Black, pink currant Lyubava: description, planting and care

Currant Lyubava occupies a worthy place among other varieties. Gardeners are presented under this name not only black, but also a rare, pink representative of this berry. At the same time, it was noted that the second version of the bush plant has not only a beautiful pink-amber color, but also a pleasant sweet taste.

Despite the color difference between black and pink currant Lyubava, the berries of both species are considered relatively large.

History of breeding

Blackcurrant Lyubava was obtained at the Saratov experimental station for horticulture. This berry was the result of crossing the Chudesnitsa and Rtishchevskaya varieties. Since 1983, it has been listed in the state variety testing. The variety is zoned for cultivation in the Nizhnevolzhsky region.

Pink currant Lyubava is a high-yielding hybrid of white and red varieties of this berry of the Fertodi Piros variety, obtained by free pollination. Bred in the Lvov branch of the IS UAAN. The authors of the variety are Z.A. Shestopal, G.S. Shestopal. It is recommended for cultivation in the southern regions, in the Urals and in the Moscow region.

Description of varieties of pink and black currant Lyubava

According to the description and reviews of gardeners, the varieties of black and pink currant Lyubava are high-yielding. With proper care, the plant pleases not only with a large number of fruits, but also with pleasant taste.

In appearance, the currant with black berries is a medium-sized bush, not exceeding 1,5 m in height. The branching is moderate. The shoots are straight, strong, but can bend under the weight of the berries. Leaves with a typical aroma, light green hue. The brushes are long, rather large berries are formed on them, the mass of which can reach up to 1,5 g. The skin of the fruit is thin, matte, with a bloom. In technical maturity, they are black in color. The color of the pulp is light green, the seeds are medium-sized. The separation of the berries is dry, and if they are not overripe, then they do not choke during collection. The taste is pleasant, sweet, with subtle sourness.

Pinkcurrant bushes of the Lyubava variety are also of medium size, rarely exceeding 1,5 m. Very compact, but quite branched, requiring timely pruning of the overgrowth. Shoots are erect, strong and flexible. Leaf plates are medium in size, five-lobed, dark green in color. The brushes are long, on which from 14 to 18 large berries weighing up to 1 g are formed. The fruits are all one-sized, rounded. Their skin is thin and transparent, but at the same time dense, not cracking. Rose-beige color, aroma typical of currant. The berries are very juicy, with small seeds, sweet to taste without noticeable sourness.

Features

Due to the excellent characteristics of the varieties of black and pink currant Lyubava, these garden plants are considered the most optimal for growing in small areas. After all, the compactness of the bushes and long brushes, on which large berries are formed, make it possible to achieve maximum productivity in a limited space.

Currant Lyubava is considered one of the most unpretentious in cultivation.

Drought tolerance

Pink and blackcurrant Lyubava are considered varieties that are not afraid of dry weather. But in order for the berry to be large, in case of drought, the plants should be well watered. The lack of moisture can not only affect the size of the fruit, but also the yield.

How many degrees of frost can withstand pink and black currant Lyubava

In addition to resistance to drought, pink and blackcurrant varieties Lyubava showed increased resistance to frost. Both types of this garden plant are able to withstand temperatures up to -30 0C without shelter. Naturally, the bushes will calmly survive the winter only if they are properly prepared. It is recommended to make sanitary pruning, watering and top dressing in the autumn period, which will allow the plant to gain strength.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening period

Both varieties of Lyubava are self-fertile, so the presence of other currant bushes nearby is not required to obtain a stable crop. But still, gardeners recommend planting several varieties of plants at once to increase the number of berries and their taste.

In terms of ripening, pink and black currant Lyubava differ slightly. The first type is more classified as mid-season, since the berries reach technical maturity in mid-July. But chokeberry still belongs to late varieties, since berry picking should begin in early to mid-August.

Productivity and fruiting, keeping quality of berries

The yield of currant Lyubava black and pink is marked as high. Indeed, with good care from one bush, you can collect up to 15 kg of high-quality berries. If we talk about an industrial scale, then from 1 hectare you can get approximately 160-200 centners. Fruiting of both varieties is annual, stable.

After picking, the berries are stored for a short time, as they have poor keeping quality. At low temperatures, pink currants can lie for up to two days, but black currants begin to wrinkle and deteriorate.

Disease and pest resistance

Currant variety Lyubava has good immunity. These garden plants showed increased resistance to many fungal diseases typical of the crop, in particular, to powdery mildew, anthracnose, septoria. It is also worth noting the low susceptibility to spider mites.

Advantages and disadvantages

Currant variety Lyubava, regardless of black or pink berries, according to many gardeners, has a large number of advantages. The plant is unpretentious and gives a stable harvest.

One of the advantages of the Lyubava currant variety is that the buds and inflorescences are not damaged when the temperature drops sharply in spring.

Pros:

• high yield;
• unpretentiousness in cultivation;
• fruit ripening is friendly, and they can remain on the brush for a long time without crumbling;
• large one-sized berries, with excellent marketability and good sweet taste;
• versatility of use, the berry is suitable for fresh consumption and for processing (preparation of jam, compote, fruit drinks and the like);
• frost and drought resistance;
• increased immunity to diseases and pests.

Cons:

• small size of bushes;
• variety Lyubava with pink berries requires timely pruning, as thickened shoots can affect yields;
• a lack of distance can affect the size of the berries.

Features of planting and care

Pink and blackcurrant Lyubava is considered an unpretentious plant, so planting a crop usually does not cause problems.

This garden plant gives a stable yield when grown in sunny areas, protected from through winds. It is recommended to plant bushes on loams with neutral or slightly acidic soil.

Planting currants is best done in the first half of autumn, before the onset of winter, the plant will have time to take root and get stronger.

Seedlings are planted in pre-dug holes in such a way that the root neck is 5-7 cm deep. Then they are covered with soil, compacted around it and watered abundantly. At the end of all planting manipulations, shoots are cut to three buds. You should also mulch the soil around the trunk.

After planting and beyond, the plant needs to be moistened. During the dry season, currants should be watered at least once every ten days, using up to 50 liters of water. After that, the soil should be loosened.

Organic and fertilizers containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus are used as top dressing of the crop. They should be applied four times a season: in spring, during flowering and laying berries, and in autumn, after harvesting.

It is required to cut the Lyubava currant at least twice a season: in spring, cutting off frozen and damaged shoots, and in autumn, removing shoots. After carrying out such treatments, it is necessary to coat the places of cuts with garden pitch.

In order to prevent infection, currants are treated with boiling water in the spring. In case of detection of affected leaves, they must be removed without fail. If harmful insects were seen on the bush, the plant must be treated with insecticides.

Conclusion

Currant Lyubava, both pink and black, can rightfully be called one of the best. The yield of both species is high, the berries are large and pleasant to the taste. And most importantly, they are universal, which makes it possible to enjoy not only fresh fruits, but also prepare useful preservation for the winter.

Reviews with photos about currant varieties Lyubava