How to propagate currants by cuttings and layering in summer and autumn with photos and videos

Currant is a he althy berry that should be in every person's garden. Ripe fruits are red, black and even white. If there are still plantings on the site, the question arises of how to propagate a currant bush.

Methods of propagation of currants

The main method of breeding berry bushes is vegetative. It implies the use of cuttings, branches and division of the bush. Currants can also be propagated by seeds.

Layers

This method is considered the most suitable for gardeners, especially those who do not have experience in such activities.By choosing this method of reproduction, a year later a person receives a stronger seedling with a good root system. In early spring, the bush looks around for a he althy two-year-old branch growing obliquely.

It is this option that is easy to bend down to the ground and later grow as a full-fledged bush.

Dividing the bush

The breeding option is relevant if it becomes necessary to transfer the shrub to a new place. After digging the bushes, they are inspected. Young branches with developed roots are subject to planting.

Seating is done in autumn or early spring. In the first case, a period is selected when all the leaves fall from the bush - October or November. In spring, these are the first weeks of March before bud break.

Cutting

This breeding method is suitable not only for grapes, but also for currants. Cuttings are made from annual root shoots. The first to be propagated are varieties that have a short growing season. Later they start working with varieties with long growth.

Green cuttings

If a person is late with propagation by lignified cuttings in the spring, a suitable option is green twigs. Young and flexible shoots that have not had time to be covered with rough bark are subject to rooting. Cuttings are usually called green, because the part of the bush with leaves is used.

Seeds

This method is used by breeders when breeding new currant varieties. In practice, seed propagation is not recommended. If the bush is grown in this way, there is a chance that the new plant will not inherit the best qualities of the variety.

Reproducing green or woody - what to choose?

To get an answer to this question, it is worth studying the advantages and disadvantages of one and the second methods.

Green cuttings

Dignity:

• quick flowering and fruiting for next season;
• do not need long-term storage of planting material.

Of the shortcomings, there is only one factor. The bark of green cuttings is flexible and thin. Moisture quickly evaporates through it, so a person must constantly monitor the level of humidity.

Lignified

Dignity:

• harvesting of cuttings is carried out at any time of the year;
• before landing, a person has the opportunity to select he althy branches among all specimens;
• dense bark keeps moisture from evaporating.

The main disadvantage of the propagation method is maintaining a suitable level of humidity and temperature when storing cuttings. Planting material must be protected from mold and decay. There are two ways to get seedlings for planting in the soil, if you organize the work correctly.

Features of currant propagation

Each variety of shrub needs separate care from the gardener. The reproduction of white, red and black currants is distinguished by small nuances. Some are easy to work with cuttings, others appear as a result of dividing the bush.

Most currant varieties do not require planting a partner. This is because the plant is a self-fertile crop.

Red

Most often, a shrub with rich red berries reproduces with lignified branches. In summer, these are layering and cuttings with green leaves. Gardeners who do not want to complicate their work choose horizontal cuttings.

Propagating red currants, you will have to work hard, unlike black ones. But if you approach the task correctly, everything is possible. Varieties are harvested in early August. Kidney development stops at this time.

Black

All varieties reproduce quite easily. If a person wants to get a bush with the same varietal qualities, it is recommended to choose propagation by cuttings, layering or dividing the bush. Each of the proposed methods does not require special efforts from the gardener, but basic knowledge will come in handy. Blackcurrant cuttings are harvested in early autumn.

White

Lignified cuttings are the recommended propagation method. The cut of annual shoots occurs in the fall. Preference is given to parts from the middle of the escape.

Rules for cutting blanks

Disinfected tools are used to harvest currant branches. This technique will protect the bush from infection. Use a sharp pruner to cut cuttings. Before work, it is sharpened so that the cut is even and smooth.

An incision is made above the kidney at the top of the cutting. There should be at least 1 cm distance from the bud to the edge of the branch. At the bottom of the cutting, the cut is made at an angle of 45° below the kidney.

When is it better to cut cuttings

The timing of cutting branches for propagation of currants depends on the chosen cutting method. Pruning of shoots with green leaves is carried out in the summer. The pruning period starts in the second half of July and continues until mid-August.

Nuances of work in the autumn period

The favorable period for harvesting seedlings is September. It is permissible to carry out cuttings in early October. Before planting cuttings in the ground, they are kept in hot water for no more than 25 minutes.

Selection and harvesting of autumn cuttings

In order to select high-quality currant blanks, which will later turn into new bushes, attention is paid to preparatory work. For this, bushes that are not attacked by pests and not damaged by diseases have been examined since the summer. On such specimens there should be many berries of good appearance.

For cuttings, the main or basal shoots cut off near the soil are suitable. Cuttings are cut from cut shoots, the diameter of which should be within 5-7 mm. It is the middle part of the shoot that has the dimensions that are preferred.

So that the quality of the cuttings does not suffer when cutting the blanks, they are harvested in the morning.

