A step-by-step guide to propagating currants from cuttings in summer

Propagation of currants is a labor-intensive process. One way to acquire new berry bushes is to take cuttings from mature and healthy plants. For this purpose, green or woody shoots are used, first cut from productive bushes and rooted. Let's look at how to properly propagate currants with twigs.

Is it possible to propagate currants from cuttings in summer?

If gardeners did not have time to propagate currants in the spring, they begin the procedure in the summer. In warm weather, cuttings take root faster and adapt to climatic conditions, which is beneficial for the root system and the plant as a whole.

It is recommended to propagate currants at the end of June or July: during this period there is a large selection of young shoots.

Points for and against

With the help of cuttings, summer residents get a rich harvest red, black and white currants. This method of reproduction does not require special agrotechnical skills. All you need are young green or woody stems. The shrub retains all the varietal characteristics of the mother plant, has strong immunity and quickly takes root on the site.

The main disadvantage: planting material can be contaminated. It is not always possible to determine this by external signs, so symptoms of diseases may appear only after the currants are planted on the site.

Timing of the procedure

The first time currants are propagated is in early July.. When choosing a date, pay attention to weather conditions: it is better to do it in the morning, when the air temperature is no more than +20°C. It is prohibited to carry out the procedure in rain or strong wind.

If it was not possible to propagate currants in July, the event is postponed to the first half of August.

Favorable days

In order for the cuttings to take root better on the site, some summer residents choose days in accordance with the lunar calendar.

In the summer of 2020, favorable dates are July 14, 15, 16, 17. These days the moon is in the sign of Taurus. Plants planted under this sign produce a large and tasty harvest, and the fruits are stored for a long time. Shrubs will get sick less often.

Site requirements

Currants prefer low-lying, well-moistened areas protected from the wind.. There should be no underground groundwater or swampy areas nearby: such conditions provoke the development of fungal diseases. It is recommended to plant plants along the fence. In this case, it is important to follow the planting pattern: the distance between the bushes should be at least 1.5 m, between the bushes and the fence - at least 2 m.

Red currants are planted next to onions, gooseberries, and herbs — such proximity has a beneficial effect on the development of cultures. It is not recommended to place red currants next to plums and cherries: shrubs need different soil compositions. Suitable neighbors for black currants are honeysuckle, blueberries, and garlic. Unsuitable ones are red currants, raspberries and gooseberries.

Soil preparation

Currants love slightly acidic and loamy soils. The soil should be light and nutritious. For summer propagation, the soil is prepared in the spring: the beds are leveled so that there are no holes or depressions.

Attention! Currants do not take root well in acidic soils.If the acidity level is above 5.5 pH, lime is added to the soil at the rate of 0.5 kg per 1 m². Before planting, remove plant debris, debris, and leaves from the garden bed.

2 months before planting, the soil is dug up using a spade bayonet., having previously fertilized it with organic and mineral agents. At 1 m² it takes about 3 kg of manure or compost, 100 g of superphosphate or 30 g of potassium sulfate.

Selection and preparation of cuttings

For propagation, choose green or lignified cuttings. The first ones are suitable for experienced summer residents, as they are planted in a greenhouse or greenhouse. Propagation by lignified cuttings is used by novice gardeners.

Cuttings for planting are prepared 2-3 months in advance, their length should be no more than 20 cm, and their thickness should be about 10 mm. Shoots are cut in the morning or afternoon. They are well preserved if, after trimming, they are wrapped in a damp cloth.

When preparing cuttings, follow the following recommendations::

• The cuttings are separated from the main shoot with a penknife;
• the cut areas are lubricated with garden varnish to prevent infections from getting into the plant bark;
• The leaves are cleared from the shoots and the dry top is cut off.

Rooting methods

There are several ways to root: in a jar of water, soil and substrate. Let's look at them in detail.

In water

This is the easiest way to root black and red currants. The cut shoots are placed in a glass jar with water at room temperature. There are 2-3 cuttings per 1 three-liter container. Pour enough water to cover the 2 lower buds. In a week, tubercles will appear, from which roots will soon grow. Buds form on the cuttings - they are cut off so that energy is not wasted on flowering.

During rooting, the water in the jars is regularly changed so that it does not stagnate.. The jars are placed on a window where direct sunlight does not reach.

In the ground

For rooting in the ground, I prepare the soil in advance.: cleaned of debris, dug up and fertilized. There should be no stones or grass on the beds. The cuttings are buried in damp soil at a distance of 20–30 cm from each other. This is done in the spring, in April-May, when the snow has completely melted and the air temperature has reached +18°C.

In July, the cuttings are planted in individual holes. This method requires more energy and time, so most gardeners prefer rooting in water at home.

