Agricultural technology for growing golden currants: from planting to leaving

The well-known types of black, white and red currants are named after the color of the berries that the bushes give. The golden currant earned its name thanks to its golden flowers and a very pleasant honey aroma, which envelops the entire garden during the flowering of the bush. The fruits of the golden currant, when fully ripe, become a rich dark brown color. Further, we will take a closer look at the features of this type of currant, which gardeners increasingly recommend growing on their plots.

Golden currant: description and properties

golden currant

Native to the western regions of North America. Also found in southwestern Canada and northern Mexico. We have cultivated this type of currant for a long time and in many regions.

The currant bush of this type is quite high. It grows up to 2 - 2.5 meters, has a rounded crown, straight branches, a developed root system that goes into the soil to a depth of one and a half meters.

Leaves are another feature of the golden currant. Because, in appearance, they look more like gooseberry leaves and are slightly smaller in size than that of ordinary currants.

For this reason, golden currants are sometimes confused with the Yosht hybrid. In addition, in the fall, thanks to the variegated foliage, painted in shades of burgundy, orange and yellow, the bush looks very decorative.

The bush begins to bear fruit in the third year after planting. And after a couple of years, the peak of fruiting comes, when up to 4-8 kilograms of berries can be harvested from one bush.

It is important to remember that in order to form ovaries and obtain a further harvest of berries, another variety of currants should be planted next to the bush. Since, this type of currant is not self-pollinated.

The flowering of currants occurs at the end of May, and in July you can start harvesting.

Also, it should be noted the high drought resistance of this species. What distinguishes golden currant from other berry bushes.

Golden currant - seedlings, how to choose

golden currant

One of the main signs of a healthy planting material is the condition of the root system. The seedling should have from 3 to 5 main roots, 15-20 centimeters long, as well as sufficiently developed fibrous roots.

A good root system will allow a young bush to grow and develop quickly and with one shoot. Although experts still advise choosing seedlings from 2-3. In this case, the shoots should not have breaks and cuts.

The best planting material includes 2-3 year old seedlings with good, strong shoots and fibrous roots up to 25 cm long.

In addition, you should pay attention to the place where you buy the bushes. So, if this is a site under the scorching sun, then seedlings, especially those with an open root system, can simply dry out.

Planting currants

Planting young bushes can be done in spring and autumn. The main thing is to prevent frost damage to immature seedlings when determining the planting time.

If possible, taking into account the weather conditions, it is better to complete the spring planting of currants before active sap flow begins and the buds bloom. Otherwise, the plant will take root and develop more slowly.

Since these conditions cannot be met in most regions, many gardeners recommend planting currants in the fall.

Golden currants are not very demanding on the composition of the soil.The bushes will normally grow and develop in acidic, alkaline soil, loam and sandy loam. It is important that the groundwater level is not higher than 1 meter.

The area where you plan to plant bushes must be sufficiently lit. However, currants will grow well in partial shade. Many, for example, often plant it near the fence.

If possible, a couple of weeks before planting the bushes, compost and potash fertilizers are added to the soil.

The size of the landing pit is made 50x60cm. Manure, which is necessarily well rotted, wood ash and mineral phosphorus fertilizer are poured at the bottom of the hole.

The seedling is placed in a hole at a slight slope, thereby stimulating root formation. The root collar should be buried no more than 6-7 centimeters.

Watering the bush should be carried out taking into account its age. So, 3-4 buckets of water are enough for a 3-year-old bush, and a young seedling needs twice as much.

Berry care

The main care for currants is watering, weeding and loosening. The bush does not require frequent watering. For the entire growing season, 3-5 times are enough. However, watering should be abundant, under a young bush - at least 2 buckets, under an older one - up to 4 buckets at a time.

It is recommended to loosen the soil every time after watering, in order to prevent crust formation and ensure air access to the roots.

To retain moisture, you can mulch the soil around the bush using compost, peat, or dry grass. In the future, we simply dig up such mulch together with the ground.

Weeding of currants is carried out as weeds appear.

If, when planting currants, you applied a sufficient amount of organic and mineral fertilizers, then you can start feeding only in the third year.

Typically, the bushes are fertilized twice. In the spring it is rotted manure and minerals. In autumn - compost or humus with the addition of wood ash.

Gardeners recommend not to delay the pruning of the bush. In the first year after planting, it is not carried out. And starting from the second year, pruning is carried out annually, as a rule, in the fall.

After the first autumn pruning, 3-5 strongest shoots remain on the bush, which, in the future, will become skeletal. Weak processes are also removed.

In summer, you can pinch young twigs on the 2 upper buds. This procedure will accelerate the growth of new shoots, as well as twigs with fruit buds, the so-called fruit.

In addition, do not forget to thicken the bushes and remove dry branches.

For 5-6 years, currants already require rejuvenating pruning, during which the oldest branches are completely cut off.

Also, autumn digging of soil is important for currants. For heavy soils, this procedure is mandatory. And on the lungs, shallow loosening is enough.

The depth of digging the soil near the crown is no more than 6 cm, and outside of it -10-15 cm. Such a procedure, in addition to increasing the air permeability of the soil, is also a prevention of pest control that winter in the upper layers of the soil.

By the way, about pests. Golden currants are quite resistant to various diseases and pests.

This feature of the shrub, in conjunction with preventive measures, will save you from many of the hassles that gardeners face when growing ordinary currants.

In the spring, before the start of sap flow, the bushes are treated in a "hot" way, pouring water heated to 80 degrees. For watering use a watering can with a diffuser. Usually, a ten-liter bucket is enough to handle two bushes.

Further, until the buds begin to bloom, the currants are sprayed with insecticides. And before the active growth of the bush - fungicides, for example, "Fundazol".

In addition, summer residents note the effectiveness of such home-made means of fighting various mites that infect currants, such as garlic and onion infusion and mustard infusion with tansy, tomato tops and celandine.

Chlorophos solution is used against such a pest as a sawfly.

"Aktara" will help to remove the glass. And various larvae of pests, both leafy and shoot, are destroyed by the solution of "Karbofos". If necessary, repeat the treatment after a couple of weeks.

And, of course, do not forget about "neighbors" such as onions and garlic, which scare away currant pests.

Well, and to everyone who "got acquainted" with golden currants and decided to grow this berry bush, we wish you good harvests.