Characteristics and description of Titania currant variety, planting and care

A foreign currant with Russian roots - Titania - appeared about 50 years ago in domestic gardens. The berries are grown in all climatic regions of the country. The new berry tolerates frosty winters and dry summers well. With good care, currants produce high yields. You should also fulfill the growing requirements: choose the right site, provide fertile soil.

History of the origin of Titania currant

Swedish breeders were creating the Titania blackcurrant. But the pedigree of the culture leads to Russia. Botanists used the local and Russian varieties Altai Dessertnaya for crossing. Titania currant was registered in its homeland in 1970. 15 years later it appeared in Russian gardens. The varietal berry was distinguished by frost resistance, productivity, and disease resistance. This is what won the hearts of gardeners.

Pros and cons of culture

Positive properties of the Titania variety:

1. The harvest is harvested in three stages, which makes it possible to enjoy the berries.
2. Strong immunity.
3. Tolerates frost and drought.
4. The berries do not fall off during the ripening process.
5. High yield.
6. Perfectly tolerates transportation over long distances.
7. When propagated by cuttings, it quickly takes root.

Minuses:

1. High requirements of agricultural technology.
2. Improper care leads to crushing of berries.
3. We have to get rid of the growth.
4. Loves moist soil.
5. Rainy summer affects the taste of berries.
6. Berries of different sizes.

Negative characteristics do not prevent Titania from being grown on an industrial scale in the countryside.

Description and characteristics of the variety

Titania grows as a tall, spreading shrub - 1.5 x 1.5 meters, dome-shaped. The shoots are straight. They differ from their counterparts in their powerful growth. This feature allows you to form a bush during the growing season.

Berries of different sizes. 20-25 berries ripen on one cluster. The shell is dense, shiny, black in color. The pulp is aromatic, sweet and sour with notes of wine.Taste qualities – 4.6 points.

Suitable region and climate

Due to its resistance to drought and frost, Titania is grown in regions with different climatic conditions.

Resistance to sub-zero temperatures and drought

The bushes tolerate low temperatures down to -34 degrees. In northern regions with snowy winters they can spend the winter without shelter.

Titania currants can withstand drought, but not for a long time. Therefore it requires watering.

Susceptibility to diseases and pests

Currants with strong immunity. With proper care, the plant is not susceptible to diseases: anthracnose, white spot, brown spot, powdery mildew.

In order to prevent pests in early spring, while the buds are sleeping, the bushes are spilled with boiling water. The procedure prevents spider mite attacks. To prevent boiling water from damaging the root system, wooden structures are laid. Currants are attacked by the glass butterfly, shoot gall midge, and fruit sawfly.

Monthly spraying with ash and water or a solution with laundry soap prevents diseases and pest attacks.

Productivity and fruiting

The berries ripen in several stages. The first collection is carried out in the first ten days of July and lasts for three weeks. The berries vary in size, weight varies from 1.3-4 grams. The taste of the pulp is sweet and sour.

Self-fertile currants from one bush yield 2-5 kilograms. On an industrial scale, 80 centners are collected from one hectare.

Applications of fruits

Titania berries are used for food in fresh or processed form. Currants preserve vitamins in frozen form. The fruits are thawed gradually so that all their properties are preserved. Place on the refrigerator shelf at a temperature of 4-5 degrees until completely defrosted.

The fruits are used to make juices, jams, and preserves.Used in the confectionery industry and cosmetology.

Currant planting technology

Titania will reward you with a high yield, sweet berries with the right growing technology. You need to choose the right planting site, fertile soil, and plant the seedling according to the scheme. Provide proper care for the crop: watering, fertilizing, bush formation.

Optimal timing

The crop is planted in early spring and autumn. It all depends on the region. In areas with low temperatures, currants are planted in the last ten days of March or early April. The landmark is dormant buds. When planting in autumn, the seedling must have time to take root before the onset of frost.

Choosing a suitable place

The site for the Titania variety is chosen to be light and unshaded. Planted, for example, along a fence, on the south side. The surface must be flat. Groundwater is above 1 meter.

The soil is prepared fertile and permeable. The optimal soil reaction is neutral, slightly acidic. Sand is added to heavy soil, and lime or dolomite flour is added to acidic soil.

