White currant

White currants are not often found on our sites. Basically, gardeners plant black currant and red currant shrubs, although in fact, white currants are no less useful. Those who have already grown white currant varieties on their site were very pleased.

White currant varieties: plant description

The difference between white currant and other species is not only in the color of the fruit, but also in the content of nutrients in the berries. White currant berries are especially useful for people with weak immunity, since they prevent the active spread of infection.

Compotes are prepared from the fruits of white currants, jam, as well as various fruit drinks and other drinks.

White currant is a perennial. The plant is unpretentious and undemanding to care for. The shrub takes root even in regions with cold winters and short summers.

The very next year after you have planted the currant bush, you can take the first crop. White currants are very vulnerable to diseases and various pests, so a more serious approach is required here.

The basic rule is to see fragile, diseased branches in a timely manner and remove them immediately. White currant flowers are quite resistant to sudden changes in temperature. Therefore, the bush is not afraid of those areas and regions, which are characterized by recurrent or night frosts.

Advantages and disadvantages of white currant

Before planting a white currant bush in your area, you need to weigh all the pros and cons of this plant, and make an independent decision, according to your interests.

TO advantages white currants are a bountiful and long-lasting crop that can be harvested annually. Good frost resistance is also considered a plus. White currants are resistant even to 30 degrees of frost. Finally, white currants have very healthy and tasty berries.

There are limitations in white currants. Perhaps the main one is the plant's vulnerability to diseases and various insect pests.

In addition, the plant is very demanding for watering, especially in hot summers. And also, if you do not take care of the plant, do not form its crown, the bushes will grow strongly, causing harm to other plantings on the site.

Description of varieties of white currant. Shrub planting rules

If, nevertheless, you decide to grow white currants in your garden, then you must follow the rules of agricultural technology and follow the instructions for planting and caring for the plant. First of all, it is necessary to protect the shrub from insect pests, as this will facilitate your work on caring for the shrub in the future.

Therefore, it is necessary to correctly choose not only the variety of the plant, but also the place where the shrub will grow.

If a seedling has already been purchased from you and is prepared for planting, then you can plant the plant in the fall, in October or at the end of September. Here, before preparing for winter, it is enough just to cover the plants with a foil so that the snow and strong winds do not damage the plants.

If you bought a young currant seedling in the spring, then you need to plant it before the warm weather sets in, and before the first buds have blossomed. If you hold the seedling longer, the buds may dry out.

Before planting, remove new, newly formed branches.It is recommended to leave no more than 15 shoots on the stem. This is done so that the plant does not waste its energy and nutrients on extra branches, since it itself needs strength to survive the winter.

During planting, it is very important to evenly distribute and straighten the root shoots. Since the plant, for better survival, must immediately fully absorb nutrients.

In addition, the successful cultivation of white currants directly depends on the variety and the seedling itself that you buy. Here, special attention should be paid to the bush stem. It must be dry. If there is a lot of moisture on the stem, it means that the seedling was not grown in the conditions that are needed, and it most likely will not take root.

You also need to choose the type of shrub that will feel comfortable in your area.

Excellent grade Jüterburg... As experienced gardeners note, this strong and healthy shrub tolerates adverse conditions and low temperatures. For thirty years now, it has been very popular with gardeners and has a lot of fans.

They love this variety of white currant, not only because of its good winter hardiness, but also for its rich yield. The fruits of the variety are tasty and healthy.

It will be easier for you to care for the shrub if you choose the right place for planting, and how you should prepare it, observing all the rules of agricultural technology.

The place must be dry and level. Moisture should not accumulate here during rains and melting snow. There should not be any indentations, since all this will lead to diseases of the root system.

The place should be sunny, light, because berries ripening all day in the sun will be much tastier and larger.

About a month before you plant the shrub, you need to dig a planting hole and apply all the necessary fertilizers there. The prepared place should be left for a while so that the soil and fertilizers settle.

It is worth choosing a spacious place, where there are no plantings around, large trees and other shrubs, since the white currant loves freedom. In addition, the shrub grows over time. It is optimal to use the area near the fence, which is well lit by the sun.

