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White currants are not as popular as red and black currants. But in terms of benefits and taste, white-fruited varieties are in no way inferior. The proof is the currant Smolyaninovskaya, which belongs to a mid-season unpretentious hybrid.
Smorodina Smolyaninovskaya adapted to difficult climatic conditions
History of breeding
The currant variety Smolyaninovskaya was obtained by inter-varietal crossing. Breeders of the All- Selection Technical Institute of Horticulture and Nursery N.K. Smolyaninova, in whose honor the hybrid got its name, and V.M. Litvinova worked on the breeding.
The currant hybrid was sent for variety testing in 1985. It entered the state register in 1995, it was zoned for cultivation in the territories of the Central and Volga-Vyatka regions.
Description of white currant Smolyaninovskaya
White-fruited currant belongs to the rare berry bushes. But having studied the description of the Smolyaninovskaya variety, we can say with confidence that this culture is in no way inferior to its similar species with red and black berries.
Bush
The white Smolyaninovskaya bush can be classified as tall, since it can reach a height of up to 1,5 m. It is compact, sprawling with branches evenly developed along the entire length. The annual shoots are covered with a glossy light green skin, while the perennial and skeletal branches of the plant as a whole have a denser bark of a light brown hue.
Leaf plates on the shoots are located almost horizontally. They are palmately lobed in shape, the surface is slightly wrinkled, with a slight sheen, and the lower part is slightly pubescent.
During the flowering period, large pink flowers of 10-12 pieces appear on the shrub, which form a dense brush.
Berries
At the end of flowering, fruits begin to form. They are located to each other not very tightly (in one bunch there can be up to 10-15 berries). The fruits are large, their average weight is 0,6-0,9 g, round or slightly oval in shape, white in color, with slight transparency. The berries are covered with dense skin, their pulp is juicy. There are few seeds and, unlike other varieties, they are soft.
Ripe fruits can remain on the bush for a long time without overripe. And after harvesting, they also do not lose their qualities for a long time, which allows the berry to be transported over long distances.
On the stalks, the berries hold tightly and do not crumble.
Characteristic of the variety
In addition to the unusual white-cream color of the fruit, the Smolyaninovskaya currant also differs in other characteristics. It is worth highlighting the taste, unpretentiousness in care and good resistance to both weather conditions and various diseases.
Palatability
The taste qualities of currant Smolyaninovskaya are pronounced. The berry has a sweetish-sour taste, while it is very pleasant to eat fresh. The fruit tasting score is 4,7 points.
In application, Smolyaninovskaya currant is universal. It is eaten fresh and processed in the form of jam, jam. It is also suitable for the preparation of low-alcohol drinks, wine, compote and fruit drink.
The predominant sourness of the berry is due to the high content of vitamin C (up to 32%). In addition, currants are also rich in other vitamins. Sugars in the pulp contain up to 7%, titratable acid – up to 2%.
Productivity
Currant hybrid Smolyaninovskaya belongs to mid-season varieties. Shrub productivity is marked as high. From one plant you can get up to 6 kg. When grown for industrial purposes, the yield can reach up to 11 tons per bush.
Frost resistance
Currant Smolyaninovskaya was bred specifically for cultivation in the Central region, so the shrub is not afraid of frost. Also, due to the well-developed root system, the plant can easily tolerate dry weather.
Resistance to diseases
The immunity of the hybrid is marked high. Currant has a complex resistance to fungal infections. With proper care, the shrub rarely gets sick and is attacked by pests.
Advantages and disadvantages
The beautiful and tasty fruits of the Smolyaninovskaya currant are only part of the positive qualities of the berry bush. The plant also has other advantages that knowledgeable gardeners highlight.
One of the features of Smolyaninskaya currant is self-fertility.
Pros:
- unpretentiousness in care;
- high resistance to low temperatures and drought;
- stable harvest;
- excellent taste;
- attractive appearance of berries;
- good preservation of berries on the bush after ripening and increased keeping quality after picking;
- transportability of the crop over long distances;
- strong immunity.
Cons:
- a fast-growing bush tends to thicken;
- branches begin to sag towards the ground with age;
- low resistance to bud mites and moths.
How to plant
The algorithm for planting a currant bush of the Smolyaninovskaya variety is not much different from similar berry bushes.
Planting a seedling is usually done in the spring, but autumn planting is also acceptable. It is desirable to select a place with loamy or sandy soil. The soil should be loose and low acid.
Before planting, the soil is dug up and fertilized. As top dressing, organic mixtures are used, which are applied to a previously prepared well. The landing hole is prepared in advance, they dig it to a depth of about 40 cm and a diameter of up to half a meter.
River sand and drainage material (crushed stone, pebbles) are poured into the bottom of the pit. From above, a mound of soil is made with a layer of up to 10 cm. A seedling is carefully placed in the hole, straightening its root system. The roots are covered with fertile soil and lightly tamped.
The last step is watering. After planting the seedling, the soil around is well moistened; for this, about 10 liters of warm water are used.
Features of care
Caring for currants of the Smolyaninovskaya variety practically does not differ from caring for plants of any other berry-shrub variety. During the growing season, the crop requires watering, top dressing, pruning and proper preparation for winter.
Since the currant is considered a moisture-loving plant, it is necessary to water the bush regularly. Use for irrigation on one bush at least 15 liters. Closer to winter, watering is reduced.
To get a good harvest, you should feed the white currant Smolyaninovskaya at least three times per season. In the spring, after waking up, the shrub needs nitrogen-containing compounds, but during the period of flowering and berry formation, it is better to fertilize with complex mixtures or potassium-phosphorus components.
The Smolyaninovskaya variety is characterized by rapid growth, so the shrub needs timely pruning. It is carried out in spring and autumn. In the first case, it is necessary as a sanitary one after winter, in the second, old shoots are removed to form a crown.
Pruning helps to increase the productivity of the shrub
As a preparation for winter, the trunk circle is mulched in autumn (in case the winters are mild, not frosty). If there are risks of lowering the temperature below -20 ºC, then it is advisable to cover the shrub with agrofiber.
Conclusion
Smorodina Smolyaninovskaya is a hybrid of a white-fruited berry, which is well adapted to different climatic conditions. You can grow it in almost any region. The berries ripen in the second half of summer, but they do not need to be picked quickly after ripening, as they are not subject to shedding.
Reviews of gardeners about white currant Smolyaninovskaya
