Blackcurrants are easy to plant, propagate and grow best by the river
Blackcurrants are easy to propagate and grow. Unfortunately, black currants are only found in a few orchards, even though they have extremely high nutritional and technological value. Black and red currants are most commonly grown. The fruits of white and red currants are tastier in fresh form, while the fruits of black currants have a significantly higher biological value. Thus, in 100 grams of fruit (depending on the type), the amount of vitamin C is from 200 to 400 mg. Wild currants grow wild in Northern Europe and Asia. The amount of vitamin C in wild currants is up to 800 mg or 4 times more than lemons. Black currant still contains a lot of iron and other mineral substances. Red currant lags far behind because it contains only 10 mg in 100 grams of fruit. That is why it is less cultivated.
Currant belongs to the group of berries. It grows in the form of a bush with a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
Due to mechanized harvesting, upright bushes are the most favorable for cultivation. Blackcurrant is resistant to low temperatures during winter dormancy. Late spring frosts (often present in regions where black currants are grown) can cause the flowers to thaw. Currants bloom early, which is why they are deprived of pollination by insects that are prevented from coming out by the cold. Open blackcurrant flowers can withstand very low temperatures (up to -4°C), which is not the case with other types of fruit. This early fruit arrives for harvesting around mid-June. The bereb period usually lasts 15 days because the fruit does not ripen at the same time.
This fruit begins to bear fruit in the second year after planting. Then it has a yield of 8 tons per hectare. Yields are significantly higher in the 3rd year. Then they amount to 16 tons per one hectare. This is when the full yield of currants is actually expressed, which normally amounts to over 20 tons (even with poor agro-technological conditions).
Black currant is always an expensive fruit because the production costs (harvesting, protection against diseases and pests, fertilization and other agrotechnical measures) are similar to the production costs of blackberries and significantly higher than raspberries and strawberries.
Black currants can be kept for 15 days at room temperature, while raspberries, strawberries and blackberries can stay that way for 24 hours. Raspberries, strawberries and blackberries should be placed in the fridge 24 hours after harvesting, as the fruits are subject to rapid deterioration.
Currants are most often propagated by cuttings, which faithfully transmit hereditary traits to the offspring. Cuttings are taken from healthy and undamaged one-year branches with 3 buds. Two buds go into the soil and a root develops from them, while one bud goes above the soil. This type of fruit favors a cooler and more humid climate. Currant does not tolerate strong heat and drought. That is why it is successfully grown at an altitude of 600 to 700 meters. Planting is done at the end of October and beginning of November. Planting is done at a distance of 1.50 X 0.70 meters, although the distance depends on the species. The land should be prepared by deep plowing (50 cm-60 cm deep). Black currants should be dug 3 to 4 times during the growing season and watered the same amount. The success of cultivation depends on the type of land. We recommend easy (sandy with humus) soil, preferably next to the river. Seedlings should have their veins shortened by a quarter before planting. Injured vessels should be removed.