Red currant Ribes rubrum has been grown in Europe for five centuries. The name of the species is a bit confusing, because today we have many varieties with fruits not only red, but also pink and yellowish-white.
The currant shrub likes a mild climate and loose, humus soil, but it is strong enough that it bears juicy, aromatic fruit even in mountainous regions up to a height of about 1400 meters.The earliest varieties ripen in the second half of June. If we have space for many shrubs and we carefully select the varieties, we can extend the harvest of fruit even until August.
Very early red currant varieties bloom in March, therefore they are not suitable for cultivation in areas where spring frosts often occur.In warmer regions with lots of sunshine, shrubs are best planted in semi-shaded areas, for example between larger fruit trees or by a hedge.This is especially true for white-fruit varieties that have skin exposed to harsh rays. the sun turns an ugly brown color.
Black currant Ribes nigrum is also a species widely cultivated throughout Central Europe. Compared to other fruit shrubs, it is distinguished by higher yielding and a large amount of valuable nutrients. For example, its fruits contain three times more vitamin C than lemon.
They are used primarily for the preparation of various preserves, such as juices, preserves, jams, jellies, tinctures, liqueurs and wines. We will make the best use of valuable ingredients by eating fruits picked straight from the bush.Only their strong, unpleasant aroma may be disturbing.
Currant care is not a very laborious activity. We obtain good fruit mainly from shrubs that are systematically pruned. Remember that the red, pink and white varieties bear fruit on two- to three-year-old guide shoots and one-year-old side shoots.
We plant and multiply currants
Currants sold in containers can be planted in the garden almost all year round.However, young plants will take root much easier and faster if we plant them at the same time as bare-rooted shrubs, i.e. in autumn, after the leaves fall, or in spring, before new growths appear.Important: the bushes should be planted a little deeper than when they grew in pots.
Shallow-rooting currants react very badly to soil loosening when weeding the surface of the flower bed near the root ball.It is best to cover the ground around the bush with a thick layer of mulch, e.g. compost. Older shrubs that have been growing in the garden for a few years can be easily propagated from shoot cuttings.
After harvesting the fruit from annual, he althy and undamaged shoots, cut off fragments of about 20 cm.After tearing off the leaves, place them in a pot with moist garden soil, loosened with sand. We plant the rooted parts of the shoots in a place intended for new bushes.
Black currants form the most beautiful fruit on annual shoots.Right after the fruit is harvested, cut out the oldest 2-3 years old shoots from the bushes of both species. Remove only the weakest shoots from the youngest ones.On red currant bushes, trim all side shoots to a length of 1-2 centimeters. On black currants, shorten only the darker, two-year-old side shoots, while the one-year-olds are not moved.
