"Natalie" is the most popular variety of berries in the suburban areas of our country. It is characterized by excellent productivity, delicious berries, as well as immunity to various diseases. Most people who choose this variety for themselves confirm this.
variety of red currant "Natalie"
the advantage of the Natalie variety is its impressive berry size and good taste
Natalie currants surpasses many varieties in sugar content in berries, productivity and resistance to frost
Breeding History and Breeding Region
This species of redcurrant was bred using interspecific crossbreeding in VSTISP V.M. Litvinova and N.K. Smolyaninova. In 1991, this variety was included in the list of the State Register of Selection Achievements. It is also recommended for landing in almost many regions of Russia.
Currant itself is an unpretentious berry and does not require special care. Therefore, the Natalie variety can be grown in almost all regions of Russia. With the exception of the Lower Volga and Northern agricultural enterprises and summer cottages. Also, the variety is not popular in the Far East of our country.
The best region for growing this type of currant will be the middle strip of Russia.
The main characteristics of the variety "Natalie"
"Natalie" has a bush with a weak sprout, but it is medium-sized and rather thick. It has straightened green shoots, usually not very thick, without pubescence. They are painted green with reddish tops, which is a distinctive feature of this type of currant. And those shoots that are lignified are brownish in color, also without pubescence.
The leaves of Natalie are five-lobed, medium in size, not pubescent, slightly wrinkled and leathery. They are characterized by green color with a light blue tint, and they themselves have a matte-like appearance with a wavy edge. According to the characteristics, the petiole is also green, of normal length and the same thickness, not pubescent.
The Natalie variety is distinguished by large flowers with cup-shaped sepals of dark red color. This type of currant has an average cluster size of up to 10 cm with a dense axis with pubescence.
Large and strong berries that gain weight from 0.7 to 1 g. They look round, slightly stretched. They are characterized by a deep red color and inside contain a certain amount of small seeds. All berries are uniform in appearance.
The variety has a dry separation, but does not have excessive aridity. It is covered with a fairly dense layer of the skin, which makes it possible for the successful transportation of berries.
Berries of the Natalie variety have a sweet and sour, but generally very pleasant taste. According to many tasters, the average taste score is 8 out of 10.
The amount of sugar in this type of currant is 6.5% and 39 mg of glucose per 100 g of product.
Grade Features
You must know the characteristics of the variety before proceeding with its cultivation. Below you will learn the ripening period of currants, productivity, transportability and other features.
Ripening period
"Natalie" refers to medium-ripening varieties. This implies that this type of currant needs about 125-135 days for full ripening.
The best month to harvest is mid July. But beveling is also possible until early August, depending on growing conditions.
If the total air temperature is too low, which is possible with a cold summer, then this will lead to one problem with the berries. Specifically, the variety is not afraid of frost, but it suffers the absence of moisture not without difficulty. This can affect the taste of berries and the condition of the bush itself in the future.
Productivity
Natalie is distinguished by its impressive and abundant productivity. One bush can produce approximately 3.6 kg of berries. This is much more than can be collected from other varieties of currants. So, in comparison, "Gazelle" and "Oryol Star" give 2 kg and 2.3 kg, respectively.
The video below shows the Natalie currant variety:
The numbers definitely show the solid advantage of Natalie in terms of the number of berries picked.
This yield is due to the fact that the variety is self-fertile. This means that the variety of currants during pollination uses only the pollen of its flowers without third-party pollinators, for example, bees.
In fact, the variety is independent and is able to develop and grow without human intervention. But in order to achieve the highest yield, it is better not to avoid external influences. The plant can do without care and fertilizer, but then the results during the collection will be disappointing.
Thus, due to the unusual structure of the currant bush flower and the same non-standard pollination process, a good crop may not be harvested even in the most favorable conditions and places.
Drought and frost resistance
Moisture is an important component, without which the Natalie redcurrant variety is almost incapable of further activity. Although the variety is considered drought tolerant, that is, it is able to easily tolerate days of drought, it reacts very sharply to a lack of water during flowering.
