Nara currant: description and characteristics of the variety, rules of care and cultivation

Main advantages and disadvantages

Nara is drought-resistant and immune to low temperatures. The collected berries can be stored for a long time without becoming deformed.

Gardeners note the high taste qualities of Nara.
Blackcurrant of the declared variety adapts to any type of soil and ripens early. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, the plant is resistant to attack by insects and other pests and does not require pollination. Berries are low in calories and contain many beneficial microelements:

magnesium;
phosphorus;
potassium;
vitamins H, E, B2, B4, B

Negative characteristics. Any excess moisture is detrimental to the plant.

The bush produces an average harvest; the variety is not especially grown for sale.

Harvesting and transportation, keeping quality of berries

The Nara blackcurrant variety is distinguished by its high keeping quality (it can be stored for a long time). Thanks to the “dry” separation from the bunch, the fruits retain their shape and do not crush or flow. Currants are usually collected in small baskets or directly in plastic buckets. Before collecting, make sure that the container is dry and clean.

It is impossible to soak currants before storage, but it is better to wash them immediately before cooking, otherwise the berries will release juice and soften. Berries collected in the correct way are stored at moderate temperatures, in the refrigerator or cellar (temperature range from +4°C to +14°C).

If you planted Nara currants correctly and looked after the bush, then by the fruit harvesting season you will receive a bountiful harvest. Currants are a source of healthy vitamins, pectin and fruit acids. Delicious jams, compotes, preserves, pies - this is not a complete list of what can be made from currants.

Botanical information and characteristics of the variety

The Nara variety has long established itself among experienced gardeners. In order to understand why currants are so popular, let’s look at their characteristics.

Bush and root system

The medium-sized bush is compact, reaching a height of 1.5 m. The root system is close to the surface.

Sheet plates

The leaf blade is light green and convex to the touch. The wrinkled, pubescent leaves are large in size.

Flowering and pollination

Nara can be recognized by its pale red inflorescences. One brush produces up to 10 flowers. The plant is a self-fertile crop.

Fruit ripening time

Ripening occurs at the beginning of June. In areas with low temperatures, flowers may be damaged by frost. Already in July, the harvest can be harvested.

Taste and yield

Currant berries are matte, have a sweet and sour taste, and ripen at the same time. Weight - about 3 g. Nara's yield is average, up to 15 kg of fruits are collected from one bush.

Storage rules and scope of application of berries

Thanks to the thick peel, Nara is well stored and does not burst when poured. It is better to place it in a refrigerator or basement with a temperature of up to +14 °C.

The berries are suitable for freezing for the winter, for eating fresh, and for making preserves, compotes and jams.

Resistance to negative temperatures and drought

Nara currants do not tolerate dry climates, so they are not intended for cultivation in the southern regions.

The plant is not afraid of negative temperatures during the fruiting process. But frosts at the beginning of flowering can destroy the bush.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

The variety is resistant to gray rot, anthracnose, mosaic and powdery mildew. But preventative measures never hurt. In rare cases, the bush is attacked by aphids and spider mites. Chemicals are used against them.

Advantages and disadvantages

Nara blackcurrant has many advantages that gardeners were able to appreciate. Therefore, the high popularity of the variety has remained for many years. However, this type of culture also has some disadvantages, so it is worth studying them in advance.

Nara's harvest is suitable for all types of processing

pros

precociousness;
dry collection;
good yield;
high frost resistance;
immunity to short-term drought;
high natural immunity;
amicable maturation;
self-fertile;
high vitamin C content;
excellent taste;
marketability;
Easy to transport and store.

Minuses

not suitable for southern regions;
does not tolerate high soil moisture;
suffers from spring return frosts.

How to plant Nara currants on a plot

Further fruiting of currants depends on proper placement. Nara can safely produce crops for 15-20 years.

Deadlines

The seedling is planted in the fall, when the leaves have already fallen. Or in the spring after the snow melts into the sun-warmed ground, when the temperature stabilizes.

It is recommended to plant in the fall. This way the currants will have time to take root before flowering.

Landing site requirements

The planting site should be sunny and well protected from winds. The less light the plant receives, the more sour the fruits will grow. The sides are chosen from the south, southwest.

Wet sandy soil will slow down the development of currants and the yield will be low. Loam is ideal. Purely clay soil will reduce the yield and development of the bush itself. Acidic soils will not do any good; they need to be limed first.

Seedling preparation and work procedure

In order for the bush to please you with a rich harvest in the future, choose a strong seedling. Plant currants in loose prepared soil. Excessively moist soil is diluted with river sand.

