Content
Currant Kupalinka is a black-fruited crop variety that has established itself as winter-hardy and fruitful. The popularity of this species among gardeners is also due to its high resistance to diseases and pests. But in order to achieve the declared productivity of a variety, it is necessary to study its characteristics and pay attention to the rules of agricultural technology.
Currant Kupalinka is intended for home cultivation
Breeding history
This species was obtained in Belarus, namely at the Minsk Institute of Fruit Growing. Currant Kupalinka is the result of free pollination of the Minai Shmyrev variety. It happened in 1985. Its authors: A. G. Voluznev, N. A. Zazulina, A. F. Radyuk.
In 2002, Currant Kupalinka was entered into the State Register based on the results of the tests. The variety is recommended for cultivation in the Central Region, where it has shown maximum productivity.
Description of the currant variety Kupalinka
This type of culture is characterized by vigorous, weakly spreading bushes. Plant height reaches 1.7-1.9 m. Crohn of medium thickening Kupalinka currants. The growing shoots of the shrub are initially directed upward. They are not pubescent, rich green color, with uneven anthocyanin on the surface. The diameter of young branches is 0.7-1 cm.
As they grow older, the shoots become lignified, become brown-gray, and the surface becomes dull. The buds of the Kupalinka currant are elongated, green, with a pointed tip. They are parallel to the branches. The apical bud is large, cylindrical in shape and with a loose structure. There is another one next to it, but much smaller. The Kupalinka currant has a rounded leaf scar.
The leaves are five-lobed. The central segment is wide, much longer than the others, with a sharp apex. This part is folded along the central vein. The surface of the plates is wrinkled and shiny. The lateral segments are pointed, in relation to the central one they are located at right angles. Their lower part is beveled. The basal segments on the leaves of Kupalinka are well expressed, pointed, with deep notches between the lobes. There is an open groove at the base of the plates. The teeth on the leaves are small, serrate. Petiole of medium length with anthocyanin.
The flowers are large, pinkish-green in color. The pistil in them is located lower than the stamens. Fruit clusters are elongated. On each of them, 8-12 berries are formed. The stalk is green, short.
The berries are medium in size, weighing 0.95-1.4 g. They have a round shape and, when ripe, acquire a black color. The skin is thin, dense, slightly felt when eaten. The pulp is juicy, contains an average amount of seeds. Kupalinka's fruit taste is sweet and sour. The crop is suitable for fresh consumption and further processing. Therefore, the variety is considered universal.
Fruit clusters of Kupalinka currants are loose
Characteristics
This variety is especially popular with gardeners. This is due to the fact that in its characteristics it is superior to many species.And even in the most unfavorable years, it retains its productivity with proper care.
Drought tolerance, winter hardiness
Currant Kupalinka easily withstands a short-term lack of moisture in the soil. In this case, the ovary is completely preserved on the bush. But in the absence of rain for a long time, the plant needs to be watered regularly.
This variety has high frost resistance. The shrub can withstand temperatures as low as -30 ° C. Adult bushes do not need special shelter for the winter.
Pollination, flowering period and ripening times
Kupalinka is a medium-ripening variety. The flowering period begins at the end of May and lasts about ten days. This variety does not need pollinators as it is self-fertile. The ovary level is 75%. The berries ripen in mid-July. The crop does not become shallow and does not suffer from direct sunlight.
Productivity and fruiting
Kupalinka is a high-yielding crop variety. From an adult shrub, you can collect up to 3.5-4 kg of fruit. The plant begins to form berries from the second year after planting. But the bush shows the maximum efficiency at the age of 5-6 years. Ripening of berries in a brush is not simultaneous, therefore, the harvest must be carried out in several stages.
Harvested berries can be stored in a cool room for three to five days without loss of marketability. Also, the harvest of Kupalinka easily tolerates transportation in the first days after harvest.
Disease and pest resistance
This variety has a high natural immunity. Kupalinka is not very susceptible to powdery mildew and kidney mites. But the variety is prone to leaf spots. Therefore, to maintain the high resistance of the shrub, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment with fungicides and acaricides twice a season.
Advantages and disadvantages
Black currant Kupalinka has a number of advantages, so this variety is unable to get lost against the background of other species. But he also has certain disadvantages that must be taken into account when growing it.
When ripe, berries do not crumble from the bush
Main advantages:
- high productivity;
- great taste;
- marketability;
- frost resistance;
- versatility of application;
- immunity to powdery mildew, kidney mites;
- self-fertility;
- stable fruiting.
Disadvantages:
- small fruits;
- berries with high humidity can crack;
- susceptibility to leaf spots.
Features of planting and care
For this variety of currants, you need to select sunny open areas, protected from drafts. With a lack of light, the shrub grows foliage to the detriment of the ovary. Planting is recommended in early spring or autumn.
In the first case, it is necessary that the earth thawed by 20 cm, and the air temperature kept within + 9-12 ° С. Such conditions promote rapid establishment. In the second case, the procedure must be carried out in September. Delaying the deadline is unacceptable, since the seedling must have time to adapt to a new place before frost arrives.
Kupalinka currants should be grown on loamy and sandy loam soil with low acidity. In this case, the groundwater level at the site must be at least 0.6 m.
Further care for the bush does not involve complex actions. Watering currants Kupalinka is necessary in dry periods 1-2 times a week. To do this, use settled water.
Throughout the season, it is necessary to regularly remove weeds in the root circle, and also loosen the soil after each moisture. This will keep nutrients in the soil and improve aeration.
Kupalinka currants need to be fed twice throughout the growing season.The first time you should apply organic matter in the spring, and the second - use phosphorus-mineral mixtures after fruiting.
Kupalinka currant bush can grow in one place up to 30 years
Every year in the spring, you need to clean the shrub from broken and damaged branches. And at the age of eight, cut it off completely at the base for rejuvenation.
Conclusion
Currant Kupalinka belongs to the category of varieties with a high and stable yield. Therefore, many gardeners prefer to grow it on their site, even in spite of small berries. The high popularity of this variety is due to its undemanding care and growing conditions.
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