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The Dutch berry variety, famous for its resistant immunity to diseases and adaptation to the climate, is the red currant Rovada. Like most deciduous shrubs, it belongs to mid-season varieties. Most gardeners breed red berries for medicinal properties that are superior to those of black currants. The Rovada variety is suitable for amateur and novice gardeners, because it not only benefits, but also grows well on all types of soil.
Description of the variety of red currant Rovada
The originator of the variety is not registered, the shrub began to spread throughout the country in 1980. Rovada currant is not zoned in the territory of Russia, but the growth and yield indicators in the southern and eastern parts of the country are higher than in other regions. According to its external characteristics, the shrub stands out among others with its high yield. The berries are always even and round in shape, with visible veins under the skin. The color can range from scarlet to deep red with a glossy sheen in the sun. Rovada blooms and sings in bunches, the berries are dense and crunchy.
The bush is medium-sized - long branches grow up to 1 m in height, branches with shoots reach 20 cm. Initially, the currant grows to medium spreading, so the fruiting branches must be tied up. Leaves of medium size are dull green. When a leaf or branch is rubbed, a characteristic aroma emanates from the currant. Medium-sized brushes from 10 to 20 cm. The berries are juicy, do not crumble, do not bake in the sun, which indicates a high resistance to the hot season. The growing season depends on the growing region, usually 3 months after the start of flowering.
The Rovada variety is prone to thickening, therefore, the formation of a bush is necessary at the initial stage of growth. Currants tolerate temperature changes well, withstands low temperatures up to -34 ° C. The berries are transportable, of universal use, contain up to 52 mg of vitamin C. The tasting score on a five-point scale is 4.3 points.
Pros and cons of the Rovada currant variety
This type of red currant has minor disadvantages:
- high sensitivity to abrupt changes in climate;
- small percentage of rooting of young cuttings;
- often comes across poor-quality planting material;
- thickening reduces the yield.
Of the advantages of the Rovada variety, one can single out:
- the flexibility of the bush;
- the versatility of the use and application of berries, leaves and young branches;
- abundant productivity;
- the variety is winter-hardy, resistant to high heat temperatures;
- high-quality taste and presentation;
- suitable for personal and industrial cultivation;
- resistance to typical diseases.
During sudden changes in temperature, measures should be taken to preserve the Rovada shrub accordingly. To obtain high-quality cuttings, you need to monitor the health of the currants, purchase planting material from licensed producers. Thickness is prevented by pruning and thinning the shrub.
Growing conditions
Favorable regions for growing Rovada red currant varieties: South, North-East, Ural. The planting time for Rovada red currants is at the end of August, September, although some agronomists advise planting cuttings in early spring. The inconsistency in growing seasons is due to climatic zones. To grow the Rovada variety in the open field, it is necessary to measure the temperature, which should be within + 10-15 ° C. In dry microclimate, humidity is maintained by an automatic irrigation system. Also, for the favorable development of cuttings or adult currant bushes, daylight is needed, so the shrub is planted in an open and sunny area.
In order for the roots to take root quickly, the soil is supplied with carbon dioxide - ordinary and complex fertilizers are applied. When growing, it is necessary to monitor the moisture content of the inner soil layer in order to prevent excessive moisture, which leads to diseases and death of the Rovada variety. The flowering of red currants occurs in May, when the climate is dry, so the base of the bushes is mulched to create moisture retention and the frequency of watering is reduced. In such conditions, the Rovada variety will develop rapidly and give a bountiful harvest.
Planting and caring for Rovada red currants
The best period for planting seedlings or growing currants is the end of August or all of September. Until this moment, they are determined with the choice of a seat, prepare a site. The initial development of the currant depends on the quality of the prepared site. It is also necessary to adjust the mode of watering and feeding. It is important to monitor the plant's response to fertilization. Rovad's currant cannot be called unpretentious, because the climate, soil condition and timely care require attention and compliance with the regime.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Chernozem and loamy soils are especially fertile. Dug up heavy soil with a small amount of sand, which will provide good moisture permeability. Planting currants in an open and sunny area will have a beneficial effect on the juiciness and quality of the harvest of the Rovada shrub. The optimal place for growing red currants is the south side of the garden or vegetable garden with a fence on the windy side. Also, currants will grow well in partial shade or next to any fruit tree other than a nut.
The acidity of the soil should be neutral or weak, the soil is softened with wood ash, lime. The preparation of the seat is done at any convenient time. The soil is dug up to a loose state, then disinfected with any available fungicide, you can take a highly concentrated solution of manganese or copper oxychloride 4% content. The soil is allowed to rest for 3-4 days, then, before planting, re-digging is done, mixed with humus or compost.
Landing rules
In the selected area, holes are dug with a depth and diameter of up to 70 cm.With multiple planting of red currant bushes, a distance of 1-1.5 m is maintained. Before planting, the seedlings or part of the Rovad shrub are examined for rot, diseases and dryness of the branches. Then for 5-6 hours the roots of the plants are immersed in water. At the bottom of the planting pit, gravel or drainage and part of the soil mixed with fertilizer must be poured. Red currant roots are evenly distributed over the soil, then dripped with earth.
