Currant Red Cross (Red Cross)

Medium-early ripening variety, developed in the USA from a cross between the varieties 'Cherry' and 'White Grape', cultivated since the 19th century. Breeder: Ya. Mur. Since 1947, included in the State Register of Selection Achievements approved for use in the Central, Volga-Vyatka, Middle Volga, Lower Volga, Ural, and West Siberian regions.

Bush medium-sized, spreading, irregular in shape, medium density. Non-hardwood shoots of medium thickness, straight, green with a pinkish tip, without hairs. Hardwood shoots of medium thickness, gray-brown. Buds on stems single, egg-shaped, small, blunt, gray-brown, without hairs, deviated from the shoot. Terminal bud non-free. Leaf scars arcuate.

Leaf five-lobed, medium size, gray-green, without hairs, wrinkled, matte, leathery. Leaf blade slightly folded along the midrib. Teeth along the leaf blade edge large, blunt, with a barely noticeable 'tip'. Central lobe short, broad, with additional projections; lateral lobes short, broad, blunt, widely spaced. Angle between veins of lateral lobes blunt. Basal lobes well developed. Base with a deep heart-shaped notch, covered by basal lobes. Petiole of medium length and thickness, without hairs, green.

Flowers large, dish-shaped, green calyx tube. Sepals yellow-green, free, curled. Inflorescences medium-sized (6-7 cm with petiole), dense. Axis of medium thickness, reddish, without hairs. Petiole of medium length, green.

Berries large (average weight 0.8 g, maximum 1.3 g), red, round, slightly compressed at poles, seeds translucent, dry detachment. Moderate seed count, small seeds. Taste sour-sweet, tasting score 4.0. Berries of universal use. Calyx small, does not fall off, closed. Pedicel of medium length, S-shaped, reddish, without hairs. Chemical composition: total sugar content — 8.5%, titratable acidity — 2.0%, ascorbic acid — 35.0 mg/100 g.

Self-fertile variety, yield 9.0 t/ha (2.7 kg/plant), low winter hardiness, moderate resistance to pests and diseases.

Advantages of the variety: large berries with pleasant taste.

Disadvantages of the variety: low winter hardiness, susceptible to anthracnose, requires fertile soil.