Currant of Versailles

Introduction

Many modern gardeners and gardeners are very fond of growing currants. This bush can produce berries of various colors, aromas, tastes, and the bushes can be of different heights, shapes, colors, and can be used in different ways in agricultural and agronomic activities. one of the most popular varieties among currant crops is the Versailles white currant. The variety was bred by French breeders back in the 19th century, but it was gradually improved so that shrubs could take root in different parts of the world. In 1959, the Versailles currant was included in the State Register. The variety has been recommended for cultivation in various regions and especially in the following:

• Northwest region
• central region
• Volgo-Vyatka region
• Central Black Earth Region
• Middle Volga region
• Ural region.

Versailles white currant: variety photo

Thus, the geography of growing the Versailles currant has expanded quite a lot, and for this reason there is a great need to get more detailed information about this variety, about its specifics and features. In this article, we will describe this variety in more detail, substantiate some of its significant characteristics. And also we will determine the characteristics of the variety and what diseases and pests can threaten the same variety, if we do not provide it with the most favorable conditions for growing and care.

Currant of Versailles: variety description and characteristics

White currant of Versailles: photo of the variety

The Versailles currant, as we have already noted, was bred by French breeders back in the 19th century, until 1959 the variety was constantly improved, as a result of which it was included in the State Register of Recommended Varieties. A distinctive feature of this variety is that it has an excellent, developed root system. Lateral roots can be located at a depth of up to half a meter, they can grow far beyond the crown itself, so this aspect should be taken into account when planting a plant. As for the central root, it goes to a depth of more than one meter, forming a truly monumental planting, which should receive a sufficient amount of care, as otherwise the root will be very weakened, and this will lead to a weakening of the entire shrub as a whole.

The Versailles white currant bushes are erect species, the height of an adult shrub of this variety can vary from 120 centimeters to one and a half meters. At the same time, there are not so many shoots, but at the same time they do not grow with some activity, they are mostly weak, especially if you do not give them enough care or attention. The deciduous system is large, has an atypical bluish tint. The lower part of the leaves is slightly drooping, this is one of the characteristic features of the leaf system. Therefore, this omission should not be taken as a disease or pathology.

The Versailles currant belongs to a high-yielding, abundant variety. During flowering, the shrub is covered with yellowish-white bells, while the brushes are quite long. Flowers, like future berries, are located on long, straight petioles, on attractive clusters, which, when ripe, can be collected in whole bunches without tearing off a single berry.

The fruits of the Versailles currant are very large, the weight can reach 1.3 grams in only one fruit.If you follow all the rules of care, as well as agrotechnical characteristics, then on average from one bush you can collect up to four kilograms of rounded berries, which will have a sweet pulp with a pronounced sourness. The berries are very firmly adhered to the roots, they cannot crumble, but it is still worth harvesting on time, as it can often become prey for birds or pests. In addition, overripe berries can actively fall off, especially if the weather is very windy. So timing needs to be monitored very closely.

Due to the fact that the Versailles white currant fruit is surrounded by a dense skin, they tolerate transportation very well. It is a frost-resistant variety that has good immunity, especially against various diseases and sudden changes in temperature. Taking care of the Versailles currant as a whole is quite easy than for other varieties, so some peculiarities should be taken into account, and then you can get a decent currant harvest without much effort. Also, touching on the topic of immunity, it is worth noting that shrubs are quite calm about powdery mildew, but the shrub can not be saved from anthracnose, since this disease spreads much faster to the entire plant system, not concentrating only on leaves or stems.

Thus, we examined the features of the appearance of the Versailles white currant, its root system, and also stopped at the description of the properties of the fruit. In the next part of the article, we will talk about the most common methods of breeding Versailles currant, about the most versatile and convenient methods.

Breeding method, planting and caring for the bush

White currant of Versailles: video about the variety

Like any varieties of currants, Versailles currants can also be propagated by layering, cuttings or by dividing the shrub.

