White currant is a high-yielding shrub resistant to low temperatures. They bring delicious large-sized berries. Therefore, it is not surprising that many varieties of this berry are popular with gardeners. For example, for two centuries on the garden plots throughout the country you can meet a variety of white currant Versailles. Description, photos and reviews of this shrub and its fruits can be found in the article.
A bit of history
This variety of currant appeared in the 19th century. Already in 1850 in France there was information about its existence. True, its origin remained a mystery.
A century later, in 1959, currants of this variety were included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements. It was recommended for cultivation in the following regions of the country:
Until now, this variety is found in many regions of our country.
Description of the bushes
White currant grows in the form of a bush of medium height. At the annual bushes, the shoots are slightly lowered. They are thick and brittle. Their color is green.
The currant bushes of the Versailles white variety of adult plants reaches a height of 1.2-1.5 meters. They stand straight, their branches are spreading. Strong shoots easily bend.
Currant leaves
Large five-lobed leaves are characteristic of the variety of white currant Versailles. The photo cannot fully convey the dull green color with a bluish tint. But their shape is clearly visible. The side blades are apart. But the central part is shortened. The leaf plate is almost flat. If you look closely, you will notice that the veins on the lateral lobes are located at an obtuse angle (or close to a right angle). Basal lobes are well developed. On the edges of the leaves are blunt short teeth. The lower leaves are omitted.
Flowers and their description
White currant Versailles is characterized by medium-sized flowers. They have the shape of a saucer. At the receptacle is a distinct green roller. Slightly bent, sepals in contact with each other are yellowish-green. Rare brushes of large length are held on long stalks. The axis of the brush is brilliant. Pedicels are straight, elongated.
Berries
Description of white currant Versailles white (photo can be seen below) will be incomplete if not to mention the berries. Indeed, it is for their sake that a bush is planted.
The berries are quite large. They reach a diameter of 1 cm. Moreover, they weigh up to 0.7 g. The berries are round, transparent, with a yellowish tinge.
The berries taste sweet, sweet, with sourness. They can be used for various purposes (blanks, compotes and so on).
They contain a lot of nutrients. 100 grams of berries contain 38 mg of ascorbic acid. Their composition is as follows:
Variety Versailles white gives high yields. In one year, up to 8 tons of berries can be collected per hectare.
Grade Advantages
Following from the description of the variety of white currant Versailles, the following advantages of this variety can be distinguished:
Thanks to these pluses, berries are easy to pick. And they look very attractive.
Variety disadvantages
Among the disadvantages of the variety, one can distinguish the spreading form of the bush. At the same time, they must be handled very carefully, since many shoots are very brittle. In addition, the variety is susceptible to disease. In particular, it is unstable to anthracnose.
Growing Features
White currant Versailles is characterized by an early growing season. Already in early May, in some regions of the country, brushes and buds appear on the bush. Leaflets do not appear much later.
Bushes bloom for about 2-2.5 weeks. Abundant flowering will bring a great harvest. But if frost occurs at this time, then you do not have to wait for many fruits. You can increase the number of berries grown in one simple way: grow several bushes at once. Thanks to this, pollination of plants will be carried out more efficiently.
The root system is well developed. Roots growing vertically can reach a depth of 1 m in width, they are located within 30-40 cm. These features of the root system must be taken into account in the process of loosening the soil.
For planting currants, fertile soils are selected whose acidity does not exceed pH 5.5. Shrubs grow well on clay (loamy) soils. The plant feels great on lighter soils. But in this case, it is necessary to introduce humus under the landing.
Sunlight is also needed for growing this variety. Plant a plant on a hill. But there should not be drafts. Therefore, they often choose places along buildings and fences. Otherwise, the above description of the white Versailles currant will be inaccurate. The bush will be weak, yield will decrease, and the ability to tolerate winter will deteriorate.
Landing
Planting and care of white currant Versailles are similar to many other varieties of berries. Planted in autumn and spring. In the first case, it is necessary to be in time before the onset of frost (late September or early October). In the second - until the buds open.
Start with soil preparation. Do this about 2 weeks before the intended landing. The place is cleared of grass and weeds, deeply dug. A pit is made with a size of 50x50 cm and a depth of about 40 cm. Fertilizers are introduced. Use 10 kg of compost (humus), 40 g of potassium sulphide and 100 g of superphosphate. Fertilizers are mixed with fertile soil. The mixture is poured back into the pit. The acidity of the soil should not be higher than pH 5.5. If necessary, neutralization is carried out with wood ash. It is necessary for the specified area of approximately 0.5 kg.
Next, you can choose a seedling. He must be healthy, without damage. Sprigs have a rich green color. If they are cut, they will be wet. The root system should be well developed, without damaged or dry areas, without signs of disease.
