Blackcurrant black "black pearl": a description of the variety, photo

Useful properties of black currant are very much appreciated. Unfortunately, not all regions can grow plants with a long maturation period. Therefore, scientists breeders tend to create varieties of plants that would be distinguished by a fast period of hurrying. So the blackcurrant "black pearl" appeared. Description, photos will be discussed in this article. Also, the necessary advice on growing and caring for this shrub will be given.

Currant «Black pearl»: description of the variety

Photos of this plant can be seen below. "Black pearl" refers to varieties with an average maturity. Due to this, it is able to bear fruit even in regions with a short summer. The variety was obtained in 1992 in the VNIIS named after I.V. Michurin. For this, two types of currants were crossed: "minay shmyrev" and "brodtorp". This year the variety was included in the State Register. Regions of its growth are:

• Central Black Earth;
• Middle Volga;
• East-Siberian;
• West-Siberian;
• North-Caucasian;
• The Urals.

Currant black "black pearl" is a self-fertilizing variety. In addition, it perfectly tolerates temperature minus 30 degrees, which indicates its winter hardiness.

Characteristics of the bush

Often you can see that the description of this variety of currant similar to the description of gooseberry. And this is due primarily to the fact that the "black pearl" has a vertically growing shrub with a small number of branches. Its height can reach 1-1.3 m.

Young shoots begin to bend downward as they grow. They are always curved and have a light green color. As they grow older, the branches become lignified and the color changes to gray-yellow. Leaves with five lobes. They are painted in light green color. There is also a similarity to gooseberry. Like the branches, the leaves are inclined downwards. Their edges may even be bent. The blades of the leaves are pointed. Their plate is smooth, but matte.

On the shoot on short stems, buds of elongated shape grow. They are covered with pink scales.

Black currant "black pearl" begins to bloom already in June. The flowers themselves are fastened to the middle branch with the help of short but strong petioles. They are located on single brushes for several pieces. Their number can reach 8. Flowers are goblet. They have an average size and sepals of a red hue.

Berries

Berries variety of currants "black pearls" (photo can be seen below) can be compared with the fruits of blueberries. They weigh from 1 to 6 grams. At the same time, the average weight is 1.2-1.5 g. The berries differ in a round shape and approximately the same size. Their color is black, with a faint shine. Under the skin are large seeds. Pedicel straight, medium length.

According to their taste, the berries are sweet and sour (they were given 4.2 points). The chemical composition includes 18% soluble solids, 9% sugars. The acidity by titration is 3.6%. In addition, the composition includes ascorbic acid, pectin.

Use berries in fresh form, as a dessert, wine, preservatives. Fruits are well transported. The average yield is 3 kg from one bush.

Agrotechnics

The description of currants "black pearls" will be incomplete, if not to mention the features of agricultural technology. Plant the plant at different times:

• In the autumn, until the temperature drops below 10 degrees. In the middle regions this is the end of September or the beginning of October. In this case, before the onset of cold weather, the plant will have time to settle down in a new place. If you plant a two-year-old seedling, then the next year you will be able to get the first fruits.

• In the spring. In this case the first year the plant simply grows and gets strength. But in the second year of life, it will necessarily bear fruit. It will be possible to collect up to 2 kg of berries.

In any case, it is important to choose the seedling correctly. Therefore, when buying, you must carefully inspect the roots. They should be healthy, strong, without damage and withered areas. It is recommended to choose seedlings with green buds. They should be at least 4-5 pieces from the bottom.

Shrubs of black currant varieties "black pearls" are planted on sunny areas, far from drafts. The plant does not like shade. The distance between the bushes should be at least 2 meters, so that the bushes do not interfere and do not shade each other.

The soil must be moist, otherwise the berries will be acidic and shallow. At the same time, they are more slowly ripening. It is better to choose areas with weakly acidic soil, saturated with nutrients.

Landing rules

Two or three months before the planned planting of currant must be prepared place. For this, the selected site is freed from grass, weeds and other vegetation. The soil is dug to a depth of up to half a meter. Add nutrients and fertilizers. Compost (or humus) is added from the calculation of 1 bucket for each bush or one square meter. From mineral fertilizers add potassium (about 20 grams), superphosphate (40-50 g).

The soil must be light to absorb water and air. But the water should not accumulate, since the plant in this case can get sick. Therefore, peat or sand is added to the soil. For spring planting all these works must be completed in autumn.

Seedling is steeped in water for several hours before planting. Due to this, the roots of the plant will impregnate the required amount of water. You can dip them in a clay bug.

The pit is digged to a depth of half a meter. Fertile soil is poured on the bottom, water is added. Roots are buried and ground to the ground so that the root neck is about 5 cm above the ground level. The seedling is positioned so that the angle between the trunk and the soil surface is approximately 45 degrees. After planting, the plant should be spilled abundantly with water (1.5-2 buckets per bush). Prestvolevy circle mulch with sawdust, compost, peat, hay. This will preserve moisture in the soil.

Care

Black currants "black pearls" will please a high crop if it is properly taken care of. Care includes such stages as watering, fertilizing, weeding, pruning and loosening of the soil.

There should be no weeds around the plant. They need to be cleaned in a timely manner. At the same time, the soil needs to be loosened to give access to oxygen. Do this carefully so as not to damage the root system. These activities will not be needed if the soil around the bush is clouded.

At the stages of flowering, maturing and fruiting, the currant must receive a sufficient amount of moisture. In addition, as a preparation for the winter period, the plant must be abundantly spilled with water (2-3 buckets per bush).

If the soil is covered with compost or humus, then it is not necessary to fertilize the organic bush. In all other cases, periodic fertilizing with a mild solution of mullein or chicken manure is recommended. After flowering, you can make phosphorus and potassium.

The fertility of the currant is maintained by constant pruning. Already when planting, the seedling is shortened to 3 kidneys. With the onset of autumn, the branches are shortened by a third. The next year after summer the process is repeated. Leave new strong shoots. But they are also shortened. After 5 years, all shoots that have reached the age of 4 years, completely removed. Leave only 3-4 branches of different ages. Every year, shoots are removed, which are more than 3 years old. Regardless of age, dry or damaged shoots are completely cut off.

Advantages of the variety

Black currant black "black pearl", the description of which is given in the article, has a number of advantages:

• Winter hardiness;
• Short maturity;
• Large size of berries;
• High commercial qualities;
• Transportability of fruits;
• Regular fruiting.

Thanks to these qualities, "black pearl" is one of the favorite varieties of many gardeners.

Disadvantages of the variety

Along with a large number of advantages, black currant black "black pearl" has some drawbacks. The most important - sour taste, due to what the flavor leaves much to be desired. The aroma is not as pronounced as in most other varieties. Currently, this variety can be considered obsolete. He was replaced by a large number of new interesting varieties. But it still occurs quite often in the gardens of various regions of the country.