Black currant Dar Smolyaninova

Such a fruit and berry culture as currant contains a huge amount of useful microelements, plus it also has excellent taste qualities of fruits. Nowadays, it is difficult to find a personal plot where this plant is not grown. In this article, we will consider the black currant Dar Smolyaninova, which is considered a fairly promising variety of black currant.

Black currant Dar Smolyaninova: variety description and characteristics

Black currant Dar Smolyaninova: photo of the variety

Description of currant Dar Smolyaninova

This subspecies is currently considered one of the most common and well-known, among the representatives of black currant fruits. He won high positions not only in our country, but also gradually falls in love with European gardeners.

The subspecies appeared thanks to the works of our domestic scientists-breeders L.I. Zueva and A.I. Astakhov, by breeding varietal hybrids 4-15-90 and 42-7. The result of this crossing surpassed all the expectations of specialists instantly, so this subspecies began to be considered also an excellent material for further breeding of these plants. In 2007, it was entered in the State Register.

It is worth mentioning one important and interesting fact: the fruit of the currant Dar Smolyaninova contains vitamin C in such an amount that exceeds the amount in any other citrus fruit. So, with a daily intake of this vitamin of 90 grams, in one hundred grams of these fruits, the amount of vitamin C is approximately 505 percent of the daily requirement.

Characteristics

The bush of this subspecies of currant has an average size, slight spreading and is not prone to thickening. The shoots of the bush are strong and powerful, rather, erect, with weak pubescence. The leaves are large in size, endowed with a pale green tint and slight pubescence. The flowers, when opened, acquire a pale purple color, the flower cluster consists of usually 7 flowers. They are not located tightly, therefore, the fruits in the future have a free enough arrangement.

The fruits of the black currant Dar Smolyaninova have a large size when ripe, each can reach a mass of 4.5 grams. Usually, the mass of one berry reaches three grams. The inner part of the fruit has a juicy and dense structure, and is also endowed with a sweet taste. The shape of the berries is round. The berries of this subspecies of currants also have an intense black color. When tasting, these fruits received an assessment of 4.9 points out of five possible. In addition to the amazing taste, the fruits contain a huge amount of useful trace elements and vitamins that have a beneficial effect on the human body as a whole. Let's take a closer look at the composition of these berries:

• Vitamin B4 (choline), the content is 12.4 milligrams per 100 grams of product. Helps lower blood cholesterol. Has a calming effect and can also relieve symptoms of depression. It also prevents the formation of gallstones and improves the metabolism of fats in the human body.
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), the content is 200 milligrams per 100 grams of the product. Takes part in the production of collagen, helps to strengthen the immune system. Has a supporting property of vascular elasticity. Assists in the absorption of iron, eliminates the formation of iron deficiency anemia.
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), content of 0.4 milligrams per 100 grams of product. Provides assistance in the treatment of colitis, arthritis, allergic reactions and heart disease. Takes part in the production of antibodies. Contributes to the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system.
• Beta Carotene, the content is 0.1 milligrams per 100 grams of product. It is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, is in the composition of preventive drugs for cancer, and also delays the destructive actions of cells in AIDS, has protective properties for the skin from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Contributes to the maintenance of normal male sexual health.
• Vitamin E (as alpha tocopherol), the content is 0.7 milligrams per 100 grams of product. It removes toxins from the body, prevents the formation of carcinogens. Improves blood circulation, as well as the work of the heart and the vascular system in general. It has the regenerating property of tissue, and also prevents the development of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Currant variety Dar Smolyaninova is a representative of early currant varieties according to the ripening period. The yield indicator averages 13 tons per hectare, or approximately two kilograms per plant. If you provide the bush with timely and high-quality care, then the yield indicator will be much higher.

Black currant Dar Smolyaninova: reviews of the variety

Black currant Dar Smolyaninova: photo of the variety

Many gardeners leave positive reviews about the Dar Smolyaninova currant. The gardeners' reviews are justified by the large number of advantages of the Dar Smolyaninova currant, such as:

• Large fruit size.
• High yield rate.
• Good immunity to many common diseases.
• Cold and dry season tolerance.
• High level of taste characteristics.
• Unpretentious in cultivation (it can grow successfully in partial shade, as well as on almost any type of soil).
• Early ripening period.

There are no special drawbacks in the black currant variety Dar Smolyaninova. One can only refer to them:

• Overloading of stems with abundant harvest.
• Fruits soften when overripe and have a tendency to crumble.
• It is required to constantly rejuvenate the plant.

Although such facts would be better attributed to the characteristics of the subspecies, and not to its negative qualities.

Black currant Dar Smolyaninova: planting varieties

Black currant Dar Smolyaninova: photo of the variety

Black currant Dar Smolyaninova, like any other fruit and berry culture, will produce yields of a higher volume and quality only if all the features and rules of planting and further care are observed. This subspecies is considered a rather unpretentious plant, therefore, no time, effort and money is required, even an amateur gardener can quite successfully grow it.

Choosing a site for growth and planting rules

When choosing a place for the future growth of this bush, you need to take into account the following points:

• Illumination. Currant Dar Smolyaninova prefers to grow in sufficiently sunny areas, so it is worth choosing a place with sufficient lighting in advance. At the same time, direct sunlight can negatively affect the health of the plant, provided that they fall on the leaves and branches for more than two to three hours. The best option would be morning time for this. This culture feels great in areas located in the southern or southwestern lighting. A distinctive feature of this subspecies is the fact that it can grow quite successfully in shaded places. Although with rather long and strong shading, the development of the plant may slow down, as well as the yield level may decrease.
• Humidity... The rhizome of this plant has a rather negative attitude towards an excess of moisture, therefore, the presence of groundwater should be at least one meter t of the soil surface.A site with a low relief and drained soil will be considered excellent, in this case moisture will be retained, and the yield rate will increase to 50 percent.
• Wind protection. Northern winds and drafts are quite dangerous for this currant bush. Therefore, it would be better to plant this plant in a place where it will be protected by structures or other plantings. Strong winds can cause hypothermia of the crop, as well as interfere with the work of pollinating insects.

