Despite the fact that hundreds of grape varieties are known and successfully grown in different regions of our country today, breeders continue to work on breeding new varieties. They are trying to achieve the best indicators of productivity, improve taste, increase frost resistance and protection from pests and diseases.
Today, no one is surprised at growing grapes in the Middle Strip. For beginner gardeners, there are many recommendations for planting and caring for this plant. Today we want to present you another interesting development. Grapes "lily of the valley" is appreciated for its excellent taste and excellent appearance. In addition, he does not need very complicated care and gives a consistently high yield.
Characteristics of grapes "lily of the valley"
This variety was the result of the work of the famous Russian amateur breeder V.V. Zagorulko. This hybrid form was obtained as a result of crossing the varieties of "talisman" and "radiant sultana." Grapes "lily of the valley", a description of which can now be found on the pages of almost all gardening publications, refers to varieties of medium ripening period: depending on weather conditions, the crop can be obtained after flowering after 120-135 days.
Grapes have medium frost resistance, can withstand frosts up to -22 ° C, and under a tunnel film shelter - up to -30 ° C, so growing grapes in the middle zone is justified . For beginning gardeners, it is important to familiarize themselves with the conditions of wintering - in advance, before the onset of the first frosts, take care of the shelter.
"Lily of the valley" quickly takes root and takes root. This avoids the difficulties of reproduction and transplanting bushes. Ripe berries have a long shelf life. In a cool room, they can be until mid-winter. There are no problems with transportation.
Ripened berries can remain on the bushes for a long time, while not losing their presentation and taste. With proper care, annual abundant crops can be harvested.
Description
Sweet grape varieties, which include "lily of the valley", are always very popular, if only because they are very fond of children. This variety is distinguished by powerful and tall bushes. The grapes are large, weighing at least five hundred grams. They have a standard cylindrical or conical shape with a slight elongation.
Flowers
Grapes "lily of the valley" has bisexual flowers with a high level of pollination. "Lily of the valley" differs in fragrant and long spring blossoming.
Berries
The fully ripened berries are quite large - 3.5x2.2 cm, oval or slightly elongated. The mass of berries can reach fifteen grams. The skin is of medium thickness, when fully ripe, acquires a yellow color. Grapes "lily of the valley" has a very pleasant taste - pronounced, harmonious, with a slight muscat tint and subtle floral notes. The pulp is fleshy and very juicy. Sugar content - 19%.
Landing
In order to plant lily of the valley grapes, it is necessary to use only healthy and quality seedlings grown in specialized nurseries. This condition applies not only to this variety, but also to all new breeding innovations. Observe simple agricultural rules when landing:
- The grape variety “lily of the valley” prefers areas that are well-lit and protected from the north wind and drafts.
- It is best to plant seedlings on the south side of the plot against the wall of the capital structure.
- It is advisable to plant seedlings on small hills or artificial embankments.
- The soil should be fertile and light. In this case, the bush will take root faster and give an excellent harvest.
- The area on which groundwater is located close must be equipped with a high-quality drainage system.
- Aisles should be at least three meters.
- The landing pit should be prepared with a size of 1x1 meter and filled with a mixture of sand, humus, manure, enriched with useful substances. Use a bush growth stimulator "Humate".
- When planting, the sapling is buried along the root neck and tied to a support with a height of at least a young plant.
Care
To guarantee ripening, leave one bunch on a branch, although often vine growers create a high agrotechnical background to the bushes and load two at a time.
Grapes "lily of the valley" is distinguished by good resistance to oidium, rot and mildew. A variety of three preventive sprayings per season is enough. The first two should be carried out before flowering, and the third after, when the berries have reached the size of a pea.
It is necessary to clean and destroy dry old foliage and fallen berries under the bushes in a timely manner. Regularly prune the bushes twice a year. In autumn, it is produced after harvesting. In spring, it is necessary to remove old, broken and dried branches.
Grapes "lily of the valley" needs care of the earth around the bushes: it must be loosened, watered abundantly, mulch, do not forget about feeding.
Often the "lily of the valley" suffers from an attack by wasps. Cope with them will help special traps, baits, pollination with chemicals, as well as the timely destruction of wasp nests.
Diseases and Pests
This variety has not yet been fully studied, but the most recent research by breeders confirms that the "lily of the valley" has good immunity against pests and some diseases. Resistance to mildew, oidium is three points on a five-point scale. The gardener must follow certain preventive measures to protect the bushes and avoid unpleasant problems with their cultivation.
Breeding
Saplings and cuttings of "lily of the valley" are well rooted. Young plants, like most other grape varieties, are planted in pre-dug and well-seasoned pits. The vaccination site must be left on the surface. In the first year after planting, no more than two strong shoots are grown. The next year, they begin to form sleeves and leave a single signal cluster. The plant begins to bear fruit fully in the third or fourth year.
Grade Advantages
We have already said that the hybrid form of "lily of the valley" has not been sufficiently studied, so it is still difficult to evaluate all its advantages and disadvantages. The description of the variety presented by the breeders allows us to talk about the following advantages:
- good frost resistance;
- ripe clusters can persist for a long time on the vine, without losing the marketability and taste of berries;
- the variety is stable and high bearing, due to the bisexual type of flowers;
- commodity and taste qualities of berries are practically not affected by weather conditions and soil fertility;
- "Lily of the valley" simply and easily propagates, which is associated with high rapid survival of cuttings;
- good keeping of bunches under storage conditions was noted.
disadvantages
The only drawback of the variety that has been identified to date is the narrow regionalization and lack of study of factors that may affect fruiting. It is difficult to say how the “lily of the valley” will behave in a particular region. But breeders continue to work, and we hope that in the near future all the pros and cons of this magnificent grape will become known.
Reviews
Most amateur gardeners who already grow lily of the valley in their area liked the variety. This hybrid form has proven itself in the middle lane. It is characterized by active growth and good ripening of the vine. Winegrowers cultivating this variety for more than five years, note the excellent taste and exquisite aroma of berries, after full ripening.
For many gardeners who come to the country only for the weekend, it is very important that the ripened grapes were able to persist for a long time in the bushes and not crumble. Berries do not crack and tolerate transportation well.