Soil preparation

Also, from an early stage, the bush needs food. Therefore, it is necessary to plant seedlings on rich fertile soil. Or additionally apply all the necessary fertilizers and regularly feed the bushes.

The easiest and most effective way to make the soil fertile is to add manure to it. As a rule, about 10 kg of manure must be applied per square meter in order for the soil to become enriched.

In order to prevent the appearance of pests and pathogens of various diseases, it is also good to add half a glass of ash per square meter to the soil.

The more bushes you have on the site, the more you harvest. Therefore, if you plant several white currant bushes, then you must maintain a distance between the seedlings.

The landing pit should be at least half a meter in width and depth. It should be borne in mind that as the shrub matures, it will require more space. Therefore, the next shrub must be planted no closer than 1.5 m from the previous one.

This will help not only free up space and make the bushes more illuminated, but also protect against the movement of pests from one shrub to another.

If you choose the right plant variety, based on weather conditions and soil composition, then the care of the shrub will be minimized.

In order for the shrub to bear fruit well, do not suffer from various diseases and adapt well and take root, it is necessary to regularly feed the plants.

There are also some rules to follow.

• It is important to fertilize each planted shrub with nitrate in the amount of about 80 g.
• If your region is characterized by sharp temperature fluctuations, then additionally add half a glass of superphosphate to the planting pit.
• Like all other plants, white currants need phosphorus, ash and potassium. Here, the proportions are selected specifically for each shrub, taking into account its appearance and soil fertility.

The more nutrients the soil contains, the better the taste of the fruit will be. If the land is poor, you can buy ready-made mixture in specialized stores.

Basic plant care

You should constantly loosen the ground under the bush for normal air circulation, which is so necessary for the roots. This is especially true for those regions where the soil is clayey, and after each watering it becomes very hard. Loosening can be combined with weeding.

Also, caring for the shrub consists in the annual formation of the crown. In order for the shrub to optimally use nutrients and strengths, weak and diseased branches must be removed with a pruner.

This will also protect plants and increase their vulnerability to common diseases at the same time. In addition, the timely formation of the bush has a beneficial effect on the quality of the crop.

Experienced gardeners note that in the first time after planting, it is necessary to grow as much green mass, leaves and shoots as possible. Then in the next seasons the harvest will be much larger.

In addition, they recommend pruning only diseased and dry branches as needed, leaving the shrub as it is.

These crops do not like moist soil and reacts sharply to excessive watering. This is not a reason, of course, to plant a bush on a hill, since the roots still need food.

However, if the summer is rainy, then there is no need to water at all. And if the summer is dry, then you can water it a couple of times a month, combining it with the procedure for feeding the bush.

Feeding

Speaking about feeding, here you should take this procedure more seriously, since white currants, unlike red currants, for example, reacts very positively to the abundance of light, to free space around and grows well on acidic soil.

White currants should be fed once or twice throughout the growing season. If you are not too lazy at this stage, then the bush will reward you with excellent fruiting. The berries of such a shrub will differ in taste, and will contain a lot of useful substances.

Usually the bush is fertilized before it has bloomed and after the bush has finished bearing fruit. Here, everyone chooses the composition of the fertilizers. Both organic and mineral compounds can be used. Again, manure will be optimal, since it contains a maximum of elements.

It is optimal to fertilize the shrub during watering, since here the plant will better absorb all the nutrients.

Fertilizer is diluted in a proportion of 40 g per 10 liters of water. It is important not to overdo it here, since oversaturation with nutrients also negatively affects plants, as does their deficiency.

Harvesting

The most beneficial will be the use of white currant fruits directly from the branch. So you get the maximum of all the nutrients that are contained in the berries. And, as mentioned above, the first harvest of berries can be harvested within a year after planting the shrub.

Ripe fruits are stored for a very long time. Thus, ready-made berries can hang on the bush even before the onset of cold weather. Therefore, do not worry if you were not able to visit your site on time.

In general, the fruits ripen closer to August. If the regions are cold, then around the end of summer you can harvest.

When the crop is harvested, you must immediately use it, or process it. Since the collected berries do not lie for a long time and can turn sour. If there are too many berries, you can make wine or jam from them.