Properly planted is the key to a good future harvest. The planting process can be divided into the following steps:
- In a well prepared in advance, where fertilizers have already been applied, a deepening is done. It contains a seedling. The angle between the shoots and the ground should be approximately 45 degrees.
- The root neck is deepened about 10 cm (no more) below ground level.
- The roots are well straightened, covered with earth and rammed.
- Water the plant with 1-2 buckets of water.
- The trunk circle is mulched with a layer of up to 5-6 cm. For this, sawdust, peat, humus and so on can be used.
- The seedling is pruned. Leave 5 lower healthy kidneys.
If several plants are planted, then the distance between them is left at least 1 m. An interval of 1.5 m is maintained between the rows.
The first crop can be harvested at 3 years of age. Maximum yields will begin after the 6th year.
Care
White currant Versailles requires frequent fertilizer. It is recommended to fertilize the plant every day. In the spring, top dressing begins with the introduction of ammonium nitrate, potassium sulphide and superphosphate. Once every 3 years a bucket of organic matter is introduced. Other experts advise a second way of making nutrients. It consists in spring fertilizer with nitrogen fertilizers. All other additives are added after the appearance of the fruit. Chlorine fertilizers can be applied only in winter. Wood ash is also added, which improves the taste of berries and helps fight pests.
The older the bush, the more fertilizer it requires. Weak plants are fed with liquid fertilizers in two stages: during flowering and after harvesting berries.
Currants are susceptible to weeds. Therefore, the near-trunk circle should be weeded regularly, the soil loosened. You can replace these works with mulching.
Productivity will be higher if the plant is regularly watered. For the same purpose, the bush is pruned. White currant Versailles loves moisture, but does not tolerate stagnation of water. For this purpose, 3 times a week, the plant is watered. Do this morning and evening when there is no sun. Twice a day, 1 bucket of water is poured under each bush.
In addition, annual pruning protects the plant from disease. The first pruning is carried out the next after planting in the fall. For a year, the bush should give 6-7 healthy skeletal branches. You need to leave half of them, that is 3-4. Choose the strongest and strongest. The remaining branches are cut, hemp is not left. The same procedure must be carried out annually. Thanks to this, by the age of five, the shrub will have up to 18 skeletal branches from each year. Later the bush needs to be updated. For this purpose, branches that reach 7-8 years are removed. Young shoots are left in their place. Sick, damaged branches are regularly removed. And also those that lie on the ground darken the bush and grow incorrectly.
It is important to choose the correct cropping time. In spring, they begin to prune until the buds open. At this time, the tops are frozen, frozen during winter frosts. In the summer, pinch the tops of young shoots. The main pruning is carried out in the fall, when the leaves fall. Dry branches are allowed to be removed at any time.
In order for the plant to survive in the winter, it must be covered. To prepare for the cold period, the following procedures are carried out:
- Pruning a plant after falling leaves.
- Loosening the soil, fertilizing, watering.
- Mulching the trunk circle with a layer of 10-12 cm. Use compost or humus. This will protect the roots from freezing.
- Branches are connected in one bundle with twine over the entire height. From above everything is covered with a film or agrofibre.
Carrying out these measures will protect the plant from severe frosts.
Diseases and Pests
All scientific descriptions and reviews about the white Versailles currant left by experienced gardeners are one in one: this variety is resistant to powdery mildew, but is very often affected by anthracnose.
This disease manifests itself as brown spots on the leaves, which increase in size over time. As methods of control, they are treated with colloidal sulfur or Bordeaux liquid. Spraying is carried out when the first signs of the disease appear. Prevention of the disease consists in regular digging and loosening of the soil, burning of trimmed branches and fallen leaves. Before the appearance of buds, the shrub is treated with Nitrafen.
Cases of infection of the plant with powdery mildew sometimes occur. The disease manifests itself in a gray coating on the surface of the entire bush. For prevention, the plant is treated with a solution of copper sulfate until the buds open. If the plant is still sick, it must be sprayed with Fitosporin.
Another disease is goblet rust. When it appears "pads" of yellow color. They contain spores of the fungus. In case of disease, the plant is treated with Ciram, Captan or Bordeaux liquid. Preventive measures are the same as for the fight against anthracnosis.
Of the pests, most often on the currant of the Versailles white variety, shoot aphids, gooseberry and currant pipette beetles are noticed. Signs of pests and methods of dealing with them can be seen in the photo below.
Gardeners reviews
Gardeners leave a variety of reviews about the white Versailles currant. Some admire the taste of berries, the attractiveness of their brushes. Others claim that the berries are too sour and the seeds in them are too large. But everyone confirms that with proper care, the plant will delight in a plentiful harvest. Berries are good in various forms. They are canned, frozen, compotes are cooked from them.
Variety of red currants Versailles white will delight its owners with a crop of sweet and sour berries. Only for this you need to make some efforts. And the plant will definitely respond to care.