Blackcurrant Black Pearls: photo, variety description, reviews

On the useful properties of currants known since the Middle Ages. Now this delicious and healthy berry is grown on the territory of many countries, including Russia. Breeders breed all new varieties that would be distinguished by high fruit bearing, long life, resistance to any climatic conditions. There are quite a few varieties, today we will consider the characteristics of black currant Black Pearl. Description, photos and reviews about the variety will be found on the continuation of the entire article.

Where did the currant come from?

Black currant is first mentioned in the writings of the Middle Ages. It grew on the territory of Asia only in the wild. People appreciated her unique fragrance, but they left unexplored properties of berries and shrubs as a whole. In Europe, particularly France and Germany, black currant was first introduced in the late seventeenth century. The shrub immediately became popular with the healers, they were able to unravel its healing properties. From the leaves and berries, infusions were created, which treated hypertension, respiratory diseases and rheumatism.

Black currant today

In modern times, the berry has not lost its popularity, on the contrary, it has become even more in demand. Black currant is not only delicious, but also useful. Leaves brew it in tea - so it turns out a relaxing, soothing, fragrant, antimicrobial drink. In addition, such tea can normalize the pressure. From berries you can make delicious jam, compote and jelly. Young shoots with fresh foliage have gained popularity among the sauna lovers who add them to the brooms, in order to soak, revitalize the body, inhale the incredible aroma during the procedure.

We propose to go over to the questions that are directly related to currants Black Pearl. Description of the variety, photos and reviews will be attached.

History of selection, recommended regions for cultivation

Like most of the cultivars growing on the territory of Russia, which are popular and have positive feedback and recommendations, the Black Pearl was bred by domestic agronomists. In 1992 in the VNIIS Michurin the described variety was obtained. In the same year Black Pearl black currant was registered in the State Register and recommended for growth in the regions:

• The Urals.
• East-Siberian and West-Siberian.
• Central Black Earth.
• North-Caucasian.
• Middle Volga.

Currant Black Pearl, a description of the variety and reviews of which will be presented in further content, is a frost-resistant shrub that tolerates a temperature drop of -30 degrees.

Fruit cultivators do not need pollinators, since it is self-fertilized, which many gardeners like.

Description of the plant

It is often noted that black currant Black Pearl is similar in characteristics with gooseberry, and sometimes blueberries. Indeed, the bushes are very similar, but it is only outwardly and at first glance. The bush is medium-sized, the number of branches is small, and they are not endowed with thick foliage. The height of the shrub can vary from one meter to one and a half.

Shoots as they grow a little crouch down to the ground, and there is a characteristic bend. Young branches of light green color, and growing older, get gray and yellow in color, rusty. The foliage is light, five-lobed, the edges may bend, the plate itself is smooth, matte. It is here that there is a great similarity to gooseberry, leaves look down, and not to the sun, like other varieties.

Black currant variety Black Pearl blooms in June. Flowers have a short petiole, collected in a brush from five to eight pieces. Their shape is goblet-like, the size is medium, and the sepals are reddish.

Description of fruits and characteristics of taste

Currant Black Pearl, description and reviews about which you can find in this publication, won not only its external data, but also its taste. It is noted that this variety is more popular and popular among gardeners than other varieties belonging to the category of dessert.

The berries of the described black currant can remind blueberries. They are almost all the same size, large enough. The minimum weight - 1 gram, the maximum - 6, the average - from 1.3 to 1.5 grams. The shape of the currant is round, the skin is black with gloss, beneath it is a juicy pulp with large seeds.

The taste is sweet and sour, rich, the berry itself is very fragrant. According to the five-point scale of the taste of black currant Black Pearl - "hard hammer", has a score of 4.2.

The composition of berries includes pectin, ascorbic acid, soluble solids (18%), sugar (an average of 8%).

The yield is average, about three kilograms per bush. Leaving and transportability are good, currant Black Pearl well retains its appearance. This variety is universal in use, it prepares wine, juices, preservatives, and is used fresh.

Advantages

Blackcurrant Black Pearls reviews are worthy, but yet it, like all varieties, has its positive and negative qualities. What does she like about gardeners?

• Quickly ripens, which allows growing variety in regions with a short summer;
• Good winter hardiness;
• The berries are large and tasty;
• Transportation is possible;
• Fructification stable.

It is these qualities that Black Pearl has been able to win the love of gardeners.

disadvantages

Some fans of currants do not like the sour taste of berries of this variety, it is also noted that it does not have such a vivid flavor as in other species. Despite this, blackcurrant Black Pearl, which has been replaced by better varieties, remains a favorite by many and is often found in the gardens of different regions.

When to plant a currant?

Planting a crop can be made in any convenient season for you. Let's note the peculiarities of each farmer's technique.

1. Spring planting should be carried out in a warm time, when the earth warms up well. This year the bush will grow heavily, it will not give fruit. In the second year of life, you can collect about two kilograms of berries.
2. If you plan to plant in the fall, then you need to catch up to the cold, until the air temperature has dropped too much, optimally - 10-12 degrees. For autumn planting, select a seedling, which is not less than two years old, in order to harvest the next year.

As for the choice of seedlings as a whole, they should be healthy, with strong roots and at least four green kidneys.

Landing

Black currant cultivar Black Pearl must be planted only in sunny areas, protected from penetrating wind. Culture does not tolerate a shadow, an overmoistened soil. Planting a currant, leave the distance between the bushes at least two meters, so that they do not shade each other, do not interfere with good development.

The beauty of the autumn planting is that two months before the proposed landing, you can safely prepare the site. If you plan to plant it in the spring, then the soil is prepared from autumn.

First of all, the site is dug to a depth of half a meter, all the roots of weed vegetation are seized. If the soil is acidic, then it is worthwhile to neutralize it for good growth of the bush and the quality of the berries. Humus or compost is added with the calculation of a bucket for each meter, besides this it is necessary to add superphosphate and complex (potash and mineral) fertilizers.

To ensure good water permeability, sand or peat is added to the soil in order to avoid stagnation of water.

Before planting, the roots of the plant should be soaked in water for several hours. After this, the roots are immersed in liquid clay, so that they do not get burned when they come into contact with fertilizers. The fovea should be about half a meter in depth, the prepared mixture of soil with fertilizers should be placed on the bottom. The seedling is set in a pit so that a forty-five centimeter angle is created between the trunk and the ground. To dig a plant it is necessary that the neck of the root remains on the surface and there is a distance of 5 cm between it and the ground.

After planting, the bushes are watered, under each it takes up to two liters of water. Then around the bush the soil is mulched with peat, sawdust or hay.

Further Care

During the whole life of a bush, it is necessary to take good care of it. Near it, weed should not grow, it takes away valuable substances. Loosening is necessary in order for more oxygen to pass into the ground. To produce loosening is very carefully, so as not to damage the roots of the plant.

Watering should be done all season - from the ovary of flowers to the full ripening of the crop. Before the winter you need to water again, under each bush brought two buckets of water.

It is necessary to make timely pruning of superfluous, old, sick and frozen shoots.

In the year of planting fertilizer is not needed, this applies to the first year of growth of the bush after the autumn planting. From the next year, make a mullein season, and during the flowering period, phosphorus and potash fertilizers.

Reviews about the variety

Currant Black Pearl is one of the favorite varieties of berries for gardeners. They write that even after planting newer varieties, this currant has not lost its relevance. Black Pearl pleases everyone with its beautiful appearance, crop quality and resistance to frost, pests, diseases. Also praise the unpretentiousness of the variety, they write that it is absolutely undemanding and fructifies well even in the rainiest and lightest summer.