Black currant Vologda
Content:
Currently, there is a very large number of varieties of black currant, which differ in different characteristics, both in yield and plant structure, and the peculiarity of growing in certain climatic conditions. Black currant berries are considered healing because they contain a large amount of vitamins and nutrients. Black currant Vologda is distinguished by high frost resistance, as well as a large amount of yield.
Black currant Vologda: description of the variety and characteristics
Black currant Vologda: photo of the variety
Vologda black currant shrub grows quite large and is characterized by spreading shoots. The bush is of medium height, but very thickened. The branches here are slightly bent towards the end, have a green skin. In an adult shrub, the branches have brown shoots.
The leaf plates have a five-pointed shape and are completely different in size. The surface of the leaves is without shine, and also has a blue tint.
The flowers of the black currant variety Vologda are formed in bunches. The length of each of them is about 10 cm. The shape of the flowers is similar to the shape of a saucer. The shade of the petals is yellow, with some green notes. Each flower is attached to a purple stalk.
About 7 berries are formed on each bunch. Their weight is quite large and is about 2-3 grams. In this case, larger fruits are formed near the base of the branch, and small ones at the end. Ripe berries have a bright, rich black fruit color. The shape of the fruit is round here. Each fruit contains a large number of seeds. The peel of the fruit is quite dense and, at the same time, the ripe berries taste sweet with a slight sourness. Each fruit contains a large amount of nutrients. These include sugars and vitamin C.
The Vologda black currant variety is self-fertile, so pollinators are not needed here. In terms of ripening, the plant belongs to the mid-late varieties, since the crop can be harvested only at the beginning of August. At the same time, ripe fruits hang on the branches for a long time, do not crumble and do not crack even when ripe. From one bush, you can collect about 4 kg of currants. The advantages include high resistance to frost. In addition to frost resistance, the variety easily tolerates sudden changes in temperature. However, the kidneys freeze out during recurrent frosts.
Advantages and disadvantages of black currant Vologda
Of the positive characteristics of the Vologda black currant variety, they distinguish high resistance to winter, fairly good immunity to various insect pests and common diseases, high external and taste qualities of fruits, annual fruiting, self-fertility, as well as high adaptive abilities.
Among the negative characteristics, a rather large shrub size is distinguished, as well as uneven ripening of fruits, which makes harvesting difficult. If the summer is too rainy, then the fruits may crack.
Black currant Vologda: planting
Black currant Vologda: photo of the variety
Vologda currant is able to adapt to any weather conditions, as well as to any soil, even with a low nutrient content. The plant is considered unpretentious and does not require special care. However, the shrub does not tolerate a small amount of sun, too moist soil, as well as soil with a high content of stones. The optimal time for planting will be mid-autumn.Moreover, if winter comes very early in the region, then it is better to plant a shrub in September.
The peculiarities of the black currant variety Vologda include the absence of a dormant stage at the roots, so the young seedling takes root rather quickly, and begins to grow actively in the spring. If you plant currants in the spring, then you should do this at the end of March, when the soil has already thawed and warmed up enough. In this case, you should choose planting material where there are swollen buds, but they have not yet blossomed.
The landing site is suitable for wet, but where there is no stagnant water. Currants will grow well along the fence, provided there is good sunlight. It is better to choose two-year old seedlings.
When buying, you should carefully pay attention to the root system of the plant, where there should be two large roots and a large number of thin root processes. If the roots are very dark, this means that the root system has been overcooled or dried out. It is better not to buy such a seedling. The two-year age of the planting material will be evidenced by a 15 centimeter length of the root system. Before planting, you should carefully remove the seedling from the container where it grew before, keeping a lump. The optimal length of the seedling will be a little more than 30 cm. Moreover, it should not show signs of damage, and its color should be brown. The bark itself should be smooth.
When planting several crops, a distance between seedlings of about 1.5 m should be observed, since the bushes of the Vologda variety grow quite sprawling. An excellent shrub is suitable for the construction of a hedge. If you plant plants along the fence, you should also step back 1.5 m from the fence.