In the substrate

Cuttings take root quickly in the substrate and grow into healthy and productive bushes.. Sawdust, peat, sand, and coconut fiber are used as a substrate. All components are purchased at a garden store. They are placed in a clean glass or plastic container and moistened with water. The cuttings are placed in a container at a distance of 10 cm from each other and at an angle of 45°. The top of the currants is covered with polyethylene and placed in a sunny and warm place.

Attention! Rooting lasts about 3 weeks. At this time, it is important to water the cuttings daily, maintain the air temperature above +20°C, and ensure the presence of sunlight for at least 8 hours a day. The swelling of the buds and the brightness of their color indicate that the cuttings have taken root.

With the addition of root formation stimulants

To accelerate the growth of cuttings, root formation stimulants are used. To plant cuttings in the ground, use “Kornevin”. The cut of the shoot is dusted with powder and placed in the ground. Use the product once: an excess of the stimulant will destroy the plant.

For rooting in water or substrate, use the drug “Heteroauxin”. 10 g of the drug is diluted in 500 ml of water and mixed. The cuttings are dipped in the solution for 15 hours. Then placed in water or substrate. Using several stimulants at once is prohibited.

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Cuttings of currants with green shoots

Cuttings with green shoots give results only in mid-September. It is by this time that the root system will get stronger. Green cuttings 15 cm long are cut from the tops of annual shoots. The upper and lower cuts should be oblique. Afterwards they are rooted in water or substrate, and at the same time a place for planting is prepared. For green cuttings, the best option is greenhouses or greenhouses located on the east-west side of the site.

Cuttings with woody shoots

Annual shoots are used as such shoots.. They are cut from healthy and productive currant bushes. The length of the cutting should be 12–15 cm, diameter - 6 mm. The longer the shoot, the more nutrients it contains. When slicing, a sharp cut is made at the top at a distance of 1 cm above the kidney. Place the cuttings in substrate or water before planting on the site.

Landing

Plant cuttings early in the morning. A drainage layer of humus and sand is poured onto the bottom of the pit. The shoots are placed in the prepared soil at a slight slope so that 2 buds remain above the surface of the ground. The soil around is carefully compacted with your hands to avoid air accumulation between the soil and the cuttings.

Attention! Before planting, the cuttings are inspected again for signs of disease. They leave only healthy shoots without stains, plaque, or discoloration.

The plant is watered generously with warm water and a layer of mulch is added.: straw, peat, sawdust.

Further care

After planting the plant water regularly And feed. They moisten the bushes every 5–7 days, using about 5 liters of water. It is pre-warmed in the sun: watering with cold water increases the risk of developing diseases. It is not recommended to use swamp water as it contains pathogens.

Currants respond well to drip irrigation or sprinkling - the main part of the moisture should fall under the root. Before moistening, the soil is loosened to a depth of 5–7 cm, and then mulched. Mulch will prevent moisture from evaporating.

Attention! Immediately after planting, the currants are sprayed with a solution of ash or Bordeaux mixture. They increase resistance to insects and diseases, strengthen immunity and frost resistance.

Young currants are fertilized with mineral and organic agents. Nitrogen-containing fertilizers are used: they provide strength for the development of shoots and leaves, and stimulate root formation. It is recommended to use urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and sodium nitrate. Fertilizers are applied to the ground or on the leaf, depending on their form (liquid, solid, powder).

Nuances for black, red and white currants

Red and white currants are not as demanding on moisture as black, That's why Any method is suitable for rooting it. Black is sensitive to drought, so it is recommended to root it in water, after pre-treating it with a growth stimulant. Pay attention to the composition of the soil: any soil is suitable for planting red varieties; for black and white varieties, loose, slightly acidic soil, previously fertilized with organomineral complexes.

Red currants are superior to black currants in terms of winter hardiness and immunity., therefore, before planting, it is recommended to pay special attention to how often the mother bush was sick. It is better to choose cuttings from a plant that has not been sick at all.

Advice from experienced gardeners

To root and grow currants without problems, Beginner gardeners pay attention to the advice of experienced gardeners:

• for cutting cuttings, choose productive bushes no older than 5 years old;
• In addition to a knife, use a sharp metal garden pruner;
• disinfect instruments with a solution of potassium permanganate;
• work with cuttings while wearing gloves;
• when cutting several varieties, immediately separate them from each other so as not to confuse them when planting;
• make cuts from the bottom of the shoot, departing 0.5 cm from the bottom sheet;
• Prepare level beds using wire and stakes.

Conclusion

Propagation of currants by cuttings in the summer begins with the preparation of shoots. For planting, choose a branch about 15–20 cm long and 10 mm in diameter. It is cut with garden pruners and wrapped in damp cloth. Root in water, soil or substrate.

In order for the cuttings to take root better on the site, growth stimulants are used. Currants are planted on slightly acidic fertilized soils, maintaining a distance between plantings of 1.5–2 m. Plant care consists of watering, fertilizers, and treatment against diseases and pests.