Currant white Versailles: description of the variety, planting, care, photo, reviews

White currant is a high-yielding shrub resistant to low temperatures. They bring tasty berries of large sizes. Therefore it is not surprising that many varieties of this berry are popular with gardeners. For example, for two centuries on the garden plots across the country you can find a variety of currants Versailles white. Description, photos and reviews of this shrub and its fruits can be found in the article.

A bit of history

There was this sort of currant back in the 19 th century. Already in 1850 in France there were reports of its existence. True, his origins remained a mystery.

A century later, in 1959, the currant of this variety was included in the State Register of Selection Achievements. It was recommended for cultivation on the territory of the following regions of the country:

• Central;

• Central Black Earth;

• North-West;

• Middle Volga;

• The Volga-Vyatsky;

• The Urals.

Until now, this variety is found on the territory of many regions of our country.

Description of bushes

The currant grows white in the form of a shrub of medium height. At one-year-old bushes shoots are slightly lowered. They are thick and brittle. Their color is green.

The bushes of currant varieties of Versailles white adult plants reach a height of 1.2-1.5 meters. They stand straight, their branches are spreaders. Strong shoots easily bend.

Currant Leaves

Large five-lobed leaves are characteristic for the variety of currant Versailles white. The photo can not fully convey a dull green with a bluish tinge. But their form is clearly visible. The lateral lobes are spread apart. But the central part is shortened. Leaf plate is almost flat. If you look closely, you can see that the lateral lobes are located at an obtuse angle (or close to a straight line). Well developed basal lobes. At the edges of the leaves are blunt non-long denticles. The lower leaves are omitted.

Flowers and their description

Currant Versailles white is characterized by flowers of medium size. They have the shape of a saucer. On the peduncle there is a distinct cushion of green color. Slightly bent, touching each other sepals are yellowish-green in color. On long stalks are kept rare brushes of great length. The axis of the brush is shiny. Pedicels straight, elongated.

Berries

The description of the currant varieties Versailles white (the photo can be seen below) will be incomplete, if not to mention the berries. After all, for their own sake, they plant a shrubbery.

The berries are quite large. They reach a diameter of 1 cm. At the same time they weigh up to 0.7 g. The berries are round, transparent, with a yellowish tinge.

The taste of the berries is pleasant, sweet, with sourness. They can be used for various purposes (billets, compotes and so on).

They contain a lot of nutrients. In 100 grams of berries contains 38 mg of ascorbic acid. Their composition is as follows:

• 18% solids;

• 7.5% of sugar;

• 2,3% titrated acidity.

Variety Versailles white gives high yields. For one year, up to 8 tons of berries can be harvested from a hectare.

Advantages of the variety

Following from the description of the variety of currant Versailles white, one can distinguish the following advantages of this variety:

• Large berries.

• Long brushes.

• Long stalks.

Thanks to these pluses, berries are easy to harvest. And they look very attractive.

Disadvantages of the variety

From the shortcomings of the variety, one can distinguish the spreading form of the bush. At the same time, they must be treated with great care, since many shoots are very brittle. In addition, the variety is prone to disease. In particular, it is unstable to anthracnose.

Peculiarities of growing

Currant Versailles white is distinguished by an early vegetation period. In early May, brushes and buds appear on the bush in some regions of the country. Leaflets do not appear much later.

Blossom bushes are about 2-2.5 weeks. Abundant flowering will bring a great harvest. But if at this time there is a frost, then a lot of fruit does not have to wait. Increase the number of grown berries in one simple way: to grow several bushes at once. Due to this pollination of plants will be carried out more qualitatively.

The root system is well developed. Roots growing vertically can reach a depth of 1 m in width, they are located within 30-40 cm. These features of the root system must be taken into account in the process of loosening the soil.

For planting currants choose fertile soils, the acidity of which does not exceed pH 5.5. Well grow shrubs and clay (loamy) soils. The plant feels well on lighter soils. But in this case, it is necessary to make a humus planting.

Sunlight is also necessary for growing this variety. Plant the plant on a hill. But there should be no drafts at all. Therefore, often choose places along the buildings and fences. Otherwise, the above description of currant Versailles white will be inaccurate. The bush will be weak, the productivity will decrease, the ability to endure the winter will worsen.

Landing

Planting and care of currants Versailles white are similar to many other varieties of berries. Plant the plant in both autumn and spring. In the first case, it is necessary to have time before the onset of frost (end of September or early October). In the second - until the moment of bud budding.

Begin with the preparation of the soil. Do this about 2 weeks before the proposed landing. The place is cleared of grass and weeds, deeply digging. A pit is made with a size of 50x50 cm and a depth of about 40 cm. Fertilizers are introduced. 10 kg of compost (humus), 40 g of potassium sulfide and 100 g of superphosphate are used. Fertilizers are mixed with fertile soil. The mixture is poured back into the pit. The acidity of the soil should not be above pH 5.5. If necessary, neutralization is carried out with wood ash. It should be approximately 0.5 kg.

