Content
The Chameleon grape is a hybrid bred by a Ukrainian breeder based on pollen of three varieties. It has a very high yield, large berries with a pronounced sweet taste. I mostly use them fresh. The berries can also be used to prepare preparations for the winter.
History of origin
The Chameleon grape variety was bred by Ukrainian breeder N.P. Vishnevetsky. The author is an amateur, and he has been working on creating varieties for many years. In recent years, Vishnevetsky has focused on developing new varieties that meet several requirements at once - attractive presentation, large berries, good shelf life and transportability.
Over the course of several years, the breeder obtained 15 different hybrids, which largely met all the described criteria. One of these hybrids was the Chameleon grape.It was obtained as a result of complex hybridization based on four known varieties:
- Arcadia;
- Kishmish radiata;
- Atlant Zaporozhye;
- Glasha.
The maternal form was the Atlant Zaporozhye variety, which has a female type of flowering. From the pollen of the other three varieties, Vishnevetsky obtained a mixture, which he used for fertilization. Subsequently, an artificial selection of seedlings was carried out, thanks to which it was possible to select the most suitable option, which had a number of advantages:
- excellent presentation;
- large fruit;
- good taste;
- great growth power;
- increased productivity;
- winter hardiness;
- immunity to fungal diseases.
It was this variety of grape that was called Chameleon. The hybrid has not yet been included in the Russian register of breeding achievements. However, it managed to spread to different regions of the country. The variety is valued for its good taste, large fruit and relatively high winter hardiness.
Description of the Chameleon grape variety
The leaves of the Chameleon grape are round, large, and somewhat stretched in width. The plate is five-lobed, the degree of dissection is small. The surface is glossy, rich green, reticularly wrinkled. The veins are lighter, also green, and at the base they are reddish. Along the perimeter of the plate, triangular teeth are visible, their edges are smooth and their tops are sharp.
The fruits are large pink-orange in color
Side cutouts in the upper part of the Chameleon grape leaf are shallow, open, in the shape of an incoming corner. The cutouts at the bottom are small, V-shaped. The petiole recesses are vaulted, the bottom is pointed or flat. The petioles of the Chameleon grape are quite long, the color is red. The flowers are bisexual, so the plant is self-pollinating.
Bunches
Bunches of Chameleon grapes are often loose and torn. There may be a lot of small berries, which is why the presentation deteriorates. This usually occurs due to abundant flowering. It is better to remove several inflorescences - then the clusters will be beautiful, with a regular cone shape.
Berries
The berries of the Chameleon grape are very large, reaching a weight of 10-14 g. The color is pink-orange and appears for quite a long time. Some berries remain green, which does not affect their taste. The peel is dense and crispy when bitten.
Vine
Chameleon grapes are varieties with great growth vigor. It produces a powerful bush, reaching a height of 1.5-2 meters. At the same time, the shoots grow quickly, reaching 5 m in length. The crown is spreading and takes up a lot of space.
Characteristic
The Chameleon hybrid is distinguished by early ripening and high yield. The shrub tolerates winters and droughts well and is characterized by normal immunity to most fungal diseases.
Ripening period
The berries ripen within 110 days from the moment the buds swell. According to this indicator, the Chameleon hybrid is classified as super early. The first bunches are harvested in early August. Although they form green, it is better to leave them on the branch until final ripening, which occurs in September or early October.
Productivity
Chameleon grapes are characterized by very high yields. From one adult bush you can collect up to 30 kg. Moreover, sometimes specimens grow so large that 40-50 kg are harvested from them.
Productivity reaches 30-50 kg per bush
Taste of grapes Chameleon
The pulp of the Chameleon grape is fleshy, juicy, the taste is sweet (the sugar content reaches 18%), very pleasant, with a delicate sourness.As a rule, there is no nutmeg aftertaste. Most gardeners rate the taste quality at least 4.5 out of 5.
Growing regions
Chameleon grapes are a winter-hardy crop. Therefore, it can be grown not only in the south, but also in other regions of the country:
- Volga region;
- Chernozem region;
- middle zone, including the Moscow region.
If desired, seedlings can be planted even in Siberia and the Urals. But in this case, care will be especially difficult due to harsh winters and temperature changes.
Frost resistance
Chameleon grapes are characterized by high winter hardiness. Even without shelter, the shrub can withstand up to -22 degrees. However, in most regions of Russia (except for the south), the temperature in winter drops and is lower. Therefore, the roots are carefully mulched, and the bushes themselves are protected with dense material.
Drought resistance
The Chameleon grape hybrid is resistant not only to frost, but also to drought. It tolerates heat and other adverse weather conditions. To get a good harvest, you should organize infrequent but regular watering.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Chameleon grapes have fairly good resistance to various diseases. The culture's immunity develops gradually. Therefore, in the first 3-4 years after planting, treatments with fungicides and other preparations are carried out on a regular basis.
Application
Chameleon grapes are table varieties. It has a sweet dessert taste. The berries are used fresh, as well as for making juice and other preparations. The shelf life is very long. If the conditions are met, the bunches can last up to six months. The fruits are transportable, so they can be transported to the place of sale or processing, including over long distances.
Advantages and disadvantages
Chameleon grapes have a number of advantages. First of all, gardeners value it for its interesting taste, large marketable berries and high yield. Culture has other benefits as well. The berries are large and very tasty.
Pros:
- very good taste;
- large fruit;
- high productivity;
- early ripening;
- resistance to fungal diseases;
- drought resistance;
- high winter hardiness;
- keeping quality;
- transportability;
- undemanding to soil composition.
Minuses:
- sometimes the clusters become smaller and become loose;
- The bush is spreading and takes up a lot of space.
Planting Chameleon grapes in open ground
Most often, the planting date is planned for the end of September, about four weeks before frost. Choose a place that is open and not low-lying, without stagnant water. A distance of 2.5 meters is left between seedlings, since they grow quickly and occupy a large area.
Leave a distance of 2.5 meters between seedlings
The planting hole parameters are standard - 70*70 cm. When planting, the seedling is covered with fertile soil, watered with settled water and thoroughly mulched for the winter. The tree trunk circle is sprinkled with sawdust, straw, hay or other material.
Caring for Chameleon grapes
Caring for Chameleon grapes is simple. Watering is not done so often; fertilizers are applied 2-3 times per season. The soil is periodically loosened and weeded.
Features of caring for this variety:
- A lot of clusters appear, so the branches are tied to the trellises already in the first year.
- To prevent the berries from becoming smaller, some of the ovaries must be removed.
Conclusion
Chameleon grapes are one of the most interesting large-fruited grape varieties with pink berries.The hybrid adapts well to different climatic conditions, which makes it possible to grow it even in the middle zone. Care is not very difficult, so even novice gardeners can cope with cultivation.
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