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The Dutch berry variety, famous for its stable immunity to diseases and adaptation to the climate, is the red currant Rovada. Like most deciduous shrubs, it belongs to mid-season varieties. Most gardeners cultivate the red berry for medicinal properties that outperform blackcurrants. The Rovada variety is suitable for amateur and novice gardeners, because it not only benefits, but also grows well on any type of soil.
Description of the variety of red currant Rovada
The originator of the variety is not registered, the shrub began to spread throughout the country since 1980. Currant Rovada is not zoned in Our Country, but the growth and harvest rates in the southern and eastern parts of the country are higher than in other areas. According to external characteristics, the shrub stands out among others with high yields. The berries are always even and round in shape, with visible veins under the skin. The color can vary from scarlet to dark red with a glossy sheen in the sun. Rovada blooms and sings in clusters, the berries are dense and crispy.
The bush is medium-sized – long branches grow up to 1 m in height, branches with shoots reach 20 cm. Initially, the currant grows to medium spreading, so fruit-bearing branches must be tied up. The leaves are of medium size, dull green. When rubbing a leaf or branch, a characteristic aroma comes from the currant. Medium-sized brushes from 10 to 20 cm. The berries are juicy, do not crumble, do not bake in the sun, which indicates high resistance to the hot season. The growing season depends on the region of cultivation, usually 3 months after the start of flowering.
The Rovada variety is prone to thickening, therefore, at the initial stage of growth, the formation of a bush is necessary. Currant tolerates temperature fluctuations well, steadfastly withstands low temperatures down to -34 ° C. The berries are transportable, universal use, contain up to 52 mg of vitamin C. Tasting score on a five-point scale – 4,3 points.
Pros and cons of the Rovada currant variety
This variety of red currant has minor drawbacks:
- high sensitivity to sudden changes in climate;
- a small percentage of rooting of young cuttings;
- often comes across low-quality planting material;
- thickening reduces yield.
Among the advantages of the Rovada variety are:
- shrub flexibility;
- universality of the use and application of berries, leaves and young branches;
- abundant yield;
- the variety is winter-hardy, resistant to high temperatures;
- quality taste and presentation;
- suitable for personal and industrial cultivation;
- resistance to specific diseases.
During extreme temperature fluctuations, Rovada shrub conservation measures should be taken accordingly. To obtain high-quality cuttings, you need to monitor the health of the currant, purchase planting material from licensed manufacturers. Thickening is prevented by pruning and thinning the bush.
Growing conditions
Favorable regions for growing the red currant variety Rovada: Southern, North-Eastern, Ural. The planting time of Rovad’s red currant is at the end of August, September, although some agronomists advise planting cuttings in early spring. The inconsistency in growing seasons is due to climatic zones. To grow the Rovada variety in open ground, it is necessary to measure the temperature, which should be within + 10-15 ° С. In a dry microclimate, humidity is maintained by an automatic irrigation system. Also, for the favorable development of cuttings or adult currant bushes, daylight is needed, so the shrub is planted in an open and sunny area.
In order for the roots to quickly take root, the soil is supplied with carbon dioxide – ordinary and complex fertilizers are applied. When growing, it is necessary to monitor the humidity of the inner layer of the soil in order to prevent excessive moisture, which leads to diseases and death of the Rovada variety. Red currants bloom in May, when the dryness of the climate is increased, so the base of the bushes is mulched to create moisture retention and the frequency of watering is reduced. Under such conditions, the Rovada variety will develop rapidly and produce a bountiful harvest.
Planting and caring for redcurrant Rovada
The best period for planting seedlings or growing currants is the end of August or the whole of September. Up to this point, they are determined with the choice of a seat, prepare the site. The initial development of the currant depends on the quality of the prepared site. It is also necessary to adjust the mode of watering and top dressing. It is important to monitor the reaction of the plant to fertilizers. The Rovada currant cannot be called unpretentious, because the climate, the condition of the soil and timely care require attention and adherence to the regime.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Chernozem and loamy soils are especially fertile. Dig heavy soil with a small amount of sand, which will provide good moisture permeability. Planting currants in an open and sunny area will favorably affect the juiciness and quality of the harvest of the Rovada shrub. The optimal place for growing red currants is the south side of the garden or vegetable garden with a fence on the windy side. Also, currants will grow well in partial shade or next to any fruit tree, except for a nut.
The acidity of the soil should be neutral or weak, the soil is softened with wood ash, lime. The preparation of the seat is done at any convenient time. The soil is dug up to a loose state, then disinfected with any available fungicide, you can take a highly concentrated solution of manganese or 4% copper oxychloride. The soil is allowed to rest for 3-4 days, then, before planting, re-digging is done mixed with humus or compost.
Rules of landing
Holes are dug in the selected area with a depth and diameter of up to 70 cm. When planting red currant bushes multiple times, they keep a distance of 1-1,5 m. Before planting, seedlings or part of the Rovada shrub are examined for rot, diseases and dry branches. Then for 5-6 hours the roots of the plants are lowered into the water. At the bottom of the landing pit, gravel or drainage and part of the soil mixed with fertilizer must be poured. The roots of red currants are evenly distributed over the soil, then added dropwise with earth.
