Blackcurrant in memory of Potapenko

Blackcurrant in memory of Potapenko was bred by breeders of the Novosibirsk Zonal Fruit and Berry Experimental Station. I.V. Michurin by crossing varieties «Agrolesovskaya» and Bredthorpe. A new type of currant was patented and included in the State Register in 2001. Approved for cultivation in regions with a cool, dry climate, in particular, in Eastern Siberia.

The advantages of the variety: self-pollination, early maturity, high yield, large-fruitedness, transportability, frost resistance, good immunity to diseases and pests.

Varie Features

Bushes "In Memory of Potapenko" compact – medium-sized (up to 1.2 m high), semi-spreading (crown diameter — 60-80 cm). Shoots erect, thickened. Young stems are light green in color, eventually bending at the base, becoming stiff, acquiring a gray-brown color. Leaves – 3-lobed, dark green, dull, slightly wrinkled, with sharp short teeth. Flowers are small – 8 mm in diameter, have a greenish tint, bloom 10-20 pieces per brush.

The fruits of the currant are very large, the weight of the berry is 2-5 grams, the diameter is — 1-1.2 cm. Form – rounded  skin – dense, black with a brown tint. Pulp – juicy, contains from 3 to 12 seeds. The taste is sweet and sour, tasting score — 4.5 points.

Thanks to the elastic skin and dense pulp, the currant «Memory Potapenko» has a high transportability and safety of berries, suitable for selling fresh berries in the markets, freezing / defrosting, canning, cooking and decorating dishes.

The yield of the variety is 3-4 kg per bush, 5 t/ha. Currant "In Memory of Potapenko" refers to mid-season varieties. The berries ripen together, in July, 2.5 months after pollination. Thanks to the "dry" separation, mechanized harvesting is possible.

Growing conditions

Blackcurrant "In Memory of Potapenko" quite easy to care for, does not require special agrotechnical knowledge and large areas for cultivation. The plant has developed a strong immunity to powdery mildew, anthracnose, bud mites, ryabukha and septoria blight and a number of other diseases. The variety is self-pollinated, i.e. does not require the neighborhood of other currant varieties for cross-pollination.

Due to the high frost resistance, the variety «memory of Potapenko» suitable for growing in northern latitudes, in regions with cold winters and long springs. The variety will feel great in Siberia, central Russia, the Urals and the Far East.

Location. Blackcurrant loves sunny areas, without cold winds and drafts. It is important to pay attention to the tendency of the area to swamping and the level of groundwater. If the latter are too high (above 1.5 meters from the surface), it is necessary to "raise" site and provide drainage. Otherwise, the roots of the shrub may rot. It is also necessary to take into account the "predecessors" future currant. It is not recommended to plant young seedlings in areas where other berry bushes have previously grown – raspberry, gooseberry, wild rose, currant.

Soil. Currant prefers light sandy or loamy fertile soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH (5.5-6.5). If the soil is not fertile enough before planting (for 2-3 weeks), it can be "dug"; with organic fertilizers, humus or compost, to the level of a spade bayonet. During the planting of young bushes, a nutrient mixture of compost, wood ash and part of the top layer of soil formed when digging a hole is laid at the bottom of the planting hole.

Irrigation. The number and volume of irrigation is regulated depending on weather conditions and soil conditions. With a moderate warm summer with a normal amount of rain, currants are watered 3-4 times per season. Volume of water – 2 buckets/bush.   In dry weather, watering is increased to 1-2 times a week. In the rainy season, the water supply is suspended.  It is important to monitor the condition of the soil, it should be moistened 40-50 cm deep, while moisture stagnation should not form on the site. At the end of watering, the soil around the bush is loosened and mulched.

Feeding. Starting from the second fruiting season, currants begin to be fed with mineral compounds for fruit and berry crops rich in phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and other trace elements. In spring and autumn, as a source of organic fertilizer around the bushes, you can decompose mulch from rotten manure, bird droppings, compost, after mixing them with straw or sawdust.

Cutting. Blackcurrant pruning is carried out in late autumn or early spring. In the spring, weak and thin shoots are removed, as well as branches that are low to the ground. In the second year of fruiting, 6-10 healthy shoots are left on the bush: young, one- and two-year-old. In subsequent years, young shoots are added to their number. For 6-7 years, branches older than 5 years are removed, as well as shoots that do not produce a crop, thus about a third of the old bush is removed. Such anti-aging pruning stimulates the growth of young, healthy shoots.

Pests and diseases.

Blackcurrant variety «Memory Potapenko» has increased immunity to most berry diseases and pests, such as powdery mildew, anthracnose, septoria, vendace, bud mites. However, under adverse conditions, poor care and the presence of diseased plants in the area, currants can become infected with gall aphids, rust, striped mosaic, and terry. The last two are not treatable. In case of defeat by them, the bushes will have to be completely uprooted and burned.

The best way to prevent diseases will be high-quality plant care, namely:

• The right choice of site with fertile healthy soil, good drainage, sufficient light.
• Regular sanitary pruning of weak, affected, "dead" branches and leaves.
• Timely removal (or burning) of plant debris, as well as diseased plants from the site.
• Careful inspection of currant seedlings upon purchase for damage and signs of disease. Regular inspection of plants, especially during flowering.
• Immediate measures upon detection of diseases and pests (treatment, disinfection, complete or partial destruction of affected plants).

Wintering. In order for the currant to successfully overwinter, all fallen leaves and other plant debris are removed in late autumn, larvae and spores of the fungus often overwinter and breed on them.  Then water-charging watering of bushes is carried out. To protect the roots, the near-trunk soil is mulched around with a thick layer of straw, coniferous spruce branches or sawdust. It is necessary to cover the entire diameter of the bush with mulch, focusing on the projection of the extreme branches. Variety «Memory of Potapenko» highly winter-hardy, so the bushes do not additionally cover for the winter.

Selecting planting material

Before you buy blackcurrant seedlings in Memory of Potapenko, pay attention to:

• The state of the root system. It should have 3-5 main healthy and elastic roots – at least 20 cm long, with many small fibrous processes. Without traces of dryness, putrefaction, diseases.
• Appearance of shoots – well-developed stems in the amount of 2-4 pieces, at least 40 cm long. Bark without signs of dryness, cuts, breaks, unnatural spots.
• Age of seedlings. Most of all, 2-3-year-old plants are suitable for planting. They adapt more easily and will grow in a new place.

Beware of fakes and "sick" planting material! Buy currant seedlings "In Memory of Potapenko" in nurseries and specialized stores.

Preparations