Grapes have long become a cultivated plant. A man fell in love with this berry, found many uses for it and learned how to grow it. In the world there are a huge number of vineyards on which a wide variety of varieties grow. However, the Athos grape deserves special attention.
Variety Characteristics
Athos is a super-early variety that makes it possible to harvest the first crop in the month of July. It is quite early; other varieties are still forming fruits by this time. In addition, Athos grapes are quite undemanding to soil and care, and also shows great resistance to various diseases. It was recently bred, at the very beginning of the 2000s, in the Ukrainian city of Starobelsk.
Atos grapes, a photo of which can be seen in this article, is a product of the crossing of two very famous varieties (Kodryanka and Talisman). He is loved not only for the early ripening of fruits, but also for excellent taste. He absorbed all the best from his maternal varieties. From the time when the first buds blossomed on the bush, and until the fruit ripens, no more than a hundred days pass.
Atos grapes: description, photo
This variety can rightfully be attributed to high-yielding. From the moment of ripening, the berries can remain on the bush for about a month, while they do not lose their aesthetic and taste characteristics. They do not crack or crumble to the ground, they simply accumulate even more sugar in themselves, which makes the taste even more wonderful. Currently, an important feature is that Athos grapes are not attractive to wasps, which makes it possible to keep the berries intact and not worry that insects will damage them. But to the birds it is very to your liking, so you should worry in advance about their deterrence.
Athos grapes are characterized by vigorous bushes and large cylindrical berries, pointed in the lower part. Fruits of a dark blue color with a dense skin, but when eaten it is imperceptible. The weight of the brush can be from 700 g to 1.5 kg, which is quite a lot. The fruits have a juicy and very harmonious taste.
Berries can contain up to 19% sugar, but acidity is not felt at all. The length of the fetus can reach 3 cm, and its weight is sometimes equal to 12 grams. Such a rich harvest can easily boast to relatives and neighbors.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The leaves of this variety are medium in size and dark green in color. Shoots grow very quickly. The fruiting vine is usually trimmed to about 6-7 buds. So that the branches do not break under the weight of the brushes, you should think in advance about trellises and pegs that will hold the mass of the crop.
The variety is cold-resistant, can tolerate lowering temperatures to -23 ° C, resistant to pests and diseases. Also easily dispensed with constant watering. However, to get an excellent harvest and healthy bushes, you need to carefully choose planting material.
The use of Atos grapes
The variety is suitable for winemaking, as well as for eating fresh. In the manufacture of wine can be combined with other varieties, giving the wine excellent taste. You can also make juice or jam from it.
Description of Atos grapes characterizes it as suitable for transportation. It does not lose its attractive appearance and attracts buyers. Torn can be stored for quite some time.
Disease resistance
Description of Atos grapes characterizes it not only as a frost-resistant variety, but also as resistant to various diseases. All these positive characteristics are achieved due to the fact that the plant is a hybrid. It is little susceptible to fungal diseases, powdery mildew. However, there is a high degree of risk of infection with gray rot, so you should take care of the treatment against this disease in advance and take preventive measures.
Important is the time of acquisition of seedlings. You need to try to choose the most healthy and viable material. First of all, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the plant does not have mechanical damage, as well as incomprehensible spots on the trunk itself or on the leaves. In no case should there be any hints of drying seedlings. At least three roots should be available on the young plant, and the height of the shoot itself should be at least half a meter.
It is better to buy plants for planting in trusted places or specialized stores, otherwise you risk acquiring already infected or non-viable material. Experienced growers can easily grow for themselves a plant from a stalk, but for beginners it is better to take an already rooted seedling.
Atos grape care
In general, grapes are a plant that the sun loves. Athos is no exception in this regard. For its landing, the southern part of the site is best suited. In addition, in the territory that you allocated for the vineyard, groundwater should be at a depth of at least two meters, and ideally they should not be at all. You need to think about the location of the drain grooves in advance, since groundwater undermines the roots and can lead to the death of your plant.
Athos grapes are planted in the spring and autumn. At the same time, it is necessary to wait until the soil has completely warmed up in the spring, and in the fall it is recommended that the planting work be completed by mid-October. The distance between the bushes should be equal to 1.2 - 2 m, and the depth of the pit should be done a little more than half a meter. Drainage is done at the bottom of the pit. Before planting, roots longer than 10 cm are pruned. Dead roots are also removed. During planting, two growth buds are left above the soil level.
Disease and Pest Treatment
Despite the fact that the Athos variety is resistant to diseases and pests, it still requires some preventive treatment. First of all, his main enemy is gray rot. If it is damaged, the berries become unsuitable for storage and transportation. In addition, the treatment period for this disease can last from two to three years, so it is better to take preventive measures.
To avoid infection with gray rot, the bushes must be treated with fungicide. In addition, it is recommended to provide a good supply of fresh air to the brushes. To this end, leaves are periodically thinned around them.
To prevent damage to the crop by birds, a rigid net with small holes is thrown onto the bushes. But insecticide treatment will help to save the vine from leaflets.
Atos grapes can be a real find for the beginning gardener due to their unpretentiousness, good yield and resistance to disease.