Black currant Bagheera: description of the variety with characteristics and reviews, features of planting and cultivation and care, photos

Description of the currant variety Bagheera and photos of berries

There is hardly a garden in which black currant bushes do not grow. Among the many varieties of this plant, there are also those that not only delight with a tasty harvest, but also decorate the garden. We will talk about black currant Bagheera. Possessing excellent frost resistance, Bagheera bushes shed their leaves later than usual varieties, which allows them to be used in landscape design as hedges and group or single plantings.

Black currant Bagheera not only pleases with a healthy harvest, but also decorates the garden

Bagheera black currant is not new. The variety was born at the All-Russian Research Institute of Horticulture named after. I.V. Michurina. The Scandinavian blackcurrant variety Bredtorp and the Belarusian Minai Shmyrev were chosen as parent forms. In 1986, Bagheera was accepted for state testing, and having successfully passed it, it was entered into the State Register in 1994.

Regions suitable for growing Bagira currants are the Middle Volga, Volga-Vyatka, West Siberian, Ural and East Siberian, including the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk and Omsk regions. From the above list it is clear that the variety is zoned in places with a not very mild climate.

Bagheera bushes are medium-sized, up to 1.5 m, semi-spreading, covered with dense foliage. The pubescent young shoots are of medium thickness and grow straight. Over time, the branches become woody and acquire a yellowish color. Slightly deviated from the shoot, single buds are shaped like a slightly elongated egg with a pointed tip. The kidney scales are golden brown. The five-lobed and rather large dark green leaves have a smooth matte surface. The petiole is of medium length and thickness. The goblet flowers are not too large.

Bagheera black currant bush is semi-spreading, heavily leafy

The brushes, which are medium in size and density, grow from 3 to 6 cm in length. The knot often has 2–3 hanging brushes, each of which carries from 4 to 7 berries. The fruits can be safely called large, their weight ranges from 1.1 to 2.3 g. The shape is round or flat-round, one-dimensional. The skin is black, shiny and not very dense, but at the same time quite durable, which allows the berry to be transported over long distances.

Blackcurrant Bagheera - large-berry variety

The pulp, delicate in consistency, contains a small amount of seeds and has a pleasant aroma. The taste is dominated by sweetness, the sourness is barely perceptible. Taster rating: from 4.5 to 5 points.

Agrotechnical characteristics of the variety

Blackcurrant Bagheera is an excellent variety that has inherited only the best qualities from its parents.

Bagheera is a medium-late ripening variety;
The variety’s early fruitfulness is striking—a year or two after planting, the first harvest can be harvested. Fruiting is stable;
Bagheera's yield is good. One bush bears up to 4.5 kg of fruit;
the variety has a high percentage of self-fertility (70%), which allows you to get a good harvest regardless of weather conditions during flowering and the presence of pollinators. But to improve the quality and quantity of berries, it is a good idea to plant nearby bushes that bloom with Bagheera at the same time and are suitable for cross-pollination. These include Venus, Raisin, Green Haze;
berries that perfectly retain their shape, do not leak juice and do not wrinkle, excellent for industrial use;
can tolerate drought and frosts down to -320C;
has average resistance to powdery mildew, relatively resistant to anthracnose. May be affected by rust. Among the pests, the spider mite is not terrible, but the kidney mite can become a threat to the crop.

Advantages and disadvantages of the black currant variety Bagheera - table

Advantages	Flaws
Drought resistance.	Has average immunity. Affected by rust, susceptible to kidney mites.
Winter hardiness.
Precociousness.
Self-fertility.
Dry fruit separation.
Handles transportation well.
Perfectly stored.
The berries have universal uses.

Used fresh and processed

Currant Bagira (lat. Ríbes nígrum Bagira)

general characteristics	Spreading bush with erect stems
Ripening period	Mid-early
Taste	Sweet and sour with a little tartness
Fruit	up to 2 g
Fruiting	Average yield - from 1.6 to 2.4 kg per bush
Winter hardiness	High
Pests and diseases	High resistance to diseases and pests

Currant Bagheera - photo, description of the variety:

The mid-late currant variety Bagira (lat. Ríbes nígrum Bagira) was obtained by Michurin breeders by crossing the Bredtorp and Minai Shmyrev varieties. The bush is dense, with a medium spreading crown. The leaves are wrinkled, rich green, five-lobed. Young stems are light green, later covered with brown, woody bark. The buds are medium-sized, ovoid, solitary. The flowers are goblet-shaped, yellow-green, bisexual. The average brush length is 5-8 cm.
Large berries, round, uniform, weighing up to 2 g. The skin is black, dense, resistant to cracking. The pulp is tender, juicy, with a large number of seeds. The taste is sweet and sour, rich. The aroma is pronounced currant.
The variety is suitable for commercial cultivation. Good preservation of berries and transportability make the berries in demand on the market. The plant tolerates frost well and is demanding of moisture. With a long absence of sunny days, the yield of berries decreases. The variety also has poor resistance to powdery mildew and bud mite. Used fresh and processed.
Planting is carried out in the spring before buds open and in the fall - in mid-September. The plant is not demanding on the composition of the soil, but to obtain a good harvest it is necessary to follow the rules of agricultural technology.