Layering is the first method we'll analyze the specifics of. This method is considered by gardeners to be the most reliable and common, and here's why:

• in the very first weeks of the spring, when the movement of minerals and sap in the plant has not yet begun, a groove can be dug around the bush to a depth of about 10 centimeters. In the same groove, it is necessary to add fertile soil, which the gardener prepares in advance just for these very purposes.
• then the gardener examines the shrub and selects several shoots that are already either one or several years old. They are bent down, while leaving the top in the place where it should be - at the top. The stem is then fixed with metal brackets, and fertile soil is poured on top and watered abundantly
• when the Versailles currant takes root, a characteristic growth appears
• when the currant bush reaches a height of ten centimeters, neat hilling is done to the middle of the shoots
• after about two weeks, future seedlings should be huddled again, drying out of the soil can threaten that the plant will refuse to function and grow normally, so it is extremely important to monitor the moisture, and regularly, especially during periods of frost.

Already closer to the autumn period, completely full-fledged seedlings of Versailles currant grow on the layers, which the gardener can transplant to a permanent place where the shrub grows. Plants that are grown from cuttings begin to bear abundant fruiting around the second, sometimes in the third year after planting. This method, in principle, is considered one of the most suitable and very convenient, and many gardeners, especially with experience, use it.

Versailles currant can also propagate by cuttings. Cuttings should be cut around February, separating them from one-year or two-year shoots. A stalk on which from five to seven buds have already formed should be cut to a maximum length of 20 centimeters. Slices are made neatly, obliquely, sprinkled with ash.The lower honor of the petiole is placed in settled water so that it begins to give a root system. Without it, reproduction is also impossible, and you should pay attention to the quality of the root system right before planting.

When stable warm weather sets in, the cuttings are placed in a bed with loose soil at an angle of 45 degrees. It is also necessary to install several plastic cans on top in order to create an artificial greenhouse, because humidity here plays an important role. The seedlings should be planted in a permanent place about two years after the gardener has begun to propagate by cuttings. While currant cuttings are developing and entering the phase of active growth, it is extremely important to feed them, as well as water them with warm, settled water, only in this case they will show the effectiveness of growth and its speed.

Experienced gardeners emphasize that it is best to plant the Versailles white currant around the very beginning of September. In this case, the plants will have enough time to take root and prepare for the harsh winter period. You can plant currants in the spring, while the buds have not yet begun to show active signs of life and swell: swelling should occur when the plant begins to be saturated with nutrients from the soil. As for the landing site, it must be perfectly lit, there should be no strong winds and drafts, since the bushes do not tolerate cold winds very well. It would be best to plant the Versailles currant along the fences, as well as at the camp of buildings, so that these very fences or walls protect the plants from strong winds and drafts. If the site has abundant accumulating groundwater, then it is best to prepare high-quality drainage. Shrubs are best planted on a hill, since this way the waters will go deeper into the ground, the root system of the plant will be absolutely safe.

The pit in which the currants are planted should be up to half a meter deep, and the diameter should be identical. When digging, the soil should be placed on one side, as it will be required for the further design of the currant bed. Organic matter, such as manure, and about 500 milliliters of wood ash, are also added to the soil to improve the condition of the soil and its acidity. All this should be thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous soil mass is obtained. The next stage is the preparation of seedlings and their planting in open ground, and this stage should be taken with full responsibility.

Before planting, the seedlings are once again very carefully inspected, the root system is checked, any damage should be immediately detected. If there are too many of them, then it is best to refuse to plant this shrub. If the roots are very long, then they should definitely be shortened and left from 15 to 20 centimeters. Currant seedlings of the Versailles variety with an open root system are best left overnight in a growth stimulator, or in a solution that includes honey. This will allow the roots to wake up, get some energy, and then show a high level of growth.

At the stage of the planting itself, you should adhere to some rules of agricultural technology, since it is thanks to this that the chance that the plant will receive sufficiently good care increases, and in general, the conditions for growth will be as favorable as possible, and this is extremely important:

• a pit, which is already filled with pre-prepared soil, is filled with water, and it must be absorbed to the end
• the seedling is placed in the ground at an inclination of 45 degrees. The immersion depth should be about 7-10 centimeters lower than the cutting grew before this stage of planting
• after the bush is sprinkled with earth, it should be thoroughly watered.this will ensure that all the air will go out from under the roots, and this is very important for the further development of the shrub and its root system. Also, thanks to this, the seedlings will begin to demonstrate a high level of growth faster. When the water is absorbed into the soil, a previously prepared fertile soil from manure and ash, as well as mulch, is sprinkled on top. In this case, moisture will last much longer, but in a normal, suitable amount so that the root system is not damaged.

