Content
Avatar grapes are a new product brought to Russia from America. Residents of the post-Soviet space are wary of the variety, since seedlings are not cheap. Thanks to the special taste and original shape of the berries, the Avatar variety is gradually gaining trust in different regions of the country.
History of selection
The original name of the variety is IFG Six and Moon Drops. The name Avatar was given to him by amateur winegrowers. The breeding was carried out by the Californian breeding station “International Fruit Genetics”. In 2004, scientists carried out manual hybridization of the parent varieties - C22-121 and Beita Mouni. The culling and propagation of the variety by cuttings was first carried out in 2006.
The first commercial collection in America was made in 2013.
Description of Avatar grape variety
In some countries, the Avatar grape hybrid is called “Sweet Sapphire”. It is also known as "Moon Drops".
Bunches
Without taking into account the comb, the bunch reaches a length of 29 cm, a width of up to 29 cm, and an average weight of 0.7-1 kg. The brush does not require thinning; the berries are collected neatly on a dense ridge.
Berries
The fruits are dark blue, almost black. The Avatar grape variety is characterized by an elongated berry shape, with a dimple at the end. The skin is dense, there are no seeds. The pulp of the fruit is elastic and crispy. The shape of the berries is cylindrical, elongated. The average weight is 10 g, the size of a mature fruit reaches 45-50 mm in length and 18-20 mm in diameter.
Vine
The vine is of medium vigor, so it is recommended to use a vigorous rootstock. Avatar throws out the main bunch above the 3-4th node, the subsequent clusters are smaller. Experts suggest carrying out arched formation.
Characteristics of Avatar grapes
The grapes bloom in May. The type of flowers in the Avatar hybrid is bisexual, pollination occurs naturally. The variety does not require additional processing. Ripe bunches look attractive, the berries are of the same shape and length. Despite the average yield, if agrotechnical cultivation standards are observed, the variety produces a stable harvest.
Avatar grape ripening time
In terms of ripening time, Avatar is an early ripening crop. In the region where Moon Drops was bred, full ripening occurs in late summer, early autumn. In Russia, the ripening period is influenced by several factors: the number of sunny days, soil moisture and its composition.
In the southern regions, people begin to enjoy ripe berries in the second half of August.
Productivity
The grapes belong to medium-yielding varieties.Avatar is valued for its interesting appearance of berries and pleasant taste, so the average yield is not considered a disadvantage.
Taste qualities of Avatar grapes
The berries are juicy, moderately soft, sweet with a refreshing taste. Acidity index – 3.88 g/dm3, sugar accumulation – 19.4%.
Growing regions
In addition to the USA, Avatar black grapes do well in South Korea, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Ukrainian and Russian winegrowers also began to cultivate the culture.
Frost resistance of Avatar grapes
The frost resistance of the hybrid is low. In regions with winters where the temperature is below -21ᵒC, it is necessary to provide shelter. The vine is removed from the trellis, pressed to the ground, and covered with spruce branches or other suitable material. In winter, it is recommended to additionally cover with snow.
Drought resistance
Avatar grapes are drought-resistant varieties, but they will not refuse water, especially if they are cultivated in regions where precipitation is rare. The crop needs watering if less than 300 mm falls per year.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety exhibits average resistance to diseases and pests. It is recommended to carry out preventive treatment of the plant in a timely manner. You can understand that the grapes have undergone the development of a disease by the appearance of the bush.
Avatar grapes are predisposed to ailments:
- Anthracnose - characterized by a brown border on the foliage and spots on the fruit. Affected parts must be removed. Treatment is carried out with fungicides.
- Downy mildew (mildew) is a fungal disease that affects all parts of the plant. Most often it appears at high humidity and is expressed by spots on the foliage. The affected parts are torn off and disposed of.Prevention is carried out with the drugs “Ditan Neotek”, “Radomil Gold”, “Acrobat”.
- Powdery mildew (oidium) is a disease that affects all parts of the plant. It begins to appear as small greenish spots, and over time a powdery coating appears. Prevention is carried out with the drug "DNOC", it is impossible to cure the affected bushes without fungicides. It is recommended to use “Topaz”, “Strobe”.
- Gray rot is characterized by deformation of fruits and the appearance of plaque on them. Large spots form on the foliage. It is useless to treat. For prevention, before flowering, the bush should be treated with Antracol, Horus or Svitoch.
- The Avatar variety of sultanas can be attacked by mice, wasps, birds, thyroid glands, cicadas, mole crickets; the grapes are to the taste of the pipe roller, leaf roller, and thrips.
It is recommended to carry out preventive treatment of the crop, plant the vineyard on the sunny side of the plot, apply fertilizers in a timely manner, carry out pruning, and plant green manure plants next to the Avatar plantings.
Methods of application
The grapes are suitable for consumption raw; storage in the refrigerator is possible. Juice, compote, and wine are made from the berries.
Advantages and disadvantages
Professional winegrowers characterize Avatar as an excellent commercial variety, since the berries can withstand long-term transportation. Gardeners fell in love with the culture for the many positive qualities of the hybrid.
Kishmish Avatar produces large clusters, which makes harvesting easier
Pros:
- early ripeness;
- when planted by cuttings, it begins to bear fruit after three years;
- excellent taste;
- the bunches do not need loosening;
- attractive appearance;
- lack of seeds;
- tolerates transportation well;
- The berries do not crack and are stored for a long time.
Minuses:
- average yield;
- susceptibility to certain diseases and pests;
- does not tolerate frosts below -21ᵒC;
- high cost of cuttings.
Planting and care
Avatar is its own root grafted culture. Like all grape varieties, the hybrid needs a lot of heat and sunlight. It’s not for nothing that his homeland is California.
Landing conditions
It is recommended to choose southern slopes. Stagnation of cold air is contraindicated for this variety. Chernozem or sandy soils are suitable for grape cultivation. On swampy, saline soils, you should not count on an Avatar harvest. Groundwater in the area prepared for growing the hybrid should lie no higher than 1.5 m from the surface.
Before planting grapes, it is necessary to add a vitamin complex or organic fertilizers. The bottom of the pit is drained with crushed stone mixed with soil. On clay soils, experienced winegrowers recommend adding superphosphates. On sandy loam soils there is no need for drainage; they already allow air and moisture to pass through well.
Grapes are planted to a depth of 50-60 cm so that the roots are reliably protected from freezing. The grafting site should remain above the soil. The seedling is immediately tied to a support, then the bush is watered and the ground around it is mulched.
The variety does not require frequent irrigation. One watering per month is enough. Excessive amounts of water threaten the plant with rotting roots or freezing in winter. To avoid cracking of the berries, it is recommended to stop irrigation 10 days before harvesting.
Feeding
Russian gardeners have not yet fully studied which fertilizers have a beneficial effect on the hybrid. Some of them are inclined to infrequent complex feeding. Others prefer to fuel the Avatar using gibberellin. This product stimulates the formation of berries of non-standard shape and color.
Trimming
The formation of bushes is a prerequisite for a good harvest. It is recommended to carry out medium pruning, but good clusters can be formed on a short vine. The main thing is that the fruit shoot cannot be less than 10-12 cm.
Conclusion
Every year, breeders develop new varieties; one of the new varieties is the Avatar grape. To grow an intraspecific seedless hybrid, you will need to purchase a license. The variety is protected by US patent.
Reviews of Avatar grapes