In the video, the author talks about Bagheera’s stable yield and ease of care. He also notes the high taste qualities of medium-sized berries:

Landing Features

To ensure that the work of planting black currants is not in vain, you need to take into account some features.

What time to plant seedlings

Can be planted in autumn or spring. The planting season is not of fundamental importance; the main thing is to do it within a certain period.

In the fall, Bagira seedlings should be planted in early October so that the plant has time to successfully adapt. Until spring, the currants will take root and, with the onset of warmth, will actively begin to grow;
In the spring, you need to be in time before the sap begins to flow and the buds swell. If you miss the deadline, the seedling will take a long time to take root.

You can plant currants in autumn and spring, the main thing is not to miss the deadline

Planting site and suitable soil

When choosing a site for planting Bagheera currants, you need to take into account the fact that in one place the variety will grow and successfully bear fruit for more than 15 years. Sunlight is important for the plant, but midday sun can cause burns. Therefore, planting shrubs in light partial shade would be ideal. Avoid heavy shading - in such places the berries become sour and the bushes become very elongated. Usually currants are planted along hedges and fences. This is done for the purpose of protection from winds, especially northern ones. In winter, snow accumulates in such places, which will protect the currants from freezing.

Among the soils, Bagheera prefers slightly podzolized, loamy and sandy loam compositions with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. The soil on which black currants will grow must be nutritious and loose.

The currant root system has a superficial location - it penetrates only 20–40 cm deep into the soil and is very afraid of stagnant water. The groundwater level is no higher than 0.5 m from the surface.

Avoid planting Bagheera in swampy lowlands. Also, you should not plant in areas where related plants - gooseberries and currants - previously grew. Toxins that are unfavorable for growth can accumulate in such places. Bagheera grows poorly on sandy, saline and heavy soils.

The yield of black currant depends on the right location

Preparing the site for planting

If planting is scheduled for spring, you need to prepare the soil and dig a planting hole in advance - in the fall. The preparatory period for autumn planting can begin a month before the planned action.

The selected area is leveled, weeds and plant debris are removed.
They dig up the soil well and break up large clods of earth.
On a leveled surface, outline the dimensions of the planting hole - 0.5 m in circumference. They dig 40–45 cm deep. The top fertile layer of soil is put aside.
To fill the hole, add to the deposited soil: 3–4 kg of well-decomposed manure, 120–150 g of granulated superphosphate, 150–200 g of ash, 25–30 g of potassium sulfate. Instead of these fertilizers, you can add 200 g of complex mineral additives to organic matter. The composition is mixed well and placed in the pit.
Pour out 2-3 buckets of water so that the soil compacts and does not sag after planting.

If the soil in the selected area is highly acidic, liming is necessary. For every 1 m2 of digging, 400–500 g of dolomite flour or burnt lime are added.

Considering the size of the Bagheera currant bushes, the planting pattern should look like this - the distance between bushes is from 1.2 to 1.5 m, in row spacing - at least 2 m.

The hole for planting currants must be dug in advance.

Selection of planting material

Only healthy planting material can guarantee the further healthy development of the plant and stable yields.

For planting, it is best to select young 1–2 year old plants;
the root system is powerful and strong, at least 20 cm long. 3–4 lignified branches must be covered with a fibrous network of additional roots. Rotten or damaged areas are not acceptable;
the above-ground part should consist of 1–2 branches 30–35 cm long. The shoots should be elastic, covered with an elastic bark that is not damaged.

To be sure of the chosen variety, you should buy seedlings only in specialized centers.

Step by step planting process

To properly plant black currants, you need to know one secret - the seedling must be placed at an angle of 450, and the root collar is buried 6–9 cm into the soil. Thanks to this, the young plant will be able to quickly grow additional healthy shoots and form a strong bush.

Part of the soil is removed from the hole.
The seedling is placed in the planting hole at an angle and the roots are straightened.
Gently cover with soil, shaking slightly so that the soil fills all the voids between the roots. At the same time, you can spill water. One bush will need 3-4 buckets.
After planting, the soil around the bush is carefully compacted and mulched.

