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Currant is an unpretentious berry crop that can be found in every household plot. For its tasty and very healthy fruits, as well as ease of care, she has earned great love from gardeners. The Dutch pink currant is very productive, it surprises with the size and abundance of fruits, as well as the showiness of a slender, neat shrub. This variety of European selection has gained wide popularity in Our Country over the past few years.
Description of Dutch currant
Pinkcurrant of the Dutch selection is an ancient berry crop of Western European origin. The history of its appearance remains unknown: it is only clear that it was brought from Holland.
The Dutch redcurrant is a late-ripening crop characterized by a height of up to 1,5 m of a compact, medium-sized bush, not prone to thickening. This ensures a friendly ripening of fruits that can reach large sizes with proper care. The shoots of pink currant are strong, of medium size, its leaves are medium-sized, light green. The weight of berries reaches from 0,6 to 1,2 g, but large specimens can weigh up to 2,5 g. Currant flowers of 15 pieces are placed in racemes, which, after fertilization, turn into juicy, tasty, rounded or elongated berries from light pink to deep red.
Berry crops are grown everywhere in the southern, central and northern regions – in the Urals, Siberia, the Central Black Earth Zone, and the North Caucasus.
Description of currant Dutch red
According to the description and photo of the Dutch red currant, it becomes clear that its rich red fruits have a high content of ascorbic acid. This explains their slightly sour taste and dense structure. The size of the clearly rounded berries is medium, weight – 0,9 g. Red currant is excellent for preservation in a variety of ways.
Description of currant Dutch pink
The Dutch pink currant, according to the description and taste of the fruit, is somewhat different from the red one, which can be clearly seen in the photo. Its berries of pale pink color are distinguished by high palatability and unusual aroma. Pinkcurrant is sweeter than the red variety and does not give the sourness characteristic of many varieties of this crop. It is very tasty and healthy fresh.
Features
The Dutch currant is unpretentious, but requires the necessary care to return a bountiful harvest. The culture grows equally well in sunny places and in light penumbra during noon. It thrives best in well-drained, well-drained soils. Unpretentious, adapts to different growing conditions and climate.
Drought resistance, frost resistance
The main feature of the Dutch currant is its excellent winter hardiness. It can easily endure harsh winters under snow cover, but freeze during spring frosts when snow melts. Therefore, in the spring, the bushes are covered with non-woven material. Young seedlings are prepared for winter by high hilling with snow or humus. There is no need to cover the currant for the winter, it is able to withstand temperatures up to 45 degrees below zero.
Pink Dutchcurrant requires adequate moisture. But, unlike black or white currants, it is drought tolerant. Although a prolonged lack of moisture leads to a decrease in yield and chopping of fruits.
Productivity of the variety
According to gardeners, red or pink currants of the Dutch selection are very productive, which differs significantly from other varieties of red currants. On average, from one bush, with proper care and optimal growing conditions, you can collect from 6 to 9 kg. The fruits ripen in mid and late July, but remain fresh until September. The fruits do not crumble, do not bake in the sun, do not shrink and remain on the bushes for a long time, delighting the eye with beautiful tassels.
Application area
Dutch currant is suitable for fresh consumption and for processing. It is great for preserving compotes, making jelly, jam, jam. Dense in structure, red currant berries are stored for a long time and easily tolerate transportation. The fruits of pink currant have a more delicate shell, so it must be transported very carefully.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pinkcurrant of the Dutch selection has the following advantages:
- resistance to diseases and pests;
- frost resistance and drought resistance;
- high palatability of sweet, without sharp acid, fruits;
- good yield and fast ripening of berries;
- thin-skinned fruit with few pits.
There were no minuses in the berry culture.
Methods of reproduction
To propagate pink currant, use one of the following methods:
- seed;
- grafting;
- layering;
- division of the bush.
