Bagheera currant

Bagheera, this is such an unusual name for this black currant. But this shrub was cultivated in Ancient Russia. Blackcurrant Bagheera grew beautifully along the banks of the river. And, for example, the well-known Moscow river was once called Smorodinovka. More than one generation, and more than one century, has already changed, and these berries are still popular in our country.

They contain a lot of vitamins and useful microelements. In addition, it is also very fragrant and tasty berries. Moreover, a pleasant aroma comes not only from the fruits, but also from the plants themselves. Many people collect blackcurrant leaves, dry them and brew delicious tea.

As soon as you arrive at the dacha, you immediately go to your landings. No wonder, many fruits gather right on the branches, including black currant. And what delicious and aromatic jams and compotes from this berry.

Especially skillful hostesses make jelly from currants, as well as excellent fillings for pies. Therefore, do not hesitate, and be sure to plant this berry bush in your area. We will help you with the choice of a variety.

Everyone dreams that currants are tasty, fruitful and easy to care for. Moreover, it is important that the variety grows in different climatic conditions. And he was also not demanding. Today we will tell you about an interesting variety of black currant with the graceful name Bagheera.

Read this article and you will find out why this variety received such an unusual name, what are its characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. And in conclusion, we will summarize the results together. And you decide whether to plant this black currant in your area or not.

Bagheera currant: about the history of the variety

Black currant Bagheera: photo

The Bagheera blackcurrant variety was bred at a Russian research institute in the distant 1980s. And this variety was received by the breeders Zvyagina TS and Sergeeva KD. As a result of crossing the Belarusian and Swedish varieties of black currant, such a new interesting variety was bred in the Tambov region.

And the name is associated with the grace and some royal nature of plants. It is important to note that it is recommended to grow it in various regions of our country. Namely, in the northwestern, Volga-Vyatka, Ural and some others.

The variety is very resistant to drought and frost. Therefore, such currants can be planted in almost completely different climatic conditions. Bagheera perfectly adapts to adverse weather events, for which gardeners love it.

Black currant Bagheera: variety description

Currant bushes are compact enough, and the branches are not spreading. Therefore, the plants do not need to be tied up. Shoots grow quite strongly, they can reach a height of 2 meters. Therefore, the bushes need to be pruned regularly.

A lot of foliage is formed. You can call this currant quite thick, it is necessary to carry out formative pruning often. Shoots grow straight. At first they do not have a light green color, and then over time the color turns into yellow, dark brown.

The buds are ovoid, elongated, the apex is pointed. Currant leaves are standard, five-lobed. Slightly wavy along the edge, of medium size. They are usually bright green in color. The surface is rather smooth, slightly wrinkled, in the middle the veins are slightly added inward.

It is important to note that the veins are dark red in color. The petioles are slightly lowered. An interesting feature, the leaves of this currant variety do not fall off for a very long time. Therefore, gardeners often cut off the foliage on their own at the end of autumn.This is necessary in order for the plants to overwinter normally.

As we noted earlier, many people collect blackcurrant leaves and brew delicious tea from them. You can also use this product for canning vegetables. Remember, fresh leaves will remain on plants until late autumn, and you can always pick up fragrant leaves.

Bagheera currant: photo of the variety

Currant flowers are of medium size. They resemble a glass in shape. The brushes are quite long, up to 8 centimeters. Conical in shape, hanging down. In one such inflorescence, usually up to 7 berries are formed, and on one node - up to three brushes.

Therefore, gardeners say: this variety is quite fruitful. Berries will certainly delight you. If we talk about the timing of fruit ripening, then it should be noted that this variety belongs to the mid-season. Harvesting usually begins in the middle of summer. However, with proper care, you can enjoy ripe berries as early as June.

The bushes of this currant bear fruit well. You can pick the first berries right after planting. However, a bountiful harvest of currants gives in the second, third year. Up to 5 kilograms of ripe berries are usually harvested from one bush. This variety is often grown on an industrial scale. At the same time, farmers collect up to 12 tons of product from one hectare.

It is interesting to note that the berries are easy to pick mechanically. Therefore, farmers also love this variety.

Bagheera currant: photo

Bagheera black currant is quite resistant to many diseases and pests. Thus, anthracnose and powdery mildew usually do not develop on plants. However, a kidney mite, as well as a spider mite, often settles on this variety of currants. Therefore, you will need to make preventive examinations and treatments on time.

This variety of currants perfectly withstands drought, temperature drops, as well as severe frosts. Therefore, it is believed that Bagheera is very unpretentious in cultivation.

But the berries are truly versatile. They contain a lot of sugar. Therefore, the fruits are eaten with pleasure by both adults and children. You can make jam from them, close the compote, and just use it fresh. An excellent wine and aromatic liqueur are made from currants.

Often housewives freeze or dry the fruits, and in winter they cook delicious compotes from berries. The berries are usually medium in size. So, the mass of one fruit reaches 3 grams. Of course, this currant is not large-fruited, but very fruitful. The berries are usually round, slightly oblong. There are practically no seeds in the fruits of the Bagheera black currant.

It is important to note that all fruits are usually the same size. Therefore, the currant has a beautiful presentation. The berries are black in color, with a characteristic shine. The pulp is very tender and juicy and the skin is soft. It is very convenient to collect currants with brushes. It can be transported over long distances, as it does not deteriorate for a long time.

The berries are very tasty and aromatic, so the Bagheera variety is included in the top 10 most delicious black currant varieties in our country. Currant fruits contain sugars, ascorbic acid, pectin, dry soluble substances, as well as vitamins and microelements.

The berries ripen at the same time. They do not crumble for a long time, so you can calmly wait until all the currants turn black. Moreover, over time, the taste of the berries is not lost. And you could easily take them from the dacha to the city, since the berries of this variety do not lose their presentation for a long time.

Currant Bagheera variety: disadvantages and advantages of the variety

As we noted earlier, this variety is very popular among gardeners. For decades, Bagheera has grown beautifully in completely different climatic conditions.

If speak about merits varieties, it should be noted:

• This currant is resistant to various diseases and pests.
• It is unpretentious to care for, and also adapts well to adverse weather conditions.
• The berries have excellent taste, as well as a beautiful presentation, they can be transported over long distances, the product will not deteriorate.
• The yield of currants is above average, and the berries ripen together, have the same size. Despite the fact that the variety is not large-fruited, the yield of the currant is consistently good.

If speak about disadvantages, it should be noted that a kidney mite often settles on plants, so the currants need to be processed in a timely manner. In addition, Bagheera is often affected by fungal diseases, therefore, examinations should also be carried out regularly.

However, given the current state of the art in the chemical industry, there is nothing to worry about. In a specialized agricultural store, you will find drugs that will allow you to get rid of these adverse effects.

If you do not want to use chemistry, then do not worry, many folk remedies and biological preparations also effectively cope with these pests and diseases.

Conclusion

In different conditions, the Bagheera black currant variety grows equally well. Bred this variety by Soviet breeders, so you should not worry about quality. The variety is very worthy, so many gardeners breed it in their backyards.

Bagheera has perfectly stood the test of time, and showed herself only from the best side. The fruits ripen very quickly, easily separate from the branches, the berries ripen extremely amicably.

To get a good harvest, you only need to water the plant during the time, feed, loosen the soil and process the leaves and stems when affected by various diseases and pests.

This currant, indeed, is often influenced by the kidney mite, rarely gets sick with powdery mildew. Remember, even in the driest summer, she will surely delight you. Try to plant Bagheera currants in your area, and it will become a real decoration of your garden.