Sugar currant, recently bred, belongs to the early varieties, has a sweet dessert flavor. The variety bears fruit annually, gives an excellent harvest, the length of the brushes reaches nine centimeters.
Growing history
Red currants were grown in Russia in the Middle Ages. True, at first it grew at monasteries. They used it not only as tasty berries, but also prepared medicines and tinctures from it. Moreover, not only fruits, but also leaves were used in the case.
Already in the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, currants from monasteries spread throughout the country and became a permanent resident of the gardens. This applies not only to red, but also to black, white currants.
By the way, it should be noted that in Europe, red currant is more popular than black. And in the USA it is grown in industrial volumes.
Nutrient content
What is useful red currant in addition to having a refreshing taste and aroma? Not for nothing that tea from leaves and dried berries has long been used for pain in the heart and high blood pressure. It turned out that the berries contain a significant amount of coumarins, which reduce blood coagulability and prevent the formation of blood clots.
By the content of coumarin (2.5-4.4 mg%), red currant overtook such a popular berry as black currant, came close to figs and pomegranate. Few people know that in redcurrant a record amount of iodine (5-6 mg%). This is not inferior to the widely publicized feijoa.
The presence of a large number of pectins in red currant has a cleansing effect on the body. It is capable of removing heavy metal salts and radiation, which is why it is so useful for harmful workers and residents of large cities.
Redcurrant fruit drink is used for colds, which is associated with its diaphoretic and antipyretic effect on the body. Patients with urolithiasis and gout are recommended to use juice or jelly as a diuretic.
Red currant sugar: variety description
Among the many modern varieties, dessert stands out. This red currant (cultivar Sugar) was bred by domestic breeders and has already managed to gain popularity.
The height of the bushes reaches two meters. Sugar currant is disease resistant and yields up to four kilograms per year.
Its berries (weighing up to half a gram) are collected in clusters of up to nine centimeters in size. Bright red fruits have a pleasant taste and will surely appeal to lovers of sweets and people with high acidity.
Sugar redcurrant: cultivation features
Breeding red currants in the garden is not difficult. It is easier to grow it than blackcurrant. Consider the benefits:
- less susceptible to disease and pest;
- due to deep rooting, less watering is required;
- brushes are distributed along the entire length of the branches;
- skeletal branches bear more seasons than blackcurrants.
Redcurrant Sugar reviews are only positive. Here are some tips for planting seedlings.
For planting, it is recommended to select well-lit areas with light soil. The best time for planting bushes is spring or autumn. If planting is planned in the fall, it is advisable to do this in September, so that the bushes have time to take root. At the landing, mineral fertilizers are applied. The bush is planted at an angle, watered abundantly from above and mulched. The seedling is cut, leaving branches with 3-4 buds each.
The bushes have direct growing branches, so it is necessary to plant seedlings at a distance of 1-1.5 meters. In regions with severe winter frosts, bushes must be sheltered for the winter. During flowering and ripening of berries, it is recommended to water currants well.
Sugar currant needs annual pruning of old and diseased branches and the formation of a bush.
Reviews and application
The variety was bred by domestic breeders, taking into account Russian climatic conditions. It is characterized by winter hardiness, high productivity, compactness and resistance to disease.
Red currant Sugar, reviews of which have only a positive assessment, has become widespread in Russia. Many gardeners note its unpretentiousness when growing, dessert taste.
Sugar redcurrant is good both for fresh consumption and for preparing preparations for the winter.
In addition to the traditional jelly and fruit drinks that our mistresses of red currant harvest, we can recommend the following dishes from the berry:
- sauce for meat or fish, popular in European countries;
- compotes;
- liquor.
We recommend planting such a wonderful berry in your own area.