The most effective, simple method of propagating red Dutch currants, according to gardeners, is cuttings, which are also used for other types of red currants. Annual cuttings are taken from strong, developed branches and planted in a planting bed. Regularly moisten the soil, loosen and, after rooting, planted in a permanent place. For layering, elastic shoots are chosen, which are bent to the ground in pre-dug holes. Fix them with metal staples and tie the tops to the pegs vertically. By autumn, the layers are transplanted to a permanent place. If necessary, transplanting plants use the best method of reproduction – dividing the bush. They are carefully dug up after abundant watering, the root system is divided into several parts with a sharp knife and planted in a new place. Seedlings with young shoots take root best of all.
Planting and care
For red currant Dutch, like other varieties of red currant, choose a sunny place, protected from cold, gusty winds and drafts. It is planted in the fall, in the first half, so that young plants have time to take root and get stronger by winter. The culture bears fruit abundantly on fertile soils, therefore, organic and mineral fertilizers should be applied to the depleted land. Do not plant this crop in lowlands, flooded places to prevent root rot. Before planting, humus or rotted manure and phosphorus-potassium granular fertilizers are applied at the site chosen for it at the rate of 80 g per 10 square meters. m. The application of fertilizers is timed to dig the site, since they should be located deep enough. The plants are planted in planting holes, the size of which corresponds to the root system of the seedlings. When planting in rows, the distance between shrubs is about 1,5 m, and between rows – 2,5 m, that is, 10 bushes can be planted on a 4-meter area.
Planting seedlings is carried out at a slight slope, which will allow the shrub to spread and form a large number of shoots. It is necessary to make sure when planting that the root neck is not more than 6-7 cm below the ground level. The seedlings fall asleep, the soil is compacted and watered abundantly. After planting, all shoots are cut to a length of about 15 cm, leaving several developed buds on each. Mulching the trunk circle with peat or humus does not allow moisture to evaporate intensively from the surface of the earth. When choosing seedlings, you need to pay attention to:
- for the presence of a developed root system with flexible roots;
- possible mechanical damage;
- lack of rotted places and mold.
Aftercare
According to the description of the variety of red and pink Dutch currants, it becomes clear that it is very moisture-loving, and in order to grow a crop similar to the one shown in the photo, it is necessary to follow the irrigation schedule. It should not be frequent, but plentiful. It is enough to water the plant with warm water once every 10 days, and in a drought increase their number to 1 – 2 times a week, so that the currant will please with a rich harvest. The volume of water per adult plant is 40 – 50 liters. In dry times, the shrub will respond well to crown sprinkling. It is not recommended to get involved in this method of moisturizing, as the risk of the development of powdery mildew increases. Especially the Dutch currant needs watering during the period of flowering and laying the ovaries.
Every spring, the trunk circle is mulched with rotted manure to a depth of 5–7 cm. The soil is periodically loosened to ensure optimal aeration and get rid of weeds. The berry crop responds well to the application of potassium-phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers, which are fertilized in early spring, during flowering and after harvest. When laying the ovaries, the Dutch currant will gratefully respond to the introduction of wood ash – 200 g per bush.
The shrub needs pruning, similar to black and white currants. An adult bush should have 12-15 shoots of different ages, so old, weak branches are removed annually and 3-4 young shoots are left annually. Annual growths are not touched during pruning, and the rest are shortened by almost half the length. Pruning is carried out in early spring or autumn. Compact bushes do not need to be tied up.
Pests and diseases
Dutch red currant, according to experienced gardeners, unlike domestic varieties of red currant, is quite resistant to diseases and pests. However, improper agricultural practices of culture can lead to:
- anthracnose, which is characterized by brown spots on the leaves;
- gall aphid, forming colonies on the lower part of the leaf and leads to the appearance of multi-colored spots on the leaves.
A fungal disease – anthracnose – occurs in the presence of weeds, unharvested fallen leaves in the trunk circle. Spores are carried with water, therefore, in rainy summers, berry bushes are more often affected by the disease. The fight against gall aphids consists in the treatment with insecticides. Preventive measures against pests and diseases of currants consist in timely weeding, removal of damaged branches, fallen leaves.
Conclusion
Currant Dutch pink is easy to care for, unpretentious, but productive. In addition, it is very decorative and, in addition to an abundance of healthy berries, can be an excellent decoration for the garden. Even a beginner can easily cope with the cultivation of this berry crop.