In industrial plantings, plants are planted in rows, the distance between which will be at least 2.5 m. At the same time, a sufficiently large distance should be observed to simplify plant care, as well as harvesting. You can plant black currants between other fruit trees, leaving a distance of about 2 m between them.
Planting currants is carried out in several stages. First, you need to prepare a place for planting and dig up the ground, remove weeds, debris, and stones. If the acidity of the soil is greatly overestimated, lime should be added and the soil should be left in this form for a couple of days. Next, you should make a planting hole, which will be about 40 by 50 cm and apply fertilizer there in the form of compost or manure. Instead of organic fertilizers, you can also apply mineral complexes, which will contain a sufficient amount of potassium, phosphorus and other useful substances. Next, you should pour a bucket of water into the hole and form a slide.
Then the planting material should be placed at an acute angle and carefully spread the entire root system along the hill. Next, the hole is covered with the remaining soil, and the earth around must be compacted carefully so as not to harm the root system.
After planting, water the currants with 40 liters of water. And then you should immediately cut the seedling in half. If the plant has a strong enough root system, you can cut off a third. This is done so that the plant grows more in the spring.
Around the currants, a near-stem circle should be formed and the hole should be covered with a large amount of mulch, which is perfect for peat or sawdust.
If your site has a high location of groundwater or swampy soil, then you should not dig holes here. It is better, on the contrary, to form sufficiently high embankments, and already plant bushes in them.
Black currant Vologda: care
The plant is carefully cared for for better adaptation of the shrub and for faster growth. At the same time, already in a short time, an adult plant will bring a fairly large amount of harvest.
Be sure to water the currants. In the spring, a hot shower is used, where the water heats up to 70 degrees, and a glass of soda should be added to it. With the help of a watering can, the whole bush is watered at once. This procedure will be safe for plants, and at the same time protect it by destroying all pests that hibernated on the branches. Despite the fact that the Vologda currant variety is moisture-loving, you should not water the plant too often.
Frequent watering should be done only in dry years, when the summers are very hot and the earth cracks from drought. In this case, it is necessary to form a hole and pour about 6 buckets of water under the plant for its deeper penetration. Watering is required in spring, before the buds have blossomed, during flowering and ripening of fruits, in dry summer, and also after all the leaves have fallen off.
Experienced gardeners often use sprinkler irrigation. At the same time, there is also washing of currant leaves from dust and harmful insects. For more even water absorption, small trenches should be made around the bush.
A stone well has a very good effect on the currants, where a sufficiently deep hole should be dug directly under the plant and laid with large stones. In this case, water very quickly flows directly to the root system, without spreading on the surface. Roofing material or other covering material should be laid on top so that the water does not evaporate. Before the winter period, the well should be closed with straw or a thick layer of other insulation for better warming of the roots in winter.
Maintenance includes periodic loosening, removal of weeds, mulching the soil surface around the shrub, and the introduction of wood ash. Do not forget about feeding, which is carried out two years after planting. In the autumn period, organic fertilizers should be applied, as well as mineral compositions containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. When the shrub bears fruit, it is necessary to feed it with potassium-containing preparations and superphosphate. In spring, as well as after the harvest is harvested, urea should be applied.
Like any shrub, currants need to be shaped. In this case, pruning is carried out immediately after planting. In the autumn, several branches will already grow, about half a meter each. Next year, the number of branches will increase, and the harvest will be formed on the old branches. Of the new branches, only the strongest shoots are left, and all other branches should be cut off.
Next year, last year's branches will again bear fruit, and after the end of fruiting, they should be cut off. The procedure is repeated annually. In this case, an adult plant should consist of 10 fruiting shoots.
Black currant Vologda: reviews
Black currant Vologda: photo
Those Gardeners who have already grown this variety of black currant Vologda on their site speak very positively about the culture, noting the sweet taste of the fruits and their rather large size, subject to the necessary care rules.
Conclusion
The Vologda black currant variety is an excellent option for planting, since it has a large number of advantages. You should know the characteristics of the plant, follow the simple rules of care, and the bush will thank you with a large number of tasty and healthy berries.