Blackcurrant 'Titania' (Ribes nigrum) - hardy small fruit - 15 cm pot - Height 50 cm - Set of 2

Yes, the 'Titania' blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) grows very well in a pot, provided you choose a sufficiently large container: allow at least 25 to 30 cm in diameter for an adult plant. Use a well-drained multi-purpose potting mix enriched with compost, and place the pot in a sunny spot, as full sun is essential for good fruit production. Water more frequently than when planted in the ground, as the potting mix dries out more quickly, especially in summer during berry formation. Fruit tree fertilizer applied in spring and early summer will stimulate production.

Blackcurrants from the blackcurrant bush 'Titania' are harvested in summer, generally from June to August depending on the region and weather conditions. The ideal time is when the berries are 'deep black and slightly soft to the touch: they have then reached their maximum concentration of sugars, vitamin C and antioxidants. It is advisable to harvest the whole clusters (called strigiles) rather than the berries one by one, which speeds up the picking and preserves the fruit. After harvesting, the berries can be stored for a few days in the refrigerator or several months in the freezer.

The 'Titania' Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is a fully hardy shrub, capable of withstanding the harshest winters in the French regions, including mountain areas, without protection. Its frost resistance is excellent, well below -15 to -20°C depending on planting conditions. Its deciduous nature allows it to enter complete dormancy in autumn, giving it very good resistance to periods of intense cold.

The blackcurrant 'Titania' is self-fertile, which means that 'a single plant is theoretically enough to produce berries. However, planting several plants side by side, as with the set of 2 plants offered here, significantly improves cross-pollination and therefore the berry yield. The proximity of two plants stimulates the 'activity of pollinators, especially bees attracted by the fragrant spring flowers. A more abundant harvest and larger berries are generally observed when several plants are planted together.

The 'Titania' blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) prefers fresh, deep, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, between 6 and 7. Before planting, generously incorporate mature compost or well-rotted manure to improve the soil structure and stimulate the plant's establishment. Heavy, clay soils should be amended with coarse sand and compost to prevent waterlogging, which promotes root diseases.

The 'Titania' variety was specifically selected for its increased resistance to the main blackcurrant diseases, notably American blackcurrant powdery mildew (Podosphaera mors-uvae) and columnaria rust. This is one of its major advantages over older, more susceptible varieties. In practice, 'Titania' requires few phytosanitary treatments, making it a leading choice for an integrated or organic garden.

The Cassis 'Titania' supplied in a pot can be planted practically all 'year round, except during periods of severe frost or extreme heat. The best times remain 'autumn (October to November), which promotes gentle root establishment before 'winter, and spring (March to April) after the last frosts. Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the pot, incorporate compost at the bottom and mix it with the removed soil. Carefully remove the root ball without breaking it, plant the plant so that the crown is level with the ground, and firm the soil well around the roots.