In the formation of currant berries, such a component is considered as satisfactory watering during ripening. It is he who will ultimately affect the size, taste and overall yield of berries. So the Natalie variety can be considered drought tolerant, but it is not recommended to completely deprive it of moisture.
As for frost resistance, the variety is absolutely indifferent to cold weather and is able to ignore frost up to -25 ° C. He also calmly and without any problems tolerates summer cold days.
Thus, the Natalie variety is boldly called drought-resistant and frost-resistant. This is one of its main advantages over other varieties of these berries.
Disease and pest resistance
"Natalie" is considered the strongest and most healthy kind of red currant. No other variety has such good resistance to plant pests and diseases of the garden flora.
The only thing that can cause Natalie to be attacked by plant viruses is the improper planting and ignoring the techniques for growing and caring for red currants. These negative and harmful measures may well weaken the immunity of the bush and turn it into a target for garden diseases.
Transportability
You can transport both clusters and berries separately, moreover, they will retain their presentable appearance for a long time. Also, the variety "Natalie" calmly copes with transportation over distances of a serious range, without losing its taste advantages.
So that when transporting our type of currant does not lose its best qualities and does not deteriorate at all, it is recommended to transport berries and clusters in small containers in order to preserve the layer below the berries themselves.
The main advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Having thoroughly examined the main characteristics of Natalie, we can highlight the main advantages and possible flaws.
Advantages:
- Frost resistance - withstands from -25 to - 30 ° C. This feature helps the variety calmly cope with climatic and meteorological problems.
- Long lifespan. This advantage means a long fruiting process. A healthy bush has the ability to give a good harvest for 10 years.
- The long term strength of the berries is that they do not crumble over an impressive period of time after they are finally ripe and ready for collection.
- The taste of berries is sweet and sour, but pleasant.
- Convenient and comfortable transportability.
- Long shelf life.
- Resistance against pests and plant diseases.
“Natalie” variety has almost no shortcomings. But experts highlight one unpleasant feature. After the bush has lived more than 5 years, it becomes too large and spreading. Because of this, the shoots bend under the weight of clusters of berries, being attracted to the ground and leaning even more. To avoid this problem, it is necessary to use wooden supports.
The benefits of red currants
Red currant or, as it is also called, ordinary currant is a small-sized shrub that belongs to the Gooseberry family. Calorie content is 39 kcal per 100 g. Among them, 0.6 g of protein, 0.2 g of fat and 11 g of carbohydrates.
It contains a substantial amount of provitamin A. Also, red currant is saturated with biotin and beta-carotenes. The composition also notes organic and mineral substances, for example, iron, calcium, magnesium and sodium.
It is thanks to the presence of these useful components that redcurrant helps to strengthen bones and improve vision. It also maintains a healthy state of hair on the head, softens and moisturizes the skin and stabilizes the immune system.
The substances contained in red currant are pleasantly considered powerful antioxidants. They help to cope with premature aging and activate the division of new cells in the body. Thus, red currant has the ability to prolong youth.
In addition, these already medicinal berries contain a unique component called oxycoumarin. He is responsible for the blood coagulation process and serves as a preventive effect against cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack.
Red currant is rich in pectins, which help to remove excess cholesterol from the body, thereby lowering it to an acceptable level and helping to avoid unpleasant and serious illnesses associated with it.
Dietary fiber contained in red currants is of great benefit to losing weight people. Due to the low calorie content, it can be safely added to your diet and not be afraid to gain weight. Therefore, currants are included in the diet when dieting.
Many desserts and other table dishes are made from Natalie. Compotes, jam and jelly are cooked from it, and also added to sauces and salads to spice up the taste of the dish. Beautiful clusters of red currant berries can become a decoration of the festive table.
Landing Features
The Natalie currant variety has its own planting characteristics. Read about all the nuances below.
