There are a large number of varieties of black currant. Some of them are young, but there are also "old" varieties that are still popular due to their unique properties. So, Veloy black currant, created in the last century, does not leave indifferent culture connoisseurs.
In some sources, the variety is called Leningradskaya Sweet. Perhaps because one of the parents was currant Leningrad giantand the others are Ojebyn. The variety was created by breeders E. V. Volodina, S. P. Khominskaya, N. N. Khabarova. Almost immediately, Veloy currants were added to the State Register and recommended for cultivation in the northern and central regions of Russia.
Description
In the description of the Veloy black currant given by the breeders, it is indicated that the variety belongs to the culture of medium late ripening periods. Experienced gardeners can recognize a plant by its appearance and botanical properties.
Bushes
A distinctive feature of the Veloy black currant variety is the semi-spreading of the bush. No thickening, according to gardeners, is observed.
The shrub consists of upright shoots of different years:
- Shoots of the first year of life are pubescent, thick with an uneven pinkish color.
- Older currant twigs are gray-brown or beige. The lower part of the shoots is thick, slightly thinner towards the top.
On the branches of Veloy or Leningradskaya sweet blackcurrant, thick, medium-sized buds are clearly visible. They are pink or pink-purple in color in the shape of an egg. The location of the buds is parallel to the shoot. The base is pressed against the branch, and the pointed tip is slightly deflected.
Leaf blades
Black currant leaves are rounded with five lobes. They are matte, dark green with a bronze tint. Pubescence is observed along the veins in the upper part of the leaf. The underside is completely pubescent. The leaf blades are vesicular-wrinkled, dense, even coarse.
The leaf blades are convex, the tops of the lobes are slightly folded along the midrib. The veins are not distinguished by color. The blades of the leaf blade are of different lengths. The middle lobe protrudes far forward, the lateral parts of the leaf are shorter. Leaves sit on thick green petioles.
Flowers
The buds of the Veloy currant variety are large, in the form of a glass, greenish-white in color with a barely noticeable pinkish tint. Rounded petals are collected in an ovoid calyx. Bisexual flowers are arranged on strong racemes of different lengths.
Up to eight berries are tied in each hand of Veloi. They are evenly spaced and firmly held on the hand itself. The photo below shows a flowering blackcurrant of the Veloy variety.
Berries
According to the description, the currant of the Veloy variety has large, rounded black berries with a thick, medium-glossy skin. The sizes of berries are from 1.6 to 3.5 grams. Each berry contains a large amount of seeds. The peduncle is thick, small. Tearing ripe fruits dry. These characteristics of the Leningradskaya Sweet currant are confirmed by the reviews of gardeners and the photos they send.
Berries to taste correspond to the name Leningradskaya Sweet. They really are like that, because there are about 9.9% of various sugars in black fruits. Veloy berries with a true currant aroma.
Characteristics
Chokeberry of any variety has its own advantages and disadvantages.That is why, in order to decide whether Veloy is needed on the site, it is necessary to know the characteristics of the variety with all the pros and cons.
Positive sides
- Early maturity. The currant of the Leningradskaya sweet variety immediately after planting gives a good increase in the form of young shoots, which the next summer begin to delight with the harvest.
- Large-fruited and taste. Black berries attract with their size, but, most importantly, sweet taste and aroma.
- High and stable yield. Black currant varieties Leningradskaya Sweet are grown not only in summer cottages, but also on an industrial scale. Subject to agricultural technology, up to 4 kg of tasty and aromatic berries are harvested from one bush.
- Versatility of use. Velaya black currant berries are delicious fresh, and also go to the preparation of jam and preserves, jams and pastilles, juices and compotes. The fruits can be dried and frozen.
- Variety Veloy is a self-fertile currant, does not need pollinators.
- Transportability is good. Dense berries, if not overripe, are removed with a dry separation, so they do not flow during transportation.
- Winter hardiness. Already initially, when the Velaya currant variety was created, breeders thought about the plant's immunity. It was just bred for growing in the harsh conditions of the north and central Russia.
- Disease and pest resistance. Powdery mildew and bud mites very rarely affect the Veloy currant bushes.
disadvantages
The Leningradskaya Sweet variety has no particular drawbacks. Although some of the nuances are still worth paying attention to:
- berries do not ripen at the same time, so they have to be picked in several stages;
- although the description says that the separation of the fruits is dry, when overripe, the berries burst and flow.
As you can see, the advantages are several times less than the disadvantages. This has made the Leningradskaya Sweet variety popular for several decades.
