Many gardeners from the northern regions of our country and even from the middle strip know how difficult it is to find a good variety for cultivation in difficult climatic conditions. Many varieties simply do not have time to ripen due to too short summers.
Today we want to introduce you to the Solaris grape variety, description, reviews of gardeners. It was bred in Germany during the crossing of varieties Saperavi northern and Muscat Ottonel. This is one of the best early and disease-resistant wine varieties. Sweet taste and precocity allow using it fresh, as well as for making wine and juices.
This variety is popular with gardeners in our country, primarily because it can be grown both in the southern regions and in the more northern ones. It gives excellent crops in the Tver, Moscow, Rostov, Voronezh regions, in Bashkortostan and Tatarstan.
Grapes Solaris: variety description, photo
Solaris is an excellent technical wine variety that is used for the manufacture of aromatic white wines, as well as for fresh consumption. It is characterized by an early ripening period: the first harvest is already in late July or early August. The growing season lasts from 105 to 115 days.
To understand that the grapes are fully ripe is quite simple - the growth of the shoots is completely stopped, and the berries are painted in a characteristic amber color. The Solaris grape variety has tall, strong bushes that sprout in spring. In two years they grow to a height of five meters. This allows you to design them with a decorative arch.
Solaris - grapes, a photo of which you can see in the article, has a fairly high yield - from 3 to 5 kg of fruits per square meter. And this is not the limit. Productivity can easily be increased by using vaccinations, which are optional, but desirable, as they will make grapes more productive and frost-resistant, although this variety tolerates severe Russian winters and can withstand frosts down to -30 ° C.
Fruit
Solaris grapes are literally studded with numerous cylindrical brushes with medium-sized round berries. The weight of the brush is from 300 to 400 grams, one berry - from 4 to 6 grams. Berries are rounded in amber color. In early September, the sugar content is 22%, the acidity is more than 8 g / l. In October, sugar content often increases to 30%. This explains the surprisingly gentle and pleasant sweet taste, a bit like pineapple.
Beneficial features
Probably, everyone knows the beneficial properties of all types of grapes. Solaris is no exception. Regular intake of juice from berries of this variety prevents the formation of blood clots, reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol, and prevents the development of atherosclerosis.
Acids contained in the pulp of berries have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, help to eliminate toxins from the body. A glass of warm grape juice with a cold softens a cough, soothes an irritated throat. Solaris grapes contain antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer. Eating the dried fruits of this grape (raisin) will help cure nephritis and hepatitis.
Grape planting
This grape is planted in open ground according to the rules common to most varieties. A number of important factors must be considered:
- This variety is very demanding on sunlight, so it should be placed on the site so that the shadow from the buildings does not fall on the plant for as long as possible.
- Solaris must be protected by screens, fences from the harsh northern winds.
- In the northern regions, as well as in areas with little snowy, but frosty winters, the plant is planted in a depression. This helps protect the roots from freezing. In the southern regions, on the contrary, it is better to plant grapes on a knoll so that the root system is well warmed up by the sun. In both cases, the soil must be pre-prepared: lay a drainage layer of at least 15 cm on the bottom of the landing pit, and a layer of nutrient soil on top. It can be anything, but not too wet. The plant develops poorly only in salt marshes and marshy areas.
Solaris is a grape whose description can be found in all winegrowing guides. The variety is suitable both for cultivation on the sites of amateurs, including beginners, and for planting in large areas of industrial vineyards. The plant responds well to proper care, for which it thanks high yields. Solaris needs to be molded and created to support, because the bushes of the plant are quite tall.
Plant care
Caring for this variety is uncomplicated. It consists of regular moderate watering. It is very important that the soil is not waterlogged. Water the bushes as needed, during times of drought, not more than once a week, twenty liters of water under the bush. Excess moisture can cause the berries to become watery, crack, and rot.
During the ripening of berries, the clusters must be covered with nets with small cells - this will protect the crop from birds and wasps. The structural features of the bush require daily breeding of branches and leaves to provide additional ventilation and warming by the sun. In addition, this procedure is preventive - it helps to avoid fungal infections.
Young plants even in the southern regions should be prepared for winter. Pruning is carried out, and the vines are laid on the ground, covering them with a layer of mulch and any covering material. Adult plants with a woody trunk do not need shelter. In the fall, damaged and dried shoots are cut off at these bushes - this is the end of winter preparation for them.
Pruning
This procedure is necessary for the grape, otherwise the berries become smaller, and the bush grows excessively. But in the first year after planting, pruning is not carried out, except for the removal of unripe parts of shoots in the fall. Starting from the third year, the shoots are cut off in accordance with the recommendations of the total load.
Autumn pruning should not be carried out until the leaves fall naturally or persistent negative night temperatures are established. In spring, experts do not recommend pruning: the expiration of the apiary ("crying vine") weakens the plant.
Top dressing
To make the fruits ripen better, fertilize with potash fertilizers at the end of July. For example, potassium monophosphate. Solaris is very responsive to feeding.
Diseases and Pests
Solaris grapes are resistant to many diseases, but not to all. Against downy mildew (mildew) and powdery mildew (oidium), bushes can not be sprayed. But with too dense plantings, all parts of the plant during the growing season can be affected. Yellow spots appear on the leaves. These are serious diseases that can lead to the death of the entire crop.
Overripe berries can be affected by noble rot. For the preventive treatment of plants from these diseases, fungicides are used, which are now widely represented in specialized stores.
When the bushes are regularly ventilated, gray rot does not threaten the plant. But due to non-compliance with the rules for caring for the plant, the bushes can be affected by this disease, which can spoil the entire crop. It destroys the berries and gives them an unpleasant smell of mold. Even if only one berry affected by this disease gets into the container for fermentation of wine, the product will be irreparably damaged. To minimize the risk of infection with gray rot, it is necessary to ensure access of fresh air and sunlight to leaves and fruits.
Bushes of Solaris grapes can be attacked by ticks of both grape and spider webs. To combat them, treatment of bushes with acaricides and removal of damaged shoots will be required. Ticks can infect all parts of the plant and destroy the entire vineyard, if the necessary measures are not taken in time.
Solaris grapes: reviews
Many beginner winegrowers note that they drew attention to this variety due to beautiful amber berries, the shape of a bunch, and resistance to frost. This is very important for northern areas with very short summers. Those who are already cultivating this variety on their site are pleased that the seedlings take root well, grow actively, and form powerful bushes. Of course, a good harvest of very fragrant and sweet berries cannot but rejoice.
Despite the fact that the variety is declared as wine, not all gardeners are engaged in the manufacture of wine. Nevertheless, the berries are great for fresh consumption, and the juice from them is simply amazing. Both adults and children will like it. Caring for a plant is not at all complicated and gives a real pleasure, since you can very quickly see and evaluate the results of your work and get a rich harvest of tasty and healthy berries.