Content
Each gardener grows currants on his site, but it can be difficult for a beginner to decide on the choice of a variety, since there are more than two hundred of them. In the 90s, breeders bred Black Pearl currants, which received the title of "Masterpiece of Russian selection". Consider his photo, description and reviews.
Origin
The authors of the Black Pearl variety are the breeders TS Zvyagina and KD Sergeeva. A variety of currants was obtained at the I.V. Michurin All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Plant Industry by crossing two varieties of berries: Minai Shmyrev and Bredthorp.
In 1992, the Black Pearl currant hybrid was added to the State Register, and it became possible grow it in the following regions: Central Black Earth, Western and Eastern Siberia, the Middle Volga region, the Urals and the North Caucasus.
Description
Black pearls by their characteristics and description looks like a gooseberry, and is also a representative of the golden currant. The similarity appears in the branches and leaves bent downwards. Some gardeners also note that the appearance of currant fruits resembles blueberries.
Bushes
Shrub of this variety of currant has an average height, on average from 1 to 1.3 m. Its branches are spreading. Young shoots are distinguished by a bright green color and a curved shape. Over time, they lignify and change their color to gray with a yellowish tinge.
The oblong buds grow on short stems and are pink in color. Currant flowers are in the form of a glass and sepals of a reddish hue. The plant has brushes with 6-8 berries, which are on strong petioles.
Currant leaves are bright green and have an acute-angled plate with 5 lobes. Its surface is smooth and matte, and the edges are slightly curved. Serrated and large teeth, distinguished by white tips. In the photo you can see that there is not much foliage on the Black Pearl currant bushes.
Berries
Black pearl currant has an average ripening time. The average weight of berries can vary from 1.2 to 1.5 g. Particularly large ones can reach 3 g. They are characterized by a round shape and the same size. The berries have a pleasant sweet and sour taste. Gardeners rate it at 4.2 points out of 5. Currant fruits are colored black, which shines in the sun and resembles pearls. A dense skin envelops the pulp with large seeds.
The composition of the Black Pearl berry differs from other species in its high vitamin C - 133.3 mg%, pectin - 1.6% and organic acids - 3.6%. It also contains various sugars - 9% and about 18% dry matter.
Ripe fruits are firmly attached to the stalk and do not crumble for a long time. The separation of the currant is dry, which makes it easy to transport it. Strong petioles, on which the brushes are held, make it possible to mechanize the harvest of the Black Pearl currant.
Varietal features
As a result of crossing, a variety has turned out that has proven itself well among summer residents. He inherited the best qualities of his predecessors.
Yield
This blackcurrant variety produces a good and regular crop. After planting the seedling in the soil Black pearls will start bearing fruit in 1-2 years... If you plant a young bush in the fall, in the summer you can collect the first, albeit small, crop (1.5-2 kg).But before that, the plant must overwinter, take root and gain strength. Flowering occurs in May, and berries ripen in July.
The maximum fee is received for 5-6 years, from one bush can be removed up to 5 kg of aromatic berries. Average yield is 3-4 kg. These are significant indicators, but there are varieties in which they are higher.
Advantages and disadvantages
Currant variety Black Pearl has a number of advantages:
- possesses winter hardiness, the plant does not freeze at temperatures down to -350FROM;
- resistant to anthracnose and kidney mite invasions;
- able to withstand adverse environmental conditions, such as a sharp change in air temperature, aridity;
- early maturity and stable yield;
- well preserved during transportation and freezing.
Winter hardiness and hardening of the plant is explained by the fact that the selection of currants took place in the Siberian latitudes.
The disadvantages include the vulnerability of Black Pearls to powdery mildew. As well as a mild aroma and sour taste, which not everyone will like. The variety is considered obsolete, since many improved species have already been bred. But due to the large number of advantages, the Black Pearl variety is still popular with gardeners.
Application
Berries of the Black Pearl variety are consumed both fresh and processed. Even after processing, black currant retains most of the nutrients.
It is widely used in cooking, added to cakes, pies and desserts. Due to the high content of pectin in the fruits, jelly, marmalade, jam, preserves and marshmallows are prepared from them. Used for the production of wine and tinctures.
Currant leaves give a rich taste to canned vegetables, and also protect them from spoilage. Tea is brewed from them, which has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. And for the treatment of children's diathesis, tea compresses are prepared.
Agrotechnics
Despite the unpretentiousness of the Black Pearl currant variety, you need to adhere to some rules of agricultural technology and take into account its features. The strength, yield and resistance of the plant to diseases depend on this.
