Vixne redcurrant is a Latin variety, hence this unusual name comes from. There is a bush of early and medium ripening, it is convenient, because the plant can be grown in any region of the country. Viksne currant brings juicy and tasty red fruits.
Currant Vixne
Viksne currant berries are large and durable
There are few seeds in Vicksne currant
Origin
Homeland - breeding base in Latvia. Breeders in this institution were engaged in the creation of new varieties of culture by experimental methods. The ancestor is the Varshavich variety, it is famous for its very bright and saturated color of the crop. 1997 - the year when Vicksne was added to the register of the Russian Federation. Culture began to grow in almost all countries of the former CIS.
Hybrid Description
Vicks red currant is very popular among gardeners. Outwardly, it looks very attractive and does not require special care.
Bushes
The branches are sprawling, about 1.5 m long. Large shoots, smooth, gray-brown color. The kidneys are long, small, slightly deflected. On the leaves there are 5 blades, an edge with waves of a dark green hue. The surface is flat, slightly pubescent below. Medium sized prongs in the form of peas. The flowers are small, located on large leaves.
Berries
The average weight is 0.8-0.9 g. They are round in shape, veins are visible. Fruits of a rich aroma with a sweet and sour taste. At the tasting exhibition, professionals rated the taste almost 5 points. There is a small amount of seeds in the pulp, the peel is not thick, but strong enough.
Pomegranate berries have a bright red hue of the fruit, they are sometimes called cherry. The fruits contain pectin (2.5%) and vitamin C (about 35 mg per 100 g).
Completely ripened fruits do not dry out and do not rot, they can hang on a plant for a long time, and after a while they will not lose their presentation.
A substance such as pectin helps remove harmful substances from the body.
Varietal Features
Represents a mid-early bush, which has excellent yields. The bush is not particularly afraid of viruses, heat and cold, ideal for breeding in any region of the country.
Ripening dates and productivity
This type of shrub brings a high and constant yield. If the landing is carried out in September, then in July you can get a very small, but tasty crop (about 2 kg). At the end of spring, the bush begins to bloom, and in mid-summer the berries ripen.
The gardener will receive the greatest harvest in the 5-6th year after planting the bush. In good weather and favorable conditions, it turns out to remove about 10 kg of fruit. On average, this figure is 6 kg.
From 1 ha of land you can get about 16-18 tons of currants, for this crop this is a good indicator.
Application
Viksne is unique in its use. It can be eaten fresh, actually for this purpose it is grown, berries are frozen or canned. Pectin contributes to the creation of jam, compote.
The beneficial properties of currants help to quickly cope with high temperature and weakness in the body. The juice of plant berries not only quenches thirst, but also acts as an anti-inflammatory drug. Red fruits help the blood accelerate throughout the body, Vicksne is used as a preventive product against heart attacks.
Transportability
Viksne is a great variety for growing on a large scale. The fruits have a reliable skin, so they are not afraid of transportation. In addition, the berries hang on currants for a long time and do not rot.
Disease and pest resistance
Currant bush has a strong immune system, resists fungal ailments, but is often exposed to aphid attacks. So that the insect does not even fly up to the plant, weeds must be constantly destroyed, because they are a place for the propagation of the pest.
Anthracnose also causes harm, its main symptom is redness of the foliage. The variety is not particularly resistant to this disease. To prevent decay of the root system of culture, you need to water the bush on time and not to plant in areas with a close occurrence of groundwater.
Drought and frost resistance
Viksne is a cold-resistant variety. Wind and too low a temperature will not significantly damage the bush, but they can lead to a deterioration in the state of fruit buds. This will not affect the crop, since in spring they will again come into shape.
The variety does not like drought and heat, so if during this period it does not receive enough water, the berries will become much smaller, and they will be smaller in size.
Advantages and disadvantages
Viksne currant bush, like other crops, has its pros and cons, they must be taken into account during planting.
Grade Advantages:
- experiencing low temperatures, wind and cold, even without much shelter;
- relative drought tolerance;
- tolerates an unexpected change in temperature and weather in general is good;
- brings a high and tasty crop;
- the fruits have a presentation;
- transportable.
The disadvantages of the variety:
- poorly surviving an aphid attack;
- kidneys freeze, which then recover for a long time;
- during the heat and without proper watering, the berries are smaller;
- fresh harvest is not stored for more than 2 weeks.
In overripe and unripe fruits, useful minerals are many times less.
Landing Features
You can grow a fruitful plant only when following the recommendations for planting.
Landing time
Vicksne is best planted in the fall. Before the first frosts there should be a crescent moon so that the stalk has time to gain a foothold in time. In the spring season, the plant gives the first shoots.
You can plant a bush in March, but this should be done before the sap flow begins. All year the plant will grow. The first crop will be harvested only in the 2nd year after planting the bush. If in the middle of autumn it has already become very cold and the first frosts have come, then the plant is planted in March.
Seedling Selection
Buy Vicksne currant cuttings only from good sellers. The seedling must have a healthy root system, the branches are strong.
Cracks can be on the bark, and it itself is exfoliated - this is quite normal, such a seedling will take root. Pay attention to the lack of foliage and shoots, the best option for the cuttings is a seedling at the age of 2 years with strong roots.
Site selection and preparation
Viksne takes root and brings an excellent harvest only with a well-chosen plot for planting a bush.
Rules for choosing a place:
- Choose a sunny area, but protected from drafts. The bush can grow with a little shade, but cannot survive in a very shaded area. The best territory is near low buildings.
- Look for a place with moist soil, do not swamp.
- Currant bush lives perfectly on light, sandy loamy lands. The roots weaken on clay and heavy soil.
