Blackcurrant fruits contain many trace elements, vitamins, organic sugars, biologically active substances. Black currant
contains pectins, tannins and dyes, organic acids. Leaves and
currant fruits - a source of vitamin C, the presence of which largely depends on the degree of maturity of the fruit, variety, plant age, weather conditions. Unripe berries are richest in vitamins; when overripe, vitamin activity decreases sharply. Black currant, the care of which has its own characteristics, contains folic and pantothenic acid, vitamins of group B and PP. Currant berries have anti-inflammatory, anti-sclerotic and general strengthening effect. Blackcurrant leaf is widely used in canning. They not only preserve the natural color of the products, but also saturate the product with vitamins and phenolic compounds.
Blackcurrant is planted in central Russia in the fall, at the end of September, but spring planting is also possible. In spring, the plant should be planted as early as possible, until the currant buds have blossomed. Blackcurrant is planted at a distance of 1.9 m between the bushes. After planting, the soil must be compacted, moistened abundantly and mulched with humus. Black currant pruning is carried out immediately after planting, leaving 2 buds from the soil surface. This method may seem too radical, but it contributes to the development of a powerful root system and the development of a well-branched bush.
Blackcurrant needs watering, pruning and weed control. She consumes a lot of water during the ripening of berries. At the beginning of fruiting, the bushes need to be fed with mineral fertilizers. Potassium chloride, nitrogen fertilizers and superphosphate are introduced. Following dressing, mulching is carried out with a mixture of peat and rotted manure. This method of mulching not only fertilizes, but also prevents the growth of harmful weeds and contributes to the preservation of moisture. When pruning, about 20% of the shoots must be removed to leave the bush unbroken and lighted. All affected pests and diseased branches are removed.
Currants are propagated by cuttings and layering. If the site has a high-yielding variety, then layering is done from it. Rooted cuttings are cut off by secateurs from the uterine bush and then transplanted to the place of constant cultivation. From a strong healthy bush you can take 6-7 shoots.
The most popular varieties of black currant :
- Openwork - a universal grade of medium maturity. The bush is medium spread and medium thick. The berries have a sweet and sour taste. The variety is resistant to pests and diseases, frost-resistant.
- Gulliver is a winter-hardy universal variety. The bush is overgrown. The skin of medium-density berries.
- Kupalinka is a medium late ripening variety. Has slightly spreading and medium-sized bushes. The variety has high resistance to pests and diseases. Winter-hardy.
- Exotica is a medium early ripening variety. The bush is compressed, medium-sized. The berries are almost black in color, have a thin skin and a delicate aroma, sweet and sour taste. The grade is frost-resistant.
- Zusha - a variety of universal use, medium ripening. Bushes are slightly spreading, medium-sized. Berries of a sweet-sour taste with a thin skin.
- Kipiana - the variety is resistant to columnar rust and other diseases. The berries have a peel of medium thickness and a sweet and sour taste.
- Oryol serenade is a relatively winter-hardy variety, resistant to fungal diseases. It has round-oval berries, almost black in color, with a strong aroma.
- Barricade - the variety is resistant to moth, kidney mite, flour pathogens
dew and anthracnose. The berries are black, undescended, sweet and sour.
- Elevestasort is not affected by pests. Berries have a delicate delicate aroma.
The variety has a high resistance to freezing.