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Black currants have been grown in Our Country since the tenth century. Berries are valued for their high vitamin content, taste and versatility. The currant of the Memory Potapenko variety is no exception, which has excellent characteristics that allow it to be grown in different climatic zones.
Currant flowering begins at a temperature of +12 ⁰С
History of breeding
Variety Memory Potapenko (Pamyati Potapenko) was bred in the mid-nineties of the last century in the Novosibirsk fruit and berry experimental station. He received the name of the famous breeder Potapenko A.A., who for several decades has been breeding currants for Siberia. The scientist used varieties from the Far East, America and Scandinavia, trying to achieve high self-fertility, resistance to powdery mildew, and excellent transportability of berries from the berry bush.
To obtain currants in Memory of Potapenko, two varieties were crossed:
- Agrolesovskaya.
- Bradthorpe (Bradthorpe).
After many years of testing in 2001, the currant was included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements and recommended for cultivation in Western and Eastern Siberia.
Description of the blackcurrant variety in Memory of Potapenko
The bush is of medium height, the maximum length of the branches is 120 cm. The crown shape is semi-spreading, with a diameter of 80 cm. Young shoots are straight, green in color, in adult plants they bend at the base, their bark becomes gray-brown.
Currant foliage in memory of Potapenko is dark green, medium-sized, three-lobed. Arranged on the stem in turn. Leaf plates with denticles, a small notch and a raspberry petiole. Their texture is matte, slightly wrinkled.
In racemose inflorescences 6-7 cm long, from fifteen to twenty greenish flowers. The sepals are bent upwards. The berries are large, rounded, in the stage of full ripening – black with a bluish bloom. Average weight – 2-3 g, diameter – up to 12 mm. The skin is thick, the taste is pleasant, sweet and sour, refreshing. Tasting score – 4,8 points. Sugar content – 7,2%, acids – 2,2%. The purpose of the currant of the Memory of Potapenko variety is universal.
The best time to plant shrubs is early spring
Features
Blackcurrant in memory of Potapenko inherited the best qualities from the varieties used in breeding. It is distinguished by winter hardiness, productivity, resistance to diseases and pests.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
The Memory Potapenko variety is winter-hardy, as it was specially bred for the harsh conditions of Siberia. It belongs to the third climatic zone and withstands frosts down to -40 ⁰С. Flower buds, like shoots, are resistant to low temperatures and remain viable after spring frosts.
The variety is tolerant of drought, the lack of irrigation does not affect the volume of the crop, but premature shedding of berries is possible.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening period
Currant variety Memory Potapenko is mid-season, self-pollinated, bisexual flowers in racemes, so it does not need berry bushes of other varieties to form ovaries.
Flowering begins in May, and berries ripen three months after pollination. The harvest period coincides with the middle of summer. Separation of fruits from the brush – dry. It can be collected both manually and mechanized.
The largest harvest can be expected in the sixth year
Productivity and fruiting, keeping quality of berries
The currant of the Memory Potapenko variety ripens gradually, the berries are harvested from July to August. To preserve their commercial qualities, they are torn off together with a brush and laid out in boxes in a small layer. In this form, the crop can be transported.
The shelf life is short, so immediately after picking the berries are cooled and laid out in small containers. At a temperature of +2-4 ⁰С, they retain their properties for two weeks. Frozen can be used after six months.
The yield of currant varieties Memory Potapenko is 3 kg per bush. When grown on an industrial scale – 5 t / ha.
Berries are used in dry, fresh and processed form. Compotes, jelly, marmalade, sauces are prepared from them, they are added to pastries and fermented milk products.
Disease and pest resistance
Currant Memory Potapenko has a high immunity, powdery mildew and anthracnose are rarely sick. To a lesser extent, the variety is resistant to ryabukha and septoria.
Ryabukha
The first signs of a viral disease appear immediately after bud break. The foliage is covered with small yellow oily spots. Their number is growing rapidly, their sizes are increasing. With a strong lesion, they merge, the currant foliage tissue becomes thinner and dries. The disease leads to a weakening of the bush, a delay in development and a decrease in its productivity.
As a preventive measure, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the spread of infection carriers – gall aphids.
septoriosis
White spot or septoria may appear on the Potapenko Memory currant in June. Brown spots are visible on the leaf plates, later turning white in the center. The disease leads to mass death of leaves and their abscission.
As a preventive measure in autumn, the litter under diseased plants must be collected and burned, the soil dug up and treated with a solution of Bordeaux mixture.
Among insect pests, the maximum damage to the Potapenko Memory currant is caused by a bud mite. The first signs of damage are swollen buds, uneven development of shoots. Later, the plant lags behind in growth, some of the shoots dry out. Up to several thousand ticks can hide in each kidney. Acaricides are used to kill pests.
The best predecessors for blackcurrants are legumes
Advantages and disadvantages
Currant Memory Potapenko occupies a worthy place among the varieties that are well adapted to extreme weather conditions.
The lodging of the lower branches in an adult bush often interferes with its processing and harvesting.
Among its advantages:
- frost resistance and drought resistance;
- unpretentiousness in care;
- high immunity to pests and diseases;
- bush compactness;
- ease of processing;
- large-fruited;
- the regularity of large crops;
- possibility of transportation;
- excellent taste of berries;
- the versatility of their use.
There are not so many disadvantages of the Memory Potapenko variety:
- uneven maturation;
- tendency to crumble.
Features of planting and care
The life of the currant in memory of Potapenko is about 15 years, so you should carefully choose a place for it. A berry bush is planted in an area well lit by the sun. The soil should be moist, breathable and drained. The best option is fertile loam with a pH of 6-6,5. If the soil is poor, organic matter is added at the time of digging.
When planting currants in Memory of Potapenko, they act according to the plan:
- Landing pits are marked with a gap between them of 1,5 m and 1,6 m – between the rows.
- Dig holes with a width and depth of 50 cm.
- Lay a drainage layer (10 cm).
- Pour humus, fertile soil, 100 g of superphosphate, 50 g of potassium chloride, mix.
- Place the seedling in the center of the hole, straighten its roots and cover with earth.
- Tamp the soil and water.
- Mulch the trunk circle with humus.
- Shorten the shoots by a third of the length.
Further care consists in timely watering, fertilizing, pruning and preparation for winter.
Currant roots lie at a depth of 40 cm
Watering, feeding
Watering young seedlings is carried out twice a week. Later, after rooting, reduce to one, provided there is no precipitation. Humidification is carried out by sprinkling, drip irrigation or in grooves near the base of the bush.
Since the plant has enough nutrients added to the planting hole, top dressing is applied only in the third year. Fertilize with nitrogen in spring, and in August with potassium sulfate.
Pruning, preparation for winter
To form a correct, healthy currant bush, diseased and damaged shoots are cut out early in the spring. Experts advise leaving no more than seven zero shoots, removing weakly growing and strongly inclined ones. To rejuvenate a bush at the age of five, a third of the branches are cut out.
Spring pruning rules:
Despite frost resistance, it is worth preparing currants – mulching the soil, and in winter, cover the base of the bush with snow.
Conclusion
Potapenko Memory Currant is an excellent choice for gardeners. The variety is suitable not only for cultivation in Siberia, but also in other regions it brings high yields, is resistant to diseases and pests, and winters well.
Reviews with photos about blackcurrant varieties Memory Potapenko
