Currant Dove: variety description and characteristics, planting and care with photo

Currant Dove was bred by breeders from the Research Institute of Siberian Horticulture. The culture gives an early harvest and is characterized by excellent winter hardiness. This variety belongs to the category of self-fertile and is characterized by excellent taste. Because it is popular with many gardeners.

Characteristic

Dove is a typical representative of blackcurrant. In appearance, it resembles other varieties of this plant. The main differences are in the taste characteristics.

Appearance of the bush

Description of culture includes the following features:

1. The leaves are medium in size and have a dark green tint.
2. The flowers are pale pink and the buds are red.
3. The culture is characterized by black berries covered with bloom. They have the same size and ripen almost simultaneously. At the same time, the variety cannot be attributed to dessert, since the berries have a sour taste.

All about flowering and fruiting

The plant blooms from May to June. During this period, red buds form on the bushes, which subsequently turn into pale pink flowers. After flowering is completed, clusters with 7-8 berries form on the plant.

Dove is considered an early ripe variety, so you can harvest at the end of June and in the first half of July. From each bush it is possible to get up to 2.5 kilograms of fruit.The mass of berries is from 0.7 to 1.8 grams. A characteristic feature of the currant of this variety is a large amount of vitamin C.

The fruits ripen almost simultaneously. At the same time, they can hang on the bush for a long time and are easily removed. Blackcurrant contains 3.9% acids and 7.5% sugar.

For taste, experts give the variety not too high scores. The berries are sour or sweet and sour. Therefore, they are often sent for recycling.

Harvest and storage of crops

Harvest timing is affected by a number of criteria:

• landing time;
• vegetation features;
• duration of blooming flowers;
• maturity;
• Destination of fruits.

To assess the maturity of berries, you need to pay attention to the shade of the peel. At the same time, blackcurrant does not have a tendency to overripe. It keeps well on the bush. Harvesting is not recommended after watering or rain.

To store currants, you need to use boxes or trays. You need to place the berries in small layers to avoid damaging them. It is not recommended to store currants for a long time. It needs to be processed 2-3 weeks after harvest.

Where currant fruits are used

Blackcurrant berries are consumed fresh. They are also used to make juice, compote or decoction. Drinks based on the fruits of this plant help to cope with beriberi and improve metabolic processes. They can also be used for diseases of the digestive organs and to increase hemoglobin levels.

Leaves can be used as decoctions. They produce a diuretic effect, dilate blood vessels and increase overall tone. Berries can be added to baked goods. Frozen fruits can be stored all winter and used to boost immunity.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The currant of this variety is distinguished by excellent resistance to major fungal diseases. However, she often suffers from powdery mildew. Also, the plant often infects the bud mite, which weakens the immune system and significantly reduces yields.

Freeze and drought resistance

The variety is characterized by medium frost resistance. It easily tolerates frosts down to -35 degrees. At lower temperatures in the region, the plant should be covered.

In windy and dry weather, the plant needs systematic watering. It is better to perform this manipulation in the evening, which will provide better hydration of the roots.

Features of the variety: pros and cons

Golubka variety has many advantages. These include:

• high yield parameters - up to 6-8 kilograms can be harvested per season from one bush;
• good taste;
• long fruiting period;
• self-fertile;
• medium cold hardiness;
• high resistance to fungal infections;
• easy care.

The disadvantages include the need to perform preventive treatments to protect against pests. Also, not all people like the sour taste of fruits.

Fitting technology

To get a good harvest, you should strictly follow the recommendations of experienced gardeners.

Choosing a seat

Shrubs are allowed to be planted loosely and more densely. In the first case, the interval between plants is 1.5 meters, in the second - 70 centimeters. The closer the bushes are, the faster they bear fruit. However, with this method of planting, they live less and give a more modest harvest.

Culture is considered moisture-loving and shade-tolerant. However, the plant hardly tolerates serious shading and swampy soil. Therefore, it is recommended to give preference to well-lit areas that are protected from the sun. Moist places located in the lowlands will be an excellent solution.

As for the type of soil, it is worth giving preference to light fertile loam. The currant of this variety hardly perceives heavy soil.

Terms of landing operations

Seedlings that have open roots can be planted in autumn or spring. In this case, the first option is considered more preferable. In the Middle lane, planting work can be carried out in early October. In the south, currants are planted a little later, in the north - a little earlier.

During the winter, the soil around the young bushes will become denser and settle. After this, the plants will develop more actively in the spring and take root easier. If you plan to use container plants, there are no restrictions on planting dates.

Preparation of beds and planting holes

To begin with, the ground on the site needs to be leveled. It should not have recesses. It is recommended to dig up the soil on a shovel bayonet, get rid of weed roots. Holes should be prepared in advance or right before planting.

The planting hole should be 50-60 centimeters in diameter. Deepen the hole by 35-40 centimeters. After preparing the deepening, it is recommended to fill it by 3/4 with fertile soil and fertilizers.

Seedling selection

It is worth buying seedlings in nurseries or specialized stores. One- or two-year-old bushes take root faster. Older plants are difficult to root and may not produce.

It is important to keep the roots from drying out. When transporting, the plant should be wrapped with a damp cloth. If there is any suspicion of the weakness of the bush or the presence of diseases, it is better to refuse the purchase.

Step by step instructions for planting a seedling

Affected and dried roots should be shortened, and the seedling should be deepened above the root neck by 8 centimeters. Deepening allows the formation of basal buds. They will later grow into a multi-stemmed shrub.

Before you fill the hole, you need to pour half a bucket of water into it. The same amount is added to the ring hole after planting. After that, it is recommended to loosen it and mulch it with peat.

We organize competent bush care

To get a viable plant, it is recommended to provide proper care for it.

Irrigation

Water the plant in the evenings. This will help keep the roots well hydrated. An adult bush will require 1.5-2 buckets of water. There should be no stagnation of liquid in the central part. It penetrates the stem gaps and freezes in winter. This negatively affects yields.

Feeding

The plant requires systematic feeding. With the rapid growth of the culture, it is necessary to introduce mineral and organic fertilizers. In early April, it is worth applying nitrogen top dressing, in October - products containing phosphorus and calcium.

Cutting

You need to prune the culture in April. If the branches are directed inward, they need to be removed. Otherwise, there is a risk of yield reduction. After stopping the development of basal shoots, 5 branches should be shortened by a third. If there is no effect, the weakest shoots are cut.

Soil loosening

The land under the crop should always remain loose. Therefore, the plant should be systematically loosened. In spring, it is recommended to mulch the ground with moss or peat.

Shelter for the winter

In severe frosts, currants should be covered. For this, branches and trunks are wrapped with rope. They are recommended to be placed quite close. The bush should be bent to the ground and wrapped. Top with a wooden box. It is also acceptable to use an old blanket or spruce branches.

Diseases and pests: treatment and prevention

Usually such currants suffer from powdery mildew. This disease is caused by the development of a fungal infection and is accompanied by the appearance of a white coating.

In such a situation, you need to sprinkle the plant with copper sulfate. A solution of soda ash is also suitable. It is recommended to process the bush every 10 days. Peat infusion will also help to cope with the problem.

Currant Dove - a tasty and productive variety. To achieve good results in growing this crop, it is recommended to strictly follow the rules for planting and caring for the plant.

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