Flowering currant is a shrub that is native to western North America. It is a member of the genus Ribes and the family Grossulariaceae. The flowering currant has large, dark green leaves and small, pink or white flowers that bloom in the spring. The shrub is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks.
Related plant:
Flowering Almond Bush
Related plant:
Yellow Flowering Shrub
About soil condition, good news: just about any type of soil will do for flowering currant, as long as it is well-drained. This shrub is not particular about whether the soil is sandy or loamy, or whether it is acidic or alkaline. The main thing is that the soil not be wet or soggy, as the roots will rot in those conditions.
So, like the other plants, flowering currant needs sunlight to produce food for itself. It is a sun-loving plant and does best in full sun. In fact, it needs at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to produce an abundance of flowers. If you live in an area with long winters and short summers, you may need to supplement the plant with artificial light to encourage flowering.
The temperature condition that is best for flowering currant is cool weather. This means that the plant will do best if it is kept in a part of the house that is cool or if it is placed outdoors in a shady area. The plant will also do well if it is placed in a sun room or a green house.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 50% to 70%. Flowering currant can tolerate a range of different humidity conditions, although it prefers a moderate level. too much humidity can lead to problems with powdery mildew, while too little can cause the leaves to dry out and drop off.
For the fertilizer, this plant does best with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. Apply it according to the package directions. For the roots, it's important to keep them moist but not soggy. Allow the top of the soil to dry out a bit between watering.
Pruning is a critical part of keeping a flowering currant healthy and vigorous. Without proper pruning, the plant can become overgrown and leggy, with fewer flowers. The best time to prune a flowering currant is in early spring, before new growth begins.
Propagation for flowering currant is best done through softwood cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, disease-free plants and should be 4-6 inches in length. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the shoots and should have at least 2-3 leaves. Cuttings should be placed in a moist potting mix and kept in a cool, shady location. Once roots have developed and the plants are well-established, they can be transplanted into their permanent locations.
Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the growing conditions. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings, providing full sun, and keeping the plant free of pests and diseases will promote the fastest growth. Flowering currant can also be pruned to encourage new growth.
Common problems for this kind of plant are aphids, Japanese beetles, black spot, and powdery mildew. Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects that can cause new growth to deform and the plant to become stunted. Japanese beetles are shiny, hard-bodied beetles that can skeletonize leaves in a short period of time. Black spot is a fungal disease that will cause black spots on the leaves and eventually cause the leaves to fall off. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that will cause a white powdery substance to form on the leaves.
Source:
Redflower Currant - Ribes sanguineum | North Carolina Extension ...
Currants | Diseases and Pests, Description, Uses, Propagation
Red Flowering Currant Color Magic Book - Evergreen State
