Content
Somerset Seedleys grapes are a universal seedless variety of early ripening. Winegrowers value it for its unpretentiousness, high frost resistance, and tasty berries that can be consumed fresh and used for making juices.
History of appearance
The author of the Somerset Seedlis grapes was the American breeder Elmer Swanson. By hybridizing several varieties of the crop (Petit jewel and E.S. 5-z-64), the scientist managed to obtain a species that meets the needs of the most demanding winegrowers.
Description of the Somerset Sidlis grape variety
Somerset Seedleys grapes combine high gastronomic and aesthetic qualities.
Bunches
Somerset Seedleys brushes are small and of medium density. The weight of one varies from 100 to 200 g.
Berries
The weight of grape berries of this variety does not exceed 2 g. They are round in shape and painted in a soft pink color.The skin is thin but dense and not prone to cracking. The sugar content in the berries reaches 20%, which makes Somerset Seedleys attractive to wasps and other insects.
Vine
The grapes of this variety are medium-sized. The shoots are thin but long. The grapes on the vine are evenly distributed.
Characteristic
Remaining on the bushes, ripe berries do not lose their taste for a long time. The harvest is well stored even when collected. Somerset Seedleys grapes tolerate transportation well.
Ripening period of Somerset Seedleys grapes
The culture is early ripening. You can enjoy ripe berries already in early August.
Productivity
The variety is not characterized by high yield. But with proper care, it regularly pleases summer residents with delicious berries.
Productivity per bush – from 5 to 8 kgA
Taste qualities
The grapes have a pleasant fruity taste and aroma. The sweet bouquet combines strawberry flavor with a silky aftertaste.
Growing regions
The geography of distribution of Somerset Seedlis grapes in Russia is extensive. In addition to the southern regions and the middle zone, the variety is cultivated in Siberia. Taking into account low temperatures in winter and short, cool summers, the crop is grown here using special methods.
Frost resistance
In the southern regions, grapes of this variety do not need shelter for the winter. The variety can withstand prolonged temperature drops down to -34 ᵒC. If necessary, the root circle can be insulated for the winter with dry fallen leaves.
Drought resistance
There is no information on the Internet about the drought resistance of the variety. With regular watering, the berries grow juicy and large.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The parents of the variety endowed it with good immunity to fungal diseases.If the requirements of agricultural technology are not met or unfavorable climatic conditions, the plant can be affected by gray rot, oidium, and downy mildew. To avoid infection, it is recommended to carry out preventive treatment of bushes in spring and autumn.
The main pests of this grape variety are wasps. The aroma and sweetness of the berries attract them in large quantities. Insects do not wait until the berries are overripe; they attack Somerset Seedleys at the beginning of ripening. Because At this time the harvest is approaching, insecticide treatment is not carried out.
Pest wasps are controlled in two ways:
- A fairly effective method is destroying nests. Helps kill insects. When the entire colony is assembled, in the morning or evening hours, the wasp houses are treated with chemicals;
- sweet bait traps will not completely remove insects, but will significantly help reduce their population. If you hang them in advance, during ripening and harvesting, then most of the berries will be saved.
Methods of application
The grape berries of this variety are universally used. They are eaten fresh and used for making jams, compotes, juices and fruit drinks. There are people who dry fruits in the sun and get raisins.
Advantages and disadvantages
The variety does not require pollinators. Male and female inflorescences are formed on it simultaneously.
If agrotechnical standards for pruning and fertilizing are observed, the weight of some grape bunches exceeds 180 g
Pros:
- high frost resistance;
- excellent taste;
- absence of seeds;
- immunity to fungal diseases;
- universal purpose of fruits;
- the skin is thin, but not prone to cracking;
- early ripeness.
Flaws:
- weight of one berry – 2 g;
- To increase the yield of the variety, the bushes need to remove excess shoots.
Landing rules
Somerset Seedleys is not picky about the soil, but it is better to choose fertile soil. For grapes, you should choose a well-lit area without draft winds. The best time for planting is autumn (late September, first ten days of October). In regions with cold climates, the procedure is carried out much earlier (the dates are moved forward by a month).
If you have to plant grapes in the spring, work is carried out when the soil warms up to a temperature of +10-12 ᵒC. Transplantation is carried out before the start of sap flow.
Rules and general recommendations:
- The pit for planting is prepared in advance.
- In 7-10 days, the soil begins to be compacted by pouring water into the hole.
- When removing a seedling from the container in which it grew, they try not to destroy the earthen lump.
- Having placed the plant in a hole, its root is covered with fertile soil and watered.
A peg is placed next to the bush and the plant is tied up. For the first 10 days after planting, the grapes need a shading screen, which is constructed from a plywood sheet or tree branches.
Features of care
Gardeners note the unpretentiousness of the variety. Caring for Somerset Seedlis comes down to timely watering, fertilizing and pruning.
Watering, loosening
The frequency of soil moisture for grapes is adjusted depending on weather conditions. Irrigation is carried out every two weeks so that the soil near the bush is wet to a depth of 50 cm. Failure to comply with this condition is fraught with the appearance of superficial roots.This threatens that the plant will suffer from freezing in winter, and from heat in summer.
After each watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil of the root circle. At the same time, weeds are removed.
Feeding
During the growing season, Somerset Seedlis is fed at least four times:
- Before flowering begins, mineral fertilizers are applied. They stimulate the development of inflorescences.
- 7-10 days after the start of flowering, mineral fertilizers are also applied. Fertilizing is necessary for active growth of shoots and formation of berries.
- During fruit ripening, potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied to actively feed the bush.
- When the clusters are filled with juice, the plant needs additional nutrition.
Trimming
Experienced gardeners recommend two methods of forming a bush: high and low. Formative pruning should be carried out if the clusters are unevenly distributed throughout the vine, or when the stems are overloaded with bunches. No more than 5-10 eyes are removed.
Experts recommend leaving no more than 45 eyes on the bush.
Particular attention is paid to thinning leaves. They are removed to ensure normal air circulation to the grapes. Too many leaves cover the berries from sunlight, the fruits ripen, but too slowly. In addition, this procedure helps to increase the size of the fruit.
Conclusion
Somerset Seedleys grapes are recognized by gardeners as the best seedless variety. Among the disadvantages, winegrowers note the small size of the berries and low yield. The positive aspects include ease of care.
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