Currant Black Pearl

Currant Black Pearl - versatile, with an excellent presentation of berries, is rightfully considered one of the best among mid-season varieties. The lush bushes of this plant thrive both in cold climatic zones and in the Caucasus. According to its characteristics, this currant surpasses many other analogues; it is chosen by both private gardeners and farmers who are growing fruits for sale.

The Black Pearl variety was registered in the State Register of the Russian Federation in 1992. It was obtained by crossing currants Minai Shmyrev x Bredthorp by employees of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Federal Scientific Center named after IV Michurin". They registered their application for admission back in 1985, but the variety trials took quite a long time.

Black currant of this variety has a shoot height of up to 130 cm, forms a slightly spreading crown. Moderate foliage, well permeable to sunlight. On an adult bush, there are always 2 types of shoots - lignified grayish-yellow and young green, medium-sized. Leaf plates with a cut into 5 lobes are brightly colored.

The conical brushes of this currant look unusual. They are formed as medium and long, on average 4-7 cm in each. Under the weight of the bunches, the shoots during the harvesting period may slightly droop, sag.

The fruits on the bushes are black, with a dull sheen, with a dense skin. The size varies from medium to large with an average weight of each berry up to 2.5-2.7 g. The pulp is juicy, the number of seeds inside is average.

The berries are sweet and sour, pleasant. Refreshing taste with a good balance of nuances. The tasting grade is about 4.2 points.

This variety of black currant has average maturity dates. Fruiting is not simultaneous, regular, lasts from 10 to 20 July. The bushes are fast-growing, yield a harvest for 2 years from the moment of planting. The bushes retain the yield of berries up to 12-16 years.

The variety is very productive, highly appreciated by farmers for its impressive harvest volumes - up to 8.7 t / ha or up to 2.6 kg per bush.

The variety is zoned for cultivation in Western and Eastern Siberia, in the Central Black Earth Region, in the North Caucasus, the Urals and the Middle Volga. In the northern regions, it is rarely grown due to the high risk of powdery mildew damage.

The Black Pearl currant has a high self-fertility.

Plants need to be placed in a well-lit area. Black pearls are not very picky about the fertility of the soils on which they grow, but they demonstrate consistently high yields on loams, sandy loams with a light composition and a sufficient amount of moisture.Stagnation of water at the roots is detrimental to the plant. The soil is preliminarily prepared, cleared of weeds, with high acidity it is lime, fertilizers and sand are added to it, if the soil is dense.

Seedlings must also be carefully selected. A well-developed plant with a well-formed root system, 2-3 strong shoots about 30 cm long is suitable. Live buds should be present on the branches. A pit for such a plant is needed not too large, 40 × 50 cm in size and up to 0.5 m deep. It is recommended to put a mixture of compost, sand, mineral fertilizers inside, and moisten the soil well.

When planting, the plant is set in a hole slightly obliquely, the roots are carefully straightened. The hole is then filled with garden soil. At this time, the seedling is shaken slightly to compact the soil. The root collar drops 6-8 cm below the edge of the pit. The planted plant is watered with a bucket of water, the soil around it is covered with a thick layer of straw, peat or humus.

The best time for planting is the 3rd decade of September. It is worth focusing on the average atmospheric temperatures of + 8 ... 10 degrees. Adding soil in the root zone will help protect young currants from frost. The layer of mulch also increases.

When growing Black Pearl currants, do not forget that only the correct formation of the bush will provide it with a good yield. Immediately after planting, the shoots are shortened, keeping 2-4 living buds on them. This will stimulate lateral branching. For the next 2-3 years, only the root shoots at the base of the bush will have to be cut. By the age of five, the currant will take on the appearance of a fully formed plant.

Branches of different ages should be preserved on fruiting bushes. After formation, it will be possible to perform annual sanitation, removing frozen, diseased, broken off branches in the spring. Old fruiting shoots are not affected, but young ones that do not give sufficient growth are removed.

It is important to maintain the soil in good condition, loosen it regularly and water it if there is not enough moisture in it. When processing the soil, there is no need to deeply deepen the tool. It is enough to immerse the teeth 60-80 mm in order not to damage the root system. After 12-15 years, the bush is divided or transplanted so that it does not lose its ability to bear fruit.

Fertilizing the plant will not be required immediately. If fertilizers were laid during planting, they will have to be applied the next time after 2-3 years of active growing season. In spring, the bushes will benefit from urea and other nitrogen-rich fertilizers. During the fruiting period, as well as in the fall, after harvesting, the plants are saturated with potassium and phosphorus.

The bushes are practically not affected by diseases, relatively resistant to anthracnose. Well protected from kidney mites. Powdery mildew affects moderately. In regions with late summer and temperate climates, it is imperative to carry out preventive treatment of bushes with copper-containing fungicides. They will protect the bushes from disease, help boost their immunity.

If a spider mite, sawfly, aphids are detected on the bushes, insecticides should be used for spraying.

The currant is winter-hardy, it can withstand temperatures down to -35 degrees.

The Black Pearl variety managed to spread throughout Russia. Gardeners' reviews about him are mostly positive. It is noted that the bushes are weakly susceptible to fungal diseases, insects are also rarely found on them, which means that there is no need for preventive treatments. The variety is especially appreciated for its proven properties and consistent yield.

Among the obvious advantages of this currant, summer residents note the ability of berries to be stored on a bush for a long time without losing the taste and density of the skin. Taste and aroma are especially vividly revealed during processing - in jam, jam. They are advised to be frozen for winter desserts, dried to a raisin state, and dried. The bushes show their best qualities when planted in dry high places, but in the lowlands the plants may well begin to hurt, harvests will be later and scarce.