Black currant Alexandrina
Content:
Black currant Alexandrina belongs to the group of medium-late ripening varieties. It is widespread on the territory of the Leningrad region and the neighboring Novgorod, Vologda and Pskov regions. Also, the Alexandrina currant is grown in the Kostroma, Tver and Yaroslavl regions. This article will focus on the main characteristics of this variety, its strengths and weaknesses.
Origin of the variety
Black currant Alexandrina was bred by the employees of the experimental station of the V.I. IN AND. Vavilov, located in Pavlovsk. Breeders Tikhonova O.A., Volodina E.V. and Khotimskaya S.P. the crossing of the two original varieties was carried out. The parents of the Aleksandrina currant were the domestic variety "Ragda", as well as the Swedish currant "Ojebin". Since 2008, the new hybrid has been included in the State Register in the list of varieties recommended for cultivation in the North-West of Russia.
Black currant Alexandrina: variety description and characteristics
Black currant Alexandrina: photo of the variety
Plant
Black currant bushes of the Alexandrina variety have an average height, as well as a slight density and spreading. Young shoots, as a rule, are straight, or geniculate-curved, covered along the entire length of the edge. Their color ranges from green to pale green with irregular patches of color. The branches of Alexandrina bushes have an average thickness, a geniculate structure and an edge along the entire length. They evenly taper towards the top, changing color from brown to brown.
Large egg-shaped or rounded cone-shaped buds are placed singly and are attached to the surface of the shoots at an angle. They have a pointed top and are covered with an edge. The color of the buds can vary from pink to pinkish purple. The apical buds have the same external characteristics, but their shape can also be cylindrical. The leaf scar has a wedge-shaped outline.
The foliage of the Alexandrina currant has a five-lobed structure and medium size. The leaves are colored yellow-green, their glossy surface is covered with a network of wrinkles, there is an edge on the veins. Its density increases in the area of the petiole of the upper part of the leaf. The dense leaf plate has a bend along the line of the middle vein and is attached to the surface of the shoot at an acute angle.
The narrow central lobe of the currant leaf has the shape of a triangle with an elongated apex and unexpressed lateral angles. The pointed lateral lobes are also triangular in shape. They are directed in different directions perpendicular to the central blade, or at an acute angle to it. Well-defined lobes of the basal type are directed towards the leaf petiole.
At the base of the sheet there is a medium-sized open-type rounded notch. The edges of the leaf blades are covered with small sharp serrate or double-serrate serrations. The tip of the teeth is rounded. The leaves are attached to the shoots by means of shortened petioles that have an anthocyanin coloration with a bluish bloom and edging along the entire length.
During the flowering period of black currants, the Alexandrina varieties are covered with medium-sized pink or pink-crimson goblet-shaped flowers. They consist of freely spaced ovoid or oval sepals with a rounded apex, bent and covered with a fringe. As a rule, the pistils are located higher than the anthers.
Berries
During the fruiting period, rare berry clusters consisting of 5-6 berries are formed on the black currant bushes of the Alexandrina variety. Their length varies from 32 to 55 mm. The carpal axis is gray-green and covered with a fringe, which becomes denser closer to the apex and in the middle of the bunch. Long and slender stalks are also gray-green and covered with edging.
The berries of the Alexandrina currant variety are large and medium in size, their weight ranges from 0.9 to 1.2 g. They can be round or oval, painted black and covered with edging. They are characterized by a dense, but not too thick, glossy skin, as well as a pronounced miniature calyx of a falling type. Typically, there are about 30 medium-sized seeds for each berry. The peduncle is easily separated, while the place of separation remains dry.
The pulp of the black currant variety Alexandrina has a sweet and sour taste, estimated at 4.5 out of 5 possible points. The berries are characterized by a strong and pleasant aroma. Their chemical composition includes a lot of sugars (over 12%), vitamin C (175 mg per 100 g), vitamin P (309 mg per 100 g), pectin (1%), phenols (up to 4722 mg per 100 g). Berries of the Alexandrina black currant variety have a universal purpose and can be eaten fresh, or used for making preserves, juices, and jams.
Fruiting
Black currant Alexandrina is a self-fertile variety with average yield indicators. From one bush harvested from 1.8 to 3 kg of berries. During the growth of the bush, about 84% of mixed buds are formed in its root zone.
Black currant Alexandrina: reviews of gardeners
Black currant Alexandrina: photo of the variety
- Marina Viktorovna, Sverdlovsk region: “I chose the Alexandrina variety of black currant for growing, as I once tasted these incredibly tasty berries at a neighbor's dacha. It turned out that in addition to the good taste of berries and a fairly high yield, the Alexandrina black currant variety has other advantages. First of all, mention should be made of its early maturity, as well as the ability of its berries to retain taste and aroma even after processing. Also, which is very important for me, the berries of the Alexandrina black currant do not crumble or wrinkle when harvesting. I definitely recommend this variety to everyone! "
- Ekaterina Andreevna, Samara region: “The black currant Alexandrina has been growing in my garden for many years. During this time, I noted for myself that the Alexandrina currant variety is immune to such common fungal diseases as powdery mildew, as well as anthracnose and septoria, from which other varieties grown on my site suffer. Insect pests, in particular, kidney mites, rarely affect the plantings of this variety. The taste of Alexandrina currants, in my opinion, is definitely not inferior, and maybe even better than many currant varieties. "
conclusions
The black currant variety Alexandrina combines such positive qualities as self-fertility, yield and excellent commercial qualities of berries. Thanks to its immunity to fungal infections and pests, its cultivation takes place without problems. The black currant variety Alexandrina takes root well in the North-West region.
