Content
Altai late currant is a Russian variety, known for over 20 years. It has a pleasant taste and a stable yield. The main fruiting occurs in late July - early August, for which the variety got its name. The culture is unpretentious, tolerates frost well, grows normally even on poor soils. Therefore, almost any gardener will cope with the cultivation.
Breeding history
Altai Late - a black currant variety bred by Lilia Nikiforovna Zabelina on the basis of the Federal Altai Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnology. The culture was obtained on the basis of the varieties: Klussonovskaya, Complicated and Seed Golubki.
The application for admission was filed in 1997. The variety was included in the State Register in 2004. Currants are recommended for growing in regions with unfavorable climates:
- Western Siberia;
- Eastern Siberia;
- Ural.
The name of the variety is associated with a later ripening period compared to most other varieties. The harvest of the Altai late harvest begins in early August.
Description of the Altai late currant variety
The currant bush is medium-sized (130–150 cm), with straight shoots. Young branches are light green in color, over time they become fawn, with a glossy surface. Shoots are thin, medium thickness. Buds are pinkish, small, ovoid, on a short stalk, located singly.
Altai late currant leaves are five-lobed, light green in color, delicate, without roughness. There is a shallow notch at the base of the leaf, along the edges there are small sharp teeth. Petioles of leaf plates are thin and long, light shade, form an acute angle with shoots (30 degrees).
The flowers are small, the sepals are scarlet, crimson. Rejected petals, cream colored. The Altai late currant brushes are thin and long, each of them has 6-13 berries. Peduncles are slightly pubescent, average length.
The main characteristics of berries:
- rich black color;
- large - 1.1 to 1.2 g;
- rounded;
- there is a tubercle in the area of the peduncle;
- come off dry (the pulp does not remain on the branch);
- the number of seeds is small;
- the grain size is medium;
- the skin is elastic, thin.
The Altai late variety is valued for its pleasant taste and stable yield.
The taste of currant berries is pleasant, with a pronounced sweetness and characteristic aroma. The fruits contain the following components:
- dry matter - 9.2%;
- sugar - up to 8.0%;
- acids - up to 3.4%;
- vitamin C - up to 200 mg per 100 g;
- pectin - 1.1%.
Characteristics
The Altai late variety was specially bred for the climatic conditions of the Urals and Siberia. Therefore, the currant is unpretentious, it tolerates frost and temperature changes well during the warm season. Subject to the basic rules of cultivation, it gives a stable harvest, not dependent on weather conditions.
Drought tolerance, winter hardiness
The Altai late winter-hardy currant variety can withstand Siberian frosts below -35 ° C.Drought resistance of the culture is average, therefore, in the hot season, it is necessary to monitor regular weekly watering.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening times
Altai late currant is a self-fertile plant, therefore it does not need pollinators or group planting of other varieties. Flowering occurs in the second half of June - early July (total duration 10-14 days). The crop ripens at the end of July, the main fruiting wave occurs in the first decade of August.
Productivity and fruiting
The yield is quite high: on average, 2.5–2.8 kg of delicious berries are harvested from the bush. The variety can also be grown on an industrial scale: the yield per hectare is 8-9 tons. Fruiting later - early August. Harvesting can be done manually or mechanically.
Disease and pest resistance
The Altai late currant variety often affects powdery mildew, this problem is observed when grown in the Central region. The plant is resistant to major diseases and pests: anthracnose, columnar rust, septoria, kidney mite.
If affected by powdery mildew, all affected shoots are removed, after which several treatments are carried out with an interval of 7-10 days
As a preventive measure, it is recommended to spray the bushes with fungicides in early spring. To do this, use effective drugs (one to choose from):
- Bordeaux liquid;
- "Topaz";
- Fitoverm;
- "Speed";
- "Maksim".
If insects are found, insecticides are used:
- Biotlin;
- "Decis";
- "Confidor";
- Aktara;
- "Match" and others.
Altai late currant bushes are treated with a solution of ash and soap, infusion of tobacco dust, chili peppers, onion husks, mustard or a decoction of marigold flowers.
Advantages and disadvantages
The variety is valued for its high yield, pleasant taste, winter hardiness and unpretentiousness.
Altai late black currant gives large and tasty berries with a pleasant aroma
Pros:
- high yield, stable;
- harmonious taste;
- berries are strong, keep their shape;
- convenient to collect by hand and mechanized;
- good winter hardiness;
- resistance to a number of diseases and pests;
- undemanding to the composition of the soil;
- self-fertility.
Minuses:
- may suffer from powdery mildew;
- bushes need preventive treatment.
Features of planting and care
Currants of this variety are grown on any soil. But if the soil is depleted, then in the fall, when digging, humus or compost is covered in an amount of 5-7 kg per 1 m2. If the soil is clayey, it is recommended to add sawdust or sand at the rate of 500 g per 1 m2. The site should be sunny and protected from winds, for example, along a fence.
Planting is carried out in the second half of April or early May. The algorithm is standard - dig several holes 50-60 cm deep with an interval of 1.5-2 m. Plant an Altai late currant seedling at an angle of 45 degrees, deepen the root collar to a depth of 3-5 cm, water and mulch well with peat, humus, sawdust or other materials.
During cultivation, a few simple care rules are followed:
- Watering weekly, in drought - 2 times more often. Water is used standing tap or rainwater.
- In the heat, it is advisable to spray the crown in the late evening.
- Fertilizers are applied starting from the second season. In April, they give 1.5-2 tbsp. l. urea for each bush. In June-July (flowering phase), they are fed with superphosphate (50 g per bush) and potassium sulfate (40 g per bush).
- After watering, the soil is loosened.
- Weeding is done as needed.
- Young bushes are covered with burlap or agrofibre for the winter. Previously, the branches are bent to the ground and tied up. You can simply cover it with material and fix it with a rope at the base, as shown in the photo.
Young Altai late currant seedlings are recommended to be insulated for the winter
Conclusion
Altai late currant is a variety suitable for growing in almost all regions of Russia: from the middle zone to Eastern Siberia. Even with minimal maintenance, the bushes give a fairly high yield. The berries are sweet and have a pleasant taste. They can be used both fresh and for various preparations (jams, fruit drinks, preserves and others).
Reviews with a photo about the Altai late currant variety
