Content
Bianka grapes are a Russian winter-hardy variety that can withstand frosts down to -25 degrees. Approved for cultivation in the southern regions and regions of the Black Earth Region. The variety is productive and unpretentious. The berries are used to make wine, juices and nectars.
History of appearance
Bianka grape (Vitis L.) is a Russian variety bred on the basis of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Rostov Agrarian Research Center" (Rostov region). The same organization is currently the originator. The application was submitted in 1990. The variety was registered in the register of breeding achievements of Russia in 1993.
Description of the Bianca grape variety
Bianca is an early variety of fruit white grapes. It is a vigorous bush with medium-sized leaves of a typical green color. The upper side of the leaf blade is smooth, with light green veins visible against the general background. Their profile is wavy or funnel-shaped, the blades rise along the edges. There is no pubescence.The edges of the leaf are jagged, the teeth are large, triangular, and clearly visible.
The upper cutouts are moderately deep and can be closed or open in the form of recessed corners. The lower cutouts are small, barely noticeable or completely absent. The petiole recesses are open, vaulted, and have a flat or rounded bottom. The petioles are long, green, often with reddish tints. The flowers of the Bianca grape variety are bisexual and the plant is monoecious. Therefore, the pollination rate is quite high, the fruits set well.
Bunches
The clusters are small in size. The average weight is 140-150 g, less often up to 300-350 g. The clusters contain approximately 80-100 berries. The shape is cylindrical-conical, the density is average. The leg is short. The bunches can hang on the vine for a long time. The fruits do not fall off, which makes it possible to schedule convenient harvest dates.
Berries
The berries of the Bianca grape variety are small in size, weighing on average 1.4 g, sometimes up to 2 g. The shape is oval. Their skin is thin. Each berry contains two seeds, sometimes fewer or more. The taste is simple, with a fruity aroma. The pulp is slightly fleshy and highly juicy. The fruits are not prone to peas. The color is greenish-yellow, the skin itself has a slight white coating.
The berries ripen in 4-4.5 months
Vine
The vine ripens well, which ensures consistently high yields. As they ripen, the shoots acquire a rich brown color.
The ovaries and inflorescences practically do not fall off, but due to return frosts and temperature changes, a small part of the flowers may not open.
Characteristics of Bianca grapes
The Bianca variety is unpretentious; the bushes withstand frost, drought, temperature changes and cool summers well.Even if you follow standard agricultural practices, you can achieve stable yields.
Ripening period of Bianca grapes
From the moment the buds open in the spring to the stage of technical ripeness of the berries, 120 days pass. Therefore, Bianca grapes are early ripening varieties. To obtain berries with a richer and less sour taste, it is recommended to wait a few more weeks and plan harvesting at a later date.
Productivity
Mature bushes of the Bianca grape variety produce an average of 5 kg of berries, and in a good season and subject to agricultural practices - up to 10 kg. For industrial cultivation, the figure is 120-130 c/ha.
Sugar content of Bianca grapes
The sugar content in Bianca grapes ranges from 26 to 28 g per 100 ml of pure juice. Total acidity is 9% at the initial stage of harvesting, then decreases to 7% at full maturity.
Growing regions
The Bianca grape variety is approved for cultivation in the Black Earth and North Caucasus regions. The crop can be cultivated in all southern regions, as well as in the Voronezh, Oryol, Tambov, Belgorod, and Kursk regions.
Frost resistance
The Bianca variety is characterized by increased winter hardiness. The grapes can withstand even extreme frosts down to -25 degrees. Therefore, when grown in the Black Earth Region and southern regions, the bushes are not covered for the winter. However, it is advisable to insulate young, recently planted seedlings.
Drought resistance
The Bianca variety is drought tolerant. However, during a prolonged dry period, the bushes need additional watering.
To get a good harvest, the bushes need to be moistened regularly.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety is resistant to most diseases.Bianca grapes are not affected by gray mold and many other fungal infections. For prevention, it is enough to carry out a single treatment at the beginning of the season. Resistance to root phylloxera is noted. However, plants can be damaged by wasps and other insects. Therefore, it is necessary to take additional protective measures:
- traps;
- containers with fermenting compote;
- insecticides (for example, Aktara, Decis, Inta-Vir, Match and others).
Methods of application
Bianca grapes belong to wine varieties, the main purpose of the berries is technical. Most often, the fruits are not consumed fresh, but sent for processing. The juice yield reaches 80% of the harvest weight. Dry white wines and fortified drinks are produced from the Bianca variety, and less commonly used for the production of cognac distillates.
The juice is infused in oak barrels for several years, as a result of which it acquires a honey aroma with floral undertones. The wine is prepared both from the Bianca variety and in blends with other varieties of grapes. Another area of application is the production of juices and nectars.
Advantages and disadvantages
Bianca grapes are valued for their high winter hardiness and unpretentiousness. The crop is productive, and the taste of the berries is good enough that they can be used for preparing alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
The Bianca variety is characterized by stable yields
Pros:
- very high winter hardiness;
- can be grown in different regions of Russia;
- the ovaries do not fall off;
- good fruit set;
- immunity to diseases and pests.
Minuses:
- may be harmed by wasps and birds;
- transportability is average;
- the clusters are small, so harvesting is difficult;
- demanding of abundant sunlight.
Planting Bianca grapes
Bianca grape seedlings can be purchased at a nursery or you can take several cuttings from your neighbors and germinate them in open ground. Choose a place for planting that is illuminated, without shade, but protected from strong winds and without stagnant moisture (high ground is better, lowlands are excluded). The soil should be loose and fertile, with a neutral reaction (pH from 6.0 to 7.0).
Planting can be planned for both spring and autumn. The timing depends on the climatic characteristics of the region:
- in the Black Earth Region, seedlings are planted from April to mid-May;
- in the south, planting can begin in late March - early April;
- reserve period: the last ten days of September – the first half of October (at least a month before the expected frost).
The algorithm for planting Bianca grapes is standard:
- In a few weeks, dig holes 50*50 cm at a distance of at least 2.5 m from each other.
- Lay a layer of drainage (small stones), and on top - garden soil with humus, peat and sand (2: 1: 1: 1).
- A few hours before planting, soak the roots of the seedlings in a solution of a growth stimulator (Epin, Kornevin, Zircon or another product).
- Plant the seedlings in the center, sprinkle the soil and compact them so that the root collar goes to a depth of 10 cm.
- Lay out sawdust, straw, hay or other mulch. In the case of autumn planting, the layer should be 10-15 cm.
Caring for Bianca grapes
The Bianca variety is unpretentious. To get a good harvest, you need to provide watering and other care measures:
- The plantings are irrigated regularly, not allowing the surface layer of soil to dry out completely.During drought, watering is carried out at least once a week, the norm is two buckets per bush.
- Fertilizing is applied in the spring and during fruiting. First, superphosphate (200 g per bush) and ammonium sulfate (100 g per plant) are given, and in the summer - complex mineral fertilizer (70 g per hole).
- The soil is regularly loosened and weeded.
- Supports (pegs) are driven in next to the bushes, to which branches must be tied.
- Pruning is done in the second half of spring and mid-autumn. It is recommended to leave three eyes on each shoot to ensure optimal load on the bush.
Agricultural technology for growing the Bianca variety standard
Conclusion
Bianca grapes are a variety that has several objective advantages. It can withstand frost, drought, and is immune to a number of diseases. Therefore, the crop can be recommended for cultivation by both experienced gardeners and novice amateurs.
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