Tall, early-ripening variety of edible honeysuckle "Titmouse"
Many gardeners who grow honeysuckle on their backyard prefer Titmouse. This variety has a lot of positive characteristics - high yield, frost resistance. In the article, we will tell you in detail about the advantages and disadvantages of this honeysuckle and the agrotechnical requirements that it makes.
The content of the article
What is this variety of honeysuckle
Honeysuckle Titmouse belongs to edible varieties of early ripening. The first harvest is ready for harvest in the first half of June. Average yield - 55 kg / ha.
The berries are tender, easily crumpled, they are stored even in the refrigerator for a maximum of 2-3 days.
Brief history of origin and distribution
The variety was bred by the breeders of the Moscow nursery A. Skvortsov and A. Kuklina on the basis of seedlings from the Magadan region and Kamchatka.
Honeysuckle Titmouse is included in the State Register of Russia in 1998.
Characteristics and description of the bushes
The variety is represented by vigorous (height 2 m or more), medium spreading bushes with a rounded crown and medium, curved and densely leafy shoots, which in the first year of life have a slight pubescence and light brown color.
The leaf plates are green, of medium size (about 6.5 cm long, 3 cm wide), pointed at the base, matte, strongly pubescent.
In early spring, during the flowering period, small bisexual pale yellow flowers appear on the bushes, collected in small inflorescences.
Reference. Bushes grow slowly during the first 2-3 years, reaching full size only by 6-7 years.
Resistant to temperatures
Titmouse is frost-resistant. The bushes can withstand temperatures as low as –30 ° C, the ovaries and buds do not freeze even at –5 ° C.
Moisture and drought resistance
Like other varieties of honeysuckle, Titmouse is a moisture-loving plant. But in case of waterlogging of the soil, there is a risk of rotting of the root system.
Bushes tolerate dry periods. The lack of moisture does not affect the development of the bushes, but leads to a decrease in yield.
Disease and pest resistance
The variety has a fairly high immunity to diseases and pests characteristic of the culture. However, there is a risk of infection by powdery mildew, phytoviruses, aphids, honeysuckle mites and fingerwing.
Characteristics and description of fruits
Berries are oblong-oval or elliptical, resemble a saucer at the tip, large - the average weight is 0.8-1 g. The skin is thin, at first a yellowish-gray color, after ripening it becomes almost black, covered with a bluish bloom.
The pulp is tender, the taste is sweet and sour, refreshing.
Titmouse fruits contain 7.2% sugars, 2.2% organic acids, 74 mg of ascorbic acid (per 100 g).
Areas of their application
Most often, the berries of this honeysuckle are consumed fresh, due to their short shelf life. In addition, the fruits are frozen, dried and dried, used to prepare compotes, cocktails, baking fillings, jams, juices and preserves. They even make homemade wine based on Titmouse.
Honeysuckle is also used in folk medicine - for the treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantages of titmouse honeysuckle:
- unpretentious care;
- resistance to damage by diseases and pests;
- good productivity;
- drought and frost resistance;
- pleasant, dessert taste and benefits of berries.
Disadvantages of the variety:
- low self-pollination;
- uneven ripening of fruits;
- tendency to rapid shedding;
- poor keeping quality and transportability.
Growing technology
To growing honeysuckle this variety was successful, taking into account a number of nuances regarding the timing, location and technology of planting, as well as the choice of planting material.
For planting, mature seedlings 2-3 years old with a branched root system and buds on the branches are suitable. Immediately before planting, the seedlings are examined, all damaged and broken shoots, dry roots are removed and kept in a solution of growth stimulants (Kornevin, Epin) - this will improve the survival rate of the planting material.
Optimal conditions
For planting Titmouses choose a sunny, illuminated place. In partial shade, the bushes also develop well, but yield decreases.
The variety prefers fertile, moisture-permeable soil with aeration and neutral acidity. Loam is an excellent option.
To minimize the likelihood of rotting of the root system due to high humidity, ensure that the groundwater is at least 1 m from the soil surface.
Terms and rules of landing
Honeysuckle is planted in early autumn (September) or spring, before the first buds open on the bushes.
Landing scheme:
- In the selected area, dig square-shaped planting holes measuring 40 × 40 cm.
- Pour compost or rotted humus into them and water abundantly.
- Make a small hill in the center, place a seedling on it, spread its roots.
- Cover the seedling with soil so that the root collar is 2 cm deep or is at the level of the soil surface.
- Water the plants at the rate of 10 liters of water under the bush.
- Mulch the trunk circle with peat or straw.
The bushes are planted at a distance of 1.5-2 m from each other.
Further care
Titmouse is a moisture-loving variety. Regular watering is especially important during flowering and fruiting. During these periods, the bushes are watered 1-2 times a week, pouring 10 liters of water under each plant, and in dry weather - 15-20 liters.
They feed the Titmouse in the last months of autumn. A mixture of 5 kg of compost, 40 g of double superphosphate and 100-150 g of ash is used as fertilizer. In the spring, when the buds swell, the bushes are fed with ammonium nitrate at the rate of 15 g per 1 m².
