Content
The cultivation of berry crops using new technologies is becoming more and more popular among gardeners. A good option for small plots or adjoining territories is standard currant, which will not only reward the owners with an excellent harvest, but also please with a spectacular, decorative look. However, in order to grow it, it is necessary to observe a number of obligatory agrotechnical techniques when planting, caring for and forming a bush.
Features of currants on a trunk
For the successful cultivation of standard currant bushes, a number of characteristic features should be taken into account:
- even a stalk with one bud on the top of the head is suitable for the cultivation of standard currants;
- several plants are planted at a minimum distance from each other;
- currant varieties specially designed for this method of growing give a rich harvest, more abundant in comparison with currants grown in a traditional way;
- picking berries is very convenient and simple;
- bushes in the form of boles are capable of bearing fruit for 15 - 17 years;
- the area of the trunk circle can be used for planting flowering plants, for example, marigolds, which will protect the berry crop from the invasion of pests;
- berries for a long time retain their attractiveness and freshness, as they do not lie on the ground;
- standard currants are rarely affected by pests, due to its specific form;
- good crop formation is ensured by uniform crown lighting;
- caring for the near-stem circle becomes simple and convenient.
Despite the large number of advantages, the standard form of cultivation also has disadvantages. As a rule, this is insufficient winter hardiness and possible damage to the bushes by strong winds. However, such problems can be easily dealt with if you provide the standard currant with shelter for the winter in climatic cold regions and protect it from the winds by choosing the right landing site.
The best varieties of currants for the standard form
Most often, red and black currants are grown in standard form, which are considered less whimsical compared to white or golden. Ripening of fruits on a stem is faster, and berries contain more sugar than shrub currants. Therefore, they are tastier, more aromatic, and have a more pronounced taste. In central Russia, mainly black and red berry crops are bred in this way, the varieties of which are quite unpretentious. However, in Europe, the standard yellow currant of the "Imperial" variety, which is not only fruitful, but also very decorative, is widely appreciated. Often it is used by gardeners precisely as an ornamental plant, which is the highlight of the garden. The variety is characterized by late flowering, which eliminates the risk of freezing of flowers during spring frosts. Therefore, it can be successfully grown in central Russia.
Black standard currant
The most popular varieties of black standard currant are:
- University;
- Stork;
- Monastic;
- Commemorative.
It is not recommended to grow black currants on a trunk in regions with cold winters, since they are not hardy, more sensitive to frosting of shoots than red currants. The peak of fruiting of berry crops falls on the 4th - 5th year.
Red currant on a trunk
More unpretentious, in comparison with black, is the red currant on the trunk. It is hardy and can easily endure even the most severe winters. The most productive varieties with tasty and healthy fruits are:
- Natalie;
- Viksne;
- Accordion;
- Rondome.
Red standard currants bear fruit most fruitfully in the 7th - 12th year of life.
How to grow standard currants
To grow standard currants, as in the photo, you must follow certain planting and care rules. Young seedlings can be planted in spring or autumn, depending on the climatic zone. In regions with a large snow cover, autumn planting is also suitable; in areas with little snow, currants are planted in the spring, before bud break. In severe winters with a small amount of snow, shrubs are sure to cover.
An important event when growing currants on a trunk with your own hands is a garter, because thin branches of a bush can break under the weight of the harvest. To do this, a self-tapping screw is screwed into the installed support in its upper part, to which several pieces of twine are tied. Their number should be equal to the number of branches. Bush shoots are tied with twine and tightened a little. The result is an umbrella-like structure that keeps the bush intact and gives it a neat, compact shape.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Currant prefers sandy loam soils with a slightly acidic reaction, which are distinguished by good moisture capacity. The area for currants should be well lit, light openwork partial shade at noon is allowed. In the shade, the ovaries and flowers become smaller, which negatively affects the fruits, which become small and not sugary. The place for the bush should not be blown by cold winds or drafts, since the young stem can easily break. Standard currant bushes feel great from the southeast side of the wall of a house or building, fence or hedge. For autumn and spring planting, they begin to prepare the site in advance, bringing in peat or rotted manure along with digging. Prepare the site 14 days before the planned planting of seedlings.
Planting rules for standard currants
The algorithm for planting currants on a trunk differs from the measures for planting a shrub form and consists in the following actions:
- preparing planting pits of standard sizes 50x50 with a distance from each other of 30 - 50 cm;
- a drainage layer of broken brick, gravel or coarse sand is poured to the bottom;
- immediately drive in a strong support for the currant garter;
- a layer of fertile soil is poured, consisting of humus, leaf compost and sand, with the addition of 2 glasses of wood ash;
- the seedling is placed strictly vertically and fixed to the support;
- when planting, make sure that the roots are spread;
- fill up the soil mixture, compact and watered abundantly.