Then you can choose a seedling. He should be healthy, without damage. The branches have a rich green color. If you cut them, they will be wet. The root system should be well developed, without damaged or dry areas, without traces of disease.

Correctly made planting is the key to the future good harvest. The planting process can be divided into the following stages:

• In a well prepared in advance, where fertilizers have already been introduced, a deepening is being done. It contains a seedling. The angle between the shoots and the ground should be about 45 degrees.

• The root neck is buried about 10 cm (at most) below the ground level.

• The roots are well spread, covered with earth and compacted.
• Water the plant with 1-2 buckets of water.

• The stock circle is mulched with a layer up to 5-6 cm. You can use sawdust, peat, humus and so on.

• The sapling is cropped. Leave the 5 lower healthy kidneys.

If several plants are planted, the distance between them is left at least 1 m. Between the rows, an interval of 1.5 m is maintained.

The first harvest can be collected for 3 years of life. The maximum yield will begin after the 6th year.

Care

Currant Versailles white requires frequent fertilization. It is recommended to fertilize the plant every day. In the spring, top dressing begins with the introduction of ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfate and superphosphate. Once every 3 years, a bucket of organic material is added. Other experts advise the second way of introducing nutrients. It consists in fertilizing in spring with nitrogen fertilizers. All other supplements are added after the appearance of the fruit. Chlorine fertilizers can be added only in winter. Also introduced is wood ash, which improves the taste of berries and helps fight pests.

The older the bush, the more it requires fertilizers. Weak plants are fed with liquid fertilizers in two stages: during flowering and after harvesting berries.

Currant is sensitive to weeds. Therefore, the spruce should regularly weed, the soil loosens. You can replace these works with mulching.

Yields will be higher if the plant is watered regularly. For the same purpose, the shrub is pruned. Currant Versailles white loves moisture, but does not tolerate water stagnation. To this end, 3 times a week, the plant is watered. Do it in the morning and in the evening, when there is no sun. Twice a day, 1 bucket of water is poured under each bush.

In addition, annual pruning protects the plant from disease. The first pruning is performed next after planting in autumn. For a year the shrub should give 6-7 healthy skeletal branches. To leave from them it is necessary half, that is 3-4. Choose the strongest and strongest. The remaining branches are cut off, hepas do not leave. The same procedure should be carried out annually. Due to this by the age of five, the shrub will have up to 18 skeleton branches from each year. Later the bush needs to be updated. For this purpose, branches that reach 7-8 years are removed. In their place, young shoots are left. Regularly remove diseased, damaged branches. And also those that lie on the ground, obscure the bush and grow up incorrectly.

It is important to select the correct trimming time. In spring, they begin pruning until the kidneys are opened. At this time, clean the tops, frozen during winter frosts. In summer, the tops of young shoots are pricked. The main pruning is carried out in autumn, when the foliage falls. Dry branches are allowed to be removed at any time.

To keep the plant in the winter, it must be hidden. To prepare for the cold period, the following procedures are carried out:

• Pruning plants after falling leaves.

• Soil loosening, fertilization, irrigation.

• Mulching of the stump circle with a layer of 10-12 cm. Use compost or humus. This will protect the roots from freezing.

• Branches are connected in one bundle by twine along the entire height. From above everything is covered with film or agrofiber.

Carrying out these measures will protect the plant from strong frosts.

Diseases and pests

All scientific descriptions and reviews about the currant of Versailles white, left by experienced gardeners, are one in one: this variety is resistant to powdery mildew, but it is very often affected by anthracnose.

This disease manifests itself brown spots on the leaves, which over time increase in size. As treatment methods, treatment with colloidal sulfur or Bordeaux liquid is carried out. Spraying is carried out at the appearance of the first signs of the disease. Prevention of the disease consists in the regular digging and loosening of the soil, burning of cut branches and fallen leaves. Before the appearance of the buds, the bush is treated with Nitrafen.

Cases of infection of the plant with powdery mildew sometimes occur. The disease appears gray on the surface of the entire bush. For prevention, the plant is treated with a solution of copper sulfate until the buds are blown. If the plant is still sick, it should be sprayed with "Phytosporin".

Another disease - a goblet rust. When it appears "cushions" of yellow. They contain spores of the fungus. In case of disease, the plant is treated with "Tsiram", "Kaptan" or Bordeaux fluid. Preventive measures are the same as for fighting anthracnose.

Of the pests most often on the currant varieties of Versailles white notice runaway aphids, a gooseberry fly and a curranty pipelier. Signs of the appearance of pests and methods for dealing with them can be seen in the photo below.

Reviews of gardeners

Gardeners leave the currant Versailles white various responses. Some admire the taste of berries, the attractiveness of their brushes. Others argue that the berries are too acidic, and the bones in them are too big. But all confirm that with proper care the plant will enjoy a plentiful harvest. Berries are good in different kinds. They can be preserved, frozen, of which compotes are cooked.

Variety of red currant Versailles white will please its owners with the harvest of sweet and sour berries. Only this requires some effort. And the plant will necessarily respond to care.