Fruit River Black Currant Seeds

'Fruit River' is a seed strain of the black currant and its hybrids. It is meant to be used as a chance to breed and select plants that are immune to white pine blister rust as well as to create seedling populations that can be grown in a wide range of conditions within the northeastern U.S. and Midwest in particular. These areas often have restrictions on the use of black currants but seeds are allowed to be used, as seeds do not spread this disease. 'Fruit River' uses only selections that are 100 percent immune and makes it possible to keep the majority of the population even if some selections the yields are lower or the fruit is smaller than other commercial selections. Black currant is a highly desirable plant and is bred in Europe quite vigorously. These northern European selections are very good.  Not so much, if at all in the U.S. These seeds allows your breeding to take place uninterrupted and can be done quickly as plants begin fruiting nicely after3-4 years from seedling. 

Black currant plants are shade tolerant and can fruit up to  50 percent shade. Sandy soils is ideal but supplemental irrigation is a good idea to maintain fruit yield and quality. The flavor is strong yet raisin like with little astringency. 

This is my first generation of this highly beneficial fruit plant rich in antioxidants and minerals. I am trying to grow it using no supplemental irrigation and additional fertilizer. It is not easy as the plants require irrigation during the summer to get them established. Plants seem to do better in rich moist loamy soils with a bark mulch. It takes about 3 years to fruit from seedling. The plants after 3 years of growing are 2-3 ft. tall with flowers produced in long panicles. In some locations without spray, I have had problems with aphids. So far the leaves are perfectly clean throughout the summer with some leaf scorch when it gets super hot. 

The state of New York has now allowed growers to produce the fruit once again for specialty markets by removing the rather entrenched and scientifically outdated 1920's Ribes legislation that prohibited their use before. It is being used successfully as a shade tolerant plant for woody agri-forestry type plantings throughout Illinois and Missouri. Its use should be explored again as a supplemental fruit crop in agroforestry, sustainable farming and other all organic fruit plantings.