Currant has long become a habitual inhabitant of our gardens and vegetable gardens, that its presence on the site does not cause any emotion. Although this berry and not all to taste, but the content of "utility" of its competitors a bit. And that the bush of a currant pleased with good harvests year after year, it is necessary to look after it properly. About the rules of care for the currant in the fall after harvest, we'll talk today.
Care of the currant after fruiting
Regardless of what kind of currant is planted on your site - red, white or black - the autumn care for it after the fruiting is completed will consist of the following operations:
- Pruning. Autumn care for the currant involves two types of pruning: sanitary and shaping. Sanitary pruning includes the removal of all diseased and damaged branches, as well as branches that overgrow the bush and grow in its middle. When the pruning is formed, the bush is given the desired shape and the number of branches of different ages necessary for full fruit bearing is left. So, in young bushes that have not reached the age of three, they produce only sanitary pruning. More senior shrubs with rejuvenation rejuvenate, not forgetting that the red currant fructifies only on last year's branches, but the black currant berries are formed and on young twigs. The most successful molding scheme for red and white currants is a shrub with a cup-shaped crown, which consists of five main branches, trimmed initially at a height of 20 cm. Black currant bushes can be formed both spreading and compact, cutting off old branches near the ground. The place of the cut is then covered with earth, thereby stimulating the active growth of new shoots.
It should be remembered that it is necessary to cut out the old branches (over 3 years old) from the black currant immediately after harvesting, but the remaining cuttings should be postponed until the leaves fall completely.
- Loosening the soil. To loosen the soil around the currant bush follows at some distance from its center, with pointed movements to avoid damage to the roots. After loosening, the soil around the bush should be watered and covered with water. For example, having clouded the soil with a peat layer of 10-15 cm, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of watering, protect the root neck from frosts, and simultaneously provide the bush with the necessary nutrients.
- Introduction of feeding. Simultaneously with the loosening of the soil under the bush, fertilizers can also be introduced. In the autumn period, the currant more than ever requires organic and mineral fertilizers containing phosphorus and potassium. For example, you can make a mixture of superphosphate (80 grams) and humus (1 bucket) for each bush, or wrap up the soil around the bush with humus.
- Treatment of diseases and pests. Depending on how and how many pests affect the currant bush, medicinal spraying can use carbofos, Bordeaux fluid, etc.
- Abundant watering for the winter. After the end of the leaf fall and the completion of all the cut-off measures, the currant bush should be provided with the necessary stock of liquid for the winter. To do this, the currant should be watered abundantly (3-4 buckets of water under each bush), and do this until the onset of a persistent cold.
- Care for the black currant in the fall, in contrast to the red one, includes one more operation - the removal of leaves . The leaves that remain after the fruiting process on the black currant are not only not needed, but they also drain some of the nutrients. To help the bush of black currant gain strength before wintering, the leaves cut off from it.