Veloy currant

Despite the fact that there are a lot of blackcurrant species, most summer residents prefer classic, proven varieties. These include the mid-late variety Velaya of domestic selection.

Currant Veloy is the creation of a group of domestic scientists from the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Industry named after V.I. N.I. Vavilova (S.P. Khotimskaya, N.N. Khabarova and E.V. Volodina). The variety appeared when two types of berries were crossed - the Leningrad giant and Ojebin. The currant joined the ranks of the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation in 2003. Recommended for growing berries in the Central and Northern regions of Russia.

Veloy currant is a medium-sized semi-spreading bush that grows up to 140 cm in height.It is characterized by compactness, rather dense thickening with dark green leaves with a bronze sheen, erect thickened shoots with an uneven color and long branches with many double or triple medium-sized buds.

During the flowering period, the bushes are covered with large greenish-white buds with a pink tint, endowed with a goblet shape. The brushes have a thickened axis, friability and increased length - from 5 to 8 cm. The berries on the brush are evenly spaced, sufficiently firmly held. On average there are 7-8 fruits on the cluster.

Veloy is a large-fruited currant. On average, the mass of one berry is 1.7-3.5 g. The currant has a regular round or flat-round shape and a rich uniform black color. The skin of the berries is moderately shiny and quite firm, without a hint of hardness. The berries are kept on a shortened but thick stalk. The separation from ripe currants is semi-dry.

The purpose of the variety is universal - the berries are eaten fresh, used in cooking, processed into compotes and juices, jams and preserves are cooked, frozen and dried. The variety has average transportability. If berries are removed in a state of technical maturity, then the shelf life of the berries will increase.

The berry has a delicious taste. The pulp has a high juiciness and a high seed content. The taste is dominated by bright sweetness, harmoniously combined with a pleasant dessert aroma. The currant pulp contains 9.9% sugars and a huge amount of vitamin C. Sour taste can appear only if the plant was grown in a shaded area.

This type of currant belongs to a variety with an average ripening period. The berries ripen unevenly, so harvesting with whole brushes will not work. The phase of active fruiting of the bush falls on the end of July - mid-August. If the berries are not removed from the brushes in time, they can overripe and crack during storage or transportation, but they will not crumble.

High yield is one of the advantages of this currant variety. Subject to all the rules of growing and caring for the season, 4.2 kg of juicy berries can be harvested from one bush.

Veloy currant is massively grown in the Northern, North-Western and Central regions of the country. In addition, large-fruited currants have gained popularity in Ukraine.

Veloy is a self-fertile currant that does not need pollinating varieties. Self-fertility is slightly more than 50%, that is, half of the ovaries are formed without the help of pollinators.

For planting, you will need high-quality and healthy seedlings, which are planted at a distance of 1-1.5 meters from each other. Reproduction of the plant occurs in three ways - by dividing the bush, by means of green cuttings, as well as by arched and horizontal layering. It is possible to breed currants, in which the root system is rapidly growing, in spring, summer and autumn. According to farmers, autumn is considered the best season (September-October). The planting hole for a currant bush should be deep and wide, since the root is 20-25 cm long.

Veloy black currant loves fertile soils with low alkaline acidity that breathe well, such as loams. The site should be well lit by the sun, as well as reliably protected from drafts and strong winds. Groundwater must flow deeply so that there is no stagnation of water, which the root system of the currant bush does not like.

Comprehensive care of currant bushes consists of regular watering, top dressing (from the second season after planting), loosening the soil and removing weeds under the bushes, trimming excess branches (thinning), mulching the area under the bush and protecting against viruses and insects. Experienced summer residents recommend leaving 3-4 branches annually, so after 3-4 years the bush will have about 15 branches forming the skeleton of the plant.

The immune system of the variety is very strong, capable of resisting many diseases. The bushes are practically not exposed to powdery mildew, columnar rust, kidney mites, anthracnose and septoria blight. Currants are most susceptible to large aphids, spring spraying with a weak solution of "Nitrofen" will help protect against it.

The plant has good resistance to stress. Currants easily tolerate prolonged drought, heat, sharp temperature fluctuations. In addition, the variety is frost-resistant. The lack of sun and excessive humidity negatively affect the taste of the culture. Currants also do not like drafts and gusty winds.