Technical sheet of the Boskoop Giant Blackcurrant variety
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Skin color: Shiny black
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Size and shape: Large fruits (about 1-1.2 cm in diameter), 1.5 to 2 times larger than standard varieties. Typical blackcurrant shape.
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Tree size: 1.5 to 2 meters in height and 1 to 1.2 meters in width.
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Fruit maturity: Early July, approximately 7 to 10 days before Noir de Bourgogne.
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Fruit Taste: Tangy and well-flavored, slightly more acidic than some other varieties. Develops a pleasing aroma when fully ripe. Juicy flesh.
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Earliness of the variety: Early.
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Fruiting period Early July.
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Disease resistance and storage: Good general resistance, but susceptible to powdery mildew and limited resistance to anthracnose. Good fruit shelf life after picking (3 to 5 days at room temperature). Berry firmness 10-15% greater than that of Noir de Bourgogne.
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Variety yield: Medium to high, estimated between 3 to 5 kg per adult plant (approximately 4 kg per adult foot).
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Is this variety self-fertile? Yes, and it's also an excellent pollinator for other varieties, especially Noir de Bourgogne. Cross-pollination improves its productivity.
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Commercial use: Suitable for processing and fresh consumption. Compatible with mechanical harvesting thanks to its structure and easy detachment of the fruit.
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Comments: Originating from the Netherlands (Holland), introduced in 1887. Its bunches are long and loose with a thin skin. Requires moderate winter cold requirements.
Quick read / The essentials on Giant Blackcurrant from Boskoop
The Boskoop Giant Blackcurrant is an old and emblematic variety, originating from the Netherlands, which has established itself since 1887 as a reference in blackcurrant cultivation. Highly appreciated for the spectacular size of its berries (up to 15 mm in diameter), this cultivar appeals to both arborists and processors for its precocity, its aromatic richness and its high juice content (up to 85% of the fruit weight). These qualities make it an excellent choice for juices, jams or even artisanal liqueurs. For any market gardener or arborist looking for performance , choosing a wholesale supplier specializing in blackcurrant plants is essential in order to guarantee the quality of the plant material.
Thanks to its vigor, its habit adapted to mechanical harvesting and its productivity (up to 5 kg per adult plant), the Géant de Boskoop is particularly suitable for commercial exploitation. Its taste profile, very fragrant and sweeter than that of the Noir de Bourgogne, also makes it attractive for fresh consumption. To fully benefit from this potential, it is best to buy Géant de Boskoop blackcurrant plants from a player recognized for its expertise. Bairiverse, as a wholesale supplier specializing in blackcurrant plants , supports producers with certified plants, technical advice and a personalized approach.
In summary, to buy high-yielding Boskoop Giant blackcurrant plants and benefit from early flowering with grouped maturity at the beginning of July, trust Bairiverse , your specialist wholesale supplier of blackcurrant plants , committed to working alongside French small fruit producers.
Origin and history of the variety
The Giant Blackcurrant of Boskoop is an old variety originating from the Netherlands , discovered in 1887 in Boskoop, from which it takes its name. Since then, it has established itself as one of the reference varieties in blackcurrant cultivation intended for consumption and processing , in particular thanks to the remarkable size of its fruits and its precocity.
Fruit characteristics
The fruits of the Giant of Boskoop are particularly appreciated for their large size , reaching 12 to 15 mm in diameter , or 1.5 to 2 times larger than the standard blackcurrant. The skin is shiny black when ripe, thin but resistant, while the flesh is juicy and very similar in color, in shades of black to dark purple . The berries, round in shape , have a tangy and very fragrant taste , with a sugar content slightly higher than the Noir de Bourgogne, estimated at 15-17° Brix .
The juice content is excellent, representing 75 to 85% of the fruit weight , which makes it a sought-after variety for juices, jams and liqueurs . Thanks to their firmness, 10 to 15% greater than that of Noir de Bourgogne, the fruits have good post-harvest stability , keeping for 3 to 5 days at room temperature .