Watering and feeding
Standard currants are quite hygrophilous, therefore, when growing it, care should be taken that the soil of the trunk circle does not dry out. The bushes should be watered abundantly 2 - 3 times a week, increasing the rate in case of drought. The depth of moisture penetration must be at least 1 m deep. However, waterlogging should also not be allowed, otherwise the roots may rot. The correct development of currants is impossible without fertilization:
- in early spring, the shrub is fertilized with urea in the amount of 15 g per square meter;
- in the summer, mineral fertilizers are applied: 100 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium chloride, diluted in a bucket of water;
- mulching with a mixture of rotted manure and peat before the winter period also provides additional nutrition for the roots and their preparation for the winter period. Berry culture responds well to the introduction of wood ash, therefore, it is advisable to scatter it in the late autumn into the soil of the trunk circle in the amount of 1 - 2 tbsp. per plant.
Caring for the standard currant also comes down to the regular removal of weeds, loosening the soil of the trunk circle. Several times a season they mulch it with mowed grass or compost.
How to form a standard currant
The formation of standard currants is carried out according to the following rules:
- on the purchased seedling, the strongest, strongest stem is chosen, growing at right angles to the ground, the rest are removed at the root;
- determine the height of the trunk and cut out all the side branches up to this point;
- a currant seedling is wrapped in a black, light-proof, film along the entire length of the stem;
- pinch the top in the first year;
- in early spring the next year, pinch all the lateral processes;
- the next 2 - 3 years perform the same actions until the stem of the desired shape is formed.
All shaping work begins in early spring, before bud break on the plant. Most often, a currant stem is formed in a spherical or spherical shape. All broken, damaged and weak branches are removed annually in early spring, using traditional sanitary pruning. In autumn, the apical shoots are also pinched, which will allow the sleeping buds to wake up and form new branches. Every 5 - 7 years, the standard currant needs rejuvenating pruning, which is performed in stages with the removal of 1 - 2 branches. New root shoots are completely cut out as soon as they appear - in summer or autumn.
Preparing for winter
Work on preparing a berry culture for winter is reduced to mulching the near-stem circle with rotted manure or peat and covering young seedlings with sacking, a special covering material, which is tied with ropes for strong fixation. In regions with a mild climate and a lot of snow, the bushes are not covered.
Video with useful tips on how to grow standard currants:
Diseases and pests
Like other shrubs, currants on a trunk are most often exposed to the following diseases and pests:
- fungal disease - anthracnose, characterized by the appearance of brown spots on the leaves;
- powdery mildew, in which young branches, berries, ovaries and leaves are covered with white bloom;
- white spot;
- spider mite;
- moth.
Disease and pest control is carried out with the help of insecticides. Timely treatment will not allow them to severely damage the bushes and lead to their death. The main rule of prevention is the observance of correct agricultural techniques when planting and caring for standard currants. This is regular weeding from weeds, getting rid of old and weak branches, seasonal feeding and avoiding excessive waterlogging of the soil. It is worth saying that berry crops in the standard form are less likely to be attacked by pests and fungal diseases, since they are better illuminated by the sun, thanks to the specific shape of the crown. Shrub forms are more thickened, making them more attractive to pests and diseases.
Reproduction
Standard currants are propagated by cuttings. For this:
- in the middle of summer, in July, a strong, strong branch is chosen and a stalk is cut out, on which 5 buds should be located;
- plant it in fertile soil with the addition of sand, deepening so that 1 kidney remains on the surface;
- in the summer they carry out standard care - moistening the soil, removing weeds, gently loosening;
- in the fall, a young seedling is covered with fallen leaves;
- in the spring, remove all young basal shoots, leaving only one shoot;
- at the beginning of summer, the young process is fed with nitrogen fertilizers, at the end of summer - with phosphorus-potassium;
- do not forget to water the seedling regularly;
- the next year, the young shoot is cut to a length of 80 - 85 cm and 3 - 4 upper, well-developed buds are left, removing all the rest;
- in the fall, a new tree is planted in a permanent place, according to the above planting scheme.
Conclusion
Standard currant requires a creative approach, because thanks to its decorativeness, you can create berry avenues from mini trees or designate certain zones in the garden with its help. The main thing is to show your imagination! Well, a plus to this will be a rich harvest of tasty, healthy berries, which can be consumed both fresh and for processing.