Landing dates
You can plant berry bushes throughout the growing season.
For autumn, this is the end of September or the first days of October. In order for the currants to take root and gain strength before the onset of frost, the air temperature during planting should not fall below +100C. Then the first small crop can be harvested in July.
In the spring, it is recommended to plant a shrub before the buds swell. For the entire first year, it will grow and strengthen. The first fruits of the currant can be tasted only in the second year. At the same time, it will be possible to remove no more than 2 kg of berries from one plant.
Site selection and preparation
In order for the Black Pearl shrub to feel comfortable and develop quickly, you need to allocate a suitable place for it:
- It should be sunny and open, but away from strong winds. Currants do not like shade and tightness, so the branches of shrubs should grow freely.
- The crop grows best in nutritious, loose and slightly acidic soil.
- A slightly damp area is suitable for the plant. Water stagnation and drought should not be allowed.
If the currant grows in the shade and does not receive enough water, its fruits will become very sour and noticeably chopped.
A couple of months before planting the seedling, the area chosen for it must be cleared of weeds and roots. The earth must be dug up to a depth of 50 cm so that it is loose and easily allows water and air to pass through.If the soil is poor, it is recommended to add 1 bucket of humus or compost under each root. Also, some gardeners apply potash fertilizers and superphosphate. If planting is planned in the spring, all work must be done in the fall.
Landing rules
If the root of the currant seedling is a little overdried, it must be soaked in water for a couple of hours so that it absorbs it. You can also add a growth stimulant to it, which will help the plant to strengthen the root system.
To plant Black Pearl currants you need:
- In the prepared area, dig a hole 0.5 meters deep and wide.
- If no fertilizer was applied during digging, add it and mix with the ground. It can be humus, sand, compost and various potash fertilizers.
- Pour water over the hole to keep the soil moist.
- Spread the roots and lower the seedling into the hole, tilting slightly to the side. In this case, the angle between the stem and the ground should be 45 degrees.
- Cover it with soil, slightly shaking the roots so that there are no voids between them. In order for more new shoots and roots to form, the ground level should be 5-7 cm higher than the root collar
- Compact the soil around the currants and pour with a bucket of settled water.
- Cut off the shoots 10-15 cm from the ground, leaving 5-6 green buds on them.
- Spread a layer of peat, twigs or grass on top of the ground. Before freezing, the bush must be covered with dry earth and mulched.
Currants of this variety should be planted when the air temperature has not yet dropped below 80C. Then it will have time to take root and easily endure the winter.
Care
Currant Black Pearl will bring a stable and high-quality harvest if it is properly cared for:
- During flowering and fruiting, the plant is recommended to be watered abundantly, 2-3 buckets of water per root. While preparing for winter, the bush must receive a sufficient amount of moisture.
- When grass appears around the currant, it must be removed immediately. To saturate the soil with oxygen, this process can be combined with loosening, while it is important not to damage the roots.
- If fertilizer has already been applied to the soil during planting, you can start feeding the plant after 3-4 years. In the spring - with urea, and in the fall - with potassium and phosphorus.
- The currant bush needs periodic pruning. The first is carried out during planting, while 5-6 buds should remain on the shoots. In the future, broken, diseased and excess root branches are cut off, and new ones are shortened.
Shoots older than 3 years are removed every year. The formation of the bush ends in 4-5 years. Branches of different ages should remain on it.
Pests and diseases
Black pearl currants can be affected by powdery mildew. It is a fungal disease that usually affects young bushes. Shoots, leaves and fruit branches are covered with a white bloom, which eventually changes color to brown. The greens crumble, and the currants become crooked. If you do not take action in time, the plant will die.
Copper sulfate is used to combat powdery mildew. Gardeners cultivate the Black Pearl shrub before flowering or after harvest. From non-chemical agents, infusion of mullein or hay dust is popular. The mixture is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 3. Insist for three days and add the same amount of water. The resulting infusion is filtered and the currants are sprayed with a spray bottle. Repeat after 15 days and in mid-June.
Usually, Black Pearl berries are rarely attacked by pests. But with improper care, a spider mite, aphid or a sawfly can settle on its bush. You can get rid of them with the help of special preparations, for example, such as "Fitoferm" or "Dichlorvos".
Pests rarely settle on well-groomed and strong currants; it has a good immunity to diseases.
Gardeners reviews
Conclusion
The Black Pearl variety is already outdated, as many new and improved species have appeared that can compete with it and even surpass it. But some gardeners prefer it because it is time-tested.
