Content
Laysan currant is a variety of Russian selection, known for more than 20 years. Gives quite large berries of a golden color, with a pleasant taste and aroma. They are used fresh and for preparations: jam, jam, fruit drink, compotes and others. It is also excellent as a melliferous plant. At the same time, the flowers cannot self-pollinate, therefore, they need to plant several bushes.
Breeding history
Laysan is a rare golden currant variety, bred by breeders Abdyukova N. and Abdeeva M. on the basis of the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the mid-90s of the XX century. The variety has been successfully tested and entered into the register in 1999. It is approved for cultivation throughout Russia:
- middle band;
- Northwest;
- southern regions;
- Ural;
- Western and Eastern Siberia;
- Far East.
Description of the variety of golden currant Laysan
Laysan currant bush is moderately spreading, does not take up much space. Shoots are straight, strong, the surface is dull, brown in color (in young branches). Erect branches reach 2–2.5 m in length, the total height of the bush is up to 2.5 m (vigorous culture).
The root system is well developed; it penetrates 2 meters into the ground. Therefore, even in a drought, plants feel good enough. At the same time, a significant part of the roots is concentrated on the surface (grow horizontally), at a depth of 30–40 cm.
Leaves are medium in size, green in color. The surface is shiny, without pubescence, the shape is three-lobed, the notches are deep. The bases of the leaves are straight, the notch is small.
Laysan currant flowers are of medium size (diameter up to 1.5 cm). The color is bright yellow. 5-15 flowers appear in each inflorescence. A characteristic feature is a pleasant aroma. Sepals are small, brightly colored, covered with a small cannon outside. Ovaries glabrous, rounded, no edges.
Clusters are short (2–3 cm long), dense, each with 5–6 fruits. Laysan currant berries are of medium size - the mass ranges from 1.3 to 2.8 g. The shape is round, the color is yellowish-orange, golden, the surface is glossy, has a slight pubescence. The taste is balanced, with notes of sweet and sour, refreshing. At the tasting, she received an assessment of 4 points out of 5.
Chemical composition:
- sugar (total) - 11.8%;
- acids (total) - 1.1%;
- vitamin C content: up to 70 mg per 100 g.
Laysan berries in appearance resemble gooseberries
Characteristics
Laysan currant adapts well to different climatic conditions. The variety is high-yielding, yields tasty fruits of an interesting golden color. Withstands heat, drought and severe frosts.
Drought tolerance, winter hardiness
Laysan currant variety is drought-resistant. In order not to lose productivity, it is recommended to increase watering up to twice a week. Winter hardiness is high, so it can be grown in most Russian regions. Spring frosts affect up to 12% of shoots.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening times
Laysan currant belongs to varieties of medium ripening. The flowering period occurs at the end of May and the first half of June (only 2-3 weeks).Fruits appear in early July.
Productivity, fruiting and keeping quality of berries
The yield of Laysan currants is 6–8.5 kg per plant (or 168 centners per hectare). Since the skin of the berries is not very strong, keeping quality and transportability are average. The main harvest period is in the second half of July. Fruiting begins at the age of three and peaks by the age of seven.
Disease and pest resistance
In the description of the Laysan currant, it is indicated that the variety does not affect pests and diseases: the plant's immunity is quite good. However, it is impossible to completely exclude the invasion of pests, fungal, bacterial and viral infections. Therefore, in the spring, in the first half of April, it is recommended to carry out one preventive treatment with a fungicide:
- Bordeaux liquid;
- "Maksim";
- "Topaz";
- Fitosporin;
- Hom.
Insects can be dealt with using folk remedies, for example, a solution of laundry soap, soda, ammonia, wood ash, tobacco dust. The infusion of garlic cloves, onion peels, and mustard powder helps a lot. In extreme cases, insecticides can be used:
- Fitoverm;
- "Vertimek";
- Inta-Vir;
- Aktara;
- "Confidor" and others.
In the case of using chemicals, the crop can only be harvested after a few days.
Advantages and disadvantages
Laysan currant is distinguished by good endurance, immunity and high productivity. Unusual golden berries have a marketable appearance and a pleasant, refreshing taste.
Laysan currant gives large berries with a pleasant aroma
Pros:
- high productivity;
- attractive appearance;
- decent taste;
- good immunity;
- frost resistance;
- drought resistance;
- honey content (up to 100 kg of honey per 1 hectare);
- relatively fast ripening times;
- undemanding to soil and care.
Minuses:
- the crop often crumbles;
- the leaves contain poisonous hydrocyanic acid;
- bushes need pollinators.
Features of planting and care
Laysan currant grows well on different types of soils, except for clay and waterlogged soils. Seedlings can be planted in mid-spring or late September - early October (one month before the first frost). When choosing a place, pay attention to the following factors:
- lighting - the area is open or with a slight shadow;
- relief - better on a hill, in a lowland it is unacceptable;
- wind protection - optimally along the fence.
The soil for planting Laysan currants is prepared in a few months. The soil is dug up and fertilized with humus (5 kg per 1 m2) or complex mineral fertilizer (40 g per 1 m2). If the earth is clay, it is necessary to close up sawdust or sand in it - 500 g per 1 m2.
The landing algorithm is standard:
- In a few hours, Laysan currant seedlings are immersed in a solution of "Kornevin", "Heteroauxin" or another growth stimulator.
- Planted at an angle of 45 degrees.
- Sprinkle with earth so that the root collar goes to a depth of 3-5 cm.
- A little tamped and poured with a bucket of settled water.
- All branches are cut, leaving 5-6 buds on each of them.
To grow healthy currant bushes of the Laysan variety, as in the photo and in the description, summer residents in their reviews recommend following the basic rules of care:
- Young bushes are watered every week, adults - 2 times a month (in hot weather, 2 times more often).
- Fertilizers: in the spring, urea or ammonium nitrate (15–20 g per 1 m2), in the summer, during flowering and after harvesting, superphosphate is given (40 g per 1 m2) and potassium salt (30 g per 1 m2). At the end of the season, you can pour with an infusion of wood ash (100 g per 10 liters).
- Weeding and loosening the soil - as needed.
- Mulching for the winter with sawdust, peat, leaf litter.
- In the spring, frozen branches are removed, and in the fall, formative pruning is done.Every 5 years, the bush is rejuvenated by removing old shoots of currant Laysan
Application in landscape design
The bushes are tall (up to 2.5 m), moderately spreading, give bright green foliage, yellow flowers and beautiful berries of an interesting golden hue.
Laysan currant looks self-sufficient in a single planting
The culture is often used to decorate the garden. It is grown in single plantings, as a hedge. Bushes are planted in rows along the road.
Conclusion
Laysan currant is an unusual variety that gives golden berries with a pleasant taste and aroma. The bushes are unpretentious, they tolerate drought and winter frosts well. They do not need special care, therefore, both experienced gardeners and novice amateurs will cope with the cultivation.
Reviews with a photo about the Laysan currant variety
