Wild currant: description, properties and application

Wild currant is a plant bred by American breeders and imported to Europe in the 17th century. The plant grows in the Czech Republic and England, in Asian countries and in the Caucasus, in Russia, Ukraine.In Russia, the plant used to be used as a hedge in the fields, as well as a means of weathering fertile soil. That is why wild currant is so often called forest and it can be found growing in a forest belt, fields, in the territory of wild forests. Repis grows quite quickly and easily covers large areas.

The plant is very unpretentious and the weather withstands any whims, for which many gardeners and gardeners have fallen in love.

• Repis or wild currant is a large shrub. Widely spreading, quite tall. The height of the bush can reach 3 meters in height.
• The plant is frost-resistant, with proper care and insulation of the roots for the winter, it is easy for even severe frosts to survive.
• Also, the shrub is little prone to disease. Resistant to powdery mildew.
• Leaves of wild currant are small, similar to gooseberries. The color is green, by the autumn it becomes purple-red.

• The plant is mid-season. Flowering begins in May, small yellow flowers bloom on the record. In one floral rosette is from 4 to 8 flowers. They have a very pleasant and pronounced aroma, because of which attract the special attention of insects: bees, butterflies. Fruit ripening occurs in mid-June, depending on climatic and weather conditions, the ripening time may vary slightly.
• Berries are small plants, about 4-7 g. On a single stem there are quite a lot of berries. The color of ripe fruit is black. The taste is sweet and sour, many note the pronounced flavor and aroma of gooseberry. In the composition of the berries there are many vitamins (especially vitamin C, the content of which in currant berries is very large), microelements useful to the human body.

Berries and leaves of currant have useful properties and are used in traditional medicine as an antipyretic, diaphoretic. It is often used for colds and vitamin deficiency. Also noted is the positive effect of eating currant berries and leaf infusions in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diseases associated with the vascular system. In addition, currants are assigned to persons prone to radiation sickness.

Brief description of the variety:

• productivity - about 8 kg from one bush;
• berries weight - 7 g;
• the berries are round in shape, when aging have a black color, the taste is sour-sweet;
• high frost resistance;
• good disease resistance.

In addition to advantages, the variety also has its drawbacks:

• the taste of wild currant berries is quite sour and not everyone likes;
• also the plant of this variety is quite tall, its height can reach about three meters, which is not always convenient.

Wild currant is unpretentious in the choice of soil, but best of all it takes root in black soil and loam. The plant is light-loving. For landing it is best to choose a place brightly lit by the sun. Planting should be done either in early spring or early autumn. The currant propagates both with the help of seeds and cuttings.

Here are the main characteristics that a good sapling should have:

• advanced root system;
• root - not less than 20 cm;
• 2-3 strong shoots.

Before planting it is necessary to prepare the soil. Earth should be well dig and process with boiling water. This will help you get rid of the larvae of various pests that can live in the soil. If this is not done, in the spring they will turn into insects, and can cause serious harm to the young plant.

Also need to fertilize the soil. Peat, compost and manure are added to the excavated soil. The earth is watered with nitrate solution.

After the soil is prepared, you need to mark it on the placement of bushes.

Planting is done in the evening. For a bush, a hole half a meter deep is dug, peat is poured inside, sand, compost, and the plant is planted. After planting, the plant should be poured abundantly with water.

Although wild currant is an “independent” plant, minimal care is needed to get a good harvest.

Currants need to be watered once a week for 1 ten-liter bucket. Depending on the weather, this can be done less frequently.

Several times a year it is necessary to feed the plant with organic and mineral fertilizers. Also good in the fall to feed the plant with humus and ash.

Wild currant does not need pruning. The only exceptions are diseased plants. Of course, in this case, all the affected branches and leaves are collected and burned outside the garden. Soil under the currant is well loosened, remove all weeds, rotted leaves.

Wild currant has long been loved by everyone, not only for its healthy qualities, but also for its great taste. Its fruits are widely used in cooking for making jams, jams, compotes and fruit drinks, wine. Also, cute black berries are often used to decorate confectionery.

You will need:

• 3 kg of sugar;
• 3 kg of berries;
• glass of water.

Freshly picked berries are moved, leaves and stalks are removed from the berries. Fruits are well washed with water and dried. Then clean and dry berries must be minced. Crushed berries are put on the fire, poured with water, sugar should be poured on top of the hill. Jam must be cooked until thickened, stirring occasionally. The finished product is bottled in sterilized cans and closed.

Ingredients:

• 3 kg of currant berries;
• 2kg ripe apricots;
• 4 kg of sugar.

The berries of currant must be carefully picked, separated from the stalks and washed. Pure berries are passed through a meat grinder and mixed with sugar.

Apricots are washed, peeled and diced.

Berry-fruit mixture is put on a small fire. Sugar is poured on the berries.

Boil the jam until thickened for about 3 hours on low heat, stirring constantly, and removing the pans stuck to the walls.

The boiled and cooled jam is poured into sterile jars and closed with lids. The product must be stored in the cellar at a temperature of 2-3 degrees above zero. Or in the fridge.

Often, in order to preserve the benefits of berries, and the vitamin C present in them, many housewives prepare jam without heat treatment.

At 3 kg of berries taken 2 kg of sugar. Berries are passed through a meat grinder, and mixed with sugar.

Next, the mixture is poured either in cans or in plastic containers for freezing. Jam is stored in the refrigerator or frozen.

Wild currant is a very useful plant. Be sure to plant it in your garden and, with proper care, it will delight you with a generous harvest and tasty fruits.

You will learn more about how to stock up a recording, from the video below.