Currant Black Pearl

Each gardener grows currants on his plot, but it can be difficult for a beginner to choose a variety, since there are more than two hundred of them. In the 90s, breeders bred the Black Pearl currant, which received the title of “Masterpiece of Selection”. Consider his photo, description and reviews.

Origin

The authors of the Black Pearl variety are breeders T. S. Zvyagina and K. D. Sergeeva. A variety of currants was obtained at VNIIS named after I. V. Michurin by crossing two varieties of berries: Minai Shmyrev and Bredtorp.

In 1992, the Black Pearl currant hybrid was added to the State Register, and it became possible grow it in the following regions: the Central Black Earth Region, Western and Eastern Siberia, the Middle Volga region, the Urals and the North Caucasus.

Description

Black pearl with its characteristics and description looks like a gooseberry and is also a representative of the golden type of currant. The similarity is manifested in the branches and leaves inclined downwards. Some gardeners also note that the appearance of currant fruits resembles blueberries.

Bushes

Shrub of this currant variety has an average height, on average from 1 to 1,3 m. Its branches are sprawling. Young shoots are distinguished by a bright green color and a curved shape. Over time, they become woody and change their color to gray with a yellowish tint.

Oblong buds grow on short stalks and are painted in pink tones. Currant flowers have the shape of a glass and sepals of a reddish hue. The plant has brushes with 6-8 berries, which are on strong petioles.

Currant leaves have a bright green color and an acute-angled plate with 5 lobes. Its surface is smooth and matte, and the edges are slightly bent. The teeth are serrated and large, distinguished by white tips. In the photo you can see that there is little foliage on the Black Pearl currant bushes.

Berries

Currant varieties Black Pearl has an average maturation time. The average weight of berries can vary from 1,2 to 1,5 g. Particularly large ones can reach 3 g. They are round in shape and the same size. Berries have a pleasant sweet and sour taste. Gardeners rate it at 4,2 points out of 5. Currant fruits are painted black, which glistens in the sun and resembles pearls. Dense skin envelops the pulp with large seeds.

The composition of the berry of the Black Pearl variety differs from other types in a high rate of vitamin C – 133,3 mg%, pectin – 1,6% and organic acids – 3,6%. It also contains various sugars – 9% and about 18% of solids.

Ripe fruits hold firmly on the stalk and do not crumble for a long time. The separation of the currant is dry, which makes it easy to transport. Strong petioles, on which the brushes are held, make it possible to mechanize the harvest of Black Pearl currants.

Variety Features

As a result of crossing, a variety was obtained that has proven itself among summer residents. He inherited the best qualities of his predecessors.

Productivity

This variety of blackcurrant brings a good and regular harvest. After planting the seedling in the soil Black pearls will begin to bear fruit in 1-2 years. If you plant a young bush in the fall, in the summer you can collect the first, albeit a small crop (1,5-2 kg). But before that, the plant must winter, take root and gain strength. Flowering occurs in May, and berries ripen in July.

The maximum fee is received for 5-6 years, from one bush you can remove up to 5 kg of fragrant berries. The average yield is 3-4 kg. These are significant indicators, but there are varieties in which they are higher.

Advantages and disadvantages

Currant variety Black Pearl has a number of advantages:

• has winter hardiness, the plant does not freeze at temperatures up to -35⁰WITH;
• resistant to anthracnose and bud mite invasions;
• able to tolerate adverse environmental conditions, such as a sharp change in air temperature, aridity;
• early maturity and stable harvest;
• well preserved during transportation and freezing.

Winter hardiness and hardening of the plant is explained by the fact that currant selection took place in the Siberian latitudes.

The disadvantages include the vulnerability of Black Pearl to powdery mildew. As well as a mild aroma and a sour taste, which not everyone will like. The variety is considered obsolete, as many improved species have already been bred. But due to the large number of advantages, the Black Pearl variety is still popular with gardeners.

Application

Berries of the Black Pearl variety are consumed both fresh and processed. Even after processing, blackcurrant retains most of the nutrients.

It is widely used in cooking, added to cakes, pies and desserts. Due to the high content of pectin in fruits, jelly, marmalade, jam, jam and marshmallow are prepared from them. Used for the production of wine and liqueurs.

Currant leaves give a rich taste to canned vegetables, and also protect them from spoilage. Of these, tea is brewed, which has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. And for the treatment of childhood diathesis, tea compresses are prepared.

Agrotechnics

Despite the unpretentiousness of the Black Pearl currant variety, you need to adhere to some rules of agricultural technology and take into account its features. The strength, productivity and resistance of the plant to diseases depend on this.

