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For most even the inexperienced V In the viticulture of people, it is obvious that the timing of ripening of grape berries plays a decisive role in the choice of one or another variety when grown in most regions of Russia. Only southerners can afford to choose between early, middle or late varieties; for others it is very important that the grapes have time to at least somehow ripen before the onset of cold and rainy weather. Otherwise, there is no particular point in growing it, except for purely decorative purposes.
In addition to the ripening of the grape berries themselves, early and full ripening of the grapevine is no less important. It is this circumstance that can guarantee a good wintering of the bush and therefore plays no less important role than the winter hardiness of the variety itself.
What affects the timing of ripening
Early grape varieties It is customary to call all varieties that have a growing season of four months or less.Or, in other words, the period from the beginning of the life of the buds on the shoots to the coloring of the berries on the bushes is no more than 120 days.
True, all early grape varieties are divided, in turn, into three groups:
- Ultra-early (ripening period 80-100 days);
- Very early (growing season 100-110 days);
- Just early (ripen in about 110-120 days).
It is also necessary to understand that for the ripening of grapes, in addition to the number of days that have elapsed since the buds began to open, other factors also play a significant role.
Among them, the main place is occupied by the heat that the grape bushes can receive during the summer. There is even a special indicator for calculating heat, called the sum of active temperatures (or SAT). This indicator can be calculated by adding up all air temperatures for the period when average daily temperatures do not fall below +10°C.
In order for the berries of ultra-early grape varieties to ripen, the sum of active temperatures should be from 1800 to 2000°. Very early grape varieties require 2000 to 2200° to ripen, and finally, regular early grape varieties will require 2200 to 2400° as a minimum.
Taking these figures into account, gardeners in the middle zone have to count on growing only early varieties of grapes on their plots. Although some techniques can help increase SAT