Gardeners underestimate the white currant bushes, as they rarely see it on the plots. However, its beneficial properties were appreciated by those who were once not too lazy to plant several stable hybrids. You can find out how to do it right now.
Description of white currant
White currant differs from the usual one not only in its creamy color, but also in its taste value. It is actively used by the older generation, since small berries inhibit the development of infectious diseases.
Berries are usually used to prepare cold drinks, fruit drinks and preserves. Speaking about this plant from the point of view of biology, it can be distinguished - a perennial shrub, grows well in cold climates.
The first harvest can be obtained in the second year after planting. However, the plant needs careful care, since insects can easily spoil young shoots.
The main nuance of care is to cut off weak branches in time. The flowers of a young plant are able to survive significant temperature fluctuations, therefore, white currants are actively grown in the Leningrad region.
Advantages and disadvantages
In order to make the final decision whether to grow white currants on the site or not, you can consider in more detail its characteristics.
Like any plant, white currant has a number of its drawbacks, which are worth highlighting separately:
- the plant cannot boast of ideal immunity to diseases and pests.
- in summer, abundant watering is required.
- with age, if you do not cut the plant, it begins to grow, which leads to damage to other crops.
Advantages:
- bears fruit abundantly throughout life.
- withstands severe frosts up to -30 degrees.
- berries are beautiful and healthy.
Landing features
In order for the cultivation of white currant to bring more pleasure than cost, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions and follow the agricultural rules. To avoid damage from insects and facilitate care, it is important to choose not only the right variety, but a place to plant.
Perfect time to board
When the seedlings and the variety have been selected in advance, planting can be done at the end of September. The plant tolerates cold well, so a young seedling can be covered with oilcloth to protect it from mechanical damage.
If the seedling was bought in early spring, it is advisable to transfer it to open ground before the onset of heat. Early kidneys may die due to overexposure.
Before planting a white currant seedling, you must cut off young shoots, leaving no more than 15 pieces. The plant will be able to use resources rationally in order to survive the cold and sudden drop in temperature.
It is important to straighten the roots of a young plant in advance, so that the plant can immediately receive useful substances.
Seedling Selection
The survival rate of the plant depends on the correct choice of the seedling. When buying, you need to pay attention to the stem of the plant. If it is too wet, most likely the currants were not stored correctly and they will not survive further transplantation. Before buying, you need to clarify in advance the variety of white currants.
In order to grow a strong and strong plant at low temperatures and unfavorable weather conditions, it is better to choose the Yuterburg variety. A variety of unknown origin, but for 30 years it has been actively used by avid summer residents. The main feature is that it survives frost perfectly, gives a bountiful harvest, rich and fortified berries.
Choosing a landing site
Compliance with agricultural standards will get rid of a huge number of problems. The plant will not need scrupulous and thorough care, if you prepare a place for planting in advance.
In order not to cause root disease, a young plant should not be planted in a ravine. Even a slight deviation will cause the rainwater to stagnate.
The place should be well lit, the taste of future berries depends on this. It is customary to cook a pit for planting another month. The soil and fertilizer must settle before the young plant can take up a permanent home.
It is worth noting that white currants love to spread branches, so there should be a lot of space for proper development. Usually seedlings are placed along the fence on the sunny side of the plot.
Soil preparation and fertilization
The plant must eat right from planting. Often they give away soil for summer cottages, which has exhausted its resources. Therefore, before planting in a permanent place of germination, it must be fertilized with high quality.
The easiest way is to saturate the soil with manure. The proportion is standard - per 1 sq. m requires from 7 to 10 kg of manure. In order to rid the plant of the adversity of bacteria and the first pests, you can add a glass of ash per 1 sq. m.
Landing pattern
The more white currant bushes the owner can fit, the more abundant the berry harvest will be. Therefore, experienced specialists recommend planting plants according to a special and proven scheme. The pit diameter should not exceed 60 cm and the depth 50 cm.
