Currant titania

Titania currant belongs to varieties of European selection, grown in summer cottages and cultivated for industrial purposes. The berry shrub is versatile in its purpose, not prone to shedding, gives large and beautiful fruits. Russian summer residents have already appreciated its merits, the variety is planted everywhere, from the northern regions to the Urals and the south.

Titania is a black currant obtained by breeders from Sweden. When crossing, the parent plants Kajaanin Musta-Tamas and Dessertnaya Altayskaya were used. The variety was obtained in 1970, but became popular in Russia only 20-25 years later.

The emerging Titania currant bushes are medium-sized, the crown has a domed shape. The average plant height is 140-150 cm. The tendency to shoot is strong, the branches are powerful, directed upwards. The leaves on the bush are large, wrinkled, abundantly covering the crown. The brushes are long, compact in size, on top they are larger, the bottom ones are smaller, on average, 20 berries in each.

Titania currant produces round, very large black berries. Their skin is dense, with a slight sheen. The berries of this variety are very large, reaching a mass of 3.5 g. Their transportability is high, they come off dryly from the stalk.

Berries with a greenish pulp have a refreshing sweet and sour taste, there is a pronounced wine shade. They are firm, not watery. The tasting score is high, reaching 4.6 points out of 5.

Titania is a medium late ripening black currant. Fruiting is extended, from the beginning of July. Harvesting is done in 3 steps. The period of active fruiting lasts up to 15 years, with anti-aging pruning up to 20.

Titania currant gives berries in the amount of 80 c / ha. For this indicator, the variety is considered a high-yielding variety. Collect from a bush from 2 to 5 kg.

The currant is self-fertile, copes with pollination on its own, without planting other varieties nearby.

For Titania currants, sandy or loamy soils, garden soil rich in humus are best suited. Too acidic, swampy, heavy clayey soils will not work. A planting space for each bush is prepared with a diameter of 55 cm at a depth of 45 cm.About 2 m is left in a row between adjacent plants.

A bucket of humus, 100 g of superphosphate, 45 g of potassium chloride are pre-poured into each well. Fertilizers are placed in the soil, covered with a layer of soil about 70 cm high - this will exclude the combustion of the roots in contact with chemicals.

2 weeks after the preparation of the pit, you can proceed to planting plants. For this, the bushes of the 2-3rd year of life are taken, placed in the hole not directly, but at an angle of 45 degrees. The root collar is deepened 50 mm from the ground.At the bottom of the hole, it is important to spread the roots well, cover them with soil, then compact the surface. The root area is spilled with water, mulched abundantly.

Since the planting of currants is carried out in the fall, it is important to take care of additional pruning. All shoots are shortened, leaving 10-15 cm. At least 5 buds should remain on them.

In the spring, the currant awakens. During this period, caring for her should be especially careful. For preventive purposes, the plants are scalded with boiling water to destroy the kidney mite. The shoots affected by it, if you do not carry out preventive treatment, will have to be cut, sometimes even to the ground.

Awakened plants are dug in a circle. Mulching can be done with natural materials or manure, but always rotted so as not to burn the roots. It is necessary to organize watering on a regular basis, especially during the period of active vegetation and flowering. Weeding and loosening of young bushes are necessary weekly, with the depth of the tool up to 70 mm. With the onset of flowering, all terry buds must be removed.

Top dressing is also carried out on a regular basis. In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied under the bushes, preferably urea at the rate of 20 g / m2. In the summer - organic, it is better to add it along with watering, avoiding root burns. All feeding is stopped 3 weeks before the berries ripen. The use of pesticides will also be banned.

In the fall, after harvesting, the bushes are gradually prepared for winter. They are fertilized with superphosphate, adding about 60 g per 1 m2, as well as 15 g of potassium sulfate. Autumn pruning is also carried out quite drastically, removing all six-year-old branches. Broken, weak, deformed shoots are also removed. In the spring, the procedure is repeated; in the summer, the bushes only need to pinch the young branches at the ends to stimulate active tillering.

The immunity of the Titania currant is above average. It is resistant to anthracnose and powdery mildew. Practically not affected by white and brown spots. Pest control is mainly aimed at killing the kidney mite.

Plants successfully tolerate most adverse external influences. The variety is frost-hardy, drought-resistant. It tolerates prolonged heat well, continuing to form flowers and ovaries.

The incredibly large black currant berries of the Titania variety have a bewitching effect on most summer residents. Those who are already lucky enough to get seedlings mention its many advantages. Plants take root well, gain height and splendor of the crown. They begin to bear fruit in the 2-3rd year from the moment of planting, they practically do not get sick. Summer residents note that the currant tolerates intense heat well even in the bright sun, practically does not freeze even in very cold winters.

Disadvantages of the variety are also found. Among the reasons for dissatisfaction, one can single out the lack of calibrated berries. They are heterogeneous, noticeably smaller on the lower branches. Taste is also not perfect, many of the berries seem rather sour. Summer residents are also unhappy with how often they have to deal with the green young shoots that actively appear near the bush.