Selection of seedlings
If you decide to plant “Natalie” redcurrant bushes at your own site or in the garden, then our tips on how to achieve the best possible results when buying young seedlings will come in handy.
When choosing them, focus on the following data:
- Seedlings are strong and grown. Their characteristics are 1-2 dense and non-crooked shoots with an approximate length of about 25-45 cm.
- On shoots there are several healthy and noticeable buds.
- Seedlings ready for planting consist of 3-6 coarse skeletal roots painted in light yellow. Lateral roots, however, must have a formed urinary system - that is, a system where there is no main root and basically it consists of subordinate roots.
It is best to buy seedlings in special nurseries and from professional nurseries. So you will be protected from cheating and they will assure you that you have purchased the right variety. And the likelihood that seedlings from the nursery will be infected with unpleasant diseases will be minimized.
Landing time
The best time to land Natalie is late April and early May. But it is also possible to plant the variety at the end of September for the winter, because it is frost-resistant. Although it is worthwhile to understand that the seasons are inconsistent and you should focus not on a specific month, but on other factors.
The main condition that must be met for the earth to be warm enough. At temperatures below 14 ° C, it is not recommended to plant currants. In addition, it is necessary to moisten the prepared soil. Do not do this if there has been rainfall recently. The soil structure should look loose and plowed.
Soil preparation
After buying a seedling, you must carefully prepare the place of planting:
- At the very beginning, rid the soil of weed and unfavorable roots.
- Then thoroughly dig the earth and loosen it thoroughly.
- Fertilize the soil further. The best helpers for you will be a mixture of superphosphate, wood ash and simple humus. Distribute fertilizer a meter from the intended location of a particular planting.
The most favorable for the Natalie variety are soils with a high moisture capacity and a relatively neutral reaction. They contain the necessary ratio of microorganisms needed for red currant and its successful growth. Examples of such soils are chernozem, clayey, and loamy sand.
Currant propagation
The best time for breeding is the end of August and the beginning of September. It is necessary in order not to spend money on new seedlings, but to get them yourself. In this case, you will be sure that you get what you wanted.
The easiest way to propagate the Natalie variety is to pick out a number of healthy shoots during pruning, remove all the leaves from them and cut them into 20 cm long pieces. Then they need to be processed in a root stimulator, where they are rooted, planted in nutritious soil.
Step-by-step landing pattern
Before planting a seedling, planting pits should be made. The size of each is 25-35 cm, and the width is 50-60 cm.
The landing procedure is as follows:
- Dip the seedling in the pit and evenly distribute the roots.
- Tilt the seedling. This will help the development of lateral roots and young buds.
- Half fill the hole and carefully tamp the soil.
- Pour half a bucket of water.
- Fill the remaining ground.
- Pour a bush of 10-14 liters of water.
- Fertilize the soil around the seedling. It is possible with manure and sawdust.
- Cut the seedling so that the length of the shoots does not exceed 14 cm.
Redcurrant Care
Care for the Natalie currant variety should be of high quality and timely. Read about all the features below.
We recommend reading the article on how to care for currant bushes in the autumn.
Watering
"Natalie" is unpretentious in watering and does not require much water. In summer, water it about 1 time per week, and on dry days, increase watering to 2-3 times a week. For all this, approximately 10 liters of water are needed; its temperature should be at air level.
Watering the Natalie during ripening is especially important. Water it every other day during this period so that the taste of berries is as juicy and saturated as possible.
Top dressing
"Natalie" after 3 years of life needs to be fed. In spring, fertilize the currant with compost diluted with water. In autumn, it is recommended to use mineral top dressing, which must be diluted with the soil of your site.
Regular loosening of the soil around currants and the destruction of weed plants and other pests that adversely affect the microflora of the Natalie variety will not be superfluous.
Mulching of the soil is also considered necessary. For Natalie, silt from a swamp or slurry from manure should be used. This care will help to preserve water in the soil and will contribute to an increase in its elements useful for fertility and a good harvest. It also insulates the root system and interferes with weed growth.
