The sweetest varieties of large-fruited black currants
Blackcurrant is rich in vitamin C and is a useful addition to the diet during the cold season. Those who have a garden prepare berries in advance - plant 2-3 plants on the plot, harvest the crop, process the fruits into jam or freeze whole in the freezer. Compact and low-growing bushes do not take up much space on the site and are easy to care for. Let's consider a description of the best varieties of large and sweet black currants, their advantages and cultivation characteristics.
Blackcurrant varieties with large and sweet fruits
All varieties, depending on the ripening period, are divided into 3 categories: early, mid-season and late. For planting in northern regions and choose the middle lane early currants: they are frost-resistant and unpretentious in cultivation. Medium varieties are suitable for the Central region of the country and the Moscow region: they require more light and sun. Late crops are planted in the southern regions.
Early
Early ripening harvest is harvested in late June or early July depending on the growing region. The fruits are used for processing and eaten fresh.
Exotic
Currant Exotic recommended for planting in the Central region. The purpose is universal, the ripening period is early. Harvest after June 25th. The bushes are compressed, the shoots are thick and straight. The flowers are large, the leaves are wrinkled. The berries are thin-skinned, round in shape, black in color. Weight - about 2 g, taste delicate sweet and sour. The aroma is rich.Exotic tasting score: 4.8 points.
Recommended for a rich harvest plant black currants on fertile soils, on the sunny side of the garden. In shade or partial shade, the crop bears fruit poorly.
Nika
Winter hardiness of the variety is down to -30°C, Nika is grown in the Western Siberian region. The bushes are resistant to spring frosts and do not require shelter for the winter. Shoots grow upright, average height. The berries are round and one-dimensional, weigh about 2 g. The taste is harmonious, sweet, slightly sour, aromatic. The skin is thin, the flesh is fleshy, the density is medium.
Taster rating: 4.5 points. High resistance to fungal and viral diseases.
Interesting! Currants do not tolerate dense plantings, so the distance between bushes should be 1.5–2 m. Some gardeners use the trellis growing method, in which the distance between seedlings is reduced to 80 cm. This method is convenient for small gardens.
Mid-season
Mid-season varieties ripen 2-3 weeks later than early ones and are harvested in mid- or late summer. Such plants require more careful care: organic fertilizing is applied to the soil 2-3 times per season, and preventive measures are taken to protect against diseases and insects. For example, plantings are sprayed with pesticides.
Myuruchana
The bushes are medium-sized, up to 80 cm high. The shoots are bright green, the leaves are large. The berries are round, black, weigh about 1 g. The skin is thin, the taste is sweet, tasting score - 5 points. The variety is resistant to freezing, is shade-tolerant, and tolerates drought.. Productivity is up to 3–3.5 kg per plant per season. Fruiting is extended, lasts 2-3 weeks, the berries do not rot, the shedding is average.
The fruits are suitable for fresh consumption and processing. Vitamin-rich and tasty jams, syrups, confitures, compotes and juices are prepared from blackcurrants.
Star
The bushes are medium spreading, the shoots are thick and straight. Gardeners recommend planting Zvezdnaya away from groundwater: the plant does not tolerate waterlogging, prefers dry and nutritious soils. The berries are round, black, pubescent. Weight - about 1.1 g, thin skin. The pulp is pleasant to the taste and sweet, with a slight sourness.
Score: 4.2 points. Stellar is resistant to powdery mildew, rust. Frost resistance - down to -27°C, universal purpose.
Aleander
The medium-sized bush is distinguished by curved and thin green shoots. The leaves are large and wrinkled. The berries are round, weigh up to 1 g, shiny and black. Thanks to the thick peel, the crop tolerates transportation and is suitable for long-term storage in basements and cellars. The taste is sweet and delicate, the aroma is moderate.
The variety is drought-resistant, with average immunity to diseases and insect pests.. Aleander is suitable for growing in any region of Russia, yield is up to 4 kg per bush.
Late
Mid-late and late blackcurrant varieties ripen in August. Many of them are technical, that is, they are used for the production of jam, juice, and jams in factories. Late black currants are distinguished by juicy and tasty pulp: over the summer the fruits are saturated with sunlight and warmth.
Bagheera
The variety bears fruit 2-3 years after planting, is frost-resistant, and quickly adapts to the climatic conditions of any region. Rarely damaged by spider mites, care does not require special skills. The shoots are thick, upright, medium-sized bushes.
The berries are large, flat-round in shape, the weight of one fruit reaches 2 g. The rind is black, glossy, thin, but durable. The harvest ripens together, the berries do not fall off and do not lose their properties. The pulp is tender and aromatic, sweet, without sour aftertaste. The detachment from the stalk is dry, transportability is high.
Harmony
Late-ripening Harmony currants ripen by August 10. Fruiting lasts 1-2 weeks, the fruits do not fall off, are suitable for fresh consumption and processing. The shoots are curved green, the leaves are slightly wrinkled. The height of the bush is no more than 1 m. The berries are black and glossy, round in shape.
The pulp of the fruit is tender, dense in consistency, tasting score - 4.5 points. Harmony resistant to freezing and spring frosts, not damaged by aphids and bud mites. The variety is recommended for planting in regions with cold winters: for example, in the Urals or Siberia.
Paulinka
The variety is valued for its self-fertility and stable yield.: annually the bush gives from 2 to 4 kg of black currant, the yield of adult plants reaches 5 kg. The bushes are vigorous, the density of shoots is average. Black berries are round-oval, one-dimensional, with thin skin.