Preparing the plant for winter

The next step after harvesting will be preparing the plant for winter. Here you should cut off the weak and sick, dry branches, feed the shrub with the necessary elements. Particular attention should be paid to the root system of the bush, as it will be responsible for how the bush overwinters.

The more useful substances there are in the roots, the easier the difficult period will pass. In addition, if pests attacked the shrub, then it is necessary to treat the branches with special anti-insect preparations.

If the shrub is young, it should be covered with oilcloth, film or tarpaulin before wintering. Or some other material. Since heavy snowfall and wind or heavy rainfall can mechanically damage the bush, and it will not survive the winter.

If the shrub is not very strong, then it is even better to tie it up.

Reproduction

If you managed to successfully grow the first bush of white currant, then you can do the reproduction of the bush, and not buy ready-made seedlings. Especially if you like the harvest and fruits.

Experienced gardeners share their knowledge and talk about how to propagate a currant bush correctly, since reproduction can be carried out both by cuttings and using layering. This process is not so easy, so you need to be patient.

- Cutting method of reproduction

This method of reproduction is used in the spring, before the first buds appear on the branches. First, you should choose the most important, the so-called mother bush. The plant must be strong and strong, mature and healthy.

All instruments must be processed so as not to introduce any disease or larvae. It is worth choosing a stem that is no thicker than 1 cm in diameter. This is done so that there are no fruits on this branch. Indeed, in this case, the plant will direct all the useful substances to the development of roots.

And besides, if you fail to propagate the plant with a cuttings, then there will not be much damage to the shrub, and, consequently, to the crop.

It is also recommended to choose the lowest cuttings. Since they are considered the strongest, which means they will definitely take root. When the soil warms up well in the spring, and this will be around April, you can plant the prepared cutting in open ground.

To avoid freezing of the cutting during recurrent frosts, cover it with a film, and fertilize the ground properly.

- Reproduction by layering

If you propagate shrubs with horizontal layers, then everything is easier, therefore this method is more popular. Those who are just starting out in gardening are more likely to use this particular breeding method.

Here, on the contrary, it is necessary to choose shoots that have already been actively bearing fruit for several years. This branch should be pressed tightly to the ground and tied, or even better, dug to a depth of about 5 cm.In the event that the layering does not give in and does not fit, the layer of powder can be made thicker.

If you did everything correctly, then you can move on to fertilizing the soil around the layer.

This procedure should be carried out in clear weather, in the absence of precipitation.

Diseases and pests

As mentioned above, white currant varieties have a strong vulnerability to common diseases and various insect pests.

Most often the bush is attacked caterpillars... These insects spoil the leaves and flowers of the plant. If you do not notice them in time and do not destroy them, then you can not wait for the harvest, since the bush will spend all its strength on building up a new green mass.

Kidney moth... This insect is a butterfly with light stripes on a dark background. This pest attacks the shrub in early spring, sucks out all the nutrients from it, and at the same time the insect's reproduction process takes place very rapidly.

After the pest takes everything it needs, it leaves the plant. On such a shrub, you should not expect fruit.

And a very popular pest of currants is currant aphid... Insects look like an ordinary midge. If you see dark red spots on the leaves, then aphids have settled on the plant. If it is not destroyed, and the plant does not begin to heal, then it may dry out altogether.

Also, white currant suffers from diseases such as anthracnose, powdery mildew, rust, striped mosaic and terry.

Most often, these diseases are also caused by any pests, various mites and wood lice.

Stems that have been attacked by these insects become weak, sick and require a lot of strength for themselves to recover.

If you cut off on time, process diseased branches from various pests, then you will not have to waste your time and energy later on caring for dying plants. The variety you choose is also of great importance here, since low immunity is transmitted to the plants from the parents.

White currant varieties, description, photos, classification

 

Like other plants, there are popular popular varieties of white currants, as well as those hybrids that must be selected according to climatic conditions. In addition, disease-resistant white currant varieties can be selected.

All varieties of white currant differ from each other in the size of the berries, flavoring properties and ripening times.