Another step is to prune the seedlings immediately after they have been planted. Above the surface, shoots are left no more than 15 centimeters long. The shoots should have no more than six formed full-fledged buds. Some novice gardeners very often simply skip this stage, as a result of which the plant becomes rather weak. The planted bushes should be huddled, the gardener pours humus or compost into the near-stem part. So the root system will be protected from some pests and fungi, as well as from possible freezing.

As we have already noted, the Versailles white currant is completely unpretentious in care. Care comes down to the fact that the gardener must perform the most standard operations - to water the shrubs on time, weed weeds so that it does not take away energy from the plant; to loosen the soil superficially and periodically feed it to replenish the reserves of depleted soil; cut shrubs and process them to protect them from pests and diseases that can sometimes harm plants, especially during their initial adaptation to the natural conditions of open ground.

The Versailles currant loves very much when it is watered abundantly. If suddenly there is a lack of moisture, then this will simply lead to the fact that the rate of development of the plant will decrease. In addition, a lack of moisture will lead to the fact that the berries will be tasteless, small, and the yield level will decrease. The most abundant watering should be done twice - in the spring, when the plant just wakes up and begins to prepare for the flowering and fruiting period; in the fall, when fruiting is already over. You can also give more moisture during the flowering of the plant, as well as pouring the berries, because the moisture goes into the juicy pulp of the currant fruit.

Immediately after watering has been completed, it is best to wait until the water is completely absorbed. After that, the soil is loosened, the weed is removed. This must be done with great care so that the root system, which is located very close to the surface, is not damaged by the gardener himself during all these manipulations.

The Versailles currant reacts very well to timely fertilizing. In the spring, shrubs are watered with mullein-based infusions, as well as bird droppings, but care should be taken to avoid burns. Microfertilizers are excellent for making top dressing in the summer - zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, boric acid and many other components that have an excellent effect on plants and their growth. When the bush bears fruit, you can water it with tinctures of green grass, they are completely safe and do not cause any negative manifestations on the plants.

As experienced gardeners note, the plants are quite resistant to many diseases and pests. Be that as it may, it is necessary to periodically use some preventive measures in order to prevent weakening of the immune system. For processing, use special professional tools. Also popular is bordeaux liquid, copper sulphate as one of the most economical but effective preparations for plant protection.

Pruning of Versailles white currant bushes is done several times per season in order to maintain the plant not only in good external condition, but also to compensate for some of its losses in terms of mineral components and substances. The first pruning - sanitary, as well as formative - is done by the gardener in the spring. In the summer, it is best to cut branches that have been affected by diseases, or simply dried up and no longer show any vital activity. In the fall, branches that have already dried up are removed, and corrective pruning is also carried out.Thanks to this, the Versailles currant begins to develop better, the energy is spent on growing healthy branches, and not on maintaining branches that have already shrunk and will not give any positive result. It is necessary to leave about five annual shoots annually. As a result, with proper pruning and processing, after a few years the plant turns into a powerful fruiting bush that perfectly tolerates diseases and various developmental problems.

White currant of Versailles: reviews about the variety

Reviews of the Versailles currant are extremely positive. It is called very productive, quite stable, if, of course, all agrotechnical features and rules in caring for the plant are observed. Only the gardener himself directly depends on how the plant will grow, develop, after what time it will bear fruit. Storage of fruits is characterized by keeping quality, stability. The fruits of the Versailles white currant can be transported over some distances, they will not lose their appearance and taste. From the fruits, you can prepare various dishes, jams and compotes, as well as prepare preparations for the winter. Due to their taste, the berries can be consumed fresh, they have a pronounced sweetness with a slight sour taste. Versailles currant berries can be eaten not only by adults, but also by little lovers of berry crops.