Viticulture is massively engaged in the south and south-west of Eurasia. We constantly use fresh grapes, make raisins from it, and make jam, juices, wines and other drinks on its basis.
Grapes Kuban is a table grade. It grows well in the temperate climate zone. This article details the grapes of the Kuban: description of the variety, photos, reviews.
History of cultivation and distribution of varieties
The Kuban grape variety was bred by the Anapa Zonal Experimental Station (AZOS) of viticulture and winemaking. The table variety of dark blue Kuban was created at the beginning of the last century on the basis of two varieties: Cardinal and Moldova.
The first vineyards in Anapa were laid by General Pilenko in 1870. He noted that the climate in the Krasnodar Territory is similar to that of the French province of Champagne. And this meant that the conditions for breeding vineyards were suitable. He brought several grape varieties and skilled agronomists from France, who could properly care for the vineyards, ensuring a high yield.
In 1922, the next generation of specialists in the field of selection created a petrol station and continued work on the cultivation of grapes. The new grape varieties obtained at the station had good characteristics: high resistance to frost and disease, good taste and spectacular appearance of bunches.
Large grapes are sold faster and at a higher price. The berries of the Kuban grapes are black and blue, with juicy and fleshy flesh. They are sweet to taste, with a slight acidity. The weight of one berry is 10-18 grams, that is, the fruits are quite large. A bunch weighs from 1 to 1.5 kg. Thanks to these qualities, the variety is in demand by gardeners.
Description and photos of grapes Kuban
Kuban is considered a table variety with an early ripening period. In the southern regions it matures by the end of August. In appearance, it is similar to the variety Arcadia, therefore it is sometimes called the Black Arcadia. In the literature, the variety can be found under the name Moldova early.
Bushes are planted at a distance of 2-3 meters from each other so that they do not touch neighboring bushes with their stepsons. Harvest from one bush is quite high. The ripening period of berries is approximately 120 days. Ripe berries are not susceptible to attack by wasps.
The main feature of the variety is the large cluster size (up to 1.5 kg). At the same time, the clusters feel great during storage and transportation: the berries do not fall, do not burst, and retain their presentation for a long time. The variety is undemanding in care and do not need specific growing conditions.
Kuban grape bushes grow quickly and bear fruit abundantly in stepsons. The bushes are distinguished by a strong trunk and branches, the leaves are light green of medium size. Berries ripen well even with insufficient watering.
Berries of Kuban grapes with a rich, sweet taste, but there is a slight sourness. Sugar content of fruits is about 20%, acidity is about 5 g / l. Berries grow very large, weighing up to 18 grams. The shape of the fetus is oval-ovoid. Fruits with juicy fleshy pulp and large bones. According to the tasting assessment, the ripened fruits gain 8.3 points. Berries have a thin skin, edible and fragrant.
Another advantage of the variety is its high content of vitamin C. The clusters themselves are friable, conical in shape, and the berry density is medium.
Specifications
Grape bushes are characterized by high productivity, with about 60% of fruitful shoots. In order for the clusters to be large, the bushes need regular watering and good top dressing. In order not to overload the vine, in the spring it is recommended to leave 25-35 eyes on the bush.
Bushes tolerate frosts and snowy winters with low temperatures. Resistance to disease is considered average. Despite the fact that the variety is frost-resistant, it needs to be covered for the winter so that it does not freeze. Uncovered bushes are especially afraid of thaws and rains, followed by cooling, when ice appears. Therefore, shelter is needed precisely so that the ice does not destroy the kidneys.
Grape planting
It is important to choose the right place for landing - it should be sunny. Remember that in the shade the grapes will grow poorly. Also, bushes do not like drafts and sharp cold winds. Therefore, it is better to plant plants on the south side of buildings. If grape bushes are planted on a personal plot, then you need to choose a place on a hill. In the lowlands there is a lot of excess moisture from which the roots can rot, in this case, planting will be inappropriate.
Seedlings are planted from May to August. During spring planting, shoots take root and adapt before the onset of cold weather. Autumn planting is possible for adult bushes. It is most favorable to plant in the morning, 10 liters of water are necessarily poured under each seedling. Saplings tolerate non-hot sunny weather more easily than any other. If you have to plant in hot weather, then the plant needs frequent watering, you must not allow the soil to dry out.
Selection of seedlings and site preparation
Planting of vegetative seedlings in the soil is carried out in May-August. At the same time, they should have at least 5 roots with a length of about 10 cm and 1-2 shoots with a length of 20 cm. At this time, the grapes need proper and thorough care.
Preparing the soil for planting, it is imperative to carry out a set of measures that will improve its quality. Dense soil must be diluted with sand, compost or humus. The first layer is laid in a hole or trench, then there is fertile soil with humus, and after the bush is planted, the top layer of soil is laid.
If the plot is heavily overgrown with weed, then in 1.5-2 months it is necessary to destroy weeds in any way.
Grape care
As mentioned above, Kuban grapes are a sun-loving variety and will grow well in a sunny area, sheltered from the wind. In order for the bush to give a stable high yield, it must be well watered and fertilized.
Necessarily for moisture recharge, autumn watering is carried out several weeks before the grapes are covered for wintering. During the growing season, watering is necessary as necessary.
Fertilize the vineyard with organic (compost, manure), mineral (ash, potassium salt, superphosphate) and nitrogen (urea, nitrate) fertilizers. Fertilizers are applied to the bottom of the furrow. If there is enough moisture, fertilizers are applied before flowering, after flowering and before fruit ripening.
Pruning
When describing the Kuban grapes, much attention is paid to caring for the plant, including pruning.
After wintering, the bushes are opened and immediately tied to a support. Shoots are tied up at regular intervals for better illumination and prevention of fungal infection. Fruit arrows are tied strictly horizontally.
In summer, it is imperative to remove the non-fertile stepsons formed in the axils of the leaves. To correctly prune, it is important to know the structure of the vineyard. On the sleeves of the bush annual vines are formed with knots of substitution. The shoots on these knots need to be cut by 3-4 eyes, and for fruiting, 1-2 vines are left on the arrow, which has already befruited.
The main part of the shoots is cut in the fall, when the leaves fall. Then they treat bushes from pests. After that, the vineyards are sheltered for the winter.
How to protect a grape bush from birds and wasps
The Kuban grape variety is resistant to attack by wasps. To protect the crop from insects, special bags of kapron or other mesh materials are put on each bunch. This method has its drawback - in a large vineyard it is physically impossible to put on the right amount of bags. In this case, they are saved by various traps.
It is important to remember that wasps do not bite whole berries, but regale themselves already damaged. Therefore, it is advisable to immediately remove such berries, so as not to lure wasps.
How and when to harvest
Harvested, usually in sunny weather, so that the berries are dry. After rain, it is recommended to wait 1-2 days, so that the clusters are completely dry. Wet fruits will be poorly stored. It does not depend on the variety.
Already taken fruits can not be left in the sun - the berry becomes softer, and keeping quality is reduced. Bunches are cut with a secateurs. Only intact clusters are placed in the boxes, spoiled berries are cut with scissors.
Using the simple rules of growing grapes, you can harvest a high crop every year. The main thing is to carefully consider all stages of the process.
Reviews of Kuban grapes on the Web are completely different. But almost all gardeners agree that this variety definitely requires shelter for the winter and treatment from pests. The berries themselves are very sweet, ripen early, are not suitable for long-term storage.