Currant is a branchy shrub of the gooseberry family. The process of planting and caring for berries requires certain knowledge and skills. In this article we will look at how to plant currants in the spring, as well as offer a step by step guide to action.
When to plant
Early autumn is the optimal time for planting currants, since in winter the ground around the bush sinks and thickens, which contributes to the better development of the berry. Many gardeners planted shrubs in early spring in order to avoid freezing root system and, as a result, the destruction of the bush.
Did you know? Currant is very hardy and unpretentious. It does not grow only on two continents - Australia and Antarctica.
Choosing a landing site
Every gardener should think carefully about the future placement of currant bushes. The place must be well lit, and the ground must meet the necessary criteria below.
Learn about the intricacies of growing black, white and red currants.
Lighting
Having a good lighting and moderate moisture - The main criteria for selecting a site for planting currants in open ground. If in the spring the berry is planted in a very wet area, the bushes will become infected with fungal disease, they will grow slowly and bush out badly. Moisture is necessary for the plant, but proximity to groundwater adversely affects the growth of fruits.
The plant loves the sun, but tolerates partial shade. Black currant is less picky than white and red, it can be planted in the shady areas of the garden or garden.
Often currants are planted along the fence, where there are no strong winds and favorable conditions for its location. The chosen place should be smooth, without deep depressions. To do this, dig up the earth and level.
Soil type
For planting choose non-acidic soil rich in humus and breathable. The acidity of the soil depends on the amount of lime in it. If lime is not enough, the earth becomes acidic, and the plant will survive very poorly.
Important! Soil acidity can be measured with vinegar. On a handful of earth you need to pour a couple drops of money. If the earth is bubbling, the soil is neutral and non-acidic, and therefore suitable for planting. If there is no reaction to vinegar, the soil has a high acidity.To reduce the level of acidity of the earth, you can add (optional):
- ground chalk;
- wood ash;
- lime, slaked with water;
- dolomite flour.
Cuttings or ready saplings?
There are two ways of planting currants:
- planting seedlings;
- planting cuttings.
- spring may be cold and the plant will die;
- seedlings are not cheap;
- the variety may not take root and will not bear fruit;
- the root system may be damaged or infected, the leaves may have an identical problem.
We multiply currants by cuttings
Most gardeners want to sprout currants with cuttings, but many of them do not know how to plant them properly. Early spring is a good time for such purposes, because the leaves are only making their way and have not yet gone to growth. If the green has blossomed, then cut them senselessly, the leaves will pick up all the juice, and the cutting without roots will not be able to feed the entire stem and will die.
Read about how to protect currants from diseases (powdery mildew, toe rust) and pests (aphids).
Stocking
With a year-old vine, we cut off a part of the stem, the buds on which have just started to sprout, at least 5-8 mm thick, 12-15 cm high. Thin and low stalks emit little juice, the buds will not get enough nutrition and dry out.
Important! To determine the age of the vine will help its color. Annual branches have a yellow-beige shade. The older the branch, the darker its color.We cut the top of the harvested stalk evenly (without a slope) by 2-3 cm, we will not need this part of the workpiece, we cut the bottom obliquely for comfortable planting in the ground.
Rooting
Plant cuttings at a distance of 10 cm from each other and 40-45 cm between the rows. After we take the film (dark tones) and cut it into even parts, which we stack on both sides along the cuttings.
The joints between the film and cuttings are covered with earth (so as not to pierce the film and reuse it). Due to such a thermocoating, the earth is constantly heated and moistened, and the roots are rooted and rooted much faster.
Landing
For planting currant cuttings need to know the nuances, such as:
- disembarking is done in early spring;
- the landing angle should be 45 degrees;
- the film must be strongly pressed to the ground, this prevents the growth of weeds and forms a condensate that will moisten the ground.
Did you know? Russia ranks first in the cultivation of currants. According to Wikipedia, the harvest of berries in the country is approximately 431.5 thousand tons.
Planting currants ready seedlings
Planting currant seedlings, as well as cuttings, occurs in early spring, immediately after the end of frost. Before planting, the soil is fertilized with phosphorus and potassium. It is better to prevent contact of the plant with the fertilizer, the roots can get burned. To avoid such consequences, fertilizer sprinkled with earth.
Important! The correct recipe fertilizer soil: 1 square. m of land you need 1 bucket of humus, 200 g of superphosphate and 50 g of potassium sulfate.The distance between the bushes should be about two meters (when the plants grow, it will be easier to care for them, and the harvest will be greater). The recommended distance between seedlings is 1 meter. For planting currants produce the following actions:
- the seedling is placed in a pit, at an angle of 45 degrees, to a depth of 10-12 cm;
- straighten the roots (cutting and removing its damaged areas);
- covered with earth, gradually compacting it to fill the voids between the roots. In the spring, the airiness of the earth will be minimal, so it is not necessary to tamp the soil strongly.
Further care is timely feeding, pruning, protection from diseases and pests, preparing for the winter in the fall.
Transplant rules
It is necessary to replant a plant in the period of falling asleep, this is either in late autumn or in early spring. In order for the plant to settle down better, it needs to be picked at the maximum distance in order to keep small roots (50-60 cm from the trunk). Digging in the bush, you need to go deep gradually, so as not to damage the small roots. After that, shake off the root of the excess earth.
The transplant process consists of several stages:
- we choose the landing area taking into account the above recommendations;
- we dig a hole 70-80 cm deep;
- the bottom of the wake chernozem mixed with fertilizer;
- we place a bush in the middle of the hole and cover it with earth;
- mound around the bush need to ram;
- plentifully water the planting water. Currants love rainwater.
Currant is a popular, tasty, vitamin-rich berry, which can be consumed even in its immature state. Unripe berries have 4 times more active vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and protects against infectious diseases. Even a novice grower will be able to learn how to grow and propagate such a crop as currants.
