Blackcurrant Shadrikha: description, characteristics, planting and care

Shadrikha blackcurrant is a variety characterized by high winter hardiness, sweet and large berries. The culture is unpretentious, grows well in the climatic conditions of Western, Eastern Siberia and other regions. Care does not require much effort, so even novice gardeners can plant bushes.

History of breeding

Shadrikha blackcurrant is a variety of selection obtained by A.I. Degtyareva, V.N. Skoropudov and A.A. Potapenko on the basis of the zonal horticultural station (Novosibirsk). The varieties Bredthorp and Agrolesovskaya participated in the crossing.

The application for registration was submitted in 1992. The variety was included in the register of breeding achievements of the Federation in 1997. Shadrikha currant is allowed to grow in Western and Eastern Siberia.

Description of the blackcurrant variety Shadrikha

The bush is medium tall (120-150 cm high), moderately sprawling. Shoots of medium thickness, straight, strong, young branches are gray-green, the surface is matte, with time the bark becomes grayish.

The leaves of blackcurrant Shadrikha are five-lobed, large in size, dark green in color. The surface is shiny, wrinkled. The notches are small, the apex is blunt. The blade is bent, the lateral veins are perpendicular to each other. The teeth are short and blunt. A medium-sized notch is visible at the base of the leaf. The basal lobes overlap.

The main characteristics of Shadrikha currant berries:

• large size (weight from 1,6 to 4,3 g);
• black color;
• shiny surface;
• the skin is thick, durable;
• detachment dry;
• the taste is balanced, sweet.

The chemical composition of the pulp:

• share of solids – 12,2%;
• sugar in total – 9,9%;
• acids – no more than 0,8%;
• vitamin C content – 130 mg per 100 g;
• the amount of pectin substances – up to 2,2%.

The composition of Shadrikha currant berries is dominated by sugars, therefore sweetness is pronounced in the taste.

Features

Currant Shadrikha was bred specifically for the climatic conditions of Western and Eastern Siberia. The culture is resistant to adverse weather, tolerates frost well, and is unpretentious in care.

Drought resistance, winter hardiness

Shadrikha blackcurrant has high winter hardiness: it can withstand up to -40 °C (zone 3).

In hot weather, it is recommended to give water at least once a week. This will ensure a stable yield and good taste of berries.

Pollination, flowering period and ripening period

Blackcurrant Shadrikha belongs to self-fertile varieties. It does not require the neighborhood of other specimens and pollinators (bees, butterflies and other insects). Medium maturity variety. Flowering begins in the second half of June. The main wave of fruiting occurs at the end of July and the beginning of August.

Yield and fruiting

In the description of the Shadrikha blackcurrant variety, it is indicated that from one bush you can collect an average of 2,5 kg, a maximum of 2,8 kg of delicious berries. In industrial cultivation, it is possible to harvest up to 9,3 tons of berries per hectare. Fruits of universal purpose – suitable for fresh consumption and in preparations:

• jam;
• jam;
• morse;
• berries grated with sugar or frozen.

Disease and pest resistance

Shadrikha blackcurrant is resistant to powdery mildew. But in unfavorable seasons, bushes can suffer from grouse, septoria and bud mites. Therefore, in April, a single treatment with fungicides should be carried out: Quadris, Hom, Fundazol, Tattu, Fitosporin, Bordeaux liquid.

Folk remedies do well with insects:

• infusion of wood ash with laundry soap, garlic cloves and greens;
• a decoction of marigolds, potato tops, yarrow greens;
• solution of baking soda, ammonia.

If necessary, Shadrikha blackcurrant bushes are recommended to be treated with insecticides – Decis, Aktara, Karbofos, Konfidor, Vertimek, Fitoverm and others.

After applying chemicals, you must wait a few days before harvesting.

Advantages and disadvantages

Shadrikha blackcurrant is one of the best varieties for Siberia. It tolerates even severe frosts well, does not require special care conditions. At the same time, it gives very sweet berries of 2,5–2,7 kg per bush.

Blackcurrant Shadrikha does not need to plant pollinators on the site

Pros:

• fruits are large;
• the taste is sweet, pleasant;
• good keeping quality;
• transportability;
• powdery mildew resistance;
• very high winter hardiness;
• fast maturation.

Cons:

• sprawling bush;
• may suffer from septoria, bud mites and grouse.

Features of planting and care

Shadrikh blackcurrant seedlings are purchased from trusted suppliers. They should be 30–35 cm tall, with healthy roots and leaves (without any spots). It is advisable to plan the landing at the end of September – the beginning of October, but this can also be done in the first decade of April.

The soil for planting should be fertile and loose – preferably light loam with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction (pH from 7,0 to 8,0). The place must be:

• completely open to sunlight;
• protected from the wind (for example, along the fence);
• without stagnant moisture (preferably on a small hill).

In spring or summer, the site is dug up and 3–5 kg of compost or humus or 30–40 g of complex mineral fertilizer per 1 m2 are applied. In clay soils, 500 g of sawdust or sand are embedded. A month before planting, several holes are formed 50–60 cm deep at a distance of 1,5 m. A layer of small stones is laid on the bottom, and fertile soil is covered on top.

Shadrikh blackcurrant seedlings should be strong and healthy

Before planting, the bushes are kept for several hours in Kornevin or Epin, after which they are planted at an angle of 45 degrees, deepening the root collar by 5–8 cm. The earth is slightly tamped, 2 buckets of settled water are poured. For winter, plantings are mulched with leaf litter, sawdust, hay or other material.

Caring for Shadrikha blackcurrant is not very difficult. Basic Rules:

1. Watering young seedlings is regular – a bucket 2 times a week. Adult bushes are given 20 liters twice a month. During dry periods, water weekly. In the heat of the evening, sprinkling of the crown is sure to be carried out.
2. Top dressing is made in the second year. Every spring they give urea – 20 g per bush. During the flowering period, complex fertilizer is applied (30–40 g). At the same time, you can give boric acid – 3 g per 10 liters of water. During the formation of the berries, they are watered with infusion of mullein or cut grass.
3. Since the Shadrikha blackcurrant bushes are sprawling, they must be tied to wooden supports.
4. After heavy watering or rain, the soil is loosened.
5. Remove weeds as needed. A layer of mulch will help drown them out – peat, dry grass, sawdust and other materials.
6. It is advisable to dig up young seedlings for the winter and cover them with burlap or spruce branches on top.
7. Pruning is carried out every spring, removing all damaged and weakened branches. To form a healthy bush in the first years of life, you need to leave up to 15 strong shoots, and remove the remaining branches (in autumn).
8. To protect the blackcurrant Shadrich from rodents, in the spring a metal mesh is fixed around the trunk. Also on the site you can lay out sheets of rubber. This smell repels moles.

Conclusion

Shadrikha blackcurrant is one of the most suitable varieties for Siberia. It ripens quite quickly, while the berries are not only large, but also sweet. The peel of the fruit is strong, which makes it possible to store them in the refrigerator for several weeks, as well as transport them over any distance.

Reviews with photos about the blackcurrant variety Shadrikha