Blackcurrant Ruben (Ruben): description, planting and care

Blackcurrant Ruben is a Polish winter-hardy variety suitable for cultivation in most regions of Our Country. It produces tasty, juicy berries and fragrant leaves suitable for drying. Differs in stable productivity and undemanding to growing conditions.

History of breeding

The blackcurrant variety Ruben (Ruben) is the result of Polish selection, which has spread in Ukraine and Our Country. Received on the basis of the Institute of Horticulture and Floriculture. The varieties Ben Lomond and Belarusian Sweet are taken as a basis. Not included in the register of breeding achievements.

Synonyms for the name of the blackcurrant variety Ruben:

• currant;
• northern grapes;
• a coin;
• mokhovka.

According to its properties, Ruben currant is considered absolutely identical to the varieties:

• Anniversary Digging;
• The beauty of Lviv;
• Black Sofievskaya.

Refers to medium-early specimens suitable for traditional and industrial cultivation.

Description of the blackcurrant variety Ruben

Blackcurrant Ruben is a medium-sized variety, reaching 150–200 cm in height. The bush is quite sprawling, especially at the peak of productivity (branches hang down under the weight of berries). The crown is medium thickened, rounded in shape. The branches are straight, the surface of young shoots is greenish, often with a hint of pink or gray. After being covered with a woody layer, the shoots become completely gray.

The leaves of blackcurrant Ruben are small, five-lobed. The color is rich dark green, the surface is matte, strongly wrinkled, embossed. The flowers are medium in size, the color is light green, pinkish strokes are noticeable on the petals, collected in racemose inflorescences.

Berries of medium and large sizes, typical round shape. In diameter 1–1,5 cm, less often up to 1,8 cm. The weight of one berry is 3–6 g. The surface is saturated black, shiny. The skin of Ruben blackcurrant fruits is quite dense, which allows it to tolerate drought and transportation well. The pulp is juicy, has a delicate and balanced taste with hints of sweet and sour. The aroma is rich, pleasant.

Ruben blackcurrant can be grown in most regions

Features

Blackcurrant Ruben is suitable for growing in different regions – from the middle lane and the south to the North-West and the Urals. You can try to plant in Siberia, but with mandatory shelter for the winter. Bushes tolerate frost, drought well, undemanding to care.

Drought resistance, winter hardiness

The Ruben variety is winter-hardy, withstands frosts down to -34 degrees (zone 4). It also tolerates drought well, but with the onset of prolonged heat, it is necessary to provide weekly watering.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening period

Blackcurrant Ruben is a mid-early variety. Flowers appear already in the second half of May, the first harvest ripens at the end of June, the main wave of fruiting occurs in July. The variety is self-pollinated. Bushes give a stable harvest, even if there are no other varieties nearby.

Yield and fruiting

The crop yield is average. 3–3,5 kg of berries are harvested from one bush. Fruiting blackcurrant Ruben begins at the age of two years. Each shoot brings berries for 5-7 years, after which it can be cut. In general, bushes live up to 40–50 years, which is considered a kind of record among other varieties.

The berries do not crumble even after ripening, the separation is dry, which facilitates the collection.

With sufficient watering, the fruits of blackcurrant Ruben do not bake in the sun – the crop is preserved almost completely

Berries can be consumed fresh, as well as used in preparations: jams, jams, fruit drinks. They are frozen or ground with sugar in their own juice.

It is better to harvest them before flowering, when the maximum amount of nutrients accumulates in the tissues. The foliage is washed, dried, laid out in one layer. Dry in the open air, in the oven, microwave or in an electric dryer.

Disease and pest resistance

Blackcurrant Ruben is resistant to American powdery mildew. There is a risk of rust. Therefore, in the spring it is recommended to treat with any fungicide:

• Bordeaux liquid;
• copper sulfate;
• “Maksim”;
• “Fitosporin”;
• “Raw”;
• “Quadris”.

Upon detection of aphids, spider mites, bud mites, sawflies and other pests, Ruben blackcurrant bushes are treated with folk remedies:

• wood ash with laundry soap;
• infusion of tobacco dust, shag, onion peel, herbs and garlic cloves;
• decoction of yarrow, chamomile flowers.

If home solutions did not help, it is advisable to use special insecticides: Green Soap, Aktara, Inta-Vir, Fufanon, Decis, Iskra and others.

In the case of the use of chemicals, harvesting can be started no earlier than in 3-5 days (the waiting period can be specified in the instructions).

Advantages and disadvantages

Blackcurrant Ruben is not as common in Our Country as domestic varieties. However, some summer residents managed to appreciate the pleasant taste, unpretentiousness and stable crop yield.

The Ruben variety is valued for its delicious berries and fragrant leaves.

Pros:

• fruits of medium and large sizes, presentation;
• early maturation;
• leaves are suitable for tea;
• bushes grow up to 40-50 years;
• the yield is stable;
• high winter hardiness;
• can be grown in different regions;
• normally tolerates drought;
• immunity to powdery mildew.

Cons:

• affected by kidney mites, rust;
• bushes are quite sprawling;
• yield is average.

Features of planting and care

Blackcurrant Ruben prefers light, fertile soils in an open area (light shading is also allowed). You can buy seedlings in the spring and plant in April, but it is better to do this in the fall. The optimal landing time is the beginning of October.

The soil is pre-prepared in spring or summer:

• the site is dug up;
• if the soil is depleted, they bring in a bucket of humus per 2 m2;
• if the soil is clayey, close up 1 kg of sawdust or sand per 2 m2.

A few weeks before planting, it is necessary to dig a hole 60 cm deep (the distance between the bushes is 1,3–1,5 m), lay a 10-cm drainage layer of small stones and fill it with fertile soil. The landing algorithm is standard:

1. Soak the roots of blackcurrant seedlings Ruben in a growth stimulator – “Kornevin”, “Zircon”, “Heteroauxin”.
2. Place the seedling in the hole at a 45 degree angle and straighten the roots.
3. Dig with fertile soil so that the root neck goes to a depth of 5–7 cm.
4. Tamp the soil a little. Pour 10-15 liters of settled water.
5. Mulch with peat, dry foliage, sawdust, hay for the winter.

Seedlings are placed at intervals of 1,3–1,5 m

Caring for blackcurrant Ruben includes a few simple steps:

1. Watering 2 times a month, 3 buckets per bush (in drought – weekly).
2. Top dressing – in spring urea (20 g per bush), in mid-June complex fertilizer (30-40 g) or organic matter (infusion of mullein, droppings, mowed grass). A similar composition is fed after harvest.
3. Pruning: after planting, immediately remove all branches up to the third bud. Every spring they do a sanitary haircut. Remove frost-damaged, weakened shoots. In the first 3–4 years, a total haircut is carried out in the fall, leaving 3–4 healthy buds.
4. Weeding, loosening – as needed.
5. Protection against rodents – wrap the currant trunk with a net.
6. Shelter in regions with frosty winters: the roots are mulched, insulated from above with burlap. The ends are fixed on the ground or on the skeletal branches of the bush.

Due to this, the plant will direct nutrients to the berries, and not to the green mass.

Conclusion

Blackcurrant Ruben is an interesting variety that can add to the collection of experienced gardeners and beginners. It is a winter-hardy crop that tolerates drought and other adverse conditions well. Harvest is easy to harvest both manually and mechanized. Berries differ in attractive trade dress and interesting taste.

Reviews with photos about Ruben blackcurrant