Black Currant Plant
Black currant plant, also spelled as blackcurrant, is a cold hardy shrub. Scientifically represented as Ribes nigrum, it belongs to the family Grossulariaceae. You can identify black currant plant from its palmately lobed leaves and reddish green flowers borne in a long raceme inflorescence. This perennial plant is known for its dark purple colored edible berries. Most people like the tangy taste of black currant juice. Also, black currant seed oil is loaded with innumerable health benefits. Let’s take a look at the growing and caring tips of this perennial shrub.
How to Plant a Black Currant Shrub?
The best way to propagate black currant plant is by hardwood cuttings. Although softwood cuttings are also preferred, they are difficult to promote rooting. With these modes of propagation, fruit bearing period is shortened considerably. You can buy thick and disease free black currant plant cuttings from your local nursery. Assumed that you have selected healthy black currant plantlets, following are gardening tips for growing them in your garden:
Planting Site and Soil
Black currant shrub grows well in sunny areas and less crowded sites. In case of shaded yards, select a partial shade region that receives sunlight, at least for a few hours daily. Since black currant plant thrives for longer period, proper soil preparation is of utmost importance for growing this hardy shrub. For maintaining healthy plants, the soil should be rich, well drained and near normal to slightly acidic (pH 6.5-7.5) range.
Black Currant Planting
Prior to planting black currant, dig a large hole and add a heavy dose of bonemeal or farmyard compost. Let the soil set for a couple of weeks and then, plant black currant. At the time of plantation, make a hole slightly deeper (about 5 cm) than it was growing in pot. Gently place the plant and fill the hole with soil. Press the soil firmly around the stem to remove any air pockets. Repeat these steps for growing other plantlets, but make sure to leave a space of about 1.8 meters between two plants.
Black Currant Plant Care
Water deeply the newly planted black currant plants. After care for black currant plant involves providing a warm temperature, moderate watering and adequate nutrients. A 1 inch watering per week is sufficient for maintaining these hardy shrubs. Laying a thick layer of organic mulch is beneficial in terms of conserving soil moisture and controlling weed growth. When exposed to prolonged dry spells, the plants are susceptible to mildew. Read much more on weed control.
Black Currant Pruning
Similar to maintenance of other shrubs and bushes, pruning is a basic step in caring for black currant plant. For a well established shrub, consider removing one-third of the old stems and not to forget, the weak and dead twigs. Mark the branches to be pruned down and cut them very close to the main stem. By pruning this way, you can succeed in controlling diseases and pests to some extent.
Black Currant Plant Problems
Look out for pest and disease infestations in your black currant plants. Common pests that affect black currant plants are gall mite, aphids and spider mites; whereas diseases include mildew, blister rust, reversion virus and leaf spotting disease. Based on cultivators of black currant plants, disease attacks are higher when the percentage of nitrogen content in soil is very high. Hence, ensure that you use correct fertilizers in appropriate concentration.
If you have an established black currant plant at home, you can propagate new plantlets on your own. The only consideration in collecting plant cuttings is correct time, which is around mid October. As the plant is in dormant state, it can recover fully after cuttings are made. With correct black currant plant care and maintenance tips, it usually remains productive for far more than 15 years. However, the fruit quality and yield decrease gradually with age. So, you can think of replacing older black currant plant with new saplings.
