Roland currant

Roland is an unpretentious variety of red currant. It is considered promising for cultivation on the territory of the Russian Federation, it is included in the top 20 varieties: it has a stable yield, frost resistance, and high immunity. Berries are used to make fruit drinks, compote, jelly. When overripe, they are eaten fresh - they are very tasty.

The culture appeared in the Netherlands with the trans-pollination of varieties: Jonker van Tets and Rote Spätlese.

The bush is high, reaches 170 cm, compact, becomes sprawling with age. The branches are thick and straight. The leaves are small, light green with a slight yellowness, concave, with smooth and wide leaf blades. Flowering takes place from late May to early June. Flower clusters up to 12 cm long, each with 20-30 reddish-yellow buds. Adult shoots grow slightly every year, but young shoots grow at the roots at the end of the year. The variety has a high degree of regeneration. Fruiting lasts about 25 years. The species is suitable for growing on a trunk and trellis.

Large in size: from 0.7 to 1.5 g, rounded, bright red, large seeds. Slightly unripe fruits are excellently transported and stored for about 2 weeks in a cool, dry place.

It tastes sour, overripe, becomes sweetish, contains: 8.9% sugar, 23.7% vitamin C, have a characteristic currant aroma.

Young plants begin to bear fruit in the 3rd year after planting. Berries can be removed from the second half of July. The crop is not prone to shedding; it can be removed mechanically.

Up to 6-7 kg are removed from one bush.

Currants are suitable for cultivation in a temperate climatic zone: in central and central Russia. Some believe that it can be grown slightly north of the areas recommended by the originator, since it is planted in the northern and mountainous regions of Scandinavia.

The variety does not need additional pollinators.

The species prefers nutrient soil with good drainage: chernozem, loamy, sandy loam, rich in humus with neutral or low acidity. Wetlands and with a close occurrence of groundwater will not work. The water layer should be located at a level of 1.5 m and deeper from the surface.

Saplings are chosen for one to two years. For plants, a bright place or with light shading, protected from the north side, is suitable. Planting can be done in spring and autumn.In regions with severe winters, they are planted in April. For an area with a temperate climate, a more suitable time is September. The landing pit is made in size: 40x60 cm, 3-4 weeks before the event. A distance of 150 cm is left between the seedlings. Between the rows - at least 200 cm.The excavated soil is mixed with 4 kg of manure (or compost), superphosphate - 130 g, potassium sulfate - 25 g. If the substrate is very sour, add milk of lime - 800 g per 1 sq. m, the substance can be diluted in a bucket of water and the earth can be shed. The root collar is buried 6 cm. After planting, the seedlings are watered with 10 liters of water, mulched with humus. Seedlings for the winter must be covered: the roots with a layer of mulch, and the crown with agrofibre.

Watering is required in the absence of rain. Young plants are watered once a week. One bush takes 5-7 liters. Adults are more resistant to lack of moisture, it is enough to water them 1-2 times a month. Be sure to irrigate during flowering and ripening. After watering the next day, the soil is loosened at a depth of 7-8 cm and weeds are removed.

They are fed twice a year: before the start of the growing season in April with a urea solution - 10 g per 1 liter of water, applied per 1 sq. m, then at the beginning of June - with nitrogen compounds (compost, slurry, chicken droppings), after harvesting in mid-October - with potassium-phosphorus mixtures. The foliar method is processed in July: for this, a mixture of boric acid is used - 2.5 g, manganese sulfate - 7-10 g, copper sulfate - 1 g, molybdenum ammonium - 2 g, - all these substances are dissolved in 10 liters of water and sprayed with foliage ...

The first 3 years, currants are not cut. The first pruning for crown formation is recommended to be carried out in early spring the next year after the first harvest. Sanitation is carried out twice a year: in March - before the start of sap flow and in October - after leaf fall. Be sure to remove branches older than 4-5 years. Adult plants are recommended to tie or make a low support for the branches.

The culture has a high immunity to powdery mildew, anthracnose, septoria. Of the pests, it can be damaged by kidney mites, gall aphids and glassworms. For prophylaxis, it is sprayed with copper sulfate in the spring before the leaves appear. For pests, it is recommended to use biofungicides. To combat white spot and gray rot, drugs are used: "Kuprozan", "Khometsin", "Ftalan".

The winter-hardy variety can withstand frosts down to -35 degrees. Currant is distinguished by drought resistance, besides, it tolerates high humidity and spring frosts well.

It is not uncommon for gardeners to grow this species for sale. The bushes are very large, do not get sick, caring for them is the most common, but they give a regular and good harvest. The berries collected in a bunch are very beautiful: they resemble small bunches of grapes.