How to properly grow the blackcurrant variety Dacha and what are its pros and cons

Currants have always been one of the most popular berries, and the variety of existing varieties makes it possible to choose according to local conditions. Currant Dachnitsa is one of the successful hybrids, as evidenced by the description of the variety, photos and reviews.

The Dachnitsa variety was obtained by Siberian breeders by crossing two varieties with similar characteristics, and was zoned for cultivation in the Volga-Vyatka region and in the north-west of the country.

History of variety selection

The copyright holder of the black currant “Dachnitsa” is the Siberian Research Institute of Horticulture. The originators of the variety are breeders Bayanova, Ogoltsova, Zotova, Knyazev. The chokeberry crop was obtained by crossing the "Bredtop" currant and the "Blueberry seedling". Zoned for cultivation in the temperate climate of Siberia, the Urals, and the Far East. Experimental cultivation confirmed the characteristics declared by the authors; black currant “Dachnitsa” was recognized as an independent variety, and in 2004 it was included in the State Register of the Russian Federation.

Agricultural technology

To meet harvest expectations, it is necessary to follow the rules for growing and caring for a shrub plant. According to reviews, you should not plant bushes in a place where gooseberries or other varieties of currants previously grew. Over a long period of time, the soil becomes depleted and toxins accumulate in it.

The bush develops best in light shade . Exposure to direct sunlight can negatively affect the ripening process. Loosening the soil and applying fertilizers have a positive effect, as the access of oxygen and nutrients directly to the roots improves.

Video: Planting and caring for currants

Choosing a place and landing

As for the timing of planting, the end of September is best . Planting in the spring is also possible, but due to the high probability of poor rooting, fruiting may not occur.

Important! Currant bushes begin to bear fruit only in the third year after planting.

The optimal place for planting bushes is considered to be loose, slightly acidic and fertile soils. Soil acidity should not exceed 6.0-6.5 pH. Currants often take root in poor soils.

It is also necessary to take into account the following requirements for the place of growth:

• open space on the south side of the site;
• smooth terrain;
• the presence of drainage to eliminate stagnation of water;
• protection of plantings from cold winds and drafts.

Compliance with planting rules guarantees rapid growth and good rooting of the plant . The distance between bushes should be 1.5 m, which will prevent shading in the future. The width and length of the planting hole should be about 50 cm, and the depth - 60 cm. The hole must be filled 2/3 with a mixture of soil and fertilizers.

Did you know ? Scientists believe that for every age there should be

“
own
”
currants.
For children - black, for adults - red, and for older people - white. This is explained by the fact that each type of berry has differences in its chemical composition, which directly affects the physiological processes of the body. The feeding complex consists of:

• 120–140 g superphosphate;
• up to 2 kg of wood ash;
• 15 kg of compost or humus;
• 65–75 g of potassium chloride.

Place the seedling in the hole and spread the roots in different directions. Fill with soil and compact it. You need to pour about 2-2.5 buckets of water under one bush. Shorten the seedling to 3 buds above the ground.

Care

Regular watering and application of mineral fertilizers, as well as preventing the occurrence of diseases and damage to the plant by pests, increases the crop’s chances of healthy development. It is advisable to water as needed .

In this case, you need to carefully ensure that there is no oversaturation of the soil with moisture. This currant variety requires periodic irrigation. Young bushes are moistened as the top layer of soil dries. Older plants no longer require such frequent application of liquid.

Description of the currant variety Dachnitsa

Currant Summer resident of early ripening, the beginning of fruiting occurs in June. This is a record figure for a berry crop. Early ripening does not affect the taste of the fruit, energy and biological value. The “Dachnitsa” variety, genetically adapted to a temperate climate, always produces a stable harvest.

Distribution area: Volga-Vyatka, North-Western region. In the southern climate, the crop requires additional agricultural technology in the form of watering and shading. The variety is sensitive to excess ultraviolet radiation, slows down the growing season, and produces smaller berries.

