Blackcurrant Globe

Currant is considered a perennial shrub; it is popular among gardeners due to the fact that the fruit has many useful properties. First, it should be noted that this is a real storehouse of vitamins. Black currant fruits have a great effect on the cardiovascular and digestive systems of the body. That is why this shrub is especially loved by gardeners. In addition, the fruits of currants are also delicious, you can cook a lot of dishes from them, and currant jam is always sold out with a bang in any home. In the article, we will consider the Globus black currant, tell you about the history of breeding, the characteristics of the fruits, the pros and cons of the variety, as well as the secrets of choosing a planting site, the rules for caring for the plant, at the end we will share the rules for harvesting and storing the crop.

Black currant Globus: variety description and characteristics

Black currant Globe: photo of the variety

Black currant Globus belongs to medium-sized, its shoots are young, green, as well as woody, thick and old, in a gray-yellow shade. If we talk about the kidneys, then in black currant they are quite large, the tops are pointed, they are strongly deflected from the branches. The leaf plates of black currants have a rounded wedge-shaped shape, the foliage has three lobes, but the surface is rather wrinkled, painted in a light green color. It is interesting that it is in the foliage of black currant that a lot of vitamin C is contained, and much more than in the fruits of this plant themselves. That is why it is recommended not only to eat berries, but also to harvest blackcurrant leaves, in winter they make excellent tea, which has a general strengthening effect on the body. We especially note that the cuttings of this variety of black currant are quite thick, but short, the plant remarkably tolerates frosts, as well as some diseases and pests. For example, these shrubs practically do not get sick with fungal infections. This variety was bred at the beginning of the XXI century by Russian scientists at a breeding station. For a long time, the variety has spread to many regions of our country, in view of the fact that it has many positive characteristics. The berries of the Globus blackcurrant variety do not ripen as early as we would like, but they are always very large, round in shape. It is noteworthy that the weight of one berry is about 2 g, which is quite a lot by the standards of black currant, which is why the variety is considered large-fruited. However, the skin of the fruit is not very thick, black in color. If we talk about the pulp, then it is quite aromatic and sweet, there are quite a lot of seeds in the berries. Separately, we note that black currant begins to bear fruit as early as 4 years of age. Basically, the fruits ripen in July, the yield of black currants is high, so they like to grow this variety on an industrial scale, farmers, for example, collect up to 7 tons of ripe berries from one hectare.

Blackcurrant Globe: advantages and disadvantages

Any variety has its advantages and disadvantages, the Globus black currant is no exception. The pluses include, of course, a special large-fruited variety, excellent commercial and taste qualities of fruits, as well as high winter hardiness and resistance to some types of diseases and pests. In addition, the Globus black currant berries ripen evenly, amicably, so the harvest can be harvested once. If we talk about the shortcomings, then the compactness of the bush should be indicated. Of course, many consider this to be a plus, but it limits fruiting and productivity. Otherwise, this variety has no drawbacks.

Black currant Globe: cultivation

Black currant Globus is considered a rather unpretentious crop, therefore it can be grown in different regions of our country, since the plant does not impose special requirements on climatic conditions. However, the recommendations for cultivation still need to be followed in order for the Globus black currant to give a good harvest. Before disembarking, you need to choose the right place. Pay attention to the groundwater level, as currants do not grow in swampy areas. In addition, these shrubs love sunlight, so it is best to plant plants in well-lit areas. However, even in partial shade, the bush feels good. Speaking about the type of soil, we note that it is best to plant this plant on sod-podzolic, loamy, chernozem soils. Gardeners recommend planting currants in October. However, remember that before planting, it is imperative to form a planting hole in 2-3 weeks, it should be about 40 cm deep, and 50 centimeters in diameter. Make sure that the plants are protected from drafts, as the wind does not loves. After planting, be sure to water the shrub abundantly with water; compost, potassium sulfate, wood ash, and superphosphate are sometimes added to the planting pit. However, do not forget that the top dressing must be mixed with the soil, otherwise the roots will get burned. The root collar should be several centimeters above the surface of the ground, this guarantees normal growth and development of plants. When gardeners, out of inexperience, deepen the root collar, often the seedlings rot and die. The trunk circle is recommended to be mulched with humus or peat. If you are going to plant several plants, then be sure to remember about the distance, it should be at least 1 m. So, this shrub is quite compact.

