Blackcomb

Black Currant

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'Titania'

Summary: The plant growth habit of 'Blackcomb' is upright whereas that of 'Titania' is semi-upright. The one year old shoots of 'Blackcomb' are red brown whereas those of 'Titania' are brown. The glossiness of the upper side of the leaf blade of 'Blackcomb' is absent or weak whereas it is medium for 'Titania'. Per inflorescence, 'Blackcomb' has many florets whereas 'Titania' has a medium number of florets. The fruit of 'Blackcomb' is medium sized whereas the fruit of 'Titania' is small.

Description:

PLANT: upright growth habit, many basal shoots, red brown one year old shoots, vegetative bud burst mid-season, begins flowering mid-season, two to four inflorescences per axil, fruit harvest begins mid-season

VEGETATIVE BUD: moderately held out from shoot, medium length, broad acute apex, strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration, weak glaucosity
YOUNG SHOOT: strong intensity of anthocyanin colouration

LEAF: medium length/width ratio, weakly open base
LEAF (UPPER SIDE): medium green, absent or weak glossiness, absent or very weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration

INFLORESCENCE: long, many florets per inflorescence, medium intensity of anthocyanin colouration of sepal, weak intensity of anthocyanin colouration of ovary
INFRUCTESCENCE: raceme type, medium range of fruit size
FRUIT: medium size, black, medium glossiness

Origin & Breeding History: 'Blackcomb' originated from a cross between the variety 'Ojebyn' and the variety 'Titania', made in 2002 at the farm of McGinnis Berry Crops Limited in Courtney, British Columbia. In 2003, a single seedling was selected for further evaluation at the McGinnis Berry Crops Limited farm in Courtenay, British Columbia and later selected for replicated trials in 2005. 'Blackcomb' was propagated vegetatively from hardwood cuttings and planted as cuttings in Chilliwack, British Columbia at the nursery of Expert Agriculture Team and evaluated from 2006 and 2008. 'Blackcomb' was selected for its resistance to White Pine Blister Rust, long racemes, upright growth habit and vigour.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial of 'Blackcomb' was conducted in Saanichton, British Columbia in 2015. The trial consisted of a minimum of six plants per variety, spaced 60 cm apart in the row with a spacing of 3 metres between rows. Measured characteristics were based on a minimum of six measurements per variety.

Comparison table for 'Blackcomb' with reference variety 'Titania'

Fruit weight based on 100 berry count (g)

Click on image for larger view

Black Currant: 'Blackcomb' (right) with reference variety 'Titania' (left)