Among the many existing grape varieties, I would like to highlight Vodograi obtained by breeder V.V. Zagorulko when crossing Arkady and Radiant Kishmish.
Vodograj grapes: description of the variety
This table grape is characterized by a vegetative period of 120 - 125 days, which is an early to medium ripening period.
The plants are quite powerful, with well-ripening shoots. Leaves are five-lobed, medium in size. The clusters are conical, large, the average mass of each is about 1 kilogram. The berries are oval, pink, large; each weighs about 10 grams, length 34 mm, width 20 mm. Juicy fleshy flesh has a pronounced nutmeg taste and rich aroma.
This variety is characterized by stable high productivity, resistance to fungal diseases and frosts, the permissible temperature limit is -21 ° C.
The Vodograi grape variety has good transportability and does not deteriorate during transport.
Features of cultivation and care
Vodograi grapes can be planted both in spring and in autumn, although in autumn the seedlings will be more vulnerable to temperature fluctuations due to possible frosts. It is advisable to prepare a landing pit, the dimensions of which are 0.8 * 0.8 * 0.8, in advance, in order to gradually compact the soil. When preparing the pit, remove the removed top layer of the earth, mix it with ash, humus, organic fertilizers, and then fill this whole mixture into the pit.
To obtain a stable and high yield, it is required to provide the plant with sufficient watering. The first should be carried out in early spring, before the buds open. This is required to restore strength after the winter period.
Next time, the plant will need moisture before flowering: after all, watering produced during the flowering of the bush can provoke shedding of flowers, so it is highly not recommended.
The third time the Vodograi grapes need to be watered when the first fruits appear. Water consumption for 1 bush of the plant is 3-4 buckets.
Watering before sheltering the bushes is also recommended, in this case you will need to pour 4 to 5 buckets of water under 1 bush.
If Vodograi grapes are planted in rows, then watering is required to be done in furrows. With a single planting of bushes around each to a depth of 30 cm, a circular ditch digs.
Mulching is an important factor in growing grapes
An important feature of grape care is mulching, which is covering the soil around the bush with covering material (needles, sawdust, straw, peat, humus, fallen leaves, grass) in order to prevent weed growth and moisture conservation. The first mulch coating is done immediately after planting and promotes root survival. Further, this operation must be carried out several times during the season, as the grapes grow.
Before the onset of frost in the autumn period, care should be taken to protect the plant and cover it, the optimal materials for which are polyethylene or earth. In the first case, iron arches are installed over a row of vines, on which polyethylene must be pulled; in the second, the vines are covered with soil until a hill forms.
The vine from each bush must be laid on the ground, secured with metal brackets. Before laying on the surface of the soil, any protective material that does not allow contact with the ground must be laid.
Subject to the correct technology of cultivation and care in the autumn, Vodograi grapes will generously please a good and tasty harvest.