Content
Girlish grapes on the balcony are a great way to diversify your home. The branched plant not only acts as a decorative item, but also protects from wind and sunlight. Liana is an unpretentious crop that is actively grown both in Russia and abroad. The berries are formed without prior pollination, but they have no nutritional value.
Suitable varieties
At the moment, more than ten varieties of virgin grapes are known. The plant is grown on balconies, loggias, in open ground, in pots and containers. Over several centuries of cultivation, many varieties have been tried:
- Engelman;
The Engelman maiden grape reaches 4.5 m, grows quickly and requires frequent pruning
- Red wall;
Maiden grapes Red price are distinguished by their density and dense arrangement of shoots
- Tripointed;
The Triostrenny bush has strong tendrils that provide reliable fixation to the supports.
- Starfall;
Maiden grape Starfall can reach 9 m, is very winter-hardy
- Yellow wall.
The dense arrangement of shoots of the Yellow Wall variety provides reliable protection from the wind
By nature, girlish grapes are very tall. Every year it can add up to 400 cm. Accordingly, the balcony must be spacious, otherwise the owner will have to regularly trim the bush.
How to plant wild grapes on the balcony
City residents rarely have the opportunity to go to their dacha, and not everyone has such a plot. In this regard, many people are wondering how to grow virgin grapes at home - in a pot or on the balcony. A properly planted crop creates a pleasant shade, allowing you to spend a summer day in comfort. This issue must be approached responsibly, in accordance with the instructions and characteristics of a particular variety.
Selecting a location
Lianas can rise up to 15 m, so it is important to choose a suitable place for them. Maiden grapes standing on the balcony are usually suspended from supports so as not to create inconvenience to other people.
It is good when the balcony is on the east or west side. If the apartment is located high up or in a warm climate, this factor is not so important. The sun should not be hidden by tree branches, as well as other houses.
Soil preparation
First of all, you need to prepare a container with soil. The crop can only be grown in a large pot (100 liters) with a depth of 0.5 m. Holes are provided in advance in the lower part to remove excess moisture.
The soil is mixed with humus and humus.In its natural environment, virgin grapes are not very demanding on the soil; they can grow in sandy loam, loam, and leafy soil.
When breeding at home on the balcony, you can use the same substrates
Planting material
It will not be possible to grow luxurious wild grapes on a balcony from poorly selected material. Therefore, special attention is paid to the quality of raw materials. The crop is propagated using layering, seeds or seedlings.
It is better for beginners to use layering - they sprout in a short period of time. But the work will require a lot of space; if the balcony is not spacious enough, the procedure will be labor-intensive. At home, virgin grapes are grown as seedlings. To do this, cut off a shoot of a healthy vine and stick it into wet sand.
Landing rules
The seeds are collected in the fall: ripe berries are torn off, washed and cleared of pulp. They are placed in seedling soil, buried 10 mm. The owner will only have to water the crop and periodically weed the ground.
To plant girlish grapes on the balcony, layerings find a long stem (from 200 cm) and bury it in the ground in the form of a wave - one part is placed in the ground, the other is left outside.
The most accessible method is to plant maiden grape seedlings.
The plant is excellent for vegetative propagation, so even beginners will find it easy to plant
Processed samples are purchased in the store. If the roots are open, they need to be looked at first: specimens with weak shoots are excluded, making a choice in favor of strong and healthy ones. But it is better to purchase virgin grapes already planted in a container.And although the purchase will be more expensive, the gardener will not have problems planting it on the balcony.
The timing of planting is different: some plant in the fall, others in the spring, others try to propagate the plantings in the summer, but this is more difficult due to the constant heat. In the early stages, girlish grapes form weak shoots with tendrils. They are provided with supports to which the plant will cling independently.
After planting, the samples are moistened generously. If the balcony is closed, open the windows from time to time to prevent mold.
In the summer season, so that the virgin grapes retain moisture longer, the root zone is covered with crushed tree bark
Caring for wild grapes on the balcony
Growing virgin grapes on a loggia is quite simple, but you still need to take care of them. The entire complex of procedures can be divided into several stages:
- pruning;
- watering;
- fertilizer;
- treatment against pests and diseases;
- shelter for the winter.
Despite the apparent difficulty, especially for beginners, virgin grapes do not cause problems in caring for them. It is enough to study the theoretical material and do not forget to apply it in practice.
Trimming and shaping
When planting at home or on a balcony, the diameter of the vines must be controlled. Trimming is carried out in the second year - dry vegetation and young growth are removed. In the third and subsequent years, pruning of tall shoots is added to this.
How often to water girlish grapes on the balcony
The first watering is the most important; it is carried out immediately after planting.To minimize stress, moisturize thoroughly. Then watering is reduced to 1-2 times a week. In summer, virgin grapes are given more water, the same applies to plantings placed on southern balconies.
To delay moisture evaporation, experts recommend mulching the soil. The layers should not lie tightly, otherwise ventilation will deteriorate and mold will appear.
Top dressing
When growing girlish grapes in flowerpots on the balcony, you should remember the importance of applying nutritional supplements. This is a necessary condition for the full development and decorative type of culture.
In spring and early summer, use 40 g of nitroammophoska: mix with water for irrigation and apply at the root. During active growth, organic substances are used - manure and bird droppings. If there is no organic matter, complex fertilizers are applied.
At the end of summer, additives are not used, as the girl’s grapes begin to prepare for sleep.
Protection from diseases
The appearance of insects causes harm to both young and adult plantings. The threat is relevant when placing pots on the balcony. Among parasites, aphids are the most dangerous. It can be dealt with using a folk recipe: add a small amount of laundry soap and 10 g of alcohol to 1 liter of water. The resulting solution is used to fill the sprayer and process the girl’s grapes.
The appearance of diseases is associated with “gaps” in care - excessive or insufficient moisture, neglect of preventive treatments, poor-quality pruning, lack of fertilizers. This leads to infection with mildew and oidium. Fungicides or copper sulfate are used to protect the plant.
Wintering
Maiden grapes are also called wild grapes. It grows in the forest, on the edges, meadows and clearings.Accordingly, the crop is not afraid of frost. In Russia, only young plants (up to two years old) are covered for the winter. When growing on the balcony, it is enough to bring the pot into the house.
If serious frosts are expected, mature plantings are insulated with rags, straw, and tree bark. The material should not interfere with air flow to the roots.
In the first two years, a small balcony will be completely braided, which will create reliable shade. This can be used to organize rest and accommodate other plants that do not like direct sunlight. Green planting will attract the attention of passers-by. In autumn it will turn red and will cause real delight.
Design ideas
Decorating a balcony with a spreading vine is easier than it seems. Many people advise placing the pot in the corner farthest from the door, and pointing the stems in the opposite direction.
Designers also recommend making a small arch and implementing branching along it
To complement the picture, it is appropriate to plant other climbing crops - mountain clematis, some types of roses. Such a combination will not only be appropriate and attractive, but will also create the necessary shade for a comfortable pastime.
Conclusion
Girlish grapes on the balcony are the case when a wild plant gets along well at home. The culture has high decorative qualities, which is especially noticeable in the fall. Large red leaves make the balcony original and provide the necessary shading.The plant is not picky about care, so you should not expect problems with it.