Experienced gardeners radically prune the seedling after planting, leaving stumps 5–10 cm above the ground. Such pruning will delay the appearance of the harvest by a year, but will help to form a powerful and healthy bush.

When planting, the currant bush is tilted at an angle of 45 degrees.

Wintering currants

The Bagheera variety tolerates even severe frosts well. But to be completely sure, you can wrap the bushes with film. During the insulation process, you need to be careful so as not to break the bush. The film must be pressed firmly to the ground, and the bush itself must be watered before covering.

All winter the plant will feed on nutrients from the soil. In the spring, when the days become warm, the film is removed and the bush is fed with fertilizers. This will compensate for the lack of microelements.

Any plant is susceptible to disease or pest damage. For Bagheera’s health, it is necessary to carry out timely preventive measures in the form of spraying, feeding, cleaning the soil, and feeding the root system. For these purposes, many drugs have been created that can be purchased in specialized stores.

Currant bush care

The unpretentiousness and hardiness of the Bagheera blackcurrant variety does not mean that the plant can be left without care. Carrying out simple agrotechnical measures will allow you to maintain the natural immunity of the plant and obtain generous harvests.

Pruning - formative and sanitary

Pruning is one of the most important maintenance techniques. The formation of the bush begins immediately after planting - half the length of the shoots or even 2/3 of the seedling is cut off. And then you need to apply the following scheme.

In the spring of the second year, skeletal branches form. To do this, choose 3–5 of the strongest shoots. All others are deleted. Around mid-summer, pinching is carried out on skeletal branches - by 2 buds, no more. This procedure will encourage the formation of young fruit branches and new shoots.
In the 3rd and 4th spring, 3–6 of the healthiest and strongest shoots are selected from the total mass of grown zero shoots, the rest are cut off. The tops of last year's branches are shortened.
As a result, after 5 years, a strong bush is formed, consisting of 3-4 shoots of each age, but not older than 5-6 years.

Proper pruning allows you to get a healthy, unthickened bush.

Sanitary pruning can be carried out in parallel with formative pruning. Sick, broken, dried shoots must be removed. They cut off the branches near the ground so that there is no stump left.

How to properly prune blackcurrant bushes - video

Watering

Bagheera currants can survive short periods of drought. But it’s not worth the risk - only timely watering will guarantee a decent harvest.

Black currants need to be watered frequently and generously, but not excessively. A prolonged lack of moisture leads to a slowdown in the growth of young shoots and affects the quality of the crop. The most important periods for watering are:

The end of May, when active growth of shoots occurs.
Early July, when the berries turn brown.
Immediately after harvesting. During this period, buds begin to form for the next season.
The end of September, but provided that the autumn is dry.

The irrigation rate per 1 m2 will be 4–5 buckets of water. It is very important that the soil is moistened 40 cm deep. If the weather is very hot or windy, the volume of water needs to be increased slightly. The number of waterings will be 1–2 times a week, but precipitation must also be taken into account.

It is best to start moisturizing currants in the evening.

Top dressing

Since Bagheera black currant can grow in one place for quite a long time, it will need additional feeding.

If all the necessary nutrients were added during planting, then they will be enough for 2 years. In this case, you can start feeding currants in the 3rd year.

Application of fertilizers for black currant Bagheera - table

Fertilizers	Application rate	Application time
Urea	A young plant requires up to 50 g per bush.	Apply in early spring.
Urea	For plants older than 5 years, the dose is reduced. Now it ranges from 20 to 40 g.	The application time also changes. Plants should receive 2/3 of the fertilizer in early spring, the rest after flowering.
Organic	After watering, organic matter will not only fertilize the bush, but also serve as mulch, protecting against excessive loss of moisture. From 5 to 10 kg are applied under the bush.	During the summer.
Potassium sulfate	10–20 g is enough for a bush.	In autumn, after harvest.
Superphosphate	50 g for each plant.	In autumn, after harvest.

Fertilizers containing nitrogen cannot be applied in the autumn. They can provoke the growth of young shoots, which, without having time to become lignified, will suffer from frost.

The organic matter that blackcurrant bushes are fed with is also a mulching agent.

Weed removal and loosening

Currants must be kept clean. Timely removal of weeds will rid the bushes of unwanted pests.

In addition, the soil under the bushes and between the rows must be constantly loosened so that it remains air- and water-permeable. This procedure should be carried out at least once a month during the entire growing season. Every autumn, the soil around the bushes and between the rows must be dug up to a depth of 15 cm.