- Make the landing area level or slightly elevated.
- 60 days before planting, clean the area from grass, roots of other plants and debris.
- Dig the soil so that moisture is better absorbed and the roots breathe.
- If you plant a seedling in spring, then carry out all the work in the fall season of the year.
For more than 15 years, currants cannot grow in the same area.
Landing process: step-by-step diagram
Before planting a seedling directly, it must be inspected and all dry, damaged areas removed.
Landing algorithm:
- Dig holes in the size of 0.4x0.45 m. Maintain a distance between bushes of about 1.5 m.
- Fill the pit in 2/3 with a mixture of humus (1 part), peat (2 parts), superphosphate (250 g) and potassium top dressing (60 g).
- Pour a recess for planting 5 liters of water.
- Spread the roots of the handle and tilt it a little, place it in a hole.
- Fill it with soil, deepen the root neck by 60 mm, thanks to this, more roots will begin to appear in the plant.
- Stomp the ground around the shrub and pour well not with cold water.
- Root shoots, leave no more than 5 buds on each. It is approximately 0.2 m from the surface of the earth.
- Mulch the soil to prevent the rapid evaporation of water.
Care Features
Although the Viksne currant bush is undemanding to care, it still needs to provide minimal, but high-quality care.
Watering
Water is necessary for the plant, especially in the season of abundant fruiting. It should be poured on the trunk circle. The number of buckets depends on air temperature and dry land.
Watering twice in 10 days. Pour about 2-4 buckets under the plant, focus on the size of the bush and the degree of moisture of the earth. If the soil is still wet, then watering can be abandoned.
Trunk Circle Care
The dirt circle around the trunk of a shrub needs regular maintenance. It is necessary to weed all the grass, because it clogs the soil and prevents currants from developing normally. In addition, grass is a source of spread of currant aphids.
After making water, the soil is loosened and mulched with foliage, such an event will help to maintain its moisture content longer. The root system is not too deep, so you need to handle the circle around the plant very carefully so as not to injure the roots.
Top dressing
Viksne is fertilized 2 times - after flowering and 2 weeks before the ripening of the crop. In the growing season, which occurs in May or June, it is necessary to add nitrogen, which contributes to the growth of green mass. Ammonium nitrate (30 g per 1 plant) or urea (30 g per 1 bush) is great.
Useful recommendations for spring top dressing of currants read on the pages of our site.
After flowering, as well as during the ovary period, bird droppings (1:12) or mullein (1: 5) should be added at the rate of 2 buckets per 1 bush. In the fall season, phosphorus and potassium are added during digging. You can use wood ash, which contains a large number of useful trace elements.
If the plant is large with massive leaves and a plentiful harvest, then in the fall fertilizers can be omitted.
Mineral and organic products brought under the bush at the same time bring the best effect. Chlorine-containing substances must be avoided, because currants are very sensitive to this component.
Pruning
In order for currant to develop quickly, it is pruned a little after planting, about 3 buds are left on the shoot. Adult plants do not touch, as old shoots still remain fruitful. In spring, you can trim old, diseased and dead branches, but do not touch the top.
Read about pruning in the fall in the next article.
Breeding
A plant propagates in several ways:
- dividing the bush;
- cuttings;
- vertical layering;
- horizontal layering;
- seeds.
For propagation by vertical layering, the shrubs are severely trimmed - almost to the surface of the soil, in the middle of summer young shoots spud. In October, they are transplanted to the nursery. To obtain horizontal layers, the shoots that have taken root are left until the beginning of next spring, then they are bent and spud separately from the main plant.
Winter preparations
Adult plants do not need shelter, but young, only planted seedlings will die without it. Plants cover with fallen leaves.
Harvesting and storage
Currant bush is a high-yielding plant. From 1 bush collect about 6 kg of berries. Ripening time is mid-summer. Berries are cut with brushes, otherwise the crop is damaged. The fruits are used for large-scale processing, the storage time of fruits in fresh form is 12 days at a temperature of + 1 ... +2 degrees Celsius.
Diseases and Pests
Currants are resistant to many diseases and pests. But aphid is harmful to the plant. Symptoms of its appearance: the presence of blisters and neoplasms of red color. The insect lays eggs inside the leaf, the appeared larva begins to feed on the plant sap, which leads to the death of currants. Leaves affected by this pest are torn and burned, the bush is treated with folk or special means.
How to get rid of aphids on currants, read in this article.
If a glass box appeared on the plant, then the currants are completely dug up and burned. Viksne is relatively resistant to anthracnose, has a weak immunity to white plaque, goblet rust and septoria. It is possible to cure these ailments only with preparations containing copper.
Gardeners reviews on Viksne currant
Natalia, 30 years old, accountant, Voronezh. For 4 years I have been growing cherry Vicksne for myself, and I sell a little. The bush is unpretentious and versatile, it is really in demand among customers. The berries are large and round, the seeds are not felt, painted in a rich pomegranate hue. I really like currants, but the only negative is the low resistance to diseases, so every year in the spring I spray the bushes with drugs from diseases and pests.
Alexander, 50 years old, turner, Lipetsk. 2 years ago I bought a stalk of red Viksne, I was attracted by a variety of unusualness. This year, for the first time, I tasted the berries, they are really sweet, though there is a bit of sourness. I cooked excellent stewed fruit in the summer, I gathered about 4 kg of crop from 1 bush, but I think this is not the limit.
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Viksne currant bush is not only easy to care for and planting, but also quite beautiful. In the fruiting season, red berries will perfectly decorate the site, so summer residents plant the plant in the most prominent place.