Currant agrestis a hybrid of black currant and gooseberry. It combines the advantages of both species, giving shrubs that are quite undemanding, easy to grow, with shoots without thorns and fruit rich in vitamins, sugars and mineral s alts. See what they differvarieties of currant agrest , what does it look likegrowing currant agrestin the allotment garden and how to performcutting currant agrestto properly shape the bush and ensure its abundant fruiting.
Porzeczkoagrest
Porzeczkoagrest - varieties
Shrubs of currant agrestproduce shoots much more massive and taller than in the case of black currants, which can reach up to 2 m in height. Fruiting is also more abundant, and even 4-6 kg of fruit can be harvested from a well-kept agrest currant bush. Currant agrest fruit combines the flavor of both currant and gooseberry, although the currant note seems to be the dominant one. However, fruit, leaves and shoots do not give off a specific smell, characteristic of blackcurrant, which probably most of us will consider as a desirable feature.
There are twovarieties of currant agrest on our market , one of which gives fruit with universal use, suitable both for preserves and for direct consumption, while the other produces more acidic fruit , typical for preserves.
" Porzeczkoagrest Croma- shrub with vigorous growth, erect habit and thornless shoots.The fruits are large, twice the size of black currants, black with purple coating, sweet and quite tasty. This makes them suitable for direct consumption. They can also be used to make jellies and jams. "
" Porzeczkoagrest Josta- also grows strongly and creates thornless shoots. The fruits are even larger, even three times larger than the currants, when fully ripe they are black with a purple coating. Sweet and sour fruits are suitable only for preserves - juices, jams, preserves, wines. "
In addition to the two above-mentionedvarieties of currant and agrest , plants can also be in the form of shrubs or stems.Currant agrest grafted on a trunk , although such seedlings are more expensive to buy, it is quite a practical solution for a plot - it requires less complicated pruning, it is also easier to pick the fruit.
Porzeczkoagrest - cultivation
Porzeczkoagrestis a plant that is undemanding to soil and highly frost-resistant, also resistant to spring frosts.It even works well on wet and sandy soils. But the bestcultivation of currant agrestis successful in fertile, slightly acidic, humus and moderately moist soil. The currant agrest growing site should be sunny and quiet.
Currant agrestcan be purchased in a bushy or stiff form (grafted on a trunk). Plants sold in containers can be planted throughout the growing season from spring to fall, but the best time toplanting currant agrestis spring. Then you can also plant plants from the so-called open root (dug from the ground). The distance between the bushes should be 1.2 to 1.5 m.
Before planting, the holes forcurrant and agrest seedlings should be seasoned with compost or composted manure. Then place the root ball in the hole in such a way that the roots fall freely downwards and cover it with soil. Plentiful watering is recommended after planting.
In the following yearscurrant and agrest cultivationin spring we spread compost or composted manure under the bushes as bedding (you can lightly rake it with soil). Such a procedure will provide the plants with the necessary nutrients and fertilize the soil.
Growing currant agrest , although not very troublesome, requires protection against diseases that attack currant and gooseberry bushes, such as American gooseberry mildew, leaf fall (anthracnose), white currant rust. That is why it is worth spraying the plants with natural preparations as a preventive measure. Nettle manure and potash garden soap with the addition of garlic and nettle extract can be used (you can buy ready-made HIMAL potassium soap with garlic extract or with horsetail and nettle).
Currantagrest - cut
Separate discussion requirescurrant and agrest cut . Shrubby plants require slightly different procedures than those grafted onto a trunk.
Currant agrest in the form of a bushprune immediately after planting, shortening all shoots at a height of 3-4 stitches (cut 1 cm above the eyelet). Thanks to this, the plant will create a lot of new shoots, from which we will form a bush. Ultimately, the bush should have a dozen or so shoots.
Cutting currant agrestshould be performed every year in the early spring (March). By the time the plant reaches 5 years of age, only broken, damaged and lying shoots on the ground are cut out. After 5 years, we start the rejuvenating cut.
During therejuvenating cut of currant agrest , the excess young shoots and all shoots older than four years old, which are no longer productive, are removed. Thin, crossing and damaged or broken twigs are also cut. You can also shorten excessively bulging shoots growing vertically upwards.
It is much easiercutting currant agrest in the form of a stem , where it is enough to remove old and damaged shoots every spring. We should also remember that the stump should be tied to the stake.
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