One of the demanded representatives of plant growing both among gardeners and consumers is the Senator grape variety. This hybrid form was bred in Moldova as a result of crossing such varieties as Gift Zaporizhia and Maradona.
Grapes Senator: Description
It belongs to the varieties of early-middle ripening, the growing season (from the moment of budding to full maturity) is from 126 to 135 days.
The bushes are well developed, have great growth strength and are above average size. The ripening of the vine is observed along almost its entire length. The percentage of reinforcement of cuttings during planting is high. There are flowers of both sexes, which contributes to good pollination.
Large oval berries of raspberry color (at full maturity of rich dark red) are collected in beautiful dense clusters that freeze your eyes and cause a huge desire to enjoy the pleasant muscat taste of each grape, and fleshy-juicy pulp only contributes to this. Grapes in clusters of the same size, have a thin skin, which is completely not felt. Brushes are large enough, medium density and conical in shape. The average weight is from 700 to 1500 g, the weight of berries in which the content of acids and sugars is balanced is 10-15 grams. Seeds are medium in size.
Benefits
The Senator grape variety is frost-resistant and is able to withstand cold at -24 degrees in winter. In order to avoid the death of the bush, it must be covered for the winter. Senator grapes are resistant to fungal diseases (anthracnose, gray rot), affecting all parts of the plant: leaves, shoots, berries and inflorescences.
In the summer, to avoid burns from the scorching sun, the grapes should be covered with leaves, although in reality no special damage was observed, nor was a lesion observed by wasps.
Senator grapes, the reviews of consumers and winegrowers about which are exclusively positive, are optimal for growing and are in great demand in the manufacture of homemade red wine.
Grapes growing Senator
The principle of growing Senator grapes is similar to caring for the rest of the varieties and consists in the timely proper care of the bushes in order to obtain a high-quality crop and create conditions for increasing the yield in the future. Planting is carried out mainly in the spring, after the threat of frost has passed. First, you need to prepare planting pits, on the bottom of which you must place the removed topsoil mixed with peat, organic fertilizers and fertile soil.
In the spring, before budding, with the onset of warm weather, the effective activity of the root system begins. Water contained in the soil is absorbed by the plant and enters the vines. At this time, if there are fresh wounds on the bush (from pruning or accidental damage), he begins to “cry”. Depending on the characteristics of the plant itself and weather conditions, the “cry” manifests itself to varying degrees and stops during the start of shoot growth. Fluid flowing down the vine during this process can cause damage to individual eyes. To avoid such undesirable consequences, “crying” should be stopped or prevented. For this, spring pruning is required before warm weather and the beginning of sap flow.
In the spring, after the garter of the vine is made, the bushes should be catharized, that is, the surface roots located on the underground stem should be removed. Young bushes need re-catharization in the summer. This operation leads to better development of the main roots, their deeper penetration into the soil, which reduces the likelihood of freezing in the winter and drying out in the dry season.
Watering
The first watering is required in the spring. Between the bushes, you can dig pipes or install plastic bottles without a bottom and pour warm water into them at the rate of 4 buckets with 1/2 liter of ash for each bush. The second watering is done on the eve of flowering (about a week), and the third after the bush has bloomed. Watering should not be carried out during the coloring of berries. The last charge of moisture is recommended to be made in late autumn, about a week before the shelter of the vine.
Fertilizing is a necessary factor in the development and growth of the bush, which replenishes the soil with the consumption of nutrients that cause the formation of green shoots and roots. Useful trace elements should be laid in the spring, before the opening of the bushes.
Numerous reviews by gardeners and gardeners indicate that Senator grapes are an excellent variety both for fresh consumption and for the preparation of homemade wine, a glass of which you have prepared yourself will be appropriate on a cold rainy evening before a lighted fireplace. This tasty and healthy delicacy is very popular with children who are happy to come to the village with their grandmother to try a new crop of juicy and fragrant grapes.