Content
Black currant Gulliver obtained by Russian breeders. The variety yields large, tasty berries that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. The culture is resistant to drought and winter frosts, and tolerates spring frosts without loss of yield.
Variety characteristics
Black currant Gulliver bred in the Bryansk region. Since 2000, the Gulliver variety has been present in the state register. It is grown in the Central and Northwest regions, as well as in the Volga region.
Description of the variety and photo of Gulliver currant:
- early maturation;
- the period from the appearance of inflorescences to harvesting is from 55 to 67 days;
- vigorous bush;
- powerful curved branches;
- wrinkled sheet plate;
- medium-sized brushes, containing 9 to 17 berries.
Characteristics of Gulliver berries:
- rounded shape;
- weight from 1.7 to 6 g;
- black color;
- shiny surface;
- average skin thickness;
- sweet and sour taste;
- the content of ascorbic acid - 156 mg;
- taste assessment - 4.4 points.
From a bush of the Gulliver variety, from 2.5 to 3.5 kg of berries are harvested. Due to the strong skin, the currant tolerates transportation well.
Gulliver berries are used fresh and for canning. Components for vitamin drinks and pie fillings are obtained from them. The berries are frozen, they are used for making jam, jams and compotes. The leaves are steamed to make herbal tea.
The winter hardiness of the variety is -28 ° C. According to reviews, the Gulliver currant tolerates more severe winters under the snow cover.
Planting culture
Black currant Gulliver grows well in illuminated areas. Fertilizers are applied to the soil before planting. Seedlings are purchased in proven nurseries or obtained independently from the main bush.
Seat selection
In one place, the Gulliver currant grows for 12-15 years.
The culture prefers fertile loamy soils. If the soil has a high acidity, then it is reduced by adding lime.
In order for the sandy soil to retain moisture longer, peat and humus must be added when digging. The composition of heavy clay soils is improved with coarse river sand.
Currants are planted on the south or southwest side of the site. The place is chosen sunny and protected from the wind. Lowlands, where cold air and moisture accumulate, are not suitable for planting crops.
Preparation of seedlings
Gulliver currants are purchased in nurseries or from trusted suppliers. High-quality seedlings have roots 15-20 cm long without outgrowths and damage. The optimal plant length is 30 cm, the number of shoots is from 1 to 3.
If the Gulliver currant is already growing on the site, then the seedlings can be obtained independently. The Gulliver variety is propagated by dividing the bush, cuttings or layering.
When transplanting currants its rhizome is divided into parts with a sharp knife. Each new bush should have several strong roots. Places of cuts are processed with crushed coal.
For propagation of the Gulliver variety by cuttings, shoots are selected with a length of 20 cm and a thickness of 5 mm. In the fall, they are cut off from the bush and placed in a container filled with wet sand. For 3 months, the cuttings are kept at a temperature of +3 ° C, then buried in the snow or left in the cellar until spring. After the snow melts, the cuttings are planted in the ground.
To get seedlings of the Gulliver variety by autumn, layering is used. In the spring, two-year-old branches are bent to the ground and fastened with staples.Shoots are covered with soil, mulched with humus and watered regularly throughout the season. In the fall, the layers are separated from the bush and transferred to the chosen place.
Sequence of work
Gulliver currants are planted at the end of September or in April. The preparation of the planting pit begins 2-3 weeks before planting. If you immediately place the currants in a hole, then when the soil subsides, the seedling will be damaged.
The order of planting black currant:
- Dig up the area, add 7 kg of humus and 1.5 liters of wood ash per 1 sq. m.
- Prepare a hole 40 cm deep and 50 cm in diameter.
- Plant the currants after 2-3 weeks. Deepen the root collar by 4 cm.
- Water the plant with warm water.
- Cut off the shoots, leave 2-3 healthy buds.
Since the bushes of the Gulliver variety are vigorous, they are planted at a distance of 1.5 m from trees and shrubs.
After planting, the bushes are watered twice a week. The soil is mulched with humus. For the winter, the bushes are spud. To protect them from freezing, young plants are covered with agrofibre.
Care
Although black currant is considered an unpretentious crop, regular maintenance ensures high yields. During the season, it is enough to water the bushes and feed them with nutrients. Preventive treatments help to avoid the spread of diseases and pests.
Watering
The amount of ovaries and the quality of the black currant crop depend on the moisture intake. Excess moisture is detrimental to the roots, as it leads to their decay. For irrigation, water is used that has settled and warmed up in barrels.
Intensive watering is provided at the following stages of black currant development:
- during the formation of inflorescences in early June;
- during the ripening of berries in July.
For 1 sq. m add 25 liters of water. For irrigation, grooves 10 cm deep are made around the bush at a distance of 30 cm. When moisture is absorbed, loosening is performed to improve air exchange in the soil. Mulching the soil with humus or peat helps to reduce the number of watering.
Top dressing
Black currant Gulliver is fed with minerals and organics. When fertilizing the planting hole, the plants are provided with useful substances for a couple of seasons. In the third year, full-fledged feeding of currants begins.
In early spring, urea, ammonium nitrate or other nitrogen fertilizers are applied. The norm for young bushes is 40 g, an adult currant needs 25 g. The fertilizer is embedded in the ground to a depth of 30 cm. Nitrogen promotes the appearance of new shoots and leaves. Instead of urea, slurry is also used, which is poured under the bushes.
In a 10-liter bucket of water, dissolve 60 g of superphosphate and 20 g of potassium salt. The solution is poured over the currants at the root. Processing is carried out after flowering and when the berries are ripe.
In autumn, the soil under the bushes of the Gulliver variety is dug up and fertilized with humus. Additionally, wood ash is added, which helps to replenish the supply of nutrients in the soil.
Pruning
Timely pruning of black currants helps to rejuvenate the bush, eliminate pathogens and pest larvae. The bushes are pruned in early spring before bud break. Re-pruning is carried out in the fall after leaf fall.
The Gulliver variety brings the main crop on annual shoots. The branches remain fruiting for 4 years. Old and weak shoots are cut with pruning shears.
The shoots inside the bush lack sunlight. As a result, the yield decreases, and the berries do not gain sugar. On average, 15-20 branches are left per bush.
In the summer, broken branches and root shoots are removed, which are not planned to be used for reproduction. Pinch the black currant at the top. This is how strong branches are obtained on which the harvest ripens.
Protection against diseases and pests
According to reviews, Gulliver currant rarely gets sick if agricultural technology is followed.The variety is resistant to powdery mildew, anthracnose, rust. For prevention, the bushes are treated with a solution of the drug Fundazol or Fitosporin. Currants are sprayed in dry cloudy weather.
If a disease is detected during the growing season, additional processing is performed. The use of chemicals is stopped 3 weeks before harvest.
Black currants attract aphids, butterflies, caterpillars, ticks and other pests. Preventive treatments help protect bushes from insects. In the spring and autumn currants sprayed with solutions of the drug Karbofos.
Gardeners reviews
Conclusion
Gulliver currant is a large-fruited variety, resistant to frost and drought. It is propagated by cuttings, layering or by dividing the bush. Plant care includes watering and feeding. To rejuvenate the bush, pruning is performed. The Gulliver variety is not susceptible to diseases and pests.
Gulliver berries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Delicious vitamin tea is prepared from black currant leaves.
