How to properly grow the blackcurrant variety Dacha and what are its pros and cons

Black currant Summer resident is a favorite variety of many gardeners. It is distinguished by early ripening, high winter hardiness, self-fertility, and large, aromatic berries. The bushes are easy to care for, they rarely suffer from infectious diseases and are immune to powdery mildew.

What kind of blackcurrant is this? Dachnitsa

The early variety of black currant Dachnitsa was bred by employees of the All-Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding and the Siberian Horticulture Research Institute named after. M.A. Lisavenko. Authors: T. Ogoltsova, Z. Zotova, L. Bayanova, S. Knyazev. To create the cultivar, we used the Seyanets Golubki variety and a mixture of pollen from seedlings, which were obtained as a result of open pollination of the Bredtorp variety. The summer resident was included in the State Register in 2004. The variety has received permission for cultivation in the North-Western and Volga-Vyatka regions.

Description of the variety

The bushes are low, medium spreading, sparse. Young shoots are green, pubescent, glossy. Lignified shoots are gray-brown in color, medium in size, and stand straight. The bark is hairless, matte. The tips of the shoots are brown. The buds are medium in size, rounded-ovoid in shape with blunt tips, colored pink, planted parallel to the shoot, the tips are sometimes slightly deviated.

The leaves are five-lobed, medium-sized, green, with a slight shine, corrugated, wrinkled, with a bronze tint, folded along the central vein. The interlobular notches are deep and pointed.The middle blade is large and has additional projections. The shape is triangular, the tip is slightly bent. The lateral lobes are sharp, the upper sides of the lateral lobes look upward. The teeth are large, blunt, the petiole is medium in size.

The flowers are small, faded in color, sepals are medium-sized, pale, bent upward.

The berries are round-oval, large, weighing 2.2 g. The skin is thin, black. The taste is dessert, delicate, the aroma is pronounced. Tasting taste score: 4.7 points. The calyx is half open, the stalk is medium-sized, brown-green in color. Chemical composition: dry matter - 12.1%, sugar content - 9.3%, acidity - 2.1%, vitamin C -193.6 mg/100 g.

Resistance to environmental conditions

The variety is characterized by winter hardiness, early fruiting, self-fertility (71%), resistance to bud mite and powdery mildew.

Productivity

The average yield is 1.5 kg per bush. The type of fruiting is ringed.

Application area

The use of berries is universal. Their dessert taste allows them to be consumed fresh and to prepare fruit and berry wines, and the high proportion of pectin allows them to be made into jellies and jams, as well as “live” jam without cooking. Freezing preserves most of the vitamins and minerals.

Pros and cons of the variety

Advantages of the variety:

• large berries;
• early ripeness;
• dessert taste,
• self-fertility;
• self-pollinating;
• winter hardiness;
• immunity to powdery mildew and bud mite;
• transportability.

Flaws:

• branches overloaded with harvest bend strongly;
• overripe berries soften and fall off;
• flowers wither in the cold;
• it is necessary to constantly update old branches;
  the crop does not tolerate drought well, especially in the first two years after planting;
• not suitable for cultivation in southern regions.

Advice. If there is a sudden frost during the flowering period, fumigate the bushes to preserve the flowers.

Growing technology

Compliance with the rules of agricultural technology allows you to maintain the health of the crop and provide yourself with a stable harvest of large, sweet berries for many years.

Optimal conditions

Black currant prefers open, well-lit areas. A small shadow does not hinder the development of the plant. The culture thrives on fertile, breathable soils. Light loam is best. Poor soil is not an obstacle to growing blackcurrants; the main thing is to enrich it with humus and minerals. Limestone or chalk is added to acidic soil to regulate the pH to 6.0-6.5 units.

Summer resident seedlings are not recommended to be planted in the place where gooseberry and currant bushes previously grew. Over time, the earth becomes depleted and accumulates harmful substances.

