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Currant is a popular plant that can be found in almost every summer cottage. The berries of this shrub are valued due to the presence in their composition of a whole complex of useful vitamins and trace elements, for their pleasant taste and unpretentiousness in breeding and growing. Blackcurrant Litvinovskaya is a relatively recently bred variety by breeders that has proven itself very successfully among gardeners.
Description of blackcurrant Litvinovskaya
The blackcurrant variety Litvinovskaya was invented in 2008 by crossing the Selechenskaya variety and the CH 6-28-105 form, at the same time this shrub was recorded in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Federation in 2008.
The blackcurrant variety Litvinovskaya belongs to the varieties of the early flowering variety. The shrub begins to bloom already around mid-May. After a month and a half (end of June – beginning of July), the shrub harvest finally matures and is ready for harvest.
Description of blackcurrant variety Litvinovskaya:
Described part | Characterization |
Bush | It is quite high and averages 1,5 – 2 m in length. Due to the fact that the branches of the shrub are located straight, it is not very sprawling. |
plant root system | It is highly branched and can go inwards by about 0,4 m. |
Flowers | Color: lilac or pale purple. Location on the brush – in groups of 7 – 11 pieces. |
Kidneys | They have an oval and slightly pointed shape and are located from the shoot. |
Leaves | The size of the leaves is medium, the color is bright green (at the base of the leaf, the color is even more saturated). The structure of each leaf has a clearly defined system of veins. All leaves are three-lobed and medium pointed. |
Berries | The shape is round, slightly flattened. The color of the berries is rich black, the peel is thick, has a glossy sheen. The berries have a very rich aroma, sweet taste and large size (the weight of one fruit can reach 4,5 g). |
Preferred breeding and growing locations | Central, Chernozemny regions. In addition, due to the rather high resistance to cold, breeding is permissible in regions such as the Urals, Siberia, and the North-West. |
The description of the blackcurrant of the Litvinovskaya variety clearly demonstrates the photo:
Features
The blackcurrant variety Litvinovskaya has a number of distinctive features, thanks to which it can be distinguished from the total mass of varieties of this plant. The main task of scientists during its creation was to develop such a variety of black currant, which would be distinguished from others by high resistance to various weather and climatic conditions of the place of growth, and would also give sweet fruits. The described shrub has become just that.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The blackcurrant variety Litvinovskaya is very frost-resistant. It tolerates cold winters, early frosts, as well as sudden spring frosts. Such characteristics make it possible to grow a plant even in areas such as Siberia and the North-West.
Frost resistance of a bush:
- the root system of the bush is not threatened by temperatures up to 17 degrees below zero;
- still closed flowers can withstand temperatures down to minus 5 degrees;
- open buds will remain at temperatures up to 4 degrees below zero;
- the resulting ovary will not die under the conditions that the ambient temperature does not fall below minus 3 degrees.
The situation is completely different with the drought resistance of the black currant variety Litvinovskaya. It is very susceptible to heat and high ambient temperatures, negatively tolerates drought. This fact obliges all gardeners to pay much more attention to the plant during the onset of extreme heat and a long absence of rain.
Productivity of the variety
Blackcurrant variety Litvinovskaya belongs to varieties with a fairly fast ripening period. The flowering of the shrub begins in mid-May, and the harvest can be harvested at the end of the first summer month.
On average, about 2,3 kg of berries are obtained from one blackcurrant shrub of the Litvinovskaya variety, which indicates a fairly high yield capacity.
Blackcurrant of the Litvinovskaya variety is not prone to shedding, provided that all the necessary conditions for planting and caring for the plant are met. If such a phenomenon still takes place, then the cause of shedding is most likely:
- a large number of old branches on the bush (which indicates an insufficient measure of shrub care);
- lack of moisture (especially in the hot and dry period, when the plant requires additional watering);
- wrong place for landing;
- pests (larvae and insects that cause irreparable harm to the plant);
- untimely collection of ripe berries and overload of branches.
Due to the fact that the skin of the blackcurrant berries of the Litvinovskaya variety is very thick and durable, these berries perfectly tolerate transportation. If we are talking about transporting crops over a very long distance, then it is imperative to use vehicles equipped with special equipment for transporting goods of this nature.
Crushing berries is not typical for this shrub. If this is the case, then the reason may lie in one of the following factors:
- improper care of the plant (incorrect or insufficient thinning, untimely cutting of old branches);
- wrong landing site.
Application area
The purpose of blackcurrant berries of the Litvinovskaya variety is universal. Due to their rich, sweet taste, they can be eaten fresh. They are also suitable for the preparation of various types of preservation, preparations and technical processing on their basis. The industrial use of berries of this variety is facilitated by the fact that its fruits can be stored for a sufficiently long time under all the necessary conditions for this, and also very successfully endure transportation.