The pulp of the berries is pleasant to the taste and tender. The purpose of Paulinka is technical, but the fruits are good even fresh. Blackcurrants can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, the main thing is not to rinse them under water. The variety is resistant to anthracnose and spider mites.
Interesting! Currants are planted on flat or slightly sloping areas. The depression is not suitable for the plant: in the spring, cold air stagnates in it, which destroys young flowers. A suitable place is under apple or pear trees, at a distance of 1 m from the trees. This is especially true for those who have no free space left on their site.
Mermaid
The yield of the sweet variety Rusalka is 3–5 kg of berries per summer. The ripening period is medium-late, the purpose is universal. The bushes are tall, about 1 m, the shoots are thin, pink, curved. The green leaves are large and wrinkled. The berries are sweet and sour, the flesh is tender and dense. The shape is round, weight is about 2 g, tasting score is 5 points.
The variety is fast-growing, suitable for cultivation in any region of Russia. The fruits are suitable for making compotes and jams, and for fresh consumption.
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The largest fruited black currant
Black Dobrynya currant is famous not only for its size, but also for its taste. The average weight of the berry is 2.6 g, some fruits reach 4-5 g. The shape is oval-round, the color is glossy black. The berries are sweet and sour, pleasant to the taste, tasting score - 4.9 points. The peduncle is medium green. The yield of Dobrynya is from 1.5 to 3 kg per bush annually. The berries are used fresh, added to baked goods, and prepared for the winter. After processing, they do not lose their pleasant taste, aroma and juiciness.
Dobrynya's plant is compact, upright. Young shoots are purple-green, the leaves are small, wrinkled. The flowers are large, painted in a light yellow tint. Frost resistance of the variety is down to -25°C, large-fruited currant seedlings are suitable for planting in the middle zone Russia. The variety is resistant to anthracnose, powdery mildew, rot and rust, attacks by aphids. Fruiting is extended - the harvest is harvested 2-3 times during the summer.
The sweetest black currant
One of the sweetest and most aromatic varieties - Poetry. The ripening period is mid-season, the bushes are medium-sized, with green shiny shoots. The clusters are of medium length, each containing 7–9 berries. Poetry is undemanding in terms of growing conditions, but experienced gardeners recommend planting it in well-warmed areas. The seedling is first soaked in a growth stimulator and small shoots are removed. The best neighbors for black currants are cherries or serviceberries.
The berries weigh from 2 to 4 g, the color is rich black, the fruit shimmers beautifully in the sun. The taste is harmonious and sweet. The pulp is tender and juicy; the fruits are rated 4.8 points. A dessert variety, the harvest is suitable for fresh consumption and processing. Advantages include high self-fertility, immunity to pests. Productivity - 3 kg of currants per plant. Ripe fruits are transported without loss of commercial quality and taste.
Interesting! To increase productivity, it is recommended to place 3 seedlings in a hole at once. They are distributed along the edge, tilted 45°. The root collar is deepened 8–10 cm into the ground. Thanks to this trick, the currant bush will become larger and more productive. After planting, the currants are watered and mulched.
The most productive varieties of black currant
To grow a rich harvest of black currants, it is important not only choose a variety suitable for the region, but also follow the rules of agricultural technology. In addition to watering and fertilizing, old and dry shoots are trimmed annually, weeds are removed and the soil is loosened.
Akur
Winter-hardy universal variety is immune to ticks and slugs. The bushes are medium-sized, with shiny, hairless shoots. The leaves are large, dark green, and the flowers are medium-sized. The berries are round-oval, weigh from 1 to 1.5 g, black-blue in color, with a waxy coating. The taste is sweet and sour, balanced.The pulp is medium density, tender and juicy.
Akur is self-fertile, average yield: about 3.3 kg per bush over the summer. The berries do not fall off after ripening, fruiting is extended. The variety is recommended for cultivation in the Far Eastern region.
Pchelkinskaya
The variety is early ripening and harvested at the end of June. The bushes are vigorous and spreading, the leaves are matte, wrinkled, dark green. The clusters are small, each growing about 6 large berries. The fruits are round, weigh 1.5 g, glossy black in color. The skin is medium thick, the taste is sweet and refreshing, the score is 4.6 points. Heat resistance and winter hardiness are above average, Pchelkinskaya does not freeze when frozen.
Currants are resistant to powdery mildew and anthracnose, takes root in central Russia. Productivity - 2–3.5 kg per plant per season. Thanks to their dessert taste and aromatic pulp, the berries are universal in use.
Litvinovskaya
Litvinovskaya popular in the Krasnodar region, Rostov and Kirov regions, Moscow region. The plant is unpretentious in care, but requires sun and light. The bushes are vigorous, with green straight shoots. Fruit clusters are medium in size, berry weight is from 2 to 3.3 g. The shape is round, the skin is medium thick, sweet and harmonious. Tasting score: 4.9 points.
The variety is slightly affected by pests and diseases. It bears fruit 3 years after planting, yield is 3 kg per bush per season.
Conclusion
Exotic, Zvezdnaya, Bagheera, Harmony are sweet, large-fruited and productive varieties of black currant. They are valued for their immunity to diseases and pests, frost and drought resistance, delicate flesh and pleasant aroma. Summer residents also love the large-fruited variety Dobrynya (the weight of one berry reaches 4 g) and the delicious Poetry currant.Among the productive plants, Akur and Pchelkinskaya are distinguished, which produce 3-4 kg of delicious berries. The fruits are processed for the winter, dried or frozen.