The Summer Resident variety loves moisture, but not stagnation. A drainage system must be organized on the site to remove excess moisture, otherwise the bushes will die.

This variety will grow best in the temperate climate zone for which it was bred. The root system tolerates frosts down to – 30°C and does not require additional insulation for the winter.

In the southern climate, plant development slows down, its size decreases, and productivity decreases. The variety is sensitive to drying out of the soil and excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Regular watering and planting in the shade will help save the situation.

Landing dates and rules

It is recommended to plant at the end of September. The feeding area of ​​the bush is 1-2 m², so plants need to be planted every 1.5 m.

Young two-year-old seedlings with a strong root system are suitable for planting.Such planting material quickly takes root and grows. The roots of the seedling should be healthy, without signs of dehydration, brown-rusty in color, with numerous small and thin roots of a light shade. The number of shoots is 2-4 pieces, length is 15-20 cm.

Dark brown roots indicate improper storage, frostbite, and drying out.

The above-ground part should consist of 2-3 shoots 30-40 cm long. The branches are painted an even light brown color, the surface is glossy with soft buds. Seedlings with young leaves are ideal for planting.

Before planting, the roots are dipped in water or a solution of any available growth stimulator: Epin, Kornevin, Zircon. Soaking time for healthy and strong roots is 1-1.5 hours, dry and frozen - 3-5 days.

Soil preparation:

1. Dig the area to the depth of a bayonet shovel.
2. Water the weeds and remove plant debris.
3. Water dry soil 2-3 days before planting.
4. Feed the soil, which is poor in nutrients, with organic matter (compost or humus).
5. Maintain a distance of 1.5 m between bushes.

Dig a hole 50 cm deep and wide and fill it 2/3 with excavated soil mixed with organic fertilizers. For 1 sq. m will need:

• 15 kg of humus or compost;
• 65-75 g of potassium chloride;
• 120-140 g of superphosphate;
• 2 kg wood ash.

The seedling is lowered into the hole, fixed straight, and the roots are carefully straightened. The hole is filled with excavated soil, compacted, 20-25 liters of water are poured in and mulched. The branches of the seedling are cut so that a shoot of up to 15 cm and 2-3 buds remain on it.

Further care

Caring for the Dachnitsa variety involves loosening the soil, removing weeds, regular watering, fertilizing and pruning.Subject to agrotechnical rules, the bushes will delight you with a good harvest for about 15 years.

Irrigation features:

1. The plant needs moderate but constant moisture. Near the bush, dig a hole 30 cm wide and pour in water.
2. The currant root system is located at a depth of 40 cm. 10 liters of water are poured under each young bush, 20 liters under the old one.
3. Watering frequency - once every 7 days. In summer, it is recommended to increase the frequency of watering: in the morning, water the tree trunk, and in the evening, sprinkle.
4. During the period of flowering and formation of ovaries, picking berries and before wintering, currants need additional moisture.

Pruning bushes is on the list of mandatory care procedures. It maintains the correct shape of the bush, provides access of air and sunlight inside the bush, stimulates the growth of young shoots and gets rid of old branches, removes diseased and damaged parts of the plant.

The procedure is carried out in early spring before the sap begins to flow and in late autumn, when the movement of nutrients is completed.

Rules for pruning black currants:

1. In the first year, when planting, the branches are shortened, leaving 2-3 buds on each.
2. In the second year, the skeletal branches are cut off, leaving the buds for the growth of new shoots.
3. In the third and fourth years, 3-6 strong branches are left and the rest are removed.
4. Full formation of the bush is completed in the fifth year of life, and only sanitary pruning is carried out.

Periodic pruning of old branches stimulates plant renewal and provides the gardener with consistently high yields. It is recommended to treat the cutting areas with garden varnish.

Formative pruning is carried out in spring or autumn. At the same time, all shoots older than five years, as well as weak and immature shoots, are removed.Pruning is done at the root, without leaving stumps.