Agronomic qualities and plant behavior
The plant reaches 1.5 to 2 meters in height at maturity, with a width equivalent to 1-1.5 meters . It has an upright , bushy and shrubby habit, with a structure adapted to mechanical harvesting . Development is vigorous and relatively rapid , with production starting in the third year . The dense foliage and the formation of 5 to 8 main branches from the base require rigorous annual pruning , mainly in winter, to stimulate fruiting , which is concentrated on 2-year-old wood.
Bud break is early , and the grouped maturity of the fruits allows for efficient harvesting in 1 to 2 passes , generally at the beginning of July , or 7 to 10 days before the Noir de Bourgogne. The berries are easy to detach , and the long, loose bunches make picking easier.
Performance and uses
The average yield observed is 3 to 5 kg per adult plant , which places the variety in a medium to high range , slightly lower than Noir de Bourgogne (5 to 7 kg) but higher than varieties such as Andega (2 to 4 kg). Thanks to its fruit size , juice content and balanced flavor , the Géant de Boskoop is suitable for both fresh consumption and food processing .
Fertility and pollination
The Boskoop Giant is a self-fertile variety , but its production is optimized by cross-pollination . It is also an excellent pollinator for other varieties, especially the Noir de Bourgogne . For good efficiency, it is recommended to plant 1 pollinator plant for 3 to 4 plants to be pollinated , with a density of 350 plants per 1000 m² . The Goliath and Noir de Bourgogne varieties are particularly well suited as a complement.
Resistance to diseases and cultural constraints
Disease resistance varies depending on the source. The Boskoop Giant shows a marked sensitivity to powdery mildew and a moderate to low resistance to anthracnose , making it more susceptible than varieties such as Blackdown , but more tolerant than Noir de Bourgogne . An overall resistance rating of around 3 to 3.5/5 can be retained. In the event of conditions favorable to fungi, preventative treatments may be necessary.
No particular resistance to pests is documented. The plant prefers well-drained , moderately calcareous soils, with some cold tolerance down to -20 to -30°C depending on conditions. No specific information is available regarding sensitivity to root asphyxiation or rootstocks, but consultation with specialist nurserymen is recommended to adapt the choice to the local terroir.
Conclusion
The Boskoop Giant Blackcurrant is a benchmark variety for growers looking to combine yield, fruit size and ease of harvesting , in an early season . Although susceptible to certain fungal diseases , it offers solid agronomic performance in good growing conditions. Its aromatic profile , large fruit size and processing value make it a major asset for professional production oriented towards the fresh market as well as processing.
To summarize: Giant Blackcurrant from Boskoop
The Boskoop Giant Blackcurrant variety is aimed at demanding professionals looking for a balanced solution between yield, taste quality, and ease of cultivation. Its vigorous development, its structure adapted to mechanization, and its entry into production from the 3rd year make it an ideal candidate for a dynamic processing sector. The very large and juicy fruits offer a complex aromatic profile and good post-harvest preservation. To successfully start or complete a plot, support from a wholesale supplier specializing in blackcurrant plants is a significant factor in success.
Thanks to its natural fertility, its compatibility with other pollinating varieties such as Noir de Bourgogne, and its medium to high yields, the Géant de Boskoop guarantees a good regularity of production. However, it remains sensitive to certain diseases such as powdery mildew, which requires appropriate phytosanitary monitoring. Professional market gardeners will be able to optimize their cultivation strategy by choosing to buy Géant de Boskoop blackcurrant plants from a specialist such as Bairiverse , recognized for its know-how and the quality of its selections.
Ultimately, buying Giant blackcurrant plants from Boskoop from a specialist blackcurrant plant wholesaler like Bairiverse means choosing a reliable partner, high-performance equipment, and technical support dedicated to the success of French berry crops. Don't leave anything to chance: invest in a variety with high added value.