Description of currant Summer resident:

1. Low-growing compact shrub with a rounded shape. It reaches a height of 1.2 m. The crown is sparse, with obvious gaps. The main trunks and shoots are erect. The central stems are dark brown, the structure is rigid, woody. The surface is smooth without hairiness. Young shoots are bright green with a glossy surface, grow quickly, and by autumn change color to light brown.
2. The foliage of black currant "Dachnitsa" is weak. The leaves consist of distinct five lobes of medium diameter. The surface is corrugated, hard, burgundy veins are clearly visible on a dark green background.
3. The root system is strong, well-formed, the central rod is deepened up to 1 m into the ground, fibrous roots intensively grow in width.
4. Currant blooms with dark beige flowers, the plant is self-fertile, the lack of pollinator varieties does not affect productivity. One bunch contains up to 13 flowers, 99% of which produce ovaries.

When choosing the “Dachnitsa” variety, the priority for gardeners is berries that have the following characteristics:

• weight from 4 to 6 g, diameter 1.7 cm;
• round shape, dark blue color with a matte tint;
• the peel is thin, elastic, not prone to cracking;
• the pulp is dark burgundy, juicy, thick, with a large number of small seeds;
• The taste is sweet without the acidity inherent in berry culture.

Fruits at the stage of biological ripeness adhere well to the stalk and do not fall off for a long time.

Advice! In order to increase the shelf life of picked berries without losing their presentation and taste, they are placed in the refrigerator (+40 C).

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

No matter how intensively breeders work, it is impossible to develop an absolutely ideal variety of any plant. Along with positive qualities, there are also negative characteristics. Before you decide to purchase and start growing this variety, you need to familiarize yourself with its features.

• The main advantages of this variety of currant include:
• early ripening;
• large fruit;
• self-fertility;
• winter hardiness;
• resistance to powdery mildew and bud mite;
• high taste qualities of fruits.

• Among the disadvantages are:
• short stature;
• the need to constantly “update” old branches;
• when overripe, the berries may burst and fall off;
• the need for a high agricultural background.

Characteristics of the variety

During the hybridization of the berry crop, the currant variety “Dachnitsa” inherited resistance to low temperatures from the starting varieties. The fruit bush rarely gets sick and is practically not affected by garden pests. Bears fruit consistently. Black currants are suitable for growing in the country and large farm plots.

Drought resistance, frost resistance

A zoned variety of blackcurrant was created. The culture is adapted to low temperatures. Without insulation of the root system, it can withstand frosts down to -350 C. If the temperature drops below, the roots of the “Dachnitsa” variety must be mulched. The shrub poorly restores frozen parts of the root system, which negatively affects fruiting. The drought resistance of black currant "Dachnitsa" is low. Without watering, the berries become small, the plant stops growing and may die.

Productivity and fruiting

The first fruiting occurs in the third year of the bush's growing season. According to reviews, the peak yield of the currant variety “Dachnitsa” occurs at the age of five. Then the crop degenerates, the berries become smaller, the fruiting rate drops, it is recommended to replace the black currants with young ones.

An early variety, the berries ripen simultaneously by mid-June. The bush produces about 2.5 kg of fruit per 1 sq. m, two bushes are placed, the harvest is approximately 5 kg. The berries are large, glucose predominates in the composition, taste without acid. If the crop is grown in the recommended regions, the berries are not baked in the sun.

Area of ​​application of fruits

Black currant berries have a universal purpose. The variety is suitable for cultivation on a large scale for the food industry. At home, the fruits are used to make compote, jam, preserves. Currants retain their biological composition when fresh berries are ground with sugar. Safely retains taste and presentation after freezing. The fruits last a long time after picking and tolerate transportation well.

Resistance to diseases and pests

Among the priority tasks for the originators was the development of a variety with good immunity against fungal, viral, and bacterial infections (powdery mildew, anthracosis, rust). There are parasitic insects: moth, gall aphid, glass beetle. The crop's resistance to infection is high and its resistance to pests is average.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The zoned crop has the only drawback: rapid aging and degeneration of varietal merits. According to reviews, black currant “Dachnitsa” differs from other varieties in a number of advantages:

• large-fruited, with excellent gastronomic rating;
• berries ripen early and evenly;
• self-fertile, there is no need to plant other varieties of currants nearby;
• frost-resistant, adapted to temperate climates;
• unpretentious in care;
• compact, not spreading;
• berries of universal use;
• has good immunity to infections;
• It is stored for a long time and transported safely.

Attention! Black currant “Dachnitsa” will meet all the criteria if it is cultivated in the regions declared by the originators.