About the Veloy blackcurrant variety:
About planting currants
For planting black currants, high-quality seedlings are needed. They are not cheap. Of course, if you do not have a certain variety, you can purchase one or two seedlings. And only then get the planting material yourself.
How to propagate
According to the description and reviews of gardeners, as well as the photos sent, the Veloy black currant variety propagates traditionally:
- green cuttings;
- horizontal and arc layering:
- dividing the bush.
Black currant quickly builds up its root system. The work can be done in spring, summer or autumn. But experienced gardeners prefer autumn breeding. Saplings planted in late September, early October (depending on the climatic conditions of the region), the seedlings start growing in the spring, the bush gets good development.
Preparing for landing
Before planting, you need to decide on a place for the bushes. If you want the Leningradskaya sweet black currant to fully justify its name, the bushes should grow in a well-lit place.
Veloy black currant is a lover of fertile soil with a weak alkaline reaction. Loam is considered the best option. The planting pit should be large so that there is plenty of room for the root system - a depth of at least 40 cm, and a diameter within 50 cm.
The excavated soil is folded next to the pit. Humus and wood ash are also prepared. Drainage is laid down in the hole. It is best to use pieces of wood, which, when rotted, will warm the root system and feed the plant.
The removed earth and the prepared components are mixed and the hole is filled up by a third. Then fill it with water. In this state, the pit must stand for at least a week for the soil to settle.
Planting a seedling
Seedlings, especially those purchased in the retail network, must be soaked for a day in a growth stimulator. If there is no such remedy, ordinary honey will do. A tablespoon of sweetness is added to a bucket of water. Plants are nourished with nutrients, and the stress from transplanting will be less.
A little fertile soil is poured into a previously prepared hole, a seedling is placed at an angle of 45 degrees. The roots are well straightened. If the root system of the seedling is too long, it is shortened. The optimal root length is 20-25 cm.
The seedling is covered with soil, watered abundantly. A large amount of water is important at this stage. It spreads the soil throughout the pit, fills the air pockets and provides better adhesion of the roots to the soil.
When planting a seedling, the hole is not immediately filled to the full depth. After watering, when the ground subsides, the bush is slightly raised so that the root collar is above the surface. Then the soil is poured again and watered. In order for the moisture to work longer for the rooting of the seedling, the plantings are immediately mulched. Peat, humus or sawdust can be used as mulch.
Planted black currant bushes must be cut off. 3-4 buds are left on the shoot, the height of the stem should be no more than 15-20 cm. This not only increases the stress resistance of the plant, but also gives the seedling the opportunity to grow the root system. After all, the currant does not have to waste energy on the "maintenance" of a large above-ground part.
You can see about the reproduction of black currants by dividing the bush here:
Bush care
No special rules are required when caring for Veloy black currants, everything is traditional
Watering
Moisture-charged irrigation is performed in early spring and autumn before wintering. Currants require more water during flowering and berry setting. In other periods, the bushes are watered moderately.
Top dressing
The first meal is laid upon boarding. Then feeding is done annually. Today, gardeners strive to grow an environmentally friendly crop, so they try not to use mineral fertilizers.
From organic matter, black currant bushes are more fond of mullein, infusions of green grass, nettle. Pouring wood ash under the root provides plants with useful microelements. Many gardeners advise in the spring and autumn to lay grated potatoes or peelings under the bushes.
Top dressing is carried out in spring and autumn, as well as at the time of filling and ripening of berries, combining them with watering.
Loosening and removing weeds
After watering, the surface under the black currant bushes must be loosened, at the same time removing the weeds. Loosening should be superficial so as not to damage the root system.
Pruning
In order for the currant to bear fruit well, it is cut off annually. The works are carried out in spring, summer and autumn. When pruning in autumn, old branches and extra shoots of the first year of life are removed. In the spring, remove the broken twigs and cut each of them by 5 centimeters. Shoots with signs of disease are also subject to removal.
Since the black currant of the Veloy variety, according to the description and reviews of gardeners, has an average growth of young growth, excess shoots are also cut out. Otherwise, the bushes will thicken strongly. This can lead to a decrease in berries, a decrease in yield and the appearance of diseases and pests. A few of the strongest shoots are left for replacement.
Pruning rules:
Diseases and pests
The black currant of the Veloy variety is resistant to many diseases in terms of description and characteristics. But, since there may be other bushes nearby, it will be necessary to carry out preventive treatments with special preparations.
If we talk about pests, then most of all black currant annoys aphids. For spraying, you can prepare an extract from wood ash. A glass of ash is poured with three liters of boiling water and insisted for a day.
