About currants

[Arklady]

A long time ago when I was a child I went to visit a family and they gave me a jar of currant jelly to take home with me. I don't know what kind of currant it was but the color was pinkish. It was delicious and I thought to plant one. Could anyone tell me what type of currant it could be?

Arklady

 

[patandchickens]

Some white currants are very slightly pinkish; I have read (but never seen 'em) that there are red-white hybrid currants.

There are also IIRC pinkish gooseberries, it couldn't have been them?

Mmmm, I love currants Redcurrants are good in breakfast cereal!

Pat

 

[Arklady]

Are they really white or just that they are called white... lol... I actually never heard of white before. I know there are some black and red currants but I hesitate to buy one unless I know its close to what I want. I don't want to get something I don't like. I had considered the red though... Any thoughts on that?

 

[patandchickens]

Nope, they're fairly close to white (translucent, not opaque), like if you sucked all the pigment out of a red currant I *think* they are bred from red currants -- certainly they are a lot more like redcurrants than like black currants. Here you go: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitecurrant but the ones I've seen in real life have never been quite that pinkish looking!

I like redcurrants. They're pretty easy to grow, probably a little more relaxed in their requirements than other fruits (just no wet feet or serious drought). Need a bit of pruning every couple years to thin them out and keep them producing well. You may need bird netting if you want a harvest My impression is that the disease that is communicable to white pines (and other 5-needled pines) is more of an issue with black currants than red.

Go plant some! Ha, of course I think *everyone* should plant currants, just because *I* like 'em <g>. Assuming the disease issue is not going to be a problem for you.

(edited to correct url)

Have fun,

Pat

 

[nightshade]

how many is best to plant for good poilination? I know nothing about them except my gram loves them. I bought her one a few years ago and it is doing well but never gets alot of berries on it.

 

[Catalina]

Pink Champagne currants? They are white-ish pink.
Or Blanka White currants? They are pure white.
Currants are self-fruitful, but they set a heavier crop if you have another variety for cross pollination.
http://www.jungseed.com/sp.asp?c=227

 

[nightshade]

Thanks another bush it is then

 

[henrietta23]

Came across this thread in a search for information on currants. I'd like to try to grow some red currant bushes here. Anyone have experience? I remember my grandmother having them outside Rochester, NY.

 

[me&thegals]

They are the easiest things I grow! I tossed them in the ground a few years ago, one year my husband accidentally completely mowed one off, and yet they thrive. Never pruned, rarely fertilized or watered, but very productive.

 

[patandchickens]

Yup, no reason they shouldn't do well in CT, go get some this fall and let 'em get going

Pat