This plant can grow on almost any type of soil, but still the best option for it will be: gray forest, heavy soils, soils of river valleys, loamy, sod-podzolic.

The culture is rather bad for wetlands, as well as for soils with overestimated acidity. The optimal acidity indicator for it will be 5 pH. If, nevertheless, soil with high acidity prevails on your site, then about one year before planting, you should neutralize the soil with chalk or dolomite flour.

A seedling of this plant is most often planted in the autumn period of the year. The best time period is from September to October. The best temperature for the plant is present at this time. Then there is a rather small probability that the seedling will not take root and will not adapt to the new place. The landing hole should be prepared in advance, approximately three weeks before the planned landing date. Prepare the hole in this way:

• A hole is dug up to 65 centimeters in circumference and 55 centimeters in depth.
• Hay, grass, fallen leaves are poured at the bottom of this hole. After that, three buckets of feces or manure are poured in. This layer should be about two-thirds of the hole.
• The remaining space is covered with soil.

Approximately 7-15 days before planting, you can also add the following fertilizers to the planting hole: 120 grams of lime, 300 grams of wood ash, 150 grams of potash fertilizers, 350 grams of superphosphate.

This preparation and feeding will allow the culture to receive the required amount of nutrients from the soil for several more years. The very process of planting this plant has absolutely no differences and additional features from planting other fruit plants.

A currant seedling of the Dar Smolyaninova variety is placed in the center of the prepared planting hole, while gently straightening its roots, and then covered with soil. Tamp it a little and water it abundantly, regardless of the weather at the moment. If after planting for several days there is no precipitation, then the irrigation procedure is repeated.

Black currant Dar Smolyaninova: care

Black currant Dar Smolyaninova: photo of the variety

This fruit and berry culture is demanding in terms of feeding and watering. These are the main activities for the care of this subspecies of currants.

• Watering. This subspecies is considered a fairly moisture-loving plant. He requires an irrigation procedure every two to three days, and for one such bush the volume of irrigation is three buckets of water. With insufficient moisture, the berries of this subspecies lose their taste, or they may not form at all. In order to facilitate the maintenance process, experts advise installing an automatic irrigation system. In addition, with the help of such a system, fertilizing can also be made.
• Top dressing. If, when preparing the planting hole, you followed all the recommendations described above, then this plant does not need feeding for another two to three years after planting. Most often, fertilization for this subspecies of currant begins from the third year of the culture's life. In this case, it is applied for the first time in the spring period of the year, for this, mineral fertilizers, a solution of manure or dung, or a mixture of organic matter and mineral fertilizer are used.In general, this plant needs three additional fertilizing per year: two in the spring and one in the autumn. In the autumn, fertilizers based on phosphorus and potassium are applied, which help the plant to regain strength after the fruiting period, as well as prepare for wintering.

The loosening procedure should be carried out as necessary. If the compaction is too strong, the soil is loosened to a shallow depth so that the root system can receive the required amount of oxygen. You can also periodically loosen the soil at the roots to control pests, in which case, in most cases, the eggs and larvae of harmful insects will die, being on the surface of the soil.

Collection and storage

Harvest from the black currant bush Dar Smolyaninova is removed as the fruit ripens. Often, the collection takes place in one day, because the ripening of these berries occurs almost simultaneously. The main thing is not to hesitate with their removal, since ripe berries of this culture are able to crumble, and during overripening they generally lose their density and some taste characteristics.

One worth noting interesting fact: if you put the Dar Smolyaninova blackcurrant leaves in a jar of pickles, you will not only give them a beautiful look, but also saturate them with vitamin C, plus you can extend the storage period of such a preparation.

Harvesting rules for these berries:

• It is best to harvest this crop in the morning, while the dew has melted, or in the second half of the day, when the main heat subsides. If the weather is cloudy, then the harvest time is not important. The main thing is to remember that these fruits, which are collected during rain, or vice versa, in very hot and sunny weather, begin to deteriorate faster.
• Be sure to use gloves when picking berries.
• For storage and transportation of these fruits, the best option would be wooden boxes, or baskets, but not bags!
• Fruits should be sorted directly during collection, because ripe berries do not tolerate spilling at all.
• If damaged, these berries can retain their freshness for only one day, so handle them with extreme care.

If there is a long transportation, then it is better to harvest such berries in a slightly unripe form, and also together with bunches. Immediately after removing them, it is required to remove them in a shaded and cool place.

Fresh berries of black currant Dar Smolyaninova are recommended to be consumed or processed as soon as possible, so they can retain their useful qualities. Under natural conditions (at temperatures from +10 to +12 degrees), fresh berries of this variety can be stored for a fairly long time - about 15 days. But this is only possible if they are stored in a cool, ventilated and shaded place. You can extend the storage period in the refrigerator. Fresh berries at 0 degrees can retain their characteristics for up to 30 days. If the air temperature is even lower, then the shelf life will increase to 90 days. When completely frozen, they can be stored for several years.

Conclusion

Having considered in this article the black currant variety Dar Smolyaninova in more detail, following the recommendations for planting and caring for this plant, you can easily grow this beautiful currant bush on your site. And also get a tasty, healthy, plentiful harvest of large berries.