In the autumn period, it is necessary not only to collect the ripened crop, but also to take care of planting new crops. Very popular is this type of goodies like grapes. Breeders annually work on the development of new varieties of this plant, achieving an improved sweet taste and aesthetically rich, vibrant color. One of the best, unpretentious and well-bearing varieties of culture is grapes "Catalonia", which brings the first fruits next summer.
Breeding history
The breeder who created the Catalonia grape variety is Alexander Burdak. By crossing two types of culture, such as the "talisman" and "burgundy mantle", the scientist deduced this hybrid, which received such a romantic name. The “burgundy mantle” acquired an elongated shape and a bright, dense burgundy shade of the berry from the grapes, and a rich, sweet taste from the “talisman” variety.
Burdak A. V. classifies grapes “Catalonia” with red-violet shades. Also, the breeder positions this product as a table. Which means "ready to eat fresh." Alexander Vasilievich claims that “Catalonia” is one of the best hybrids due to its unpretentiousness and productivity.
The variety is early, so in the last days of July you can harvest a good crop.
The appearance of the berry
Grapes "Catalonia" is distinguished by large fruits weighing up to 18 grams and a length of about 3.5 cm, acquiring a burgundy color during the ripening period. If the berry hangs longer than the collection period, then after a while it will acquire a darker shade with a transition to blue-black color. At this time, there is a risk of moisture loss by grapes, in connection with which the berries dry out and their surface is wrinkled. The oblong-shaped berries with a fresh and bright taste form a bunch weighing up to 1 kg. Grapes with ripe fruits are large in size and have a rich dark shade. This berry variety has a very fleshy juicy pulp with a fragrant taste, which is characteristic of the table type of culture. The peel of the grapes is strong and dense, due to which the fruit retains external attractiveness.
Despite the strong loads experienced by the vine, it is quite strong and hardy. Thanks to these properties, shoots can have up to 3 grapes.
Culture characteristics
In the description of grapes "Catalonia" it is indicated that this variety begins to bear fruit early enough. The full ripening period is not more than 100 days.
Therefore, in early August, you can harvest a good crop. In the first year after planting, you can remove 1-2 grapes.
This variety is frost-resistant and tolerates air temperatures up to -23 degrees. In case of a lower temperature, it is recommended to warm the roots of the plant and lower stems.
Catalonia grape growing tips
For planting grapes of this type and obtaining a good harvest in the future, an important condition is the right place. The plant loves sunny areas with good access to light and poorly perceives drafts. These features must be taken into account, therefore it is recommended to plant "Catalonia" on the south side of the garden or on the northwest. Before planting, it is necessary to prepare and enrich the soil. It is also important to determine the period of planting. Experts advise to propagate and plant shoots in mid-autumn. And in the spring after the end of frost, seedlings can be planted. Some time before planting, shoots must be prepared by keeping them in solution with a small amount of potassium permanganate.
Planting a plant
An excellent option for planting grapes "Catalonia", photos of which are available in this article, is fertile and enriched with various minerals soil. It is prepared from a mixture of humus, phosphorus fertilizers containing nitrogen and potassium impurities, and turf. Then they dig a hole in 1 cubic meter and lower the seedling with the root system down. In this case, you should immerse the plant carefully and gently, since the roots of the vine are very fragile. Then they fill it with prepared mixed soil by two-thirds and fill it with water for ramming, filling the voids formed in the soil. After this, the hole with the seedling is covered with dry earth to the surface. The topsoil is covered with mulch in order to preserve moisture and reduce the risk of freezing of the earth. Also, this method helps to avoid the growth of weed grass. At the last stage, it is recommended to mulch the soil surface with a layer of dry straw around the seedling at a distance of not less than half a meter and pour water to prevent the spread of dry stems.
Culture Diseases and Pests
When describing Catalonia grapes, it is worth noting that due to the strong peel, the fruits are practically not attacked by insects. Due to the firm skin, pests such as wasps cannot obtain grape juice, so they do not attack the plant.
Felt mite is dangerous for this grape variety. Which lives on the underside of the leaf, feeding on the sap of the plant. The pest, in the process of life, produces saliva, as evidenced by a fluffy white coating on grape leaves.
Also to the pests that destroy the plant include such fungal diseases:
Mildew
This is a powdery fungus called false dew of grapes. It lives well and develops in drops of liquid. Often it can be found on the back of the sheet in the form of a web. Subsequently, yellow or brown spots form on the side of the sheet.
Oidium
A disease related to the genus fungal, another name is ashtray. The pest acquired this name due to its similarity to scattered wood ash. Located on the outer surface of leaves and grapes in the form of a gray coating. It is dangerous because it causes drying of leaves and cracking of berries.
Gray rot
Also a fungus that develops in the ground and attacks a planted plant. On infected areas of the culture, dry zones of brown shade are formed. Over time, the place becomes watery and becomes covered with gray fluff, which means the beginning of the process of development and maturation of spores.
All these diseases will not harm a mature and not the first year fruitful plant. If the seedling is young, it will be advisable to protect the grapes from fungal pests by conducting land prophylaxis.
Pest protection
To prevent damage to the plant, copper sulfate with the addition of potassium sulfate is introduced into the soil. In order to protect the grapes from the harmful attack of the caterpillars, it is necessary to spray the plant with diluted Bordeaux fluid. This procedure should be carried out in the spring at a temperature of 12 degrees or more.
In the fight against fungi, experts use acaricides and preparations containing sulfur. "Trichodermin" is also well established - a solution based on mushrooms that destroy pathogenic microorganisms. Periodically flowering plants are pollinated with tetramethylthiuram disulfides.
Do not forget that the culture can have diseases such as anthracnose, chlorosis, bacterial cancer and bacteriosis. In order to avoid damage to plants by fungi, preventive work should also be carried out.
Plant care
The productivity of the Catalonia grape variety, the photo and description of which is given in the article, depends on proper care. Even such an unpretentious hybrid needs certain conditions:
- the plant requires watering in the spring and dry periods;
- grapes will yield a good crop if the bush is trimmed annually;
- regular replenishment of organic and mineral fertilizers is necessary;
- in the first winter, a young seedling is recommended to be insulated;
- Do not forget about the preventive treatment of the plant by spraying with special protective preparations.
Using the tips and getting the necessary information, you can get an excellent harvest. Having planted Catalonia grapes, you will enjoy its unusually sweet and juicy berries the very next year.