Red currant Red Cross

Currant variety «Red Cross» bred by the American breeder J. Moore from Brighton (USA) in 1984. For the experiment, the scientist crossed varieties "Cherry" and "White Grapes". As a result, a new variety of medium-ripening red currant appeared, which inherited the best characteristics of its "parents": self-pollination, large-fruitedness and stable yield.

Varie Features

Red Cross bushes sprawling, strong, of medium height and density. Shoots dense, thickened, hairless. Young green stems with a pink top gradually become woody, acquiring a brown color.  Currant leaves are 5-lobed, wide with large teeth, curved along the midrib. The brushes are one-sided, up to 6 cm in length, hung with berries, firmly attached to the bush. Separation of berries – dry.

Fruits currants are not very large – average weight 0.8-1.3 grams. The shape of the berries is round, the skin – bright red, translucent, flesh – juicy, taste – sweet and sour, refreshing (4.5 points). Currant "Red Cross" excellent for preparations and culinary applications, it gels well. Delicious jams, marmalade, marmalade, marshmallow, syrup, etc. are obtained from it. For long-term storage, berries can be frozen.

Yields «Red Cross» – 2.5-4.0 kg per bush. The maturity period is average, friendly. The bush gives stable yields for 15-20 years, without transplantation. The distribution of berries on the branches is even. Ripe fruits hold tightly in the hands, do not crumble. Separation of currants from the stalks dry. They pick berries with brushes.

Growing conditions

"Red Cross" refers to self-fertile varieties, i.e. does not require neighborhood with other varieties of red currant for pollination. In general, the plant is unpretentious, tolerates dry weather well. At the same time, it is demanding on the soil, does not tolerate frost well without additional shelter, and has a reduced immunity to anthracnose. To get a consistently high yield, you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements for agricultural technology.

Choosing a location. Currant «Red Cross» planted in elevated, well-lit, well-drained areas, protected from the north wind and drafts.

Soil. The variety will develop well and bear fruit on light loamy and sandy soils. Soils that are too acidic can be balanced by adding alkali. Strengthen low-fertile soils in advance (3-4 weeks before planting) by adding organic fertilizers, humus, compost, mullein.

Fitting algorithm. Red currants can be planted in spring or early autumn. For most regions, the second option is preferable, so the seedlings have time to take root and get stronger before the first cold weather. A hole for planting is dug in advance so that the soil has time to subside. Hole size 0.5 m – in diameter, 0.4 m deep. When planting 2 or more bushes at the same time, a distance of 1.5 m is left between currant seedlings. A fertile mixture can be added to the bottom of the pit.

The plant is lowered into the hole at a slightly angle, the roots are straightened and covered with earth. Then the soil around the bush is tamped to remove voids, watered abundantly (1-2 buckets of water under the bush) and mulched. The upper part of the seedlings is cut off, leaving a stem 10-15 cm long with 2–3 buds.

Irrigation. The first month, while redcurrant seedlings take root and adapt in a new place, it is necessary to ensure that the soil around the bush does not dry out. Regular and sufficient watering is also necessary at the stage of formation of ovaries and the formation of berries. The soil must be moistened 0.5 m deep.

With a moderately rainy and dry summer, 2-3 plentiful waterings per season are enough. In a severe drought, currants are watered more often, focusing on the condition of the soil.

Feeding. Feeding red currant bushes begins at the age of 3. Organics (wood ash, bird droppings, mullein) are applied once every 3 years. Nitrogen fertilizers are added in early spring, in the fall – potassium chloride and superphosphate. Trace elements in the form of foliar dressings are applied after flowering.

Cutting. In the spring and during the season, sanitary and rejuvenating pruning of bushes is carried out: weak, diseased, broken and old (from 7 years old) fruiting shoots are removed.

Diseases and pests. Achilles' heel of the Red Cross – anthracosis. Also, the plant is susceptible to powdery mildew, terry, bud mites. At the first manifestations of diseases, appropriate measures must be taken. It is better to treat the plant with professional narrow-action preparations, which are available in specialized stores. During the period when the buds appear, preventive treatment of currants from pests is carried out.

Wintering. The Red Cross currant variety has low frost resistance. In regions with little snow, as well as in latitudes with cold (below -25 ° C) winters, the bushes must be additionally covered with a spunbod, after bending the branches to the ground, or wrap the shoots in a heater. It is necessary to open currant bushes in early spring, immediately after the snow melts and the winter cold recedes.

Selecting planting material

For planting currants «Red Cross» choose healthy seedlings with an extensive root system. Before you buy red currant seedlings "Red Cross", 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-year-old plants are suitable for planting. They adapt faster and grow in a new place.
• Before planting, the roots are saturated with moisture – placed in water for two hours.

Beware of fakes! Purchase currant seedlings «Red Cross» in fruit and berry nurseries and specialized stores. This will save you from disappointment later.

Preparations