Pruning
Each season, the bush of the Natalie variety should be pruned in a high-quality manner. This is due to its main drawback - every year the plant grows and interferes with its own fertility.
You need to start in early spring, until the juice inside the branches begins to move. Trim old and dry branches that are unlikely to produce a good crop. At the end of pruning, treat the sore spots with activated carbon.
Then, it is necessary to prune the branches growing inside the plant.This is necessary so that in the future sunlight does not collide with obstacles on the way to the berries.
It is also sometimes necessary to carry out preventive trimming. Delete undeveloped branches on which hardly anything will grow. Do not spare broken and dry branches. Trim leaves with signs of a possible disease.
Harvesting and storage
As previously described, the first berries of the Natalie variety appear in mid-July and about 3.5 kg of berries can be collected from one bush on average. Therefore, already at this time it is necessary to think about harvesting.
In order not to damage the fruit kidney, you need to be extremely careful when picking berries. First you need to slightly raise the bunch and only after that break the crop.
It is also easy to understand that the currant brush is ripe. In its peak state, it is extremely freely and seamlessly separated from the branch. Try not to damage the fruit branch.
The best time to pick berries is dry and calm weather. You can put currants in containers and trays. Then it is worth packing in glass jars. In this form, currants can stand in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
To preserve the currant throughout the year, it must first be thoroughly washed and then dried. These procedures will remove unwanted bacteria from the berries that can accelerate the process of decay. Next, the currants are packed in bags and left in the freezer.
Winter preparations
The Natalie red currant variety is one of the most frost-resistant. But this does not mean that care for the bush in winter can be neglected.
To preserve the fertility of a currant plant and to make it as wintery as possible, cover the bush and the ground around it with humus or marsh mud.
In addition to protection from the cold, the plant will be protected from rodents and other pests that can damage young shoots. Also for the bush, this can become an additional top dressing.
Do not neglect mulching. Similar events to improve your plant will then come back to you in the form of delicious berries and a strong plant with healthy shoots.
Diseases and Pests
Although Natalie is one of the healthiest varieties of currant, pests and diseases do not always bypass it. Now we will analyze the main problems that may arise with the state of the bush and their consistent solutions:
- Powdery Mildew At the end of summer, this disease may attack your bush. To cope with it, treat the bush with “Topaz” after the plant has flowered and two weeks before the berries are picked.
- Anthracnose. To combat it, you will need a solution of iron sulfate. To get it, you need to mix 300 g of the drug with 10 liters of water. If you did not neglect pruning, then this disease will bypass your bush.
- Gall leaf aphid. This plant pest attacks a whole colony on a currant bush and can stop the growth of stems and deform the shoots. To eliminate aphids, you need to spray the bush with a solution of kalbofos, and destroy the damaged foliage.
- Gooseberry sawfly. To combat this pest, you must process the currant bush "Iskra DE". And in order to prevent, try not to neglect mulching.
Gardeners reviews
Nina, 29 years old, summer resident, Mtsensk.I really like how much you can harvest from one bush. Enough for compote and jam, even the grandmother still has a little left.
Vitaliy, 48 years old, amateur gardener, village of Kanishchevo.I often have to bother in the garden due to the fact that many plants are constantly getting sick. This is some kind of crazy invasion of aphids, then just some kind of burns, it is not clear where. There are no problems with the Natalie currant. I read that some have problems, but for 5 years of the life of my bushes nothing, absolutely nothing happened!
Ole, 36 years old, builder, city of Yelets.I work in a construction company and in the summer I have a season, so I can’t stay in the country all the time. In such a situation, I just like the Natalie variety. Currants are completely unpretentious. It grows in the country, and I calmly go about my business.
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Natalie redcurrant is very popular in the berry market. If you are planning or just want to plant something on your site, then your choice must definitely fall on Natalie. And, taking into account all the advantages, this choice will be the most correct and correct.