Pros and cons of the variety
The blackcurrant of the Litvinovskaya variety has its pronounced advantages and disadvantages, like absolutely any other fruit-bearing plant species. The advantages and disadvantages of such a shrub are much greater than the disadvantages.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Large berries with rich aroma and sweet taste. | Poor tolerance to too hot weather conditions and drought. |
The berries are convenient in their collection, since they practically do not choke and easily calve from the twigs. | Instability to kidney mites. |
High resistance to low temperatures. |
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Good transport tolerance. |
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Practically not susceptible to fungal diseases. |
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The shrub does not need additional pollinators. |
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Methods of reproduction
The reproduction of blackcurrant varieties Litvinovskaya has several options.
Breeding option | Characterization |
Breeding with seeds | This method, as a rule, is used only by scientists in order to develop new varieties. |
Breeding by cuttings (with a lignified trunk) | The most common and effective way |
Breeding with green cuttings | More costly method in terms of effort involved. Assumes the initial planting of the cutting in a greenhouse. |
Breeding cuttings tops | Complicated method. It requires special equipment (to maintain a certain ambient temperature in the room where the plant grows, as well as the necessary air humidity). |
Breeding by layering | A method that guarantees the survival of a new plant with a 100% probability. It will take 1 year to implement. |
Breeding by dividing the bush | The fastest and easiest way. |
Planting and care
In order for the blackcurrant seedling of the Litvinovskaya variety to take root on the site, you should start with its correct choice. It is recommended to purchase seedlings of this fruit-bearing shrub only in trusted nurseries and gardening stores. The plant must be completely healthy, on its roots and branches – there should be no rotten places and spots
The next step is to choose the right seat. It should be borne in mind that it must be chosen in a bright area. It is preferable to plant a bush near the fence so that it is at least one side closed from the wind. Blackcurrant thrives well under tall trees that offer some protection from direct sunlight. The soil at the planting site of the currant should be somewhat moist.
The timing of planting blackcurrant varieties Litvinovskaya varies, depending on the region of growth:
- in southern regions with a relatively warm climate, planting can be done both in spring and autumn;
- in the northern regions, the recommended planting time is only spring. Bushes planted in spring that have not yet had time to take root in a new place may simply not survive the harsh climatic conditions of winter.
The algorithm of actions when planting blackcurrant seedlings of the Litvinovskaya variety should be approximately as follows:
- dig a hole (width – 0,6 m; depth – 0,5 m). When planting several seedlings at the same time, the holes should be located at a distance of at least 2 m from each other;
- at the bottom of the hole you need to lay out a layer of fertilizer (humus + potassium + superphosphate) and cover it with a layer of soil (approximately 10 cm);
- pour these components with warm settled water (about 5 l);
- then it is necessary to plant a seedling, straighten its root system and cover everything with soil;
- the earth should be thoroughly crushed and watered with another 5 liters of water;
- after planting, it is important to trim the shrub.
Aftercare
Subsequent care for blackcurrant varieties Litvinovskaya involves the implementation of standard procedures:
- Watering. The shrub needs the most watering at the time of flowering and fruit ripening. In addition, it must be remembered that this plant is not very resistant to extreme heat and therefore it needs additional moisture during the dry period. It takes, on average, 10 liters of water to irrigate one shrub at a time, while the soil must be moistened at least 20 cm deep;
- Soil loosening. This procedure must be carried out throughout the summer season, at least 1 time per month;
- Top dressing. The first 2 years the shrub does not need additional feeding. Starting from the 3rd year, the procedure must be repeated 4 times per season: in early spring, when the snow melts (nitrogen fertilizers); during the formation of berries (potassium + phosphorus); during the ripening of berries (potassium + phosphorus); autumn (manure or compost);
- Pruning (involves thinning and removal of dry branches). Performed in early spring and autumn;
- For the winter, it is recommended to insulate the trunk with horse manure and bend the branches to the ground, securing their ends with bricks;
- If there is a threat that the shrub may suffer from rodent activity, care should be taken to protect the plant from them, using one of their mechanical or chemical means of protection.
Pests and diseases
The most common pest, from which the blackcurrant of the Litvinovskaya variety most often suffers, is the bud mite. Its parasitic activity leads to the fact that the buds of the plant acquire an unusual shape, the leaves dry up, moisture leaves the shrub, and the yield decreases low. In order to detect a pest, it is necessary to carefully examine the plant, remove all affected buds, and if there are a large number of them, completely cut out the entire branch. As a preventive measure in early spring, it is recommended to pour boiling water over the shrub or spray it with water with the addition of garlic juice. Special chemicals are highly effective, but they should not be used during the fruiting period.
Conclusion
Blackcurrant Litvinovskaya is a real discovery for gardeners. The berries of this shrub have a pleasant sweet taste and are characterized by early ripening. The plant is very unpretentious in care and, subject to all the necessary conditions for planting and subsequent processing, will delight its owner with a bountiful harvest for a long time.