Sweet Belarusian currant

Sweet Belarusian currant with beautiful large clusters and brightly colored black berries has been one of the most popular varieties for many years. It has a universal purpose, adapts well to different climatic conditions, and is not affected by common diseases. The variety is highly valued by summer residents for its abundant fruiting, pleasant taste and rich aroma of fruits.

The culture was obtained by AG Voluznev, a breeder of the RNPD of the Unitary Enterprise Institute of Fruit Growing, by crossing currant varieties 2-6D and DV. Belarusian sweet was approved for use in 1979.

Sweet Belarusian currant forms vigorous bushes, wide, medium spreading. The crown is prone to thickening, reaches a height of 120 cm. Shoots have pubescent pinkish tops. The leaves on them are large, corrugated, colored yellow-green, like the flowers. Brushes up to 7 cm long contain 6-8 berries.

This variety of currants has black, rather large berries. The weight of each reaches 1.1-1.6 g. The shape of the berries is round-oval, with a dense, shiny skin. The separation from the brush is dry.

The berries are sweet, with a medium-intensity aroma. The pulp is juicy. The tasting score is high, reaching 4.6 points out of 5.

The growing season is 210 days. In terms of ripening, the variety is medium, fruiting begins in the 2nd decade of July. Fast-growing currant, with a non-simultaneous return of berries. The first crop can be harvested the next year after planting.

The variety has a good yield. Up to 3.7 kg are harvested from the bush. When grown on an industrial scale, you can get 12 t / ha.

Planting of this variety is possible in almost all regions of the Russian Federation. Sweet Belarusian currant is successfully cultivated in the North Caucasus, in the Middle, Upper and Lower Volga, in the Urals and in the North-West region.

The variety is highly self-fertile, pollinates up to 60% of the ovaries. To increase this indicator, currants of the varieties Minai Shmyrev, Pilot Alexander Mamkin and others, with similar flowering times, can be planted nearby.

For the successful cultivation of this variety of currants, it is important to choose the right place. An area illuminated by direct sunlight for most of the day is suitable, but the bushes will feel good in partial shade.It is important that the soil is well moistened, but without the close occurrence of groundwater. Strong winds for currants are also not very useful. It is better to protect it from such impact with a fence or wall of the house.

The acidity of the soil also matters. Belorussian sweet feels best on neutral or slightly acidic, slightly alkaline soils. In case of strong acidification, preliminary liming is mandatory. Planting bushes in sandy loam or loamy areas will help to achieve good yields. Other types of soils require the introduction of a sufficient amount of humus, useful organic matter.

Planting is carried out in the autumn, with a margin of time before the onset of frost. It is not customary to postpone these activities in the spring, since currants begin the growing season early. When planting, leave 1.5 m between the bushes so that they can grow without interfering with each other. There is no need to prepare large pits; for plants with a superficial root system, there are enough holes with a diameter and depth of about 40 cm.

For each bush, a substrate is prepared from turf and humus in equal proportions. Superphosphate is added to them - about 200 g, wood ash - 3-4 scoops. The bushes are planted, slightly deepening the root collar. So young shoots will immediately grow from the base. Then the bush is watered, introducing 1 bucket of water under the root, its shoots are cut to a height of 10 cm above the ground level, but so that several strong buds remain on them.

Keeping currants in good condition is not too difficult. It is enough to pay attention to watering, not letting the earth dry out. To reduce its frequency, soil mulching will partially help. Sprinkling will be useful during the period of picking berries of juiciness and color.

Top dressing is also important. During the flowering period, plants need nitrogen, then it is the turn of complex fertilizers. In autumn, plants need to recuperate after fruiting. To do this, potassium and phosphorus are added under the root, organic matter is added.

Currants have a superficial root system, so deep loosening is not recommended for plants. But you can't do without it either. To provide air access to the roots, it will be enough to immerse the instruments to a depth of 70 mm.

The number of measures for caring for bushes necessarily includes thinning, removing old or dried branches. Pruning is done in the fall. For 2 years, shoots are removed, leaving only 4 of the strongest and strongest. In subsequent periods, save 3-6 zero shoots. After harvest, to stimulate branching, the branches are cut to about 1/3 length.

Sweet Belarusian currant is resistant to powdery mildew and anthracnose. A kidney mite is moderately affected, relatively protected from it. May be affected by fungal diseases, in particular, leaf spot. Preventive treatments begin in the spring, before flowering, by spraying the shoots with copper-containing fungicides. The timely fight against sedge, on which the causative agents of this disease live, helps to protect bushes from columnar rust.

The currant of this variety has high winter hardiness, but the flowers may suffer during the period of returnable late spring frosts. Berries are not prone to shedding.

According to gardeners, Belorusskaya Sweet can safely claim the highest marks. The variety bears fruit without delay, you don't have to wait long for the first harvest. The bunches are returned annually, without gaps. The berries are very tasty, quite large, according to the reviews of summer residents, they can be stored until the next warm season, if you grind them with sugar. It is noted that the bushes are resistant to aging, gaining maximum fruiting intensity by 5-6 years, maintaining such productivity indicators for up to 12 years.

The variety has no particular drawbacks. Bushes are prone to overgrowth and require periodic pruning. In wet weather, the plants suffer greatly from fungal infections; preventive spraying has to be carried out often.