The beneficial properties of currants have been known since the Middle Ages. Now this tasty and healthy berry is grown in many countries, including Russia. Breeders are breeding more and more varieties that would have high fruiting, long life, resistance to any climatic conditions. Varieties are quite a lot, today we consider the characteristics of black currant Black Pearl. Description, photos and reviews about the variety will be found throughout the article.
Where did the currant come from?
Blackcurrant was first mentioned in the writings of the Middle Ages. It grew in the territory of Asia only in the wild. People appreciated its unique aroma, but they left unexplored the properties of berries and shrubs in general. In Europe, in particular in France and Germany, blackcurrant was first introduced at the end of the seventeenth century. The shrub immediately became popular with doctors, they were able to unravel its healing properties. From leaves and berries, infusions were created that treated hypertension, respiratory diseases and rheumatism.
Blackcurrant today
In modern times, the berry has not lost its popularity, on the contrary, it has become even more popular. Blackcurrant is not only tasty, but also healthy. Its leaves are brewed in tea - this is how a relaxing, soothing, aromatic, antimicrobial drink is obtained. In addition, this tea can normalize the pressure. Berries make delicious jam, compote and jelly. Young shoots with fresh foliage have gained popularity among bath lovers who add them to brooms in order to steam, heal the body, and breathe in an incredible aroma during the procedure.
We suggest moving on to issues that directly relate to Black Pearl currants. Description of the variety, photos and reviews will be attached.
Selection history, recommended regions for growing
Like most varieties of crops growing in Russia that are popular and have positive reviews and recommendations, Black Pearl was bred by domestic agronomists. In 1992, the described variety was obtained at VNIIS Michurina. In the same year, Black Pearl currant was listed in the State Register and recommended for growth in the regions:
- Ural.
- East Siberian and West Siberian.
- Central Black Earth.
- North Caucasian.
- Middle Volga.
Currant Black Pearl, a description of the variety and reviews of which will be presented in the following content, is a frost-resistant shrub that tolerates a decrease in temperature to -30 degrees.
For fruiting, the variety does not need pollinators, since it is self-fertile, which many gardeners like.
Plant description
It is often noted that the Black Pearl currant is similar in characteristics to gooseberries, and sometimes blueberries. Indeed, the bushes are very similar, but this is only externally and at first glance. The bush is medium-sized, the number of branches is small, and they are endowed with not dense foliage. The height of the bush can vary from a meter and a half.
The shoots bend slightly to the ground as they grow, and a characteristic bend appears. Young branches of a light green color, and when growing up, they acquire a gray color with yellowness, become stiff. The foliage is light, five-lobed, the edges can be bent, the plate itself is smooth, matte. It is here that a great resemblance to gooseberries is noted, the leaves look down, and not at the sun, like other varieties.
Blackcurrant variety Black Pearl blooms in June. Flowers have a short petiole, collected in a brush from five to eight pieces. Their shape is goblet-like, medium in size, and the sepals are reddish.
Description of the fruit and characterization of taste
Currant Black Pearl, the description and reviews of which you can find in this publication, captivated not only by its external data, but also by its taste. It is noted that this variety is more popular and popular among gardeners than other varieties belonging to the dessert category.
The berries of the blackcurrant described may resemble blueberries. They are almost all the same size, quite large. The minimum weight is 1 gram, the maximum is 6, the average is from 1.3 to 1.5 grams. The currant is round, the skin is black with gloss, under it there is a juicy pulp with large seeds.
The taste is sweet and sour, saturated, the berry itself is very aromatic. On a five-point scale for assessing the taste of Black Pearl currants - "hard drummer", has a rating of 4.2.
The berries include pectin, ascorbic acid, soluble solids (18%), sugar (an average of 8%).
The average yield is about three kilograms per shrub. Shelf life and transportability are good; Black Pearl currant retains its appearance well. This variety is universal in application; wine, juices, preservatives are prepared from it, and it is consumed fresh.
Advantages
Currant Black Pearl reviews have decent, but still it, like all varieties, has its positive and negative qualities. What do gardeners like her about?
- it ripens quickly, which allows you to grow a variety in regions with a short summer;
- good winter hardiness;
- the berries are large and tasty;
- transportation is possible;
- fruiting is stable.
It is with these qualities that Black Pearl was able to win the love of gardeners.
disadvantages
Some currant lovers do not like the sour taste of berries of this variety, it is also noted that it does not have such a bright aroma as in other species. Despite this, Black Pearl currant, which was replaced by more advanced varieties, remains beloved by many and is often found in gardens of different regions.
When to plant currants?
Planting crops can be made at any season convenient for you. Note the features of each agricultural technology.
- Spring planting should be done in the warm season, when the ground is well warmed up. This year, the bush will grow intensely, will not produce fruit. In the second year of life, you can collect about two kilograms of berries.
- If you plan to plant in the autumn, then you need to catch up to the cold weather, until the air temperature drops too much, optimally - + 10-12 degrees. For an autumn planting, pick a seedling that is at least two years old to taste the harvest next year.
As for the selection of seedlings in general, they must be healthy, with strong roots and at least four green buds.
Landing
The Black Pearl currant variety should be planted only in areas freshened by the rays of the sun, protected from the penetration of through wind. Culture does not tolerate shade, waterlogged soil. When planting currants, leave a distance between the bushes at least two meters so that they do not obscure each other, do not interfere with good development.
The beauty of the autumn planting is that two months before the proposed planting, you can safely prepare the site. If planting is planned in the spring, then the soil is prepared in the fall.
First of all, the site is dug up to a depth of half a meter, all the roots of weeds are removed. If the soil is acidic, then it is necessary to neutralize for good bush growth and quality of berries. Humus or compost is added with the calculation of a bucket per meter, in addition it is worth adding superphosphate and complex (potash and mineral) fertilizers.
For good water permeability and to avoid stagnation of water, sand or peat is added to the soil.
Before planting, the roots of the plants should be soaked in water for several hours. After this, the roots are necessarily dipped in liquid clay so that they do not get burns when they come in contact with fertilizers. The hole should be about half a meter deep, a prepared mixture of soil with fertilizers is laid on the bottom. The seedling is installed in the hole so that a forty-five centimeter angle is formed between the trunk and the ground. It is necessary to instill the plant so that the neck of the root remains on the surface and there is a distance of 5 cm between it and the ground.
After planting, the bushes are watered, each requires up to two liters of water. Then, around the bush, the soil is mulched with peat, sawdust or hay.
Further care
Throughout the life of the bush, it must be well looked after. Weed grass should not grow near it, it takes away nutrients. Loosening is necessary so that more oxygen passes into the soil. Loosening is very careful so as not to damage the roots of the plant.
Watering should be done all season - from the ovary of flowers to the full ripening of the crop. Before winter, you need to water again well, two buckets of water are introduced under each bush.
It is necessary to produce timely trimming of excess, old, sick and frozen shoots.
In the year of planting, fertilizers are not needed, this also applies to the first year of bush growth after autumn planting. From next year, make mullein once a season, and phosphorus and potash fertilizers during flowering.
Grade Reviews
Currant Black Pearl - one of the favorite varieties of berries gardeners. They write that even after planting newer varieties, this currant has not lost its relevance. Black Pearl pleases everyone with its beautiful view, crop quality and resistance to frost, pests, diseases. They also praise the unpretentiousness of the variety, write that it is completely undemanding and bears fruit well even in the rainiest and least sunny summers.