Redcurrant Marmalade: variety description, growing rules with photo

Red currant bushes are grown by gardeners for sour berries and for ornamental purposes. One of the common varieties of currants is Marmalade with a high content of pectin - a gelling component.

History of selection and region of growth

The variety was bred in the 90s of the last century by crossing varieties of Maarsis Promenent and Rote Spatlese. The author of the variety is L.V. Bayanova, who sought to obtain a berry ideal for making marmalade and jelly products. In 1997, Marmeladnitsa currant was included in the official State Register of Agricultural Crops.

This variety should be grown in regions with a warm and temperate climate. Favorable conditions promote active growth and abundant fruiting.

Description and characteristics of Marmalade

When planning the planting of currants and considering the Marmeladnitsa variety as one of the options, you should read the detailed description of the crop. The variety has a number of distinctive characteristics.

Bush and berries

Berries grow on thickened semi-spreading bushes. Plantings are medium-sized, with straight powerful shoots and light pubescence. The buds are distinguished by pointed tops that lean away from the shoot. The five-lobed deep green leaves have a shiny surface and a pubescent reverse side.

Brushes of red currant reach a length of 8 cm and are evenly distributed on the branches.Small berries weighing up to 1 g are valued for their dense pulp, pleasant sour taste and a large number of useful properties. The crop is most commonly used to make jams, preserves, and marmalade. Also, the berries are suitable for fresh consumption and freezing.

Resistance to diseases and insects

Currant Variety Marmalade is resistant to bud mites and other common pests. Of the parasites for the berry, only aphids are dangerous, which infect plants under adverse environmental conditions and violation of the rules of care. The culture has increased immunity to powdery mildew, anthracnose and septoria.

Resistance to freezing temperatures and droughts

Currant Marmalade well tolerates low temperatures without the risk of loss of marketable appearance and deterioration of taste characteristics. The drought resistance index of the berry crop is average, and the bushes also tolerate hot weather normally.

Advantages and disadvantages: is it worth planting?

Thinking about planting a Marmalade variety, it is advisable to compare all the advantages and disadvantages in order to make a final decision. The main advantages of the variety include:

1. Benefits of drinking. The berries contain a large amount of pectin and vitamin C.
2. Variability in the use of the crop. The fruits are suitable for processing, freezing, storage and fresh consumption.
3. High yield. When grown in private garden plots and on an industrial scale, the bushes consistently bear fruit in large volumes.
4. Unpretentious care. The variety does not require specific care, ripening fruits do not crumble.
5. Resistance to external factors. Currant Marmalade is immune to diseases, pests, temperature extremes and drought.

The main disadvantage is the tendency of the berry to shrink if not properly cared for. Also disadvantages are the demands on the composition of the soil mixture and abundant shoots on the bushes, which creates difficulties for inexperienced gardeners.

Planting currants

Planting seedlings at a permanent place of growth requires preparatory work and compliance with a certain technology. In order for the currant bushes to actively develop and bear fruit, it is important to choose a suitable place, take into account the planting dates, prepare the soil and the seedling.

Determining the place

Too high temperatures and direct exposure to sunlight adversely affect the growth of bushes. For the variety Marmeladnitsa, it is recommended to choose a semi-shaded place where the plantings will be in comfortable conditions. The right choice of location prevents the leaves from falling off, the drying of the shoots and the shrinking of the berries.In this case, strong shade should be avoided so that the plants are not exposed to fungal infections.

Optimal timing

The most suitable time for planting currants is the second half of autumn, when sap flow stops in the shoots. In the middle lane, a variety of Marmalade is planted in late October or early November. On the territory of the southern regions, the transfer of landing dates to mid-November is allowed.

In northern regions with extreme temperature drops, it is better to plant currants in the spring so that the seedlings have time to adapt to new conditions.

Preparing the plot and beds

For the full development of plantings, currants should be planted in fertile soil. For this purpose, preliminary preparation of the site is carried out. 3-4 weeks before transferring the seedlings to a permanent place, the beds are treated with rotted compost, nitroammophos and wood ash.

After fertilizing, the earth is carefully dug up or loosened. If it is not possible to perform preliminary preparation, top dressing should be added directly during the planting of seedlings. In this case, the excavated soil from the planting hole is mixed with potassium chloride, superphosphate and compost. The resulting mixture is used to sprinkle seedlings.

Technology for planting seedlings

To avoid common mistakes, follow the step-by-step instructions. The planting process requires the following steps:

1. Dig a standard 50 x 50 cm planting hole. It is recommended to prepare the hole a few weeks before planting.
2. Mix fertile soil layer with organic fertilizers.
3. Place the currant seedling in the central part of the hole and straighten the roots in such a way that their bases do not bend up. The root collar should remain 6 cm below ground level.
4. The seedling is covered with earth, the top layer is lightly tamped and abundant watering is carried out.
5. The area around the seedlings is covered with a layer of mulch. As a material for processing, you can use straw, humus, peat, sawdust, coniferous branches.
6. The top of the plant is cut, leaving no more than 4 buds on the seedlings.

How to properly care for a variety

Comprehensive care for berry crops involves regular watering of bushes, the use of nutrient fertilizers, crown formation, frost protection. The quality of the crop, the taste characteristics of the berries and the general condition of the plants largely depend on the timeliness and correctness of these procedures.

We organize competent watering

Currant Jujube when grown in temperate climates, natural rainfall is sufficient.Additional soil moisture should be carried out in conditions of severe drought. It is also recommended to water the bushes during the period of intensive fruiting. Irrigation is carried out in the evening, after sunset, spending 20-30 liters of water on each bush.

For the convenience of watering plants, you can build a drip irrigation system. To retain moisture in the soil, the trunk circle is covered with a layer of mulch.

Carry out shaping pruning

Crown formation is best done in the spring, before bud break. In the first year of development of seedlings, 5-7 developed shoots are left on them. For the second and subsequent years, 5 annual or more adult shoots are left, and the rest are removed. Also, too old, affected and dried branches are subject to pruning. In summer, young shoots are pinched to stimulate the formation of replacement shoots.

Introducing nutrients

During the growing season, currants need to be fertilized several times. Variety Marmalade needs the following fertilizers:

• in early spring, plants are watered with a solution of urea;
• during the period of active flowering, the roots are watered with a mixture of water and bird droppings, and the ground part is sprayed with potassium permanganate;
• in autumn the bushes are fed with rotted manure or compost.

Shelter bushes for the winter

When grown in the northern regions for the winter, the bushes are protected with a covering material. On top of the plants put on a dense fabric, burlap or an opaque plastic film. It is also allowed to provide a natural shelter for the plant. To do this, it is necessary to tilt the branches to the ground so that they are under the snow cover. The branches are fixed on the soil surface with the help of loads, which are recommended to use logs or boards.

Reviews of gardeners about Marmalade

Galina, 36 years old: “They choose this variety for making jam. Berries are pleasant to taste due to the pleasant sourness. I didn't have to face care problems.”

Lidiya Vasilievna, 58 years old: “It is not the first season that I have been growing the Marmeladnitsa variety. The harvest is consistently large, the fruits are juicy. Last year I noticed aphids on the bushes, I had to spray the beds with insecticides. The invasion of pests did not affect the taste and quantity of the crop.”

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