Currant Riddle

Currant Riddle is considered one of the best. Berries contain a large amount of vitamin C. They are consumed fresh, they prepare jellies, jams, marshmallows, syrups, compotes, jelly, dried, frozen. Suitable for garden plots and industrial cultivation.

The variety was obtained on the basis of the All-Russian Institute of Selection and Technology of Horticulture and Nursery by the breeder V. M. Litvinova during the pollination of the varieties Nina and Sopernik. Included in the State Register in 1986.

The bush is medium-sized, compact, dense, branches are straight brown shiny, young ones are light green with a reddish crown, slightly pubescent. The leaves are large, five-lobed, dark green, matte along the edge with short teeth. Blooms in the second half of May. Flowers are small, cupped with pink petals, collected in clusters of 8-20 pieces. The lifespan is about 15 years.

Large, weighing up to 1.2-1.5 g, but can reach 2.2 g, rounded with a slight nodule near the branch, bluish-black with yellow dots, the skin is dense, shiny, there are few seeds. They have a high presentation. Dry berries are easy to transport and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Sweet table taste, pleasant aroma. Sugar content - 5.4%, vitamin C - 160 mg per 100 g. Assessment during tasting 4 points.

The first berries appear the next year after planting. It is considered a type of medium ripening, harvested from late August to early September.

About 3 kg are removed from one plant.

Recommended for cultivation in the Central, Volgo-Vyatka, North Caucasian regions. Often planted in other regions of Russia, as well as in the CIS countries.

Additional pollinators are not needed for fruiting, but if there are other types of currants nearby, this increases the yield.

Prefers fertile soil, preferably loamy, slightly acidic or neutral. Groundwater should be located at least 1.5 m from the surface. They choose light, sheltered from the wind places on the south or southwest side for currants.

The best landing time is the last days of March or the beginning of September, when the air temperature is from +10 degrees. The garden bed is dug to a depth of 25 cm and applied to 1 sq. m: superphosphate - 150 g, potassium sulfate - 20-30 g, organic matter - 4 kg.

The holes are made 50x50 cm in size, each 0.5 liters of a bucket of water is poured. The seedling is placed at a slope of 45 degrees. The root collar is deepened by 4 cm, sprinkled with soil and watered with another 0.5 buckets. The tops are cut, keeping 3 buds above the surface. Mulch with peat, dry soil, humus.

The plant needs feeding and regular watering. With a prolonged lack of moisture, the leaves begin to wither. The roots are close to the surface and should not dry out for long. Excessive waterlogging will lead to rot. Watering is carried out throughout the season, with the exception of rainy periods, about half a bucket per plant. For the winter, watered in October: about 20-30 liters of water per bush.

They are fed 3 times per season; without fertilization, yield and resistance to diseases may decrease. In the spring, nitrogen supplements are used: in March - ammonium nitrate, urea, bird droppings or mullein, they are diluted in water and watered, after flowering, potassium is added - 5-7 g, superphosphate - 10 g and organic matter, after harvesting - complex fertilizers or nitroammofosk in the form of a solution.

Currants must be periodically trimmed, removing old and damaged shoots, side ones are also removed. Ovaries are formed on four-year and five-year branches, six-year branches are cut annually. In summer, the tops of the young growth are pinched. Growing crops on a trellis is acceptable.

The variety has good immunity to anthracnose, this disease does not manifest itself even on young, immature seedlings. Rarely affected by kidney mites. Shows high resistance to powdery mildew. The greatest danger is aphid; to kill insects, they are treated with a solution of wood ash. Before the appearance of buds, to prevent pest attacks, they are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid. With irregular care, the culture's immunity decreases slightly.

Inclined to be amazed at terry. The diseased plant will have to be destroyed. Insects can carry the virus: bugs, aphids, ticks. Therefore, when the first signs of the disease appear, it is necessary to begin to fight with them. The affected areas are removed, the plant and the surrounding soil are treated with biological preparations: "Lepidocide", "Bitoxibacillin".

Winter-hardy look, withstands temperatures up to -25 degrees. In regions with lower winter temperatures, it is recommended to cover the culture. In late September or early November, the cut bushes are bent to the ground and pressed with boards. If the temperature drops to -35 degrees, the currants are buried. You can cover with paper or agrofibre from spring frosts. It tolerates short-term drought well.

Gardeners celebrate this variety for its very large berries and their gorgeous taste. It is considered one of the most beloved varieties. Some people call the currant a capricious riddle, but it is incredibly tasty and is very popular with children.