Feeding:

1. In the spring, ammonium nitrate is added: 50 g is dissolved in water at room temperature and poured under each bush. For bushes older than 5 years, the norm is reduced by 2 times.
2. In autumn, currants are fed with compost, bird droppings or ash. For example, 100 g of wood ash is required per 1 m².
3. In the fourth year, the bushes are fertilized with urea: 30–35 g in April, 10–15 g after flowering.

Reference. Mulching is carried out before wintering to preserve moisture in the roots. To do this, use sawdust, dry leaves, pine needles, humus or peat. The colder the climate in the growing region, the thicker the mulch layer.

Possible problems, diseases, pests

Black currant Summer resident is resistant to most diseases and pests. Preventing infection helps maintain healthy bushes.

The table shows methods of control and prevention diseases and the spread of insect pests.

Wintering

At temperatures below – 30°C, currant bushes are covered with spruce branches or spunbond, and additional snow is thrown on top.You can also use cardboard or thick polyethylene.

Pollinator varieties

The Dachnika variety is self-pollinating, so it does not require additional procedures aimed at increasing the number of ovaries.

Reproduction

The Summer Resident variety is propagated by layering, cuttings or dividing the bush:

1. Cuttings are cut from woody or young shoots in early autumn. Young cuttings from the current year take root best. The optimal length is 20 cm. The cuts are made oblique, the cuttings are deepened into the ground at an angle and 2-3 buds are left above the surface. By next spring, the planting material will be ready for transplanting to a permanent location.
2. For rooting by layering, a healthy mother bush is chosen, which is characterized by abundant fruiting and large fruits. The procedure is performed in the spring after the leaves appear. A furrow is dug next to the selected bush and watered. The longest shoot is tilted to the ground, placed in a recess and secured with wooden slingshots. The top is trimmed to stimulate bud growth. In October, the rooted cuttings are dug up, divided into parts and transplanted to a permanent place.
3. Dividing the bush is done in the fall or spring when replanting the crop to a new area. The bush is dug up along with its roots, examined and determined where it is easier to divide it into parts. Each of them should have strong shoots and roots. Young branches are cut to 20 cm. Parts of the bush are planted in prepared holes and watered clean water.

Tips from experienced gardeners for growing

We have prepared tips from experienced gardeners that will help you grow healthy blackcurrant bushes on your site:

1. Plant seedlings at a distance of 1.5 m to ensure air flow and access to sunlight, increase yield and reduce the risk of fungal infections.
2. Follow the watering schedule and regularly loosen the tree trunk. Apply organic matter in the fall and minerals in the spring and summer. Carry out sanitary and formative pruning.
3. Plant bushes on a sloped area to ensure the drainage of excess moisture.
4. Pick berries on time- overripe ones wrinkle, turn sour, lose some of their beneficial properties and are poorly stored.
5. Plant bushes under the canopy of fruit trees at a distance of 2-2.5 m.
6. If you are caring for a large currant plantation, water the plants with a hose.

Reviews from summer residents

Ivan, Bor: “I’ve been growing summer residents for five years now and I can’t be happier. The variety is resistant to most diseases, has never suffered from powdery mildew, and insects also rarely attack it. The yield is average, but the berries are all right – large, aromatic and very sweet.”

Elena, Kirov: “The Dachnitsa variety has long been my favorite. I appreciate it for its ease of care and winter hardiness. I apply fertilizers in spring and autumn, before wintering I perform water-replenishing watering and cover the bushes only when the temperature drops below -30 °C.”

Conclusion

The Dachnitsa variety received the best characteristics of the Seyanets Golubki variety and a mixture of seedling pollen, which were obtained as a result of open pollination of the Bredtorp variety. Caring for the plant is not burdensome even for a novice gardener. It is enough to monitor the moisture level, apply organic and mineral fertilizers, carry out sanitary and formative pruning and prevent infectious diseases. Early ripening allows you to enjoy juicy, large, sweet and aromatic berries already in early July.