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Blackcurrant Nara is a variety of selection, adapted to the conditions of the middle lane. The ripening of the crop occurs in the early stages, the berries have a universal application. Currant Nara tolerates drought, winter frosts, is not susceptible to diseases.
Characteristic of the variety
Currant Nara bred by breeders of the Bryansk region. Since 1999, the Nara variety has been included in the state register and is recommended for cultivation in the Central region.
Description of the Nara blackcurrant variety:
- earlier fruiting;
- flowering in early May;
- medium bush;
- bush height up to 1,5 m;
- weakly sprawling shoots;
- branches of medium size, slightly curved;
- large wrinkled leaves;
- convex leaf plate.
Description of Nara currant berries:
- weight from 1,3 to 3,4 g;
- black color;
- round shape;
- greenish flesh;
- sweet and sour taste;
- evaluation of taste qualities – 4,3 points.
The Nara currant ripens in early June. In cold regions, the flowers are susceptible to spring frosts.
The Nara variety has a high yield. 10-14 kg of fruits are harvested from the bush. The berries ripen at the same time. The fruits are rich in vitamin C, the content of which is 179 mg.
Nara currant has a universal purpose. Berries are frozen or consumed immediately after harvest, subjected to any type of processing.
Planting of currant
The life span of blackcurrant is 15-20 years. The site for planting must meet a number of requirements, which include illumination, lack of wind, soil fertility. To grow a powerful and healthy bush, choose strong seedlings.
Site Selection
Blackcurrant Nara prefers sunny areas. When grown in the shade, the yield decreases, and the berries acquire a sour taste. It is allowed to plant bushes on the south or south-west side of the fence or building.
The shrub is planted in loose fertile soil. Loam is ideal for planting. In clay soil, bushes grow slowly and bring few berries. Currants do not like acidic soils, so they must be limed before planting.
Currant is a moisture-loving crop, however, wetlands and constant exposure to moisture lead to rotting of the roots. In order for the soil to better pass moisture, you can add several buckets of coarse river sand when planting.
Breeding varieties
Nara seedlings are purchased from trusted suppliers. It is better to choose a nursery in order to be guaranteed to receive high-quality planting material.
Healthy seedlings have stiff roots up to 20 cm long. The optimal shoot length is 30 cm, the number of buds is from 3 to 6 pcs. Seedlings should not show signs of damage, growths, cracks, spots.
If the Nara currant is already planted on the site, then you can get planting material yourself.
Nara blackcurrant propagation methods:
- layering. In the spring, the strongest shoots are chosen. They are bent to the ground and lowered into prepared furrows. The shoots are fastened with staples and covered with soil. In the summer, the layers are watered, and in the fall they are separated from the main plant and transplanted.
- cuttings. In summer, annual basal shoots are separated from the main bush. It is best to choose branches 10 mm thick and 20 mm long. The cuttings are placed in boxes filled with wet sand. By autumn, the seedlings will take root, and they are transferred to a permanent place.
- The division of the bush. If it is necessary to transplant currants, its rhizome can be divided into parts and planting material can be obtained. Places of cuts are sprinkled with wood ash. Leave a few healthy roots for each bush.
Landing order
Nara blackcurrant is planted in autumn after leaf fall or in spring when the snow melts and the soil warms up. It is best to complete the work in the fall, then the bush will have time to take root before winter.
The sequence of actions for planting blackcurrant:
- Work begins with the preparation of a hole 50 cm in size and 40 cm deep.
- A substrate is placed at the bottom, consisting of 2 buckets of humus, 3 liters of wood ash and 70 g of superphosphate.
- After the nutrient layer, fertile soil is poured.
- The pit is left for 3 weeks for the land to settle.
- Dry or damaged roots are cut off from the seedling, all leaves are cut off.
- The plant is placed in a hole, the root neck is deepened by 7 cm.
- The roots of the seedling are covered with earth and carry out abundant watering.
- The shoots are cut off, 10-15 cm are left above the surface.
After planting, Nara currants are watered weekly. The soil is mulched with humus or straw. For the winter, shoots spud, dry leaves are poured on top.
Variety care
The fruiting of the Nara currant largely depends on care. Bushes need watering and top dressing. In autumn, currants are pruned to get a bountiful harvest the following year. Preventive measures help protect the shrub from diseases and pests.
Watering
Blackcurrants require regular watering. The Nara variety is able to tolerate short-term drought. With a lack of moisture, the ovaries fall, the berries shrink, and the development of the entire bush slows down.
Increased attention is paid to watering at certain stages of bush development:
- during the flowering period;
- in the formation of ovaries;
- while pouring berries.
3 buckets of water are poured under each bush. Moisture must first settle and heat up in barrels. In a dry summer, the bushes are watered 1-2 times a week.
After watering, loosen the soil to improve the penetration of moisture to the roots. Be sure to weed the weeds.
Additional fertilizing
If fertilizers were used when planting Nara currants, then regular top dressing begins only at the 3rd year. For processing, solutions are prepared from natural or mineral substances.
In the spring, the bushes are fed with slurry or a solution consisting of 30 g of urea per 5 liters of water. Nitrogen stimulates the formation of new shoots and leaves. Its use is limited during the period of flowering and the appearance of berries.
The complex fertilizer Nitroammofosk has a positive effect on the development of the Nara variety. For 10 liters of water, 3 tbsp. l. substances. The solution is applied under the root. Under each bush pour 2 liters of the resulting product.
During the flowering period, an infusion is prepared from potato peels. Dried cleanings are added to boiling water, the container is covered with a blanket and left to cool. Then 1 liter of the prepared product is poured under the bush.
When forming berries, the Nara variety is fed with superphosphate and potassium salt. It is enough to take 40 g of each fertilizer per bush, which are dissolved in water or embedded in the soil. Phosphorus favorably affects the development of the root system, and potassium improves the quality and taste of fruits.
In autumn, after harvesting the berries, they dig up the soil under the blackcurrant, add humus and wood ash. Natural fertilizers help increase the concentration of nutrients in the soil.
Trimming
In autumn, currants are pruned to rejuvenate the bush and increase its yield. Shoots older than 5 years old are eliminated, as are dry, diseased, broken branches. 15-20 skeletal shoots are left on an adult blackcurrant bush.
In the spring, it is enough to cut the frozen branches. The bush should not be too thick. Shoots growing in the center of the bush receive little sunlight, which negatively affects productivity.
Protection against diseases and pests
Variety Nara is resistant to terry and powdery mildew. If you follow the rules of care, the risk of developing diseases is minimized.
For prevention, plants are treated with a solution of copper sulfate. Spraying is carried out in the spring before bud break and in late autumn. For spraying, any preparations containing copper are suitable.
The Nara currant is attacked by gall midges, aphids, and spider mites. If pests are found, the bushes are treated with Phosfamide or Karbofos solutions. Chemicals are used with caution during the growing season. Processing is stopped 3 weeks before harvesting the berries.
Reviews of gardeners
Conclusion
Currant Nara is a productive and unpretentious variety that brings a crop in the early stages. Berries are used fresh or for home canning. Currant care includes watering, fertilizing and bush formation. For top dressing, folk remedies and minerals are used. During preventive treatments, the Nara variety does not suffer from diseases and pests.