Prune plants from 6 years of age. Every year, damaged, broken, dry and diseased shoots are removed from the bushes, cutting them at the root. Every 3 years, the crown is thinned out, leaving only strong and strong branches on it.
Important! During the trimming of the Titmouse, you must not touch the top - there are buds with flowers on it.
Possible problems, diseases, pests
Diseases and pests that can infect the Titmouse are presented in the table.
| Disease / pest | Description | Treatment and prevention |
| Powdery mildew | A mealy white coating appears on the underside of the leaf plates. | The bushes are treated with Topaz.
For prophylaxis in early spring, a 5% urea solution is poured onto the root zone of plants |
| Phytoviruses | Light green spots appear on the leaves, and small brown dots appear along the central veins | Infected plants cannot be cured, they are dug up and burned so that they do not infect other bushes.
To minimize the risk of phytovirus infection, seedlings are bought in trusted places and follow the rules for plant care. |
| Aphid | Small, green or black insects that feed on leaf sap. As a result, the leaves dry out and wither. | Honeysuckle is treated with insecticidal preparations "Aktellik", "Aktara" or "Eleksar".
For prevention, the bushes are sprayed with infusion of tobacco, pepper or garlic. |
| Honeysuckle mite | Dark spots appear on the leaf plates, by the end of summer the leaves become brown and dry out | The bushes are treated with insecticides or insectoacaricides - "Aktellik" or "Rogor". Pest prevention consists in the regular thinning of the bushes. |
| Fingerwing | These pests feed on the pulp of berries and seeds. Unripe berries darken, wrinkle and crumble | To combat insects, use the drug "Inta-Vir" and water the bushes with infusion of potato or tomato tops.
For prevention, the agrotechnical requirements of the variety are observed and the bushes are watered in spring with hot water to destroy the larvae. |
Wintering
Despite the frost resistance of the variety and the lack of the need for insulation and shelter, preparation for winter consists of several stages:
- In autumn, remove a layer of old mulch and fallen leaves from under the bushes.
- Dig up the soil in the trunk circle to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Apply seasonal fertilizers.
- Tie young and slender shoots together to avoid damage under the snow.
- Cover the bushes with burlap or a special net so that they are not damaged by birds or rodents.
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Reproduction
Honeysuckle Titmouse is propagated by cuttings, layering and seeds.
When grafting from young shoots, cuttings about 20 cm long are cut and dropped at an angle of 45 °. If the soil is very dry, the cuttings are left in water overnight.
For reproduction, the lower branch is selected by layering, tilted to the ground, secured with a wire bracket and added dropwise. When an independent root system is formed on the shoot, it is separated from the main bush and planted in a permanent place.
In the case of seed propagation, dry planting material from selected fruits is used. In autumn, it is planted in a container with wet sand, covered with a lid and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
In the spring, the seeds are planted in a box filled with a nutrient mixture, covered with polyethylene and removed in a semi-dark place on the site. When shoots appear, the film is removed, and in September the plants are transplanted into open ground.
Features of growing this variety, depending on the region
The agrotechnical requirements of the Sinichka variety do not depend on the growing region. Due to its frost and drought resistance, this honeysuckle is successfully cultivated in all areas.
Pollinating varieties
Bushes pollinate bees, flies, bumblebees. Due to the low self-pollination of the varieties, pollinating varieties are planted nearby. As a result, the yield of Titmouse increases and the taste of berries improves. Two flowers form one berry with two chambers inside.
The best pollinators for this honeysuckle are:
- Moscow 23;
- Kamchadalka;
- Fortune;
- Cinderella;
- Start;
- Malvina.
Reviews of summer residents
Honeysuckle Titmouse fell in love with gardeners, which is confirmed by their positive reviews:
Ivan, Bryansk: “I have been growing titmouse for a long time, more than 7 years for sure. This is generally the first honeysuckle that I planted on the site, so I did not suspect that it needed pollinators and there were no berries for a couple of years. A neighbor suggested what was the matter, I bought a few more honeysuckle bushes of other varieties, and then Titmouse began to bear fruit. I really like these berries - they are delicious, useful, ripen early. "
Anna, Nizhnevartovsk: “Titmouse is beyond competition for me. The bushes are beautiful, powerful, frost-resistant, rarely get sick. The berries are sweet, with a pleasant slight sourness. Plant care is minimal, the main thing is to water regularly. "
Victoria, Voronezh: “My husband takes care of the garden in our family, he looks after and looks after all the plants. He planted honeysuckle at my request, I really love these berries. We planted several varieties, not only for pollination, but also for comparison. As a result, we realized that Titmouse is the best. My husband likes that the bushes require almost no maintenance, and I liked the taste of the berries - sweet, but not sugary, with sourness. "
Conclusion
The titmouse honeysuckle variety is characterized by high frost resistance, immunity to many diseases and pests, unpretentious care and pleasant tasty healthy berries.
Among the shortcomings, only unsuitability for long-term storage and transportation, as well as a tendency to shedding fruits, are noted.