Currant Hercules

Black currant is considered one of the most popular berries in Russia. Growing and maintaining is simple, and the versatile berries are perfect for making mouth-watering and delicious treats. The Hercules variety got its name from the large size of the berries. And also he attracted attention with the rest of the positive characteristics.

Vigorous shrubs of fruit crops reach a height of 180 centimeters. Despite the large growth, the shape of the plants is neat and compressed. The green mass is medium in density. Medium-sized, light brown buds have a slight sheen.

Young shoots are colored green with a slight pink tint. They can be both large and medium in thickness. Lignified branches are brown and massive. Their surface is smooth and shiny.

The structure of the leaves is three-lobed. They are large, dense and bright green. The texture is smooth. No pubescence. In spring, the shoots are covered with medium-sized, bowl-shaped flowers. Cream color with pink edging. Green and slightly pubescent racemes are dense and long. Each forms about 8 to 12 berries.

Ripe fruits become dark, almost black. There is a slight bloom on the surface, with a faint sheen noticeable. Gardeners report sizes as large or very large. In weight, each berry gains from 1.7 to 2.4 grams. The shape is round. Currant covered with elastic skin of medium thickness. The separation is dry. A large number of small seeds grow inside. All berries grow to almost the same size.

Due to the pronounced sweet notes, the taste is dessert, with a slight sourness. Tasters' assessment - 4.6 points out of 5. 100 grams of the crop contains 117 milligrams of vitamin C.

The fruits of the Hercules variety ripen late, and the fruiting season begins in the second half of July.

Due to the regular and excellent yield, about 3.3 kilograms of berries are obtained from one bush, and the yield per hectare of plantation will be 11.1 tons.

Fruit shrubs can be planted both in spring and autumn. When choosing a season, climatic features are taken into account. In areas with hot summers and early spring, plants can die from high temperatures before they get strong enough. Therefore, planting is best done in the fall.

So that the currants do not lack lighting, carefully lit areas are chosen for transplanting. Natural protection from drafts and strong gusts of wind is desirable. You can not plant bushes in places where water stagnates. The type of soil can be anything. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom of each planting pit.

Cuttings deepen up to 10 centimeters into the ground.After that, it is trimmed by 2/3. For transplanting shrubs, you need to prepare a hole with a depth of at least 0.5 meters. The plant is placed in the center of an indefinite depth, and covered with earth on both sides. Leave at least a meter of free space between the seedlings.

When choosing planting material, be sure to pay attention to the integrity of the shoots and the root system. The plant should not show signs of disease.

An excellent yield can be achieved only with proper care. Black currant is an unpretentious plant, but it needs comfortable conditions. It is necessary to remove weeds on the site and loosen the soil regularly so that the procedures are as effective as possible. Weeds are disposed of as needed, and it is advisable to combine loosening with watering. This procedure will prevent dry crust from forming on the surface of the ground and will provide oxygen to the roots.

The Hercules variety does not like frequent, but abundant watering. During the season, currants are irrigated three times. The first time the work is carried out in late spring or early summer. At this time, foliage is actively forming. The second time is watered at the end of June, when the berries are ripe, the last time - after the harvest, to replenish the strength of the plant. And also the currants will be fed by natural precipitation.

Pruning is recommended every season, once or twice. Removing unnecessary shoots will have a positive effect on yields and strengthen the plant's immune system. The branches that spread along the ground are also cut off so that they do not get in the way. Only strong, healthy and strong shoots are left that can bear fruit regularly.

When performing sanitary pruning, broken, large and weakened shoots are removed, and when rejuvenating, the oldest branches are cut (2-3 pieces). About 15 shoots are left on one bush. The branches are removed on the same level with the ground, leaving no shoots.

In the presence of symptoms of diseases and pests, plants must be treated with protective compounds. It is advisable to apply many of them in advance as a prophylaxis of diseases. Substances with active chemical elements must be used carefully, and only in certain phases of shrub growth.

Fertilize black currants throughout the season. These can be organic feeding or mineral complexes. In the spring, nitrogen-containing compounds are used to build up green mass, and organic matter will be more useful in summer. It will play an important role in the formation of tasty and aromatic berries. In autumn, after harvesting, the soil is fertilized with potassium chloride and superphosphate. Before adding the substance, it is diluted in water.

To retain moisture inside the soil, mulch is used. The ground around the bushes is covered with compost, peat or mowed grass. Organic mulch is preferable due to the fact that the components slowly decompose and feed the currants, and finding the right material is not difficult.

The black currant variety Hercules is considered frost-hardy, but despite this characteristic, it is advisable to cover the shrubs before the start of frost. To begin with, the shoots must be gently pressed against the soil in the direction of growth. It is desirable to form shoots in small groups of 3-5 pieces. Planks or bricks are laid on top of the plants. The root system is protected with a thick layer of mulch.

As soon as snow falls, it must be collected and laid on top of the bushes. In the absence of precipitation, agrofibre or spruce branches of a coniferous tree are used. The shelter will maintain the required temperature.