Shelter for the winter

Bagheera currants can tolerate frosts of -300C. Natural protection in the form of snow cover is quite enough to protect against the cold. But if the winters in the region are snowless, then you need to take care of shelter. To do this, tied bushes are wrapped in any covering material that allows air to pass through.

If you are afraid that the winter will be snowless, then you can cover the blackcurrant bushes for the winter

Currant care - video

What is characteristic of the variety

Bagheera currant is self-fertile, but when planting mid-late varieties of the crop, its yield will increase significantly.

Botanical description of the bush

The planting grows up to 2 meters in height. Medium spreading bushes, densely leafy. Green smooth leaves remain on plants until frost. Flower brushes reach a length of 5-8 centimeters. They produce 4-7 black berries with a shiny surface.

Productivity and fruiting

The variety is positioned as a mid-late variety: berries weighing 2-2.5 grams ripen in mid-July. Currants bear fruit annually, the largest harvest is harvested in the 4th year, then the bushes require rejuvenation. The bush produces 3.5-4.5 kilograms of berries, which can hang on the branches for a long time without falling off.

Scope of application of fruits

Bagheera currants are used in industrial production and home canning. The berries are consumed fresh, compotes, juices, jams are prepared from them, and wine is also made from them. In addition, the fruits are frozen and dried for the winter.

Immunity to diseases

Bagheera currant has good immunity and is resistant to many diseases. But it can be affected by powdery mildew and anthracnose. To prevent diseases, you need to inspect the bushes, remove dry and diseased branches, thin out the crown, and remove plant debris from the tree trunk.

Frost and drought resistance

The variety is adapted for growing in difficult climatic conditions. It can withstand frosts down to -32°, as well as heat and prolonged absence of rain. Bagheera currant easily tolerates sudden changes in temperature and humidity.

Diseases and pests of crops

To ensure that currants do not have any problems with possible diseases and pests, more attention should be paid to preventive measures. Also, do not neglect the rules of care - a well-groomed plant always has good immunity.

Diseases characteristic of Bagheera black currant - table

Diseases	How do they manifest themselves?	Prevention	Control measures
Rust	On the affected leaves, rusty-colored pads appear on the underside; only small spots are visible on the top of the leaf. The disease leads to leaf drop and reduced yield.	Do not plant coniferous plants next to black currant plantings. At the initial stage of infection, all leaves affected by the disease must be plucked from the bush and burned. Conduct inspections in the currant plant for the purpose of timely detection of the disease.	Before the flowering period, treat with 1% Bordeaux mixture (100 g per 10 liters of water) or copper sulfate (35 g of 95% preparation per 10 liters of water).
Septoria	The leaves of a diseased plant become covered with small round or angular brown spots. Later, a dark border appears around them, and the spots themselves become almost white. If the infection is severe, the leaves may fall off almost completely. Bush growth slows down.	Fallen leaves must be collected and destroyed. Carry out annual pruning of bushes. In the fall, be sure to dig up the soil around the bushes and between the rows. Fight weeds. Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged.	In early spring, when the buds are still dormant, treat the bushes with Nitrafen or copper sulfate. In summer you can use 1% Bordeaux mixture. Carry out 2 treatments with an interval of 10 days. Prepare working solutions according to the instructions.
Terry	Deformed leaves appear on currants infected with terry. Their shape becomes not five-bladed, but three-bladed. The veins become coarser. The foliage color darkens. Young shoots stretch out. The flower brush becomes thinner, and scales appear instead of flowers.	To propagate currants, use only healthy shoots. Cut out and destroy diseased branches. Carry out thinning pruning. Fight kidney mite. He is the carrier of the disease.	Spray diseased bushes with a 1% suspension of colloidal sulfur. The first treatment is carried out during the period when ticks emerge from the affected kidneys. The second - after 10 days. If the disease progresses, 2 more sprayings will be required - after flowering and harvesting.