Seedlings and cuttings are always planted at an angle of 50-45 °. The ground part should start 5-7 cm above the root collar. A root circle is made around the planted bush, if necessary, the soil is added so that the roots do not look out to the surface. Many agronomists advise covering the planted stalk with a large dome to create the necessary microclimate, so the plant will quickly take root and sprout.
Watering and top dressing
According to the photo and description of the variety, Rovada currant is scrupulous about the irrigation regime. The rate and time of irrigation depend on the climate temperature and the condition of the soil. Currants are watered under the root or use the sprinkling method, an automatic watering system outside the root. After each watering, the soil is loosened, weeded from weeds. Favorable time for irrigation of Rovad currants is early morning, after sunset. Features of seasonal watering:
- In spring, shrubs are watered 1 to 5 times a week. For 1 bush of red currant, 10 liters is enough.
- In summer, the variety is watered 1-2 times a month, so Rovada will not rot and will quickly ripen.
- In autumn, the bushes are abundantly poured during irrigation to provide water supplies for the winter, so the shrub will calmly endure frosts.
Fertilizers are applied 4-7 times during the entire growing season. Since the red Rovada bears fruit abundantly, then watering and fertilizing can be alternated or combined. In the spring, saltpeter is added to the soil, so the shrub quickly adapts to the new season, begins to turn green and bloom. At the time of flowering, currants are supplied with mineral supplements. You can use complex fertilizers in any form, but in small quantities. When preparing a shrub for winter, the topsoil is loosened and mixed with humus, compost or bird droppings. Then every year the soil is checked for acidity and wood ash is reapplied.
Trimming
Removing excess shoots will save the plant from a small crop, currants will grow better. After 3 years of cultivation, the Rovada red currant is pruned. First, spring sanitary pruning is carried out, which will protect the plant from disease and death. Remove dry and fungus-affected branches. Multiple thick shoots are cut, leaving 5-6 of the most powerful branches. Young shoots are thinned out, leaving only flexible and healthy shoots with blossoming buds. In late autumn, only dry and unhealthy shoots are removed, and sanitary pruning of the entire bush is carried out.
Preparation for winter
Krasnaya Rovada is a fairly winter-hardy variety, but to ensure the preservation of integrity, the shrub is prepared for winter before the first frost. After sanitary pruning, the variety is mulched with a thick layer of sawdust, covered with spruce branches, the branches are collected in a bundle and tied up. As a shelter, agrofibre, thermal insulation, cotton fabric, roofing felt or cardboard are used. In regions with severe frosts, the variety is wrapped in several layers. Shelter is removed with the onset of warming or after the snow has completely melted.
Diseases and pests
Rovada redcurrant is characterized by fungal and infectious diseases. Septoria causes the spread of rust spots, as a result of which the plant sheds all foliage. Bordeaux liquid will prevent the appearance of the fungus, 15 mg of the substance is diluted in 10 liters of water and the bush is sprayed. Anthracnose is characterized by the complete destruction of currants: foliage, berries, roots rot. At the first signs of the disease, it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning and spraying with fungicides. Root cancer manifests itself quickly: the branches dry, when broken there is nothing living inside, the roots have growths when they are dug out. Cancer cannot be stopped, therefore, in order to avoid the appearance of this, excess moisture in the soil should not be allowed.
Of the pests, currant glass and gall aphids are considered the most dangerous. In the fall, the glass larvae settles the larvae of the caterpillars, which destroy the buds and damage the branches. By the beginning of spring, the plant is no longer able to fully develop; in most cases, the currant dies after removing the shelters. Before preparing for winter, the plant is sprayed with a solution of Karbofos. Aphids appear in the summer, so the Rovada variety is sprayed with insecticides 1-2 times before and after flowering.
Harvesting
Rovada bears abundant fruit, so from 1 bush you can collect from 5 to 7 kg. Berries ripen in August or September, which also depends on the growing region. After technical maturity, the berries do not crumble, so the harvest can be rescheduled for a convenient time. The removal of berries is carried out together with brushes, so the shelf life and presentation will last longer. The mass of the berry is 0,5-1,5 g. The currants are washed, then placed in a container. Usually part of the crop is dried, frozen, eaten, the rest is sold. Rovada is suitable for transportation over a short distance. The harvest is stored fresh in a refrigerator at a temperature of + 10 ° C to 0 ° C, frozen berries are edible for 3 months from the date of freezing.
Reproduction
Redcurrant can be propagated by cuttings, dropping layers and dividing the bush. Cuttings are prepared in early autumn after 3 years of growing currants. The length of the shoot is 30-40 cm. The stalk is kept in a solution of growth stimulants until the roots appear, then planted in the ground and covered with a greenhouse for the winter. For dropping in early spring, a young and prolific branch is sprinkled with earth at a depth of 10-15 cm. As it grows, the soil is added, then the main branch is cut off in the fall. Independent development of the bush begins after transplanting the layering to a permanent place.
Conclusion
Rovada red currant is a variety that is valued for the quality and taste of the harvest. Growing a shrub is not difficult if you follow the care regimen and the rules for preparing the plant for winter. Rovada is widespread in industrial and private horticulture, many agronomists classify red currants as table varieties. It is universal in application, so its value increases significantly.
