Currant Big Ben

Currant Big Ben
The main characteristics of the variety:
  • Authors: Scotland
  • Name synonyms: Big Ben
  • Ripening terms: mid-late
  • Growth type: medium-sized
  • Yield: high
  • Appointment: universal
  • Berry weight, g: 2-3 (up to 7)
  • Tasting assessment: 4,9
  • Escapes: vertical
  • Berry color: bluish-black
View all specifications

This variety of currants was created specifically for fresh consumption. It is a pity to process such a berry or freeze it, it is so fragrant, large, with a very thin skin and a pronounced currant taste. We are talking about a blackcurrant called Big Ben.

Breeding history

The crop was bred relatively recently, in 2008. The originator of the variety is the Scottish Agricultural Institute. A synonym for the name is Big Ben. The crop is intended for cultivation both in amateur gardening and for farms in the production of small volumes.

Description of the variety

Big Ben is a medium-sized currant crop. It has a bush that is distinguished by its power, the shoots grow vertically. Plant height reaches one and a half meters.

Characteristics of berries

The berries are quite impressive in size, from 2 to 3 grams in weight, but 7-gram specimens are also found (if agricultural technology is at its best). The skin is strong and at the same time thin, it is not felt when eaten. The separation is dry, the fruits do not tend to crumble.

Taste qualities

The taste of the fruits of varietal currant is dessert. Differs in sweetness and characteristic aroma. The variety is universal in purpose (the fruits behave well when frozen, are suitable for canning), but still, the taste of the berries can be felt best when eaten fresh. The tasters gave a high rating to this variety - 4.9 out of 5.

Ripening and fruiting

The culture is fast-growing, the harvest is harvested for 2 years, and in the third it becomes maximum.

The ripening dates for Big Ben currants are such that they are classified as mid-late crops. In the west of the Russian Federation, fruiting begins after the 2nd decade of June, and in the center - starting from the 25th or 28th of the same month.

The fruiting of currants depends on the variety, on the region in which it grows, what is the care for it, whether all agrotechnical measures are followed. In black currant, flower buds form on branches that are one year old. So the first small crop can be harvested the next year after planting the plant. Full fruiting begins from the third year of the shrub's life.

Yield

The yield is high. So, a young plant brings up to 5 kilograms of berries, and more mature bushes, which are more than 3 years old, give 12 kg.

Growing regions

Considering that Big Ben officially has Scottish roots, the culture will feel best not in dry and hot, but in temperate climates. The middle lane and the center of the Russian Federation differ in just such conditions.

Landing

Planting culture is carried out, as a rule, in the classical way. Between the bushes 1-1.2 meters are kept. But the adjacent rows are located at a distance of 2-2.5 meters.

Not a single garden plot can do without currants. This fragrant and healthy berry is very popular. When planting currants, you need to take into account many factors and nuances. It is necessary to choose the right planting material, determine the location, and competently prepare the soil.

Growing and care

An overseas guest is quite demanding in her care.But this is forgiven her, given the high yield, as well as the magical taste of the berries.

Necessarily the formation of bushes of culture, as well as normalization. Thickening of the plantings should not be allowed: the berry will turn out to be sour and rather small. Therefore, the plant forms 7-9 shoots. At the same time, those shoots that have already borne fruit are cut off.

Mulching of shrubs with components of plant origin, such as straw, also takes place. This will save the root system from overheating, and the soil will not dry out. Thus, watering can be reduced.

Since the berries are quite heavy, farmers and simple gardeners recommend tying currant bushes of this variety. To do this, you can make a low, simple trellis.

From top dressing, the culture will need fertilizers with an increased content of elements such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, but with a minimum of nitrogen during the flowering period, fruit ovary. However, at the start of the growing season, nitrogen will be needed.

The most important step in caring for currants is the correct moisture of the crop throughout the growing season. Due to errors in watering, you can lose most of the crop and get small and tasteless berries.
Pruning is an indispensable element of caring for any fruit shrubs, including currants. If you carry out this agrotechnical procedure at the optimal time and do it correctly and regularly, the result will not slow down to affect the quality and quantity of berries grown.
Competent preparation of currants for winter is the key to a good harvest for next year. Autumn care for currants and preparation for cold weather includes the following stages: pruning, watering, feeding, treatment from diseases and pests, shelter.
In the process of growing currants, timely feeding is an important part of care. Organic and mineral elements are necessary not only for the harmonious growth of the bush, but also for the formation of the crop. During the entire growing season, the plant needs different substances, which is important to consider when choosing a fertilizer.

Disease and pest resistance

Scottish currants are highly resistant to diseases and pests. So, Big Ben is resistant to such currant ailments as powdery mildew, leaf spot. The cultivar is resistant to kidney mites and red gall aphids.

Currant is one of the most favorite crops of gardeners, it can be found on almost any personal plot. In order for the currant berries to be tasty and large, and the bush itself to be healthy and strong, you should properly care for, treat and protect the plant from harmful insects. It is important to recognize the signs of the disease in a timely manner and begin treatment in the early stages of plant damage.

Resistance to adverse climatic conditions

The frost resistance of the Big Ben variety is quite high, and the variety is also drought-resistant. But if the drought continues for too long, it will affect the quality of the fruit. The culture is also distinguished by a rather high adaptability to any growing conditions.

If there is a need to increase the size of the planting of currants or to rejuvenate the shrub, then you can propagate the currants yourself. You can propagate currants in different ways: green cuttings, lignified cuttings and layering. Each of the procedures is a vegetative propagation of currants and allows you to get full-fledged seedlings without much effort.
Main characteristics
Authors
Scotland
Name synonyms
Big ben
View
black
Appointment
universal
Yield
high
Average yield
up to 5 kg from a young bush, up to 12 - from a bush over 3 years old
Transportability
high
Bush
Growth type
medium-sized
Description of the bush
spreading
Bush height, cm
150
Escapes
vertical
Berries
Berry color
bluish black
Berry size
large
Berry weight, g
2-3 (up to 7)
Skin
thin but strong
Taste
dessert, very sweet, with sourness
Berry aroma
characteristic currant
Separation of berries
dry
Tasting assessment
4,9
Growing
Self-fertility
self-fertile
Winter hardiness
above average
Sprinkling of berries
weak
Drought tolerance
good
Soil requirements
soils should be well-drained and well fertilized
The need for feeding
Yes
Location
light, windless, dry places without salinization and stagnant water
Growing regions
temperate climatic zone
Disease and pest resistance
good
Powdery mildew resistant
steady
Resistance to fungal diseases
steady
Kidney mite resistance
steady
Resistance to leaf spot
steady
Resistant to red gall aphids
steady
Maturation
Ripening terms
mid-late
Fruiting period
in the western part of the country begins to bear fruit in June 20, in the central - after June 25-28
Early maturity
early
Reviews
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