Selection and preparation of planting material

The bushes of this variety are spreading, so the distance between them is maintained at least 2 meters. When planting in several rows, plant in a checkerboard pattern. The step between rows is 1.2 meters. The planting site is prepared three weeks before planting in the fall. At the same time, the place for spring planting is being prepared. Garbage and weeds are removed from the site and the ground is dug up.

Pits are dug 40x40 centimeters, depth - 50. The poor bottom layer is removed. The bottom is covered with a nutrient layer: leaf compost, ash, superphosphate.

Disembarkation algorithm

After 3 weeks, the seat is ready for planting:

1. In prepared holes 40x40x50, the seedling is placed at an angle for better rooting. The depth is adjusted according to the root system.
2. First fill with half a bucket of water.
3. Covered with fertile soil.
4. The root collar is deepened 5-7 centimeters into the ground.
5. The soil is compacted and watered with the remaining water.
6. When the liquid is absorbed into the ground, the surface around the bush is mulched.
7. The branches of the bush are pruned in such a way that up to 6 developed buds remain on each shoot.

In the northern regions, planting is carried out in the spring according to the same scheme.

Care

In the process of growing currants, they provide proper care: watering, weed removal, loosening, foliar and root feeding, bush formation.

Regularity of watering

Titania prefers moist soil. If there is no precipitation, additional watering is carried out. A signal that the plant does not have enough water will be drooping leaves. The first irrigation is required at the time of ovaries. The bushes are watered a second time after harvesting. The procedure is necessary for normal wintering and the future harvest. Each bush should receive 3 buckets of water.

Fertilizing

Currants respond positively to organic matter: rotted manure, mullein solution or urea. The first feeding is carried out in early spring. Fertilizers are applied to the tree trunk circle.

In the summer, they are fed with infusions, for example, nettle. Chemical fertilizers are excluded for bait.

In the fall, after the bush has formed, add superphosphate - 4 tablespoons, potassium sulfate - 2 tablespoons, humus - 5 kilograms per square meter. The culture does not refuse foliar feeding rich in macro- and microelements.

Bush formation

In early spring and autumn, currants are pruned. The Titania variety produces many renewal shoots. Therefore, the bush can be formed in one year. After winter, frozen, dried shoots are cut out.The rest - cut to 6 buds.

After a year, the zero shoots will be skeletal branches. The bush should have 15-20 main branches. After 5 years, the old branches are replaced with zero shoots.

Sanitary, renewing pruning of the bush is carried out annually.

Preparing for frost

Currants of this variety are not afraid of frost if there is snow in the region. At low temperatures and snowless winters, the shrub requires insulation. The tree trunk circle is covered with a layer of mulch. For this, humus, peat, and sawdust are used. Organics retain heat well. The shoots are tied and pressed to the ground. Cover with material that allows air to pass through: boards, plywood, agrofibre. The shoots will rot in polyethylene.

Methods for propagating currants

Titania is grown by layering. In spring, a strong shoot is selected and pinned to the ground. In order for the branch to quickly take root, the integrity of the cover is violated. By autumn, the rooted branch is separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.

The variety produces many shoots per season. Cuttings 20 centimeters long are cut in the spring and planted in the substrate. By autumn, roots appear. The cuttings are transplanted to a permanent place. Gardeners like to use the second option. The peculiarity of the variety is the rapid survival of cuttings.

Reviews from experienced gardeners about the Titania variety

“I have been growing the Titania variety for more than 10 years. I purchased a seedling at the initial stage. Over time, he took up breeding. Now I have 5 bushes. Grown by cuttings. The bushes have taken root well. The berries differ from other varieties in their sour taste. I liked the fact that the bushes are disease resistant. I don't use chemicals. This is important for our family. I remove 2.5 kilograms from one bush. We use it fresh. Freeze in the refrigerator for the winter.In winter, the aromatic berry goes great.”

Valentin, 60 years old, Pskov region.

“I grow the Titania variety in the garden. Currants do not require special care. In the spring I feed with organic matter, in the fall with potassium sulfate. I'm glad that I don't have to deal with diseases and pests. I like that it ripens in several stages. The children have time to enjoy the berries.”

Irina, 30 years old, Torzhok.

“I grow the Titania variety at the dacha. Among the negative properties, I would like to note: the berries are sour, the size is uneven, and they become overgrown with shoots. Pros: stable harvest - 2.5 kilograms per bush, tolerate our winters well without shelter, do not get sick.”

Alexander, 45 years old, Moscow region.