- Varieties with large fruits

Large varieties of white currants include White English... This is a very good variety of currant, it is usually grown for sale, since it is distinguished by large, juicy, sweet fruits that do not lose their taste even after thermal processing of the berry.

Belaya Belyana... If you take proper care of the bush, you can get a very good and high-quality harvest in the early stages, which will be distinguished by its impressive size, as well as special sweetness and taste. This plant variety is very frost resistant.

Big White... Although this specimen does not give such large and bountiful harvests, it is very unpretentious to care for. Therefore, it is perfect for those who do not have a lot of time to visit the site often.

- Sweet varieties of white currants

Usually sweet varieties are used to make wines, fruit drinks, and preserves. Since it is not very important here that the berries are large, the emphasis is on the aroma and quality of the berries. At the same time, the variety is in demand, since the plants are unpretentious and can take root in any region.

Versailles White. It has fruits of small size and light color. Berries are best used for making wines and other drinks. The shrub does not require careful care, it has a high resistance to various diseases.

Dutch Pink... This variety of white currant has sweet and sour fruits, since they contain a lot of vitamin C. The variety is also actively used for making drinks.

- Dessert varieties

This shrub has the sweetest fruits, and also pleases with great fertility. If you take proper care of the plant and apply the necessary fertilizers, you will get a honey-tasting crop.

Also, the varieties are divided according to the ripening time of the berries.

Among early varieties stand out White Ural... This variety is undemanding to care for, and also has a high immunity to insect pests, common diseases and perfectly tolerates cold winters.

Jumping. The shrub has high, strong stems, and in addition to harvesting it is used for decorative purposes. The plant is immune to disease.

Thus, if you want to get the harvest earlier than everyone else and at the same time not devote much time to caring for the plant, you must choose exactly the above-described varieties for planting.

TO average varieties include those that are undemanding in care and have good immunity to various diseases and pests.However, the harvest of these varieties, of course, is not so large and plentiful. Representatives are Belaya Potapenko, Belaya Fairy, Belaya Boulogne.

These shrubs are very resistant to heavy rainfall in the form of rain and snow, they are resistant to bad weather.

And often such shrubs, due to their immunity to diseases and cold resistance, please with an even greater harvest than previous varieties, which may die during frosts.

In addition, this is the best option for those who rarely visit their summer cottage and cannot take care of the plant all the time.

The benefits of the plant for human health

If we talk about the beneficial properties of the plant, it is important to note the large amount of nutrients and various vitamins and minerals that white currant berries contain.

A long time ago, not only berries, but also bush leaves have been used for medicinal purposes, since useful substances and components are also contained in them. Regular consumption of white currant berries, especially directly from the bush, increases a person's immunity to diseases, since they contain a large amount of vitamin C.

In addition, the berries are full of vitamin A, which has a positive effect on vision and memory. Therefore, this type of currant is very fond of aged people.

Also, tinctures made from white currant berries also have a positive effect on the work of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, they help cleanse the liver of harmful substances.

Currants contain a lot of useful fiber, and regular consumption of the fruit prevents the formation of oncological disorders.

For medicinal purposes, you can use not only the infusion of berries and the berries themselves, but also various decoctions from leaves and bunches. You can brew them in tea and drink them in order to cleanse the body. In addition, white currant extract is used in cosmetology.

Contraindications

In addition to the benefits, there are also contraindications to the use of white currant fruits. This is an allergy to any of the components that make up the white currant. Since there are people whose body does not take vitamins A, B or C.

Negative processes in the body may occur in people with intolerance to white currant berries. However, these cases are most likely an exception and are manifested in young children.

Also, people suffering from, for example, stomach ulcers, cannot eat a large amount of white currant berries, since they contain a lot of acids.

Here, in everything, one should know when to stop. So, if you use white currant berries in the required amount, then you should not be afraid of any serious complications. This rule applies not only to white currant berries, but also to all food products.

Concluding, it can be noted that it is profitable and not difficult to grow a white currant bush if you follow all the rules of planting and care. The main thing is to choose the right variety and prepare the fertile soil.

Then you can not only enjoy the excellent taste of the fruit, but also get health benefits, as well as use the berries to prepare blanks.