Technical sheet of the Blackcurrant variety Cosworld Cross
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Fruit flesh color: Black (information deduced from skin color)
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Skin color: Dark black
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Size and shape: Large fruits, with an average diameter of 10 to 12 mm. Typical blackcurrant shape (round).
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Tree size: Upright habit, reaching an average height of 1.2 to 1.5 meters.
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Fruit maturity: Early, ripening earlier than Noir de Bourgogne and Andega. Harvest in early July.
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Fruit Flavor: Sweet with a good sugar-acidity balance. Particularly sweet and aromatic flavor. Milder than Noir de Bourgogne. Firm and fleshy, with a Brix level generally between 16 and 18°. Moderate acidity.
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Earliness of the variety: Early.
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Fruiting period Early to mid-July, usually late June to early July.
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Disease Resistance and Storage: Good disease resistance, especially powdery mildew and rust. Average overall susceptibility. Firm fruit. Cold storage: approximately 10 to 14 days (information from our previous conversation).
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Variety yield: Very productive, with yields higher than Noir de Bourgogne. Can reach 3 to 4 kg per adult plant, or approximately 600 kg per 1000 m².
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Is this variety self-fertile? Partially self-fertile. Better production is achieved with pollinators such as Andega or Boskoop Giant.
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Commercial use: Mainly for processing (jams). Also suitable for fresh sale due to its large, sweet fruits. Particularly suited to mild climates.
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Comments: Native to Great Britain (England), discovered in 1920. Latin name: Ribes nigrum 'Cotswold Cross'. Upright and compact habit, with average vigor. Prefers well-drained and not too chalky soils. Partial shade is preferred. Hardiness down to -15°C. The bunches are medium-sized, shorter than those of the Boskoop Giant. It is considered a honey variety, attracting pollinators.
Quick read / the essentials on Cassissier Cosworld Cross
The 'Cosworld Cross' blackcurrant – also known as 'Cotswold Cross' – is a strategic choice for professionals looking for a productive, sweet, and versatile plant. Thanks to its superior-sized fruits, with a sweet and tangy flavor, it is particularly prized for high-end juices, jams, and syrups. But above all, it seduces with its ability to perform both fresh and in processing. As a specialist wholesale supplier of blackcurrant plants , Bairiverse highlights this exceptional English variety, adapted to French temperate zones, through rigorous selection and expert advice.
With an average diameter of 10 to 12 mm and a Brix level reaching 18°, Cosworld Cross fruits outperform many traditional varieties. Their good post-harvest shelf life (up to 14 days in cold storage) makes them a major commercial asset. Buying Cosworld Cross blackcurrant plants allows you to aim for a high yield – up to 8 tonnes/ha – from the 4th year, with a productive lifespan of up to 20 years.
Flowering in mid-April and harvesting in July make this blackcurrant a well-positioned option in the growing calendar. Its upright habit and long, visible bunches facilitate mechanical or manual harvesting. Thanks to a superficial root system, the soil must remain fresh, well-drained and rich. As a wholesale supplier specializing in blackcurrant plants , Bairiverse supports you in every step: selection, planting, nutrition, and plant protection.
With good hardiness (down to -15°C), optimized pollination thanks to the Andega, Géant de Boskoop or Wellington XXX varieties, and adaptation to market requirements, buying Cosworld Cross blackcurrant plants from Bairiverse means investing in performance, durability and taste.
A specialist wholesale supplier of blackcurrant plants , Bairiverse offers you this high-potential variety in a comprehensive range dedicated to small fruit professionals in France.
Origin and generalities
The blackcurrant Cosworld Cross (sometimes spelled Cotswold Cross ) is an English variety resulting from a cross dating back to 1920. Its botanical name is Ribes nigrum 'Cotswold Cross' . This cultivar is known for its high productivity , large fruit size and sweet flavor , making it a strategic choice for industrial processing as well as for direct sale.
Fruit characteristics
The Cosworld Cross produces berries of a larger size , with an average diameter of 10 to 12 mm , significantly larger than those of the Noir de Bourgogne. The skin is dark black , the flesh firm and juicy , with a juice content estimated at between 65% and 75% of the fruit weight . The Brix level is high, between 16° and 18° , which indicates a high sugar content.
Its flavor is very fruity, sweet and tangy , less acidic than Andega and sweeter than Noir de Bourgogne. The fruit is aromatic and pleasant on the palate. It is particularly suitable for processing (juices, syrups, jams, liqueurs, pastries) but can also be eaten fresh , in fruit salads or for direct sale.