Warm, slightly cool weather allowed. During the rainy season, cuttings are harvested throughout the day.

Storage rules before planting in spring

If the gardener does not plan to plant cuttings, he is rooting autumn harvestings. The best way to store is by stacking in boxes and falling asleep with snow. In order to achieve rapid germination of cuttings in the spring, they are placed in a container with water 3 days before planting in the ground.

Rooting methods

Amateur gardeners know only two - water and soil. Faced with the propagation of currants, they discover new ways of rooting. One of the most effective is a specialized substrate.

In the water

Considered one of the easiest cutting methods, especially if done in the spring. Despite the simplicity of carrying out, it accelerates fruiting by 1 year. It has 2 indisputable advantages - there is no need to dig in branches in the fall and work in a greenhouse.

How cuttings take place in water:

1. Two branches are placed in a plastic container.
2. Water is poured inside to cover the cuttings for 2 buds.
3. With the appearance of roots, each cutting is given a separate container.

The process of rooting cuttings in water lasts from 1.5 to 2 months.You should constantly add water to the glass so that the seedlings feel comfortable. If it stagnates, it is completely changed. The containers are located in a shaded area. The appearance of flowers on the cuttings is unacceptable. At the first sign of their appearance, they are cut off.

In specialized substrate

The nutrient base can be fine sawdust, coir, peat, perlite, sphagnum moss or sand. The substrate must remain moist, and the temperature in the room where the cutting is located should be around 20 ° C.

Scheme for preparing conditions for rooting:

1. Containers filled with substrate and moistened with water.
2. The cuttings are planted in the ground at a distance of 12 cm from each other.
3. The bed with planted cuttings is covered with polyethylene film and exposed to a sunny place.
4. In the early days, watering is quite plentiful. Decreases over time.

The rooting time of cuttings in this way takes from 3 weeks to a month. If the seedling has taken root, the color of the buds and their shape change - they swell. Dark and dry "eyes" indicate that the sprout has not taken root.

Outdoor

A sunny place is chosen for rooting cuttings. The plot of land should not be located above groundwater. Currant loves fertile soils with fertilizers, humus and ash. After abundant watering, they start planting.

Root Stimulants

Treatment of shoots with special preparations accelerates the formation of roots. Most popular list:

1. Kornevin. Diluted with activated charcoal, as a high concentration is detrimental to a young plant. The cut is processed with the prepared powder, and the sprout is immediately planted in the ground.
2. "Ribav-extra". Has the form of a liquid. Diluted with water before use. Not only stimulates root growth, but also heals damaged areas.
3. "Epin". Currants are soaked in a solution before planting in open ground. Protects seedlings in cold weather, reducing the chance of aphids infesting bushes.

Compounds for accelerating root formation irritate the process receptors after being cut. In turn, this provokes the formation of callus. Experienced gardeners recommend using the listed preparations whenever possible.

Planting cuttings in the ground

Harvesting, cutting, soaking and storing cuttings are not all the "tests" that a person will have to face. The next step is to plant the branches in the soil in a permanent place. At the same time, the actions performed must be correct and done without errors.

Choosing a seat

It is selected depending on the type of currant. It is recommended to plant black in open places in partial shade. In well-moistened areas, water should not stagnate. White and red currants tolerate dry climates more easily, so they are safely planted on high ground with good lighting.

Soil preparation

Blackcurrant prefers medium to high sandy soil. Red is also capable of producing crops on loamy lands, but develops better on light and super sandy ones. White has the same requirements.

Steps in preparing a landing site:

1. A plot of soil is cleaned from weeds. If this is not done, they will oppress young seedlings.
2. The place is leveled, which plays a big role in watering.
3. Fertilisers are scattered across the surface. Compost or humus is suitable for this.
4. Next, the soil is dug up to the depth of the shovel bayonet.

Pits for currants are prepared 2 weeks before planting seedlings. This applies to autumn planting. If the currant is planted in a permanent place in the spring, the holes are prepared in the fall.

Preparing planting material

Seedlings - rooted cuttings, carefully inspected before planting. Shoots with damaged, broken and dry roots are not suitable. The part that will be above the soil is cut off, and the seedling itself is soaked in a root-stimulating preparation.

Cutting the aerial part of the seedling is a mandatory procedure. Thus, the development of the root system is achieved. This is very important, as a weak root will not provide the shrub with the normal formation of the upper part of the plant.

Technology for planting currant seedlings

Culture needs space, so there should be at least 1.5 m of free space around the bush.The dimensions of the hole vary from 30 x 30 to 40 x 40 cm. The initial depth is 35 cm. The final formation of the hole occurs under the root system of the seedling. The bottom of the hole is sprinkled with fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium. In the earth mixture there should also be humus. Light soils require fertilizer with a different composition.

A sprout placed in a hole is tilted 45° and covered with earth. The soil is dug in and compacted by hand to eliminate the formation of air gaps. If the root neck is placed 6-7 cm below ground level, this will provide additional shoots on the crop.

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