Algorithm for planting Nara currants:

Dig a hole 50 cm deep.
The bottom of the pit is covered with humus (2 buckets) and wood ash (3 liters).
Soil is poured next
The earth must settle, the hole is left for 21 days.
If the seedling has dry leaves or damaged roots, then get rid of them by carefully cutting them off with a knife.
The seedling is placed in the center of the hole, the roots are sprinkled with soil, and watered.
The shoot is cut so that no more than 15 cm is left above the ground.

After planting, you need to water the currants once a week, not more often. Before winter, the seedling is hilled up and covered with fallen leaves of garden trees.

Agricultural technology

The rules of agricultural technology are what allow professional and even amateur gardeners to grow productive fruit plants. Nara blackcurrant also has features of planting, care and treatment against pests.

We suggest you learn how to care for a currant bush in the spring.

Choosing a place and landing

The favorite soil of the Nara fruit bush is slightly alkaline. In rare cases, it can bear fruit well in soil with an average level of alkalization. The ideal place for planting is loam. The area should be well lit, but light shadow is acceptable and even desirable. Do not plant currants near septic tanks or where groundwater is close - excess moisture destroys the root system.

Planting can be done both in spring and autumn. Autumn planting is considered more favorable, since over the winter the shrub adapts to the soil, accepts fertilizers in the spring, and produces its first harvest in the summer. To get healthy bushes, a green cutting from a healthy plant is rooted into moist soil. Rooting takes one season: for example, if you cut a cutting from an adult bush in the spring before budding, then in the fall you will get a full-fledged healthy seedling.

Green branches are suitable for planting. They are placed at a distance of 40 cm from each other in abundantly watered soil enriched with manure or compost. Planting depth is 5 cm. After planting, the plants are covered with film, from time to time it is lifted and the cuttings are watered.

Video: Planting black currants

Care

Watering should not be abundant. In summer it is done once a week (if it is very hot), and once every two weeks if there has been at least one rain in 7 days. From the beginning of October, watering is stopped, especially if it rains, and the shrubs are left until spring.

Important! Water should not stagnate at the roots of the bush; this will lead to rapid rotting of the root system and death of the plant.

Fertilizing is carried out regularly, because currants are very fond of nitrogenous fertilizers. From the age of three, fertilizers such as urea are applied under the roots (in spring and autumn, 25 g of powder is poured into the soil under the bush). In the future, the amount of fertilizer remains the same. Young bushes, in addition to nitrogen, are very fond of phosphorus and potassium. During the period from flowering to the formation of berries, potassium and phosphorus are poured into the ground in a ratio of 1.5:1.

Disease and pest control

It is easier to prevent the appearance of pests and diseases of currants than to remove them later. Despite the resistance of the Nara variety to diseases and various parasites, every gardener must know the main diseases of this plant and methods of their prevention.

Parasites of Nara currant:

Aphid - small green insects. There are three methods of control: introducing ladybugs onto the bush, treating the bushes with boiling water, and chemical means of protection. In order to obtain a 100% result, insecticides such as Aktara are usually chosen. The liquid is diluted according to the instructions, and then the bush is sprayed.
Mite - a gray insect with a small shell; dangerous parasite. To combat it, they also use boiling water or insecticides, such as “Movento” or “Judo” - these are liquid substances that are diluted in water according to the instructions and treated with the bush.

Diseases of Nara currant:

Powdery mildew or spheroteca - whitish coating on the leaves; eliminated with water-soluble fungicides “Topaz” or “Fundazol”. Diluted in water according to the instructions on the package.
Gray rot is a very dangerous disease; appears in the form of brown spots on the leaves, gradually turning into a gray coating. When such bushes are identified, they are uprooted and burned (you can limit yourself to the destruction of individual infected branches), and wood ash is added to the ground in the amount of 1 liter jar per 1 m³.

Important! All plant treatment against diseases or parasites is carried out either after harvesting or before bud formation begins.

Pruning and shaping the bush

Pruning or shaping a currant bush is most often done in spring or autumn. But autumn pruning is considered the most favorable. In spring, branches are trimmed before buds begin to form; the ideal time is the end of April. But in the fall, for example, after harvesting and the temperature drops to a noticeably low level (+5°C at night), excess branches are pruned with pruners to 15–20 cm. The best time for autumn pruning is the end of October.

The bush is not spreading, so there is no need to make special efforts to form it. Old branches, as well as dried or weak ones, are cut off at the root so that the plant does not give up its vitality to feed them. On average, an adult shrub should have up to 20 branches.

Fig.1. Currant pruning: a - one-year-old seedling; b - two-year-old bush; c, d - shortening of shoots. Fig.2. Currant bush before anti-aging pruning (a), after it (b) and pruning of a neglected bush (c).

