Blackcurrant Fun

The blackcurrant variety Zabava was bred at the Research Institute of Horticulture of Siberia named after M.V. Lisavenko by crossing varieties Bredthorp, Zoya and Fluffy. As a result of the efforts of the sectioners, a new high-yielding variety of Siberian currant has appeared, with large tasty berries, quite hardy, resistant to frost, drought, heat, with good immunity to most fungal diseases and pests.

In 2004, Zabavu included in the State Register of currants recommended for cultivation in the West Siberian region. For its excellent qualities, unpretentiousness to weather conditions and universal purpose, the new variety was very fond of Russian gardeners and quickly spread far beyond Siberia.

Varie Features

Bushes "Fun" medium-sized, compact, medium density. Leaves – large, light green. Dark pink currant flowers bloom on long racemes.

Fruits very large – weighing 2.1-3.4 gr. The shape of the berries – rounded. Peel – thin, black.  Pulp – juicy and very flavorful. Taste – dessert, sweet with a slight sourness. Tasting assessment «Fun» – 5 of 5.  Multipurpose berries.

Productivity "Fun" – an average of 3.1 kg per bush. This is a good indicator for blackcurrant. The berries ripen together, in the last decade of July. It is necessary to harvest the crop carefully, the currant is prone to "wet"; tear off.

Growing conditions

Currant "Fun" winter and drought-resistant, unpretentious in care, slightly affected by fungal diseases and pests, self-fertile (does not need replanting other currant varieties for cross-pollination).

If you follow the basic rules for caring for a plant, even a beginner in gardening can get a decent harvest of blackcurrants on your site.

Location. Currant loves well-lit areas. In the shade, the berry shrinks and loses its taste. However, short shading during the day is acceptable, especially in hot regions. Also, the bush does not like drafts and cold winds, it is best if there are buildings or a dense fence on the north side. It is important to pay attention to the swampiness of the area and the level of groundwater. The latter should lie below 1.5 meters from the surface. Lowlands and areas where water accumulates after rains, – a detrimental place for currants.

It is not recommended to plant currants where other berry bushes grew less than three years ago: raspberries, gooseberries, wild roses, currants, etc.

Soil. Light sandy or loamy fertile soil with neutral or slightly acidic pH (5.5–6.5) – a good choice for planting currants. On such soil, it will take root well, and will bear fruit for many years. Before planting (for 2-3 weeks), it is desirable to enrich the land with organic matter. Spread humus or compost around the site and dig the earth to the depth of a shovel bayonet. During the planting of bushes, a mixture of compost, wood ash and the top fertile soil layer is placed at the bottom of the hole.

Feeding. Starting from the 2nd season, currants are fertilized with mineral compounds based on phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and other trace elements. In spring and autumn, mulch is laid out around the bushes from rotten manure, bird droppings, compost and sawdust. Thus, the currant receives organic bait.

Watering. "Fun" – drought-resistant variety, however, you should not test it for endurance. The lack of moisture, as well as its excess, adversely affect the yield and taste of the berry. With a moderate warm summer with a normal amount of rain, 3-4 waterings per season are enough. Volume of water – 2 buckets per bush.   In drought, the berries are watered more often: 1-2 times a week. During the period of frequent and heavy rains, the water supply is stopped.

Cutting. In the spring, they carry out sanitary pruning of bushes – remove weak, broken, affected and frozen shoots, & nbsp; as well as branches that are low to the ground. In the second year, 6-9 healthy shoots are left on the bush: one-year-olds and two-year-olds. Every year young shoots are added to them, thus, by the fifth season, a bush is formed from 15-20 shoots of different years. For 6-7 years  the bush is rejuvenated – remove branches older than 5 years and stems that do not yield.

Pests and diseases. "Fun" has increased immunity to most berry diseases and pests, such as septoria, anthracnose, gall aphids, powdery mildew, vendace, bud mites and others. However, under adverse conditions, poor care and the presence of diseased plants on the site, the plant can still become infected.

The best way to prevent diseases is to follow the rules of agricultural technology, namely:

• Selection of a site with fertile healthy soil, good drainage, sufficient light.
• Sanitary pruning of weak, old, affected branches and leaves.
• Timely removal from the site and burning of plant debris.
• Regular inspection of plants on the site, especially during flowering.
• When signs of pests and diseases are detected – immediate treatment, disinfection, complete or partial destruction of affected plants.
• Careful selection of seedlings when buying.

Wintering. In late autumn, we collect all the fallen leaves and other plant debris around the bushes, thereby depriving the larvae and fungal spores of the wintering place. Then we carry out moisture-charging irrigation. We mulch the near-stem area of the soil with a thick layer of sawdust, coniferous spruce branches, straw, – protect the root system from freezing. Winter mulch must be removed in the spring, after the snow melts. Due to the increased frost resistance in additional shelter for the winter, the Zabava variety does not need.

Selecting planting material

Before you buy Zabava blackcurrant seedlings, 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 «Zabava» in nurseries and specialized stores.

Preparations