Currant Hollandische Rote (Prins Albert)

An old western European variety with late ripening, cultivated since the XVII century, origin unknown. Since 1947, it has been included in the State Register of Selection Achievements, approved for cultivation in most regions of the Russian Federation, except for the Central Chernozem, North Caucasus, Ural, and Far Eastern regions.

The bush is vigorous, upright in early growth, then medium-spreading and dense. Young shoots are thick, green with a pinkish-red "tan", without hairs. Mature shoots are thick, gray-brown, straight. Buds are on the stem, solitary, elongated, large, apex pointed, gray-brown, without hairs, pressed against the shoot. Apical bud is non-free. Leaf scars are wedge-shaped.

The leaf is five-lobed, medium-sized, dark green, without hairs, wrinkled, leathery, glossy. Leaf blade is slightly folded along the midrib. Leaf margin teeth are small, sharp, with a white "tip". The central lobe is long and sharp. Lateral lobes are medium-sized, narrow, directed upward, angle between lateral lobe veins is acute. Base is straight or wedge-shaped. Petiole is medium length and thickness, hairy, brownish in lower part.

Flowers are medium-sized, bell-shaped, green calyx tube. Sepals have purple stripes, touching or overlapping one another. Inflorescences are medium (pedicel 7-9 cm), dense. Axis is thick, hairy, pedicel long. Pedicel is medium length, green, without hairs.

Berries are medium to large (average weight 0.6 g, maximum 1.0 g), round, occasionally slightly flattened at poles or with elongated base, red, dry detachable, sweet-tart flavor, rating 3.5 points. Berries are of universal use. Receptacle is large, does not fall off, closed. Seeds are moderate amount, large. Chemical composition: total sugars — 6.8%, titratable acidity — 2.5%, ascorbic acid — 40.0 mg/100 g.

Self-fertile, yield 11.0 t/ha (4.6 kg/plant), winter-hardy, characterized by high field resistance to pests and diseases.

Advantages of the variety: high winter hardiness, resistance to diseases and pests.

Disadvantages of the variety: berries with large, hard seeds.