Wintering

In winter, the shrub requires minimal care. This can be adding mulch to the roots no further than the borders of the crown, as well as burying the cuttings in the ground (adding soil under the bush). There is no need to wrap currants in film - they tolerate winter and low temperatures well, and also thrive during frosts.

Did you know? For the first time, currants began to be cultivated in Kievan Rus, around the 10th-11th centuries, and only then were they appreciated by residents of other European countries.

Further care for currants

The harvest will primarily depend on the care of the plant. The bush must be watered and periodically fed, and the branches must be pruned.

Watering mode

Black currants like frequent watering. A slight drought does not harm Nara, but it is better not to aggravate the situation. If there is insufficient moisture, the berries become smaller and fall off quickly. Ideally, 3 buckets of pre-settled water are poured under each bush.

Loosening and mulching the soil

After watering, the soil is loosened. This way the water reaches the roots faster. Be sure to remove weeds that may interfere with the currants.

Fertilizer application

Top dressing of currants begins in the third year after planting. Fertilizers containing nitrogen are used, which is responsible for the formation of foliage.

When flowers and berries appear on currants, nitrogen is not added.

During the flowering period, fertilizers prepared at home are applied, and an infusion of potato peels is prepared. Throw the peel into boiling water and leave covered with a lid. After cooling, water the bush with the solution.

Pruning: formative, sanitary, rejuvenating

Bush pruning is done in the fall. This way the bush will rejuvenate and produce a harvest. Affected, old shoots and leaves are removed.

With the onset of spring, branches damaged by frost are removed. Excess branches can shade the fruits, and the berries will not gain strength. Therefore, the more compact the bush, the better.

Dousing and hardening off bushes

Only resistant seedlings will be able to withstand the drop in temperature. Some gardeners apply fertilizer at the end of August. This should not be done, since the currants should stop growing at this time, but the opposite happens.

It is recommended to harden the bush with boiling water. This is done in order to avoid attacks by insects and pests.

Preventive seasonal treatments

All seasonal treatments are carried out after fruiting has ended, or before buds set.

How to cover plantings for the winter

There is no need to wrap Nara in cellophane for the winter. Simply sprinkle with mulch.

Reviews from gardeners

Lyudmila, 48 years old, Ulyanovsk

I spent a long time choosing currants to plant in my dacha. I focused on the descriptions of varieties. Nara black currant attracted me with its high yield and large berries. As a result, I planted it on the site. The bush grows well, the shoots are taller than human height. The variety brings a stable harvest - at least 9 kg per bush.

Alexander, 56 years old, Bryansk

Black currant is an unpretentious crop, a source of vitamins in winter and summer. I consider the Nara variety to be one of the best. A very powerful bush, shoot height up to 2 m. The yield is stable, with frequent feeding it reaches 14 kg. I did not notice any signs of disease during the entire growing period. I recommend this variety for growing in the central zone.

Elizaveta, 25 years old, Ufa

Several years ago we planted Nara currants at our dacha. According to the description, it is characterized by high yield and disease resistance. The bush grows quickly, the tips of the shoots are located above the head. Nara currants have large and sweet berries. To protect against ticks and aphids, I use dandelion infusion. The roots and leaves need to be chopped and poured with hot water for 2 hours. You can spray throughout the season, since the product is natural and does not harm the environment.

Protection from diseases and pests

Diseases and tick attacks are prevented by preventative spraying of bushes. In early spring, before the buds open, Bordeaux mixture, Neoron, Mavrik, Arollo are used. If the temperature is below 20 degrees Celsius, cover the currants with polyethylene after spraying.

The second treatment is carried out after a decade. Repeat spraying before flowering. At the moment of ovaries, the above-ground part is sprayed with a solution of karbofos. Opponents of chemicals use infusions of onion, garlic peels, and wormwood.

Nara – for lovers of early varieties of blackcurrant

The main distinguishing feature of this variety is its early fruiting. For gardeners who like to harvest berries all season long, this is one of the suitable exhibits. Like any black currant, Nara is a source of vitamins C, P, B, as well as coumarins, anthocyanins and sucrose. Due to its light aroma and exquisite taste, it is used for making wines, compotes, jams, and pie fillings.

Description of Nara currant

The variety was obtained by Bryansk breeder A.I. Astakhov. by crossing the Dove Seedling and form 32/77 and entered into the register in 1999. It grows successfully in the Central and Northwestern regions, and is found in the Middle Volga region.

The bush quickly grows in length, but remains compact - the branches do not spread out to the sides, they are slightly curved. The shoots are of medium thickness, with a matte surface.

The leaves are large, dark green. Consist of 3 blades with a wrinkled surface and sharp tips. The base is notched, the teeth are small and blunt.

During the flowering period, the plant is hung with long racemes, on which inflorescences are located, consisting of 6-10 pale red flowers. The sepals are small.