What symptoms can you use to recognize the disease in time - photo gallery

Leaves on currant bushes affected by rust are covered with orange growths

Septoria blight can lead to almost complete loss of foliage

Terry deforms leaves and flowers

What pests affect Bagheera currants - table

Pests	How to recognize	Prevention	Control measures
Kidney mite	The tick overwinters inside the bud, which becomes like a small head of cabbage. A weak shoot grows from it, lagging behind in development and not producing a harvest. If the damage is severe, the buds die. The mite tolerates terry and mosaic leaves.	A small number of affected buds can be collected by hand and destroyed. Severely damaged branches should be pruned and burned. Pour boiling water (but not hot water) over the bush, after tying the shoots together. This will kill the larvae inside the buds. Sprinkle the bushes with garlic infusion (pour 100–200 g of chopped garlic into 10 liters of boiling water. After mixing well and straining the solution, sprinkle it on the currants. Use this method only before flowering).	During the period of bud swelling and before flowering, spray with a solution of colloidal sulfur. The solution is prepared according to the instructions. An alternative to sulfur are acaricidal agents - Vermitek, Apollo, Neoron. Use strictly according to instructions.
Glassware	The adult lays eggs on damaged areas of the bark. The emerging caterpillars penetrate inside the shoot. Damage is not visible in the first year. In the second year, small leaves grow on the affected branches, prone to wilting and early falling. The berries are few, small and sour. A larva that has overwintered in the shoot turns the core into dust, as a result of which the shoot dries out and breaks easily.	Buy only healthy planting material. In early spring, carry out thinning pruning, removing excess shoots near the ground. Try to avoid mechanical damage to branches. Carry out regular inspection of currant bushes, cutting out wilted shoots. Cover the cuts with garden varnish. In winter, you can lightly bend the branch in the middle. The affected one will easily break. It needs to be cut out.	It is best to use the following drugs against larvae: Kemifos, Fufanon, Iskra M. When preparing the solution, follow the instructions. Twice - before flowering and after harvesting, treat the bushes with a solution of 10% Karbofos (75 g per 10 liters of water).
Gall aphid	A leaf infected with gall aphids becomes covered with swellings and growths. By feeding on the sap of young shoots, aphids greatly weaken the plant, which leads to a decrease in the harvest this year and in the future. If the currants are not rid of the pest, the bush will dry out.	In the fall, dig up the rows. In spring and summer, fight weeds. Be sure to carry out thinning pruning of bushes. Plant strong-smelling flowers and herbs next to currant bushes - marigolds, chamomile, calendula. If the aphid has just appeared, it is recommended to remove the young affected shoot from the bush and burn it. Treat the bushes with mustard infusion. Pour 25 g of powder into 1 liter of boiling water. Leave for 2 days. Strain and dilute with water to 10 liters of volume, add 50 g of soap.	The following drugs will help destroy a proliferating colony of aphids - Actellik, Confidor Maxi, Calypso, Vofatox. The drugs are toxic. When working with them, use personal protective equipment. Prepare the solution only according to the instructions.

Signs of currant pests in the photo

Kidneys affected by kidney mites become like small heads of cabbage

The glass larva eats away the core of the shoot, which leads to its drying out

The gall aphid that has settled on currants causes deformation of the leaves.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Bagheera variety is popular among gardeners due to its unpretentiousness and high taste.

When ripe, the berries have a rich, black color.

pros

drought resistance;
high taste qualities of the crop;
large-fruited berries;
winter hardiness;
good, stable yield;
fruiting from the first year;
excellent transportability, keeping quality;
self-fertility;
resistance to adverse weather conditions;
precociousness;
unpretentiousness in cultivation.

Minuses

the variety is not sufficiently resistant to fungal diseases;
there is a high probability of getting burns under the scorching rays of the sun;
vulnerable to kidney mite.

Harvesting, storage and processing of black currants

The Bagheera blackcurrant harvest occurs at the end of July or beginning of August, depending on the growing region and weather conditions. The berries ripen together. But you don’t have to rush into cleaning. The fruits hold tightly to the branches and their taste does not change.

To keep the berries longer, you need to pick whole clusters.

Bagheera berries store well. Fruits sorted and placed in a plastic bag (preferably picked as a whole bunch) can last well for more than 2 months at a temperature of about 00C. At the same time, they will not lose their taste and aroma. In the freezer the shelf life is much longer. At room temperature, whole berries can last a little over a week.

Without exaggeration, black currant berries can be called a storehouse of vitamins. Therefore, the most benefits can be obtained from eating them fresh. Currants also make wonderful preparations - jam, jelly, jam, compote.

Dried leaves and berries will make an excellent tea composition that will restore vigor and strength to the body in the winter.

Fragrant tea with black currant Bagheera will support the body in winter

Advantages and disadvantages

Gardeners note many benefits of Bagheera currants. Among them are the following:

winter hardiness (tolerates temperature drops down to – 32 °C) and resistance to drought;
a high percentage of self-fertility (reaches 70), due to which a high yield of berries is obtained, regardless of the presence of a pollinator and weather conditions during the flowering period;
early fruiting: the first harvest is obtained already 2–3 years after planting;
yield: up to 4.5 kg of fruits are harvested from one bush;
dry picking of berries;
good transportability: the berries do not wrinkle and do not release juice for a long time.

The disadvantages of the variety include low resistance to diseases and pests. Also, leaves and berries suffer from sunburn.