It is worth noting that the plant will grow over the years. So that the branches do not get confused, you need to plant a neighbor at a distance of 1.5 m.Then, in cases of diseases and pests, you can control the spread of the problem.
Growing and caring for white currants
For the most part, caring for white currants depends on the selected variety. If the hybrid was selected based on the territorial characteristics, then the care of the young bush will be minimal.
Soil care
In order for the plant to actively develop and not experience stress after transplanting, the soil must be properly saturated. Experts identify the following nuances and methods of proper fertilization:
- each bush is separately fertilized with 80 g of saltpeter;
- in order for the shoots to survive a sudden drop in temperature, 0.5 cups of superphosphate are separately added to the soil;
- in the spring, phosphorus, potassium and ash are introduced.
The last list of fertilizers is made by the individual decision of the owner. The richer the soil, the sweeter the future berries will be. You can use either your own mixture or a commercial one.
The soil should also remain loose so that the right amount of moisture and oxygen penetrates the roots. In the northern regions, heavy soil is often found, which becomes hard.
To obtain a high-quality harvest, the soil must be periodically loosened and rid of weeds.
Pruning and shaping the bush
White currants need pruning throughout their life. So that the bush does not spend energy on the restoration of weak parts, frail branches are pruned by pruners. This is the only way to avoid a decrease in general immunity.
Correct pruning can also have a positive effect on the yield. Experienced gardeners were able to reveal an interesting fact: the more greenery a plant has, the more berries you can get per season. Therefore, the first 2-3 years it is necessary to increase the volume of greenery. Trimming is done only in extreme cases. In the future, only barren branches are cut off.
Watering
White currants have a negative attitude towards moist soil. However, planting it on hilly terrain is also not worth it, since the development of roots is blocked. Typically, watering during dry periods is done several times a month.
Experienced gardeners and gardeners combine this process with a feeding period. In areas where wet and cloudy weather prevails, watering is not required at all.
Top dressing
White currants need more scrupulous care than red currants. The plant loves light, freedom and acidic soil. Therefore, you need to feed the bushes several times per season.
However, with proper care, white currants will delight you with a rich and sweet harvest that will pay off your efforts. They are fed before flowering and after harvest. Mineral and organic substances can be used as fertilizer. Manure is well suited, as it has a high concentrate of nutrients.
It is also better to combine fertilization with commercial minerals and vitamins with watering. No more than 40 g of the mineral product is used per bucket. It is worth remembering that overfeeding is just as dangerous as underfeeding.
Harvesting
In order to get a concentrate of useful vitamins and substances, it is better to eat white currants from a bush. The plant will be able to give the first harvest in 2-3 years of life.
Harvest, unlike other berries, is not necessary to collect immediately, the clusters hang until the onset of the first frost. Therefore, if the gardener could not come to collect them at the end of the season, this can be done until late autumn.
The first sweet berries appear at the end of July. If the plant is grown in the northern part of the country, then at the end of August. After picking, the berries should not be stored for a long time, as they begin to sour and lose their appearance. If the harvest is rich, you can make wine or jam.
Winter preparations
After the crop has been harvested, and the weak branches are cut, it is necessary to make the last feeding of the plant. Since in winter the bush does not bear fruit and crumbles, you need to make sure that the roots can get a vitamin concentrate. Also, if the plant is ill due to the influence of insects, it can be sprayed with chemical fertilizer.
Experienced gardeners recommend covering the young bush with a film or tarp in the first year. Despite its robust appearance, due to external influences in the form of heavy snowfall or frequent rain, white currants will not be able to survive their first winter. Many also tie up a young plant.
You will learn more information about the proper care of currant bushes in the autumn period from this article.
Breeding methods
Reproduction of a favorite plant on the site will save on seedlings. However, only experienced gardeners know how to do this correctly. Using the recommendations, even a novice will be able to reproduce both by cuttings and horizontal layering. It only takes a little patience and basic gardening skills.
Cuttings
The method is used mainly in the spring before the appearance of the first buds. As with red currants, the grower should choose a mother bush. It is necessary to choose a mature and healthy plant for further propagation.