Reviews from summer residents

Ivan, Bor: “I’ve been growing summer residents for five years now and I can’t be happier. The variety is resistant to most diseases, has never suffered from powdery mildew, and insects also rarely attack it. The yield is average, but the berries are all right – large, aromatic and very sweet.”

Elena, Kirov: “The Dachnitsa variety has long been my favorite. I appreciate it for its ease of care and winter hardiness. I apply fertilizers in spring and autumn, before wintering I perform water-replenishing watering and cover the bushes only when the temperature drops below -30 °C.”

Landing rules

For a full growing season and productive fruiting, it is recommended to follow the rules of agricultural technology for this variety. They fertilize and plant healthy seedlings at a certain time. Select a site with the soil composition necessary for currants.

Recommended timing

Currant "Dachnitsa" is placed on the site in the spring, when the soil has completely warmed up (around the beginning of May) or in the fall, so that there are three weeks left before the onset of frost. This time is enough for the root system to adapt to a new location. Work is carried out in the first half of September. It is necessary to focus on the characteristics of the climate.

Choosing a suitable location

For normal plant development, the variety is planted on slightly acidic, fertile soil. To prevent root rot, the soil must be well drained. An area with close groundwater is not suitable for black currants. In the lowlands, the bush will not give the desired harvest. In an elevated place, excess ultraviolet radiation has a detrimental effect on vegetation. Frequent watering and shading on a hot sunny day are necessary. The best option is the south side behind the wall of the building.

Selection and preparation of planting material

The quality of the selected planting material determines the timing of fruiting and the plant’s resistance to infection. A seedling is selected according to the following parameters:

• a well-developed root system should not have damage or dry areas;
• the bush should have two or three stems with smooth light brown bark;
• presence of viable fruit buds.

For spring propagation, blackcurrant seedlings are selected with foliage. In autumn, planting material is obtained by dividing the bush after shedding its leaves. Before placing on the site, the root is dipped in a solution that stimulates growth for 5 hours.

Landing algorithm

Prepare a soil mixture from the following components:

• turf soil and compost (in equal parts);
• 150 g potassium sulfate;
• 150g phosphate;
• 2 kg of ash.

Sequence of work:

1. Make a recess of 40 cm, diameter - 55 cm.
2. Pour in the prepared planting mixture.
3. Place the seedling vertically and distribute the roots along the bottom of the hole.
4. Cover with soil, taking into account that the root collar should be above the surface (6 cm). The soil is compacted and moistened abundantly.
5. Trim the top part to two fruit buds.
6. The root circle is mulched with organic matter or peat.

Reproduction methods

To independently propagate the Dacha currant bush, you can resort to one of three methods:

• cuttings;
• rooting of cuttings;
• dividing the bush.

For cuttings, young currant shoots are used, which are cut in lengths of 10 to 15 cm. Each one must have at least three buds. The lower cut is made at an angle, and the upper one is left straight. Place the cuttings in prepared moist soil at an angle. It is recommended to create greenhouse conditions for better rooting (you can use a cut plastic bottle for this). In the fall, when the cuttings have developed well-developed roots, they can be transplanted into open ground.

Rooting cuttings is the most convenient way to propagate Dacha currants. To do this, the young shoot is bent to the ground (it is pre-watered, loosened and fertilized), then secured with staples. At the point of contact with the soil, the shoot is sprinkled with a nutrient soil mixture. After rooting, in the fall, the cuttings are separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.

Dividing the bush is usually used when transplanting currants. The mother bush is carefully filled with water and then dug up. Having visually divided the root, cut it into 2-3 parts using a shovel or ax. In this case, it is important to separate so that each part has well-developed and intact roots and shoots. The woody branches are pruned, leaving the young ones, and the plant is transplanted to a new location.

Aftercare

According to reviews from gardeners, “Dachnitsa” currants do not require special agricultural technology. Caring for the variety includes the following activities:

1. In the first year of the growing season, black currants are fed with organic matter and ammonium nitrate at the time of foliage formation; in subsequent years, fertilizers are applied twice: before flowering, phosphate or urea, and at the time of fruiting, potassium.
2. Pruning is carried out in the fall, old branches are removed, young shoots are cut from above, approximately to the top two buds. In the spring, frozen areas are cut off.
3. Black currant “Dachnitsa” is not tolerant to soil drying out; moistening should be moderate but systematic. Before the onset of frost, watering is increased.
4. The plant is compact, short in stature, and does not require fixation to a support.

