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Redcurrant Radiant (Ribes Rubrum Luchezarnaya) is considered one of the best domestic varieties of culture. The variety shows high yield, excellent resistance to frost, has good resistance to fungal diseases. The fruits of red currant are rich in vitamins and nutrients, versatile in use.
Red currant “Radiant” is allowed to be grown in the northern regions of Our Country
History of breeding
Red currant seedling “Radiant” was bred at the South Ural Research Institute. It was obtained by free pollination of the variety “Faya fertile” (Faya plodorodnaya). It has been on state variety testing since 1990.
Description of the variety of red currant Radiant
Redcurrant of this variety is recommended to be planted in the Ural, West and East Siberian regions, it can also be cultivated in central Our Country and other districts of Our Country. The plant has a beautiful shape, throughout the season does not lose its decorative effect. According to gardeners, the culture is unpretentious in cultivation, caring for it does not take much time. Bushes are slightly sprawling, compact. Shoots of medium size, slightly curved. The brushes are long, strewn with large, weighing up to one and a half grams, fruits of red color, rounded. On one brush, up to 15 berries with juicy pulp can grow, which have a dessert taste, sweet with slightly pronounced sourness. Appointment – universal, can be used both fresh and for processing. Most often, delicious compotes, fruit drinks and jams are prepared from it, they are added to fillings for pies. The variety is characterized by dry detachment of fruits, a high content of vitamins C, K, B9 – 36, 11, 8 mg. The berry is not prone to shedding; when ripe, it can hang on the hands for up to three weeks. It is not necessary to harvest immediately after reddening. The bushes of this variety are covered with small and medium-sized green leaves with a matte, wrinkled plate. The teeth are blunt and short.
The variety shows the best yield results in sunny areas
Features
The variety has excellent characteristics and taste. Red currant bushes “Radiant” are resistant to drought and severe frosts, rarely exposed to fungal diseases and insect invasion, have a high yield. Perennial shrub, self-pollinating. The ripening time of berries is influenced by climatic and weather conditions.
Drought resistance, winter hardiness
Currant “Radiant”, like other varieties of culture, refers to mesophytes. Due to the high saturation of the top layer of the earth with active roots, it tolerates drought well. In addition, it has increased resistance to winter and adverse weather conditions. Flowers do not pay “attention” to late spring frosts, recurrent cold does not adversely affect the harvest. Frost resistance zone 4.
With proper pruning, the Radiant variety is better than others resistant to return frosts.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening period
“Radiant” is a self-pollinated variety of red currant, bisexual. Bushes bloom closer to June, but this factor is strongly influenced by weather conditions and the region in which the crop is grown. The first berries usually begin to ripen in July, towards the end of its second half. In Siberia, the harvest is carried out in late July – August, depending on the average monthly temperature and the number of sunny days. Therefore, the ripeness of currants is judged visually. It is better not to harvest the berries immediately, but a week after full ripening.
Yield and fruiting
Redcurrant “Radiant” is a variety with a medium-late ripening period. The culture is self-fertile, brings a very good harvest – up to 9 kg per bush and up to 2 kg per square meter. Berries with a dry separation, rounded, large, weighing from 0,6 to 1,4 g. The highest rates are in shoots of six and seven years of age.
Disease and pest resistance
Redcurrant “Radiant” has a strong immunity to many diseases common among the culture. Resists powdery mildew, rarely exposed to anthracnose. Not afraid of pests such as moth and sawfly.
There have been cases of damage to the bushes of the “Radiant” variety with terry and rust, very rarely white spotting can appear.
Insects that pose a threat to planting berries include:
- aphid;
- spider mite;
- weevil;
- glass case.
Advantages and disadvantages
Variety “Radiant” is one of the top ten varieties of red currant. It has a number of advantages.
Currant “Radiant” best of all bears fruit in the sixth or eighth year of life
Advantages:
- bountiful harvest;
- large fruits;
- high resistance to frost;
- excellent taste;
- immunity to fungal diseases.
Disadvantages:
- medium resistance to anthracnose.
Features of planting and care
It is better to propagate the “Radiant” currant by cuttings, which should be planted in the planting hole at an angle of 60 degrees. Before planting, it is advisable to soak the seedlings in water for a couple of hours. Since red currant is a photophilous plant, a place for it should be chosen sunny, ventilated. The soil should have a slightly acidic or neutral reaction. Ideally, if it is loam, soil from a forest with a high content of humus, or black soil. After planting, the seedlings of the “Radiant” currant are watered and mulched, the ground around is well compacted. The aerial part of the sprout is shortened by four buds.
Throughout the life of the bush, elementary care should be carried out for it, in time to carry out:
- watering;
- loosening;
- pruning;
- apply fertilizer.
Currants are watered as the earth dries up, weeding and loosening are carried out after wetting. For the correct formation of the plant, old, damaged and excess branches should be cut, leaving strong and promising. By the fifth year, there should be no more than 20 skeletal branches on a bush of red currant “Radiant”. Feed the culture three times per season:
- In the spring – urea (20 g per bush).
- At the time of flowering – bird droppings (1:15) or mullein (1:8).
- After harvesting – potassium and phosphorus.
A great effect is given by foliar top dressing with microelements. Spraying with zinc sulfate, potassium permanganate, ammonium molybdenum acid (2 g per 8 l of water) will help increase the yield and size of the berries.
If you do not prune the bush, then the risk of freezing will increase.
Conclusion
Red currant “Radiant” is an excellent variety that gives a high yield, has tasty and large berries, versatile in use. Compotes, jams and tinctures are prepared from fruits, they are consumed both fresh and after freezing. Following agrotechnical recommendations, with timely and proper care, the variety will bring a good harvest and allow you to get vitamins from fruits throughout the year.
Reviews with a photo about the red currant of the Luchezarnaya variety