Blackcurrant Globe: care

First of all, it is necessary to remember that the Globus black currant is a very moisture-loving culture, therefore it is necessary to water the plants abundantly enough. This procedure is recommended to be carried out about 5 times a season. The first watering occurs at the time of the active development of the plant, the growth of green mass. The second time it is recommended to water the bushes during the flowering period, as well as when the ovaries are formed. The next watering is during the pouring of fruits, as well as before wintering. The last watering is sometimes called water-charging. If you have an arid region, it is recommended to irrigate the tree trunk about once every 10 days. During abundant watering, about 50 liters of water should be consumed per shrub. When you dig up the trunk circle before wintering, add some organic matter, for example, manure, bird droppings, compost, there. You can use other formulations of organic fertilizers. Usually, one shrub spends no more than 6 kg of top dressing. Fertilizers should also include superphosphate, as well as potassium sulfate. If we talk about liquid dressings, then they need to be applied to the ground four times per season. The first time the plants are fed, naturally, during bud break, the second and third after the plant has faded and the berries ripen. The last time liquid top dressing is applied to the soil after the entire crop has been harvested. Often potash, nitrogen, phosphorus fertilizers are diluted in water, and the plants are watered with the resulting composition. Do not forget that the plants will absorb the fertilizing when the soil temperature rises above plus 10 degrees, so that fertilizing the soil too early does not guarantee efficiency.

Diseases and pests

As we noted earlier, the Globus black currant has a fairly good immunity, so many diseases and pests are not afraid of it. First of all, we note that the shrub is practically not affected by fungal infections, and the kidney mite is not afraid of it either.However, in order for other diseases and pests not to interfere with the growth and development of the plant, it is necessary to carry out preventive examinations and treatments. Many gardeners practice what is known as hot cultivation. This is done around March, before the buds open. The water will need to be heated to about a temperature of plus 80 degrees, and then apply it to the bushes using a ruler. In this case, 10 liters of water should be enough for about 3 plants. Immediately after this, it is recommended to cut the shrubs, form the crown. Many gardeners also use ready-made preparations for preventive treatments; there are always a lot of them in garden centers and specialized stores. The usual method of treatment is spraying. But do not forget to inspect the plants in a timely manner, as other signs of diseases and pests may appear on the bushes. Gardeners are very fond of Bordeaux liquid, copper sulfate, as they help get rid of many ailments.

How to prune and shape a bush

Cutting black currants Globus is recommended either in the spring or in the fall. Sometimes gardeners cut their plants twice a year. However, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the buds of this culture begin to bloom early, therefore it is necessary to cut off the plants before the start of sap flow. Seedlings are also pruned during planting. In this case, the branches are recommended to be shortened by 20 cm; it is best to leave 4 active buds on each shoot. In the autumn, sanitary pruning is also carried out, removing damaged, diseased branches. In the spring, frostbitten, deformed shoots are also recommended to be removed. After you harvest the crop, carefully examine the plant in order to identify signs of damage in time. It is recommended to form a black currant Globe up to four or five years of age, while the bushes should consist of a dozen branches of different ages. In the future, the shrub is not formed, carrying out only sanitary pruning, removal of diseased and damaged branches.

How to winter

Black currant Globus usually tolerates cold weather normally, so no additional protection is required. However, before the arrival of frost, it will also be necessary to carry out preventive work so that in the spring all the shoots begin to grow and develop normally. Gardeners even sometimes, bending the shoots to the ground, attach loads to the ends of the branches. The bush hibernates well under the snow cover. Sometimes the shrub is covered with agrofibre on top, which also helps to overwinter.

How to harvest and store crops

It is best to pick the berries of the Globus black currant when the dew is completely dry. The fruits are immediately placed in the desired container, since the berries quickly crumple during pouring. In order to preserve the fruit's commercial qualities longer, it is best to pick the berries a little unripe, moreover, together with the twigs. It is best to place no more than 6 kg of berries in one container; it is recommended to place them in a thin layer. The fruits of the black currant Globus are stored in a cool place, usually no more than two weeks. Globus is considered a rather winning variety due to the fact that its fruits are very tasty and large. Gardeners leave a lot of positive feedback about the Globus black currant, and also note that the plant is very resistant and unpretentious to some diseases. If you follow all agrotechnical rules, then the Globus black currant harvest will always be high and regular, and the berries will be tasty and aromatic.