Although the “Dachnitsa” variety is frost-resistant, to avoid the risk of freezing of the root system, mulching is carried out with sawdust, dry leaves or pine needles. In winters with little snow, cover the bush with spruce branches or polyethylene. To protect against rodents, special toxic agents are placed between the currants.

Diseases and pests

Currants of the Dachnitsa variety have enviable resistance to powdery mildew, as well as bud mites, but this does not significantly shorten the list of those who want to dine at your expense. A universal protective measure is to water the shrubs with boiling water in early spring, pouring copious amounts of boiling water onto the soil under the plants.

currants do not suffer; all kinds of pests are not ready for high temperatures. The easiest way to water a bush with boiling water is to use a regular garden watering can.

In the event that, despite resistance to the bud mite , the pest is still detected (some buds are too large), before flowering and after flowering, the plants must be sprayed with Neoron, Actellik, Akarin, to choose from. Processing should be carried out strictly according to the instructions.

When examining a bush with already growing fruits, caterpillars were noticed that had settled in the still green berry. This is a moth, more precisely, its caterpillar and measures to combat it should be preventive in nature - digging up the soil under the bushes in the autumn and spraying with shag infusion before flowering.

The currant bushes are well-groomed, strong, pleasing to the eyes, but then some strange shoots appeared, crooked, weak with small leaves? It was the currant glass that snuck onto your site and settled in the shoots.

The affected shoots are urgently cut out and burned, and the bushes themselves are sprayed with karbofos or a similar insecticide. And of course, aphids, they can be poisoned, but this does not make sense as long as ants live in your garden - they will very quickly restore their aphid farms. Simply, all clusters of ants are dug up and poured with boiling water.

Currant Dacha has been pleasing gardeners for more than ten years since its appearance; the variety has shown all its advantages and has spread far beyond the borders of Siberia - the place where it was obtained and its popularity is growing every year.

How to care for a summer resident

The Summer Resident variety needs the same care as other varieties with minor differences.

Trimming. Since the bushes are small and not dense, formative pruning is done only in the fifth year, leaving the best shoots. To do this, thickening is eliminated, diseased branches are removed, young shoots are pinched, and old shoots are shortened to four buds. If old branches are periodically removed, giving way to young ones, then the plant will bear fruit for 15 years.

Click on the image to see it in full

Watering. It must be taken into account that currant roots are short and located close to the surface, and currants love moisture. Therefore, it must be watered during flowering and ovary, ripening of berries and in the fall. If the year is dry, 18-20 liters of water are poured onto the bush once every seven days. To do this, make small grooves around the bush so as not to catch the roots.

Harvesting and transportation, keeping quality of berries

The maximum number of berries can be collected from a bush in the period from 5 to 7 years of the plant’s life. The harvest ripens gradually. It is best to store berries in the refrigerator in plastic containers, where the currants can “spend” about 2-3 days.

We advise you to read whether it is necessary to bleach currant bushes.

During freezing, the fruits do not crack. Shelf life in the freezer is 2 years. Although the fruits are soft, they tolerate transportation quite well. Currants are often used both fresh and for making jams, preserves, and medicinal tinctures.

Growing this plant in your garden will provide your family with a supply of vitamins for a long period. And the gradual ripening of the berries of the Dachnitsa variety will allow you to enjoy the fruits almost all summer.

Loosening the soil

September is the best time to dig up your garden. It is also worth setting aside time to prepare planting holes and beds for spring.

Use a rake to collect dry grass and tops, as well as spoiled fruits and other plant debris. All garbage must be dried and burned. Bury the rest deeply. Remove all weeds by their roots. This will allow you not to worry about cleaning the soil in the spring.

Digging the soil using a garden fork. Such a tool will allow you to completely remove weeds, as well as pathogenic insects, for example, chafer larvae and wireworms. After digging, do not level the soil. Do not break large earthen clods.

Be sure to dig holes under trees and shrubs, being careful not to remove surface roots. Immediately add fertilizers to the soil - compost and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, natural wood ash.