Post-harvest storage is good : the fruits can be stored for 10 to 14 days in a cold room at 0-2°C with 90-95% humidity.
Plant characteristics
Cosworld Cross is an upright, compact shrub , reaching 1.2 to 1.5 meters in height at maturity, with a similar width. It has medium to strong vigor and a shallow root system , concentrated in the top 20 to 40 cm of soil. This type of system requires well-drained soil and regular watering , especially during growth and fruiting.
Flowering occurs around mid-April , and harvesting takes place in July , generally early to mid-July . Budding is early , which makes it sensitive to late frosts .
This is a non-remontant variety , with only one harvest per year. Harvesting is easy , thanks to long, open and clearly visible bunches on the plant.
Yield and agronomic performance
The Cosworld Cross is very productive . An adult plant can produce between 2 and 4 kg per year , with an optimal yield of 6 to 8 tonnes per hectare from the 4th or 5th year. On an area of 1000 m², you can expect around 600 kg of fruit , with a planting density of around 350 plants .
Significant production begins between 2 and 3 years after planting, for a productive lifespan estimated at 15 to 20 years .
Cultural requirements
Cosworld Cross prefers heavy, fresh, deep, humus-rich soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 . It is slightly tolerant of limestone , but excessively dry soils should be avoided. It is moderately drought-resistant and requires 20 to 30 liters of water per plant per week during the growing season, divided into 2 to 3 waterings.
The ideal exposure is partial shade in hot regions and full sun elsewhere . An east-west orientation is recommended to optimize sunlight.
Sensitivities and resistances
Cosworld Cross shows moderate disease resistance , with good rust resistance. However, it is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew , which requires appropriate monitoring and preventative treatments in at-risk areas. No specific data are available regarding pests.
Hardiness is good , with cold resistance down to -15°C , making it suitable for most temperate zones in France.
Pollination
Cosworld Cross is partially self-fertile , but requires pollinators to optimize production . The varieties Andega , Boskoop Giant , Baldwin and Wellington XXX are recommended to accompany this variety.
In addition, Cosworld Cross is a honey-producing variety , appreciated by bees, which encourages cross-pollination.
Planting, pruning and training
The recommended planting period is from October to March , avoiding periods of frost. Autumn planting is preferable for better root recovery.
Annual pruning is essential , between September and February, to promote aeration, vigor and fruiting.
A balanced fertilization plan is recommended: application of decomposed manure before planting, then splitting the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium applications at bud break and after harvest, with a trace element supplement every 2-3 years .
Conclusion
Cosworld Cross is a strategic variety for blackcurrant professionals due to its high yield potential , its large fruit with a very sweet taste , and its versatility in processing and fresh production . Adapted to French temperate zones, it nevertheless requires special attention in terms of drainage, watering and protection against powdery mildew . Thanks to its high productivity and exceptional flavor , it represents an excellent option for diversifying a commercial or industrial range .
To summarize: Cassissier Cosworld Cross
In conclusion, the Cosworld Cross blackcurrant stands out as an essential reference for blackcurrant producers looking for performance and consistency. Its superior size, juicy flesh with a high sugar content (up to 18° Brix), balanced flavor, and remarkable productivity (up to 8 tons per hectare) make it a variety perfectly suited to direct sales and processing. Thanks to its good post-harvest performance and its taste appeal, buying Cosworld Cross blackcurrant plants helps meet the growing demands of the small fruit market.
As a specialist wholesale supplier of blackcurrant plants , Bairiverse recommends this variety to market gardeners and arborists wishing to optimize their production over the long term. Easy to train thanks to its upright habit, the Cosworld Cross offers excellent accessibility of the bunches, ideal for manual or semi-mechanized harvests. Particular attention must be paid to irrigation, soil management and prevention against powdery mildew to ensure optimal development.
Compatibility with other pollinating varieties (Boskoop Giant, Wellington XXX, etc.) and its mid-April flowering provide good synchronization for effective fertilization. Its hardiness down to -15°C and its estimated productive lifespan of 15-20 years further reinforce its interest for stable and profitable farms. Buying Cosworld Cross blackcurrant plants from Bairiverse means choosing a trusted partner, a specialist in small fruits, capable of providing technical advice, availability and quality.
Bairiverse, a specialist wholesale supplier of blackcurrant plants , is committed to supporting French producers with certified, healthy plants that are adapted to local soil and climate conditions. To diversify your fruit offering with a high-value variety, buying Cosworld Cross blackcurrant plants is a wise and sustainable investment.
