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Currant Dove was bred by Siberian breeders. Its value lies in early ripening, productivity, resistance to drought. The variety was entered into the State Register of the Federation in 1984 under the name of Dove Seedling.
Description of the currant variety Golubka
The currant variety Golubka is intended for cultivation in the middle lane, in the Urals and in Siberia. It has the appearance of a medium-sized, slightly spreading bush. Its shoots are thin, upright, fawn in color. Young branches are green. The kidneys are medium in size, egg-shaped, with a pointed tip, yellow-brown in color.
The leaves of the currant dove are five-lobed, wrinkled, medium in size. The leaf plate is shiny, dark green, with wavy edges. The blades are pronounced, pointed. Petioles – short, green, located at an acute angle to the shoots.
Flowers goblet type of medium size. Sepals – light green, curved. Brushes of medium size, thick, 6 cm long. They contain from 6 to 9 fruits. Blackcurrant berries contain dry substances, pectin, ascorbic acid. The total sugar content is from 6,6 to 13%.
Description of currant berries Dove:
- black thin skin with a pale coating;
- spherical shape with edges;
- weight from 1,3 to 3,5 g;
- average number of seeds;
- sweet taste with sour notes.
Features
Before planting the Golubka currant, its characteristics are analyzed: resistance to drought and cold, ripening time. Particular attention is paid to the yield and quality of berries.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
Blackcurrant Dove well tolerates heat and lack of moisture. Its frost resistance is average, about -26 ° С. In severe winters, the shoots freeze at the base. In cold climates, preparation for wintering is mandatory.
Productivity of the variety
Currant Dove ripens early. The first berries are harvested in mid – late June. They ripen at the same time. Ripe currants begin to crumble and crack, so it is not recommended to delay harvesting. At the same time, the fruits of the bush are not baked in the sun.
According to the description of the variety, blackcurrant Golubka brings from 5 to 8 kg of berries. The plant is self-fertile, which does not need a pollinator to form ovaries. Over time, the fruits shrink. In this case, the bush should be replaced.
Application area
The berries of the Golubka variety have a technical purpose. They are used for processing: making jams, jams, compotes, fillings for baking. Fresh berries are added to smoothies, yogurts, muesli.
Pros and cons of the variety
According to the description of the variety and reviews, currant Golubka has the following advantages:
- brings the harvest one of the first, in comparison with other varieties;
- self-fertility;
- enters fruiting early;
- demonstrates simultaneous ripening of fruits;
- stable yield;
- disease resistance.
The main disadvantages of the Golubka variety:
- inferior to modern varieties in taste and fruit transportability;
- average winter hardiness;
- over time, the quality of the crop decreases;
- suffers greatly from the attack of the kidney tick.
Methods of reproduction
Blackcurrant is propagated vegetatively:
- Cuttings. Choose annual shoots with a thickness of 7 mm and cut them to a length of 20 cm. They are harvested in autumn in October, when the bush goes dormant. The cuttings are rooted in a mixture of sand and soil. In the spring, currants are planted in the garden, watered and fed.
- Layers. In early spring, a strong branch is chosen. It is placed in a previously dug furrow, fastened with staples and covered with earth. By the fall, the layering will have a root system, and it is planted in a permanent place.
- By dividing the bush. The method is used when transplanting blackcurrant. The rhizome is divided into parts, the cut is treated with wood ash. The resulting seedling should have several shoots and roots.
Planting and care
Blackcurrant Dove can be planted throughout the summer season. However, it is best to choose the autumn period, when the leaf fall passes. Then the plant will have time to take root before winter, and in the spring it will begin to develop. This option is suitable for the southern regions.
It is allowed to transfer work to the spring. Then the planting of blackcurrant is carried out before the buds open. Spring work is preferable for the middle lane and the northern regions. For the winter, seedlings can be buried in the ground and sprinkled with sawdust.
Blackcurrant Dove prefers fertile light soils. The optimal reaction of the soil is neutral or slightly acidic. For a bush, a lighted area is chosen, located on the south or west side.
A place for blackcurrant is prepared in the fall. The soil is dug up, per 1 sq. m add up to 7 kg of humus, 1 liter of ash, 100 g of superphosphate. It is best to plant several types of blackcurrant. Although Golubka is self-fertile, the presence of pollinators will help increase yields. Between the bushes leave 1 – 1,5 m.
Biennial plants are chosen for planting. They are preliminarily inspected to detect cracks, rotten areas and other defects. The seedling should have 1 – 2 shoots up to 40 cm long, strong roots. If the root system is too dry, it is lowered for 2 – 3 hours in clean water.
The order of planting blackcurrant Dove:
- A hole is dug at the site with a depth of 0,6 m and a diameter of 0,5 m.
- The pit is 2/3 filled with a substrate consisting of fertile soil, 4 kg of humus, 50 g of superphosphate, a handful of ash.
- 5 liters of water are poured into the pit and left for 3 weeks to shrink.
- Before planting, fertile soil is poured into the pit to make a small hill.
- A currant seedling is placed on top, its roots are straightened and covered with earth.
- The soil is compacted and well watered.
- The shoots are cut off, 2-3 buds are left on each.
- In the trunk circle, a mulch layer 5 cm thick is made. Humus or straw is used in this case.
Aftercare
Variety Golubka is growing rapidly. Therefore, pruning of shoots becomes an obligatory step. It is carried out until the kidneys swell. The growing season of the bush begins very early, so it is important not to miss the timing of pruning. Be sure to remove broken, dry, old, diseased branches.
For adult currants, formative pruning is performed. 3-5 strong branches are left on the bush. The root shoot is cut out. In July, skeletal shoots are pinched. These stimulate the growth of fruit buds.
Regular watering of the Golubka variety will ensure a good harvest. Moisture is important during flowering and ovary formation. Under the bush pour 20 liters of warm settled water. Furrows are first made 10 cm deep at a distance of 30 cm from the plant.
Top dressing of the Golubka variety begins the next season after planting. In the spring, 40 g of urea is added under the bush until sap flow begins. For adult plants, the dosage is reduced to 20 g. After flowering, currants are fed with superphosphate and potassium salt. For 10 liters of water add 30 g of each fertilizer.
According to the description, Dove’s currant freezes in severe winters. In late autumn, the bush is spudded, a layer of humus is poured on top. To prevent the plant from being damaged by rodents, a metal mesh is installed. Young bushes are covered with non-woven fabric.
Pests and diseases
The Golubka variety is characterized by resistance to anthracnose, terry, and powdery mildew. Signs of disease often appear in cold and rainy summers. To combat lesions, Bordeaux liquid, copper oxychloride, Topaz, Oksihom, Fitosporin preparations are used.
Currant variety Golubka is attacked by a kidney mite. This is a microscopic pest that is difficult to detect visually. It feeds on currant buds, which deform and increase in size. It is better to fight with kidney mites with the help of drugs Kontos, Phosphamide, Actellik.
For prevention, blackcurrants are treated with Nitrafen. Spraying is carried out until the kidneys swell. Digging up the soil in autumn, cleaning up fallen leaves, and regular pruning of shoots helps get rid of pests.
Conclusion
Currant Golubka is a quality proven variety for most regions of Our Country. It is valued for its high yield and good taste. When growing the Golubka variety, special attention is paid to watering, top dressing, protection from pests.