Terms of planting

You can plant a berry bush during the entire growing season.

For autumn, this is the end of September or the first days of October. In order for the currant to take root and gain strength before the onset of frost, the air temperature during planting should not fall below +10⁰C. Then in July it will be possible to harvest the first small crop.

It is recommended to plant a shrub in the spring before the buds swell. Throughout the first year, it will grow and strengthen. The first fruits of currant can be tasted only in the second year. In this case, it will be possible to remove no more than 2 kg of berries from one plant.

Site selection and preparation

In order for the Black Pearl shrub to feel comfortable and develop quickly, you need to allocate a suitable place for it:

• It should be sunny and open, but at the same time away from strong winds. Currant does not like shade and tightness, so the branches of shrubs should grow freely.
• The culture grows best on nutritious, loose and slightly acidic soil.
• A slightly moist area is suitable for the plant. Do not allow stagnant water and drought.

If the currant grows in the shade and receives insufficient water, its fruits will become very sour and noticeably smaller.

A couple of months before planting a seedling, the site chosen for it must be cleared of weeds and roots. The earth must be dug up to a depth of 50 cm so that it is loose and easily passes water and air. If the soil is poor, it is recommended to add 1 bucket of humus or compost under each root. Also, some gardeners apply potash fertilizers and superphosphate. If planting is planned in the spring, all work must be done in the fall.

Rules of landing

If the root of the currant seedling is a little dry, it needs to be soaked in water for a couple of hours, so that it absorbs it. You can also add a growth stimulator to it, which will help the plant strengthen the root system.

To plant currants of the Black Pearl variety, you need:

1. In the prepared area, dig a hole 0,5 meters deep and wide.
2. If fertilizer was not applied during digging, add it and mix with the ground. It can be humus, sand, compost and various potash fertilizers.
3. Water the hole with water to keep the soil moist.
4. Spread the roots and lower the seedling into the hole, tilting slightly to the side. In this case, the angle between the stem and the ground should be 45 degrees.
5. Fill it with soil, gently shaking the roots so that there are no voids between them. In order to form more new shoots and roots, the ground level should be 5-7 cm above the root neck.
6. Compact the soil around the currant and pour a bucket of settled water.
7. Cut the shoots 10-15 cm from the ground, leaving 5-6 green buds on them.
8. Spread a layer of peat, branches or grass over the ground. Before frost, the bush must be covered with dry earth and mulched.

Currants of this variety should be planted when the air temperature does not yet fall below 8⁰C. Then she will have time to take root and easily endure the winter.

Care

Currant Black Pearl will bring a stable and high-quality crop if you provide it with proper care:

• During flowering and fruiting, the plant is recommended to be watered abundantly, 2-3 buckets of water per root. In preparation for winter, the bush must receive a sufficient amount of moisture.
• When grass appears around the currant, it must be removed immediately. To saturate the soil with oxygen, this process can be combined with loosening, while it is important not to damage the roots.
• If fertilizer has already been applied to the soil during planting, you can start feeding the plant after 3-4 years. In the spring – urea, and in the fall – potassium and phosphorus.
• Currant bush needs periodic pruning. The first is carried out when planting, while 5-6 buds should remain on the shoots. In the future, broken, diseased and extra basal branches are cut off, and new ones are shortened.

Every year, shoots that are older than 3 years are removed. The formation of the bush ends at 4-5 years. Branches of different ages should remain on it.

Pests and diseases

Currant varieties Black Pearl can be affected by powdery mildew. This is a fungal disease that usually affects young bushes. Shoots, leaves and fruit branches are covered with a white coating, which eventually changes color to brown. Greens crumble, and currants become crooked. If measures are not taken in time, the plant will die.

To combat powdery mildew, copper sulfate is used. Gardeners process the Black Pearl shrub before flowering or after harvest. Of the non-chemical agents, an infusion of mullein or hay dust is popular. The mixture is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 3. Infuse for three days and add the same amount of water. The resulting infusion is filtered and the currants are sprayed with a spray bottle. Repeat after 15 days and in mid-June.

Usually Black Pearl berries are rarely attacked by pests. But with improper care, a spider mite, aphid or sawfly can settle on its shrub. You can get rid of them with the help of special preparations, for example, such as Fitoferm or Dichlorvos.

Pests rarely settle on a well-groomed and strong currant; it has good immunity to diseases.

Reviews of gardeners

Conclusion

The Black Pearl currant variety is already outdated, as many new and improved species have appeared that can compete with it and even surpass it. But some gardeners prefer him because he is time-tested.