meters between rows. Planting culture is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. In a suitable area on the site, holes are dug 50 centimeters wide and deep.
2. A 10 cm drainage layer and fertilizer from compost and wood ash are placed at the bottom of the hole.
3. The seedlings are placed in the prepared hole so that the root neck is deepened by 5 centimeters.
4. The seedlings are tilted at 45 degrees to the ground and covered with soil.

After planting, the ground near the bushes should be watered and mulched. Then you need to cut the seedlings, leaving 4-5 buds.

Nuances of culture care

Currant requires gardeners to regularly water and weed the ground around the bushes. If necessary, the plant is treated for pests.

Irrigation frequency

After the snow melts, the bushes are watered as needed, as the soil dries up. It is important to avoid waterlogging of the soil. Watering should be stopped 2 weeks before harvest. Due to the abundance of moisture, the berries crack.

How and what to feed?

During flowering, nitrogen fertilizers are applied under the bush before watering. When the berries begin to ripen, complex top dressing is applied. And after harvesting, potash-phosphorus fertilizers are applied. The development of the plant is facilitated by foliar organic top dressing.

Cutting

During the warm season, it is recommended to remove painful and withered shoots from the bushes. Around the plant in the second year after planting, you need to form a support on which the branches will lean. With the onset of autumn, the shoots are shortened by 2-3 centimeters from above .

After planting, the plant should be pruned regularly.In the second year after planting, all shoots are removed, with the exception of the four strongest ones. Over the next two years, gardeners leave 3-6 large zero shoots. After 6 years, it is recommended to cut off lignified shoots.

Mulching and loosening beds

To ensure a normal flow of oxygen to the roots, gardeners recommend loosening the soil after each watering. Under the bush, it is necessary to make and periodically renew mulch from dry grass or needles from the beginning of the season.

Preventive treatment

In order to prevent infection, every spring currant bushes are treated with hot water containing potassium permanganate crystals. Also for these purposes are suitable drugs that fight infectious diseases. Wood ash and an infusion of garlic, which are applied under the root, help prevent the appearance of aphids.

Do I need to cover for the winter?

Shortly before the onset of frost, it is recommended to cover the root system with compost or humus.

How to propagate a bush?

Belarusian sweet currant breeds:

1. Cuttings. In the spring, it is necessary to cut off several branches and put the shoots in a container of water. When the first roots appear, the seedlings are sent to a permanent place in the garden.
2. Layers. During the warm season, it is necessary to press the branch to the ground. After rooting, such a seedling is cut off from the main bush and transplanted to a new place.

In rare cases, gardeners propagate currant seeds. This option is time consuming and requires special skills and patience.

Reviews

Elena, Sergiev Posad

“The Belarusian sweet variety attracts with delicious berries, which we use mainly for making jam. For several years that the currant grows on the site, there were no problems with growing bushes. ”

Anton, Krasnodar

“We took three cuttings from a bush from a neighbor. Everyone settled into the new place. Already in the third year, a bountiful harvest was harvested from the bushes. The plant is now consistently producing several kilograms of delicious berries.”

Viktor, Yaroslavl

“Belarusian sweet currant has been growing on the site for several years now. During this time, I planted new bushes more than once, using both layering and seedlings. Each time, the plant took root well.”

Recommended