Ripe berries are large, with shiny black skin. The weight of each fruit varies from 2 to 3.5 g. They grow on elongated stalks, are strong, and are not damaged during harvesting. The taste is sweet and sour.

Advantages and disadvantages

The fundamental distinctive characteristics are:

quick and easy adaptation to weather conditions;
survival in difficult conditions (temperature changes, drought);
not afraid of fungi and pests;
self-fertility.

Currants of this variety have their own disadvantages, and they cause difficulties in care. These include:

the ability to use only special fertilizers;
Due to its rich color and shiny surface, the berry attracts insects that are carriers of fungi and pest spores.

Cleaning and storage rules

Nara currants ripen together. Collection is carried out in dry weather, when the dew has subsided. They pick the berries by the handful. They are sorted and prepared for storage.

The berry is stored for 2 weeks at an air temperature of 12 degrees, humidity - 40-60%. Deviation from the norm in one direction or another leads to rot or dryness of the fruit.

If favorable conditions are created, the shelf life can be increased to 20 days. Distribute the dry berries into boxes and send them to a room with a temperature of 0 or minus 1 degree. In plastic bags, without access to oxygen, the period is extended to 1 month. Currants are also stored in the freezer, dry, canned.

Breeding methods

Currants are propagated in the simplest way - layering. Choose a strong shoot and dig it into the ground so that the top is on the surface. Over the course of a season, a root system is formed. In the fall, the cuttings are separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.

Adult specimens are also propagated by dividing the bush. Dig up the bush and divide it into several parts. Each plot must have a root system and have several shoots. The cut areas are treated with wood ash.

The third method of propagation is by cuttings. In summer, annual shoots are cut off, 20 centimeters long and the thickness of a pencil. Dip into sand or soil for rooting. In the fall they are transplanted to a permanent place.

Planting currants

The lifespan of black currant is 15-20 years. The planting site must meet a number of requirements, including lighting, lack of wind, and soil fertility. To grow a powerful and healthy bush, choose strong seedlings.

Site selection

Nara blackcurrant prefers sunny areas. When grown in the shade, the yield decreases and the berries acquire a sour taste. It is allowed to plant bushes on the south or southwest side of a fence or building.

Important! In sandy soil and lowlands with high humidity levels, the development of black currants slows down.

The shrub is planted in loose, fertile soil. The ideal option for planting is loam. In clay soil, the bushes grow slowly and bear few berries. Currants do not like acidified soils, so they must be limed before planting.

Currants are a moisture-loving crop, but wetlands and constant exposure to moisture lead to rotting of the roots. To make the soil better permeable to moisture, you can add several buckets of coarse river sand when planting.

Reproduction of the variety

Nara variety seedlings are purchased from trusted suppliers. It is better to choose a nursery to be guaranteed to receive high-quality planting material.

Healthy seedlings have woody roots up to 20 cm long. The optimal shoot length is 30 cm, the number of buds is from 3 to 6 pieces. The seedlings should not show signs of damage, growths, cracks, or stains.

If Nara currants are already planted on the site, then you can obtain planting material yourself.

Nara blackcurrant propagation methods:

By layering. In spring, the strongest shoots are selected. They are bent to the ground and lowered into prepared furrows. The shoots are secured with staples and covered with soil. In the summer, the cuttings are watered, and in the fall they are separated from the main plant and replanted.
By cuttings. In summer, annual basal shoots are separated from the main bush. It is best to choose branches 10 mm thick and 20 mm long. The cuttings are placed in boxes filled with wet sand. By autumn, the seedlings will take root and are transferred to a permanent location.
Dividing the bush. If it is necessary to replant currants, its rhizome can be divided into parts to obtain planting material. The cut areas are sprinkled with wood ash. Each bush is left with several healthy roots.

Boarding order

Nara black currants are planted in the fall after leaf fall or in the spring, when the snow melts and the soil warms up. It is best to do the work in the fall, then the bush will have time to take root before winter.

Sequence of actions for planting black currants:

Work begins with preparing a hole 50 cm in size and 40 cm deep.
A substrate consisting of 2 buckets of humus, 3 liters of wood ash and 70 g of superphosphate is placed at the bottom.
After the nutrient layer, fertile soil is poured.
The pit is left for 3 weeks to allow the land to settle.
Dry or damaged roots of the seedling are cut off and all leaves are torn off.
The plant is placed in a hole, the root collar is buried 7 cm.
The roots of the seedling are covered with soil and watered abundantly.
The shoots are cut off, leaving 10-15 cm above the surface.

After planting, Nara currants are watered weekly. The soil is mulched with humus or straw. For the winter, the shoots are hilled up and dry leaves are sprinkled on top.