When working, you need to use a clean tool, as gardeners often spread a large number of diseases in this way.
It is worth cutting off a shoot with a diameter of no more than 1 cm.There are several reasons why they choose exactly this thickness:
- Escape does not bear fruit, which means all the forces will be directed to the development of the root system.
- In case of failure, no harm will be done to the plant and the grower will not lose the crop.
Experienced gardeners use strong and annual cuttings. The lower ones are the strongest, take root well and give 90% of the result. The prepared stalk should be transplanted in mid-spring, when the sun begins to actively warm the soil.
In order to protect against the coming last frost, you can cover the handle with polyethylene. The soil is pre-fertilized with minerals and manure.
Horizontal layering
The method of propagation by horizontal layers is popular and simple. This method is actively used by novice gardeners. For reproduction, it is worth using only the best shoots, which have yielded a bountiful harvest for several years.
After the choice has been made, the branch is carefully bent to the ground and tied up. A groove is added 4-5 cm to achieve a positive effect.
After all the manipulations have been completed, you can fertilize the place where the new bush will germinate. Reproduction is best carried out in dry weather, it is worth watering the plant a little after the procedure, rather than allowing it to rot.
If the branch resists and bends in the opposite direction, it can be covered with soil for a few more centimeters.
Diseases and pests of white currant
Like any other plant, white currants have their own pests and diseases. The most popular insects that strive to destroy the crop include:
- Caterpillars - actively attack the foliage during the flowering period of the plant. If you do not stop their activities, white currants will spend resources on system recovery, and not on yields.
- Kidney moth - dark butterfly with white stripes. Begins to attack the plant even during the budding period. It feeds on useful substances and actively reproduces. After raids leaves a diseased plant and a lack of harvest.
- Currant aphids - can be confused with a common midge. However, small burgundy spots appear on the leaves. If you do not treat the plant, then in a year it will die.
Popular diseases of white currant:
- powdery mildew;
- anthracnose;
- rust;
- striped mosaic;
- terry.
Most diseases arise against the background of the activity of such insects as: currant mite, wood lice, gall midge. Pests leave behind damaged stems and leaves, which over time begin to draw strength from healthy shoots.
Timely care and treatment of plants will help to save yourself from unnecessary trouble. However, a correctly selected hybrid also plays a large role, which the predisposition to diseases does not inherit from the parent.
The best varieties of white currant
Varieties should be selected from the territorial location. If the hybrid variety is less prone to disease, it will not be able to survive even minimal frosts.
Moreover, the grower will be able to control the harvest time and the size of the berries. Experts have brought out several new species that will allow the earliest to collect healthy berries.
Large varieties
Today it is possible to single out individual varieties that are not prone to disease and give a bountiful harvest of large berries:
- White English - A quality variety that is used for commercial purposes. The berry is juicy and sweet. It retains its aroma even after heat treatment.
- Belaya Belyana - with proper care, gives an abundant and early harvest of large berries. The main distinguishing feature is the variety is sweet and very tasty. The plant survives frost well.
- Big white - if the gardener has little free time. The plant will give a stable average yield of large berries with minimal maintenance.
currant variety "White English"
currant variety "White Belyana"
Big White Currant
Sweet varieties
For the preparation of fruit drinks, juices and wines, sweet varieties are used. In this case, the size of the berries does not matter, the main thing is that they are fragrant and honey. Today, 3 most effective hybrids are distinguished, which are suitable for growing in any territory:
- Versailles white - the berries are small and cream in color. The variety is ideal for wines and fruit drinks. The plant does not require constant care and has good immunity.
- Dutch pink - well suited for fruit drinks. The berries are sweet, have a pleasant sourness due to the vitamin C concentrate.