Saplings and cuttings are always planted at an angle of 50-45 °. The ground part should start 5-7 cm above the root collar. A root circle is made around the planted bush, if necessary, add soil so that the roots do not peep out to the surface. Many agronomists advise covering the planted stalk with a large dome to create the necessary microclimate, so the plant will quickly take root and sprout.
Watering and feeding
According to the photo and description of the variety, Rovada currants are scrupulous about the irrigation regime. The rate and time of irrigation depend on the climate temperature and soil condition. Currants are watered at the root or use the sprinkling method, an automatic irrigation system outside the root. After each watering, the soil is loosened, weeded from weeds. A favorable time for irrigation of Rovada currants is early morning, after sunset. Features of seasonal watering:
- In the spring, shrubs are watered 1 to 5 times a week. For 1 bush of red currant, 10 liters are enough.
- In summer, the variety is watered 1-2 times a month, so Rovada will not rot and will ripen quickly.
- In autumn, the bushes are poured abundantly during watering to provide water supplies for the winter, so the shrub will calmly endure frosts.
Fertilizers are applied 4-7 times during the entire growing season. Since red Rovada bears fruit abundantly, then watering and fertilizing can be alternated or combined. In the spring, saltpeter is introduced into the soil, so the shrub quickly adapts to the new season, begins to turn green and bloom. At the time of flowering, currants are supplied with mineral additives. You can use complex fertilizers in any form, but in small quantities. When preparing the shrub for winter, the top layer of the soil is loosened and mixed with humus, compost or bird droppings. Then every year the soil is checked for acidity and wood ash is reintroduced.
Pruning
Removing excess shoots will save the plant from a small harvest, currants will grow better. After 3 years of cultivation, Rovad red currants are pruned. First, spring sanitary pruning is carried out, which will protect the plant from disease and death. Dry and fungus-affected branches are removed. Multiple thick shoots are cut, leaving 5-6 of the most powerful branches. Young shoots are thinned out, leaving only flexible and healthy shoots with blossoming buds. In late autumn, only dry and unhealthy shoots are removed, sanitary pruning of the entire bush is carried out.
Preparing for winter
Krasnaya Rovada is a fairly winter-hardy variety, but to guarantee the preservation of its integrity, the shrub is prepared for winter before the first frost begins. After sanitary pruning, the variety is mulched with a thick layer of sawdust, covered with spruce branches, the branches are collected in a bunch and tied up. As a shelter, agrofibre, thermal insulation, cotton fabric, roofing felt or cardboard are used. In regions with severe frosts, the variety is wrapped in several layers. The shelter is removed with the onset of warming or after the snow has completely melted.
Diseases and pests
Rovad red currants are characterized by fungal and infectious diseases. Septoria causes the spread of rusty spots, as a result of which the plant sheds all the foliage. Bordeaux liquid will prevent the appearance of the fungus, 15 mg of the substance is diluted in 10 liters of water and sprayed on the bush. Anthracnose is characterized by the complete destruction of currants: foliage, berries, roots rot. At the first sign of illness, it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning and spraying with fungicides. Root cancer manifests itself quickly: the branches dry, when they break, there is nothing living inside, the roots, when excavated, have growths. Cancer cannot be stopped, so in order to avoid this occurrence, excess moisture in the soil should not be allowed.
Of the pests, currant glass and gall aphid are considered the most dangerous. In the fall, the glassworm inserts larvae of caterpillars, which destroy the buds and damage the branches. By the beginning of spring, the plant is no longer able to fully develop; in most cases, the currant dies after removing the shelters. Before preparing for winter, the plant is sprayed with a solution of Karbofos.Aphids appear in the summer, so the Rovada variety is sprayed with insecticides 1-2 times before and after flowering.
Harvesting
Rovada bears fruit abundantly, so from 1 bush you can collect from 5 to 7 kg. The berries ripen in August or September, which also depends on the growing region. After technical maturity, the berries do not crumble, so the harvest can be postponed to a convenient time. The berries are removed with brushes, so the shelf life and presentation will last longer. The mass of the berry is 0.5-1.5 g. The currants are washed, then placed in a container. Usually part of the crop is dried, frozen, eaten, the rest is sold. Rovada is suitable for short distance transportation. The harvest is stored fresh in a refrigerator at a temperature of + 10 ° C to 0 ° C, frozen berries are edible within 3 months from the date of freezing.
Reproduction
Red currants can be propagated by cuttings, by dropping layers and dividing the bush. Cuttings are prepared in early autumn after 3 years of growing currants. The length of the shoot is 30-40 cm. The cuttings are kept in a solution of growth stimulants until the roots appear, then they are planted in the ground and covered with a greenhouse for the winter. For digging in early spring, a young and prolific branch is sprinkled with earth at a depth of 10-15 cm. As it grows, soil is poured, then the main branch is cut off in the fall. The independent development of the bush begins after transplanting the layering to a permanent place.
Conclusion
Rovada red currant is a variety that is appreciated for the quality and taste of the harvest. It will not be difficult to grow a shrub if you follow the care regimen and the rules for preparing the plant for winter. Rovada is widespread in industrial and private gardening; many agronomists rank red currants as table varieties. It is universal in use, so its value increases significantly.