- Dessert - the name speaks for itself. The sweetest variety, the highest and most abundant harvest. With proper feeding, it has a pronounced honey flavor.
currant variety "Versailles white"
Dutch pink currant variety
currant variety "Dessert"
Early varieties
Every gardener wants to get the crop before everyone else. However, such plants are often whimsical, and the harvest barely survives until early September. In order to please yourself with high-quality and beautiful clusters throughout the season, you can choose the most effective variety:
- Ural white - does not require constant care. The plant has exceptional immunity and survives the winter well.
- Bouncer - tall and strong bush. Often a variety is used for design purposes. However, the plant has good fertility and insect resistance.
grade of currant "Ural white"
grade of "Springbok" currant
Medium grades
Medium varieties rarely boast an abundance of crops and a bright flavor. However, it is these plants that least of all need care, they have a well-developed immune system and they rarely get sick. The main varieties include:
- White Potapenko.
- White Fairy.
- White Boulogne.
currant variety "White Potapenko"
grade of currant "White Fairy"
currant variety "White Boulogne"
The branches are resistant to natural disasters. The plant will withstand a harsh winter and an abundance of snow. The yield, although average, but often due to good immunity, the plant gives more than large varieties. For those who do not have the opportunity to visit the plant for the entire period, it is ideal.
Beneficial features
Special tinctures and preserves are made on the basis of white currant berries. Those who have been picking berries for a long time know that the fruits have a high concentration of nutrients and vitamins. It is worth noting the main properties of white currant:
- Berries contain a large amount of vitamin C. Eating fresh fruits leads to improved immunity.
- Elderly people love berries because of their abundance of vitamin A, which improves vision and memory.
- White berry tinctures improve the digestive tract and cleanse the liver of toxins.
- Regular consumption of berries reduces the risk of tumor formation and malignant cancer.
- Fruits have a lot of fiber.
Leaves are often used as a treatment. White currant accumulates useful elements not only in berries, but also in the bunches themselves.
After cleaning, excess foliage and bunches are brewed like tea or a special broth is made. People who suffer from diseases of the genitourinary system use decoctions for cleansing. On the basis of leaves make anti-aging oils and creams.
Contraindications to the use of white currant
Due to the abundance of vitamins in its composition, an exacerbation of allergies to one of the groups is often found. Therefore, before use, it is necessary to clarify with the therapist whether there is an intolerance to the groups of vitamins A, B, and C.
Despite this warning, you should not be afraid of a negative effect on the body. Experts only highlight some cases when the use of a large amount of berries leads to a negative result:
- digestive diseases - due to the large number of acids, you can aggravate a stomach ulcer;
- general intolerance - extremely rare in young children.
If you use white currants in moderation, then there will be no negative consequences. It is worth knowing a sense of proportion even when using homemade tincture or wine.
Gardeners reviews about white currant
Olga, 27 years old, Moscow region.We live now with my mother-in-law at a dacha in the Moscow Region. On the site there are white and red currants. I like the white one more, the taste is rich, the vitamin C concentrate is felt. Last year, my husband caught a cold while clearing the snow, made tea on white currant leaves, and got oklem in two days. No pharmacy chemistry is needed.
Elena, 45 years old, summer resident, Moscow.Six years ago, the first white currant bush was planted on the advice of a neighbor. The first 3 years the berry was sour, then the apple tree was cut down, which blocked the light. Now the berries are as sweet as honey. I make fruit drinks for my grandchildren, and wine for my friends. We want to try to plant an early variety, we are thinking with my husband to take it to the city for sale.
Ekaterina, 52 years old, Chelyabinsk.My husband and I often bought white currants at the end of summer at 350 rubles per 1 kg. Then they thought about it and decided to plant their own. The first two years did not understand what they were doing wrong, there were few berries. Then they read that it turns out to be cut. Now we don't know what to do with it, we are making tinctures and taking them to the city for children.
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White currant has a huge list of useful and medicinal properties. A few centuries ago it was used for the treatment and prevention of diseases, even today it is recommended by many doctors. Planting a crop on the site is not difficult, perennial bushes require minimal attention during their life. The plant tolerates cold and unexpected frosts well, so you can always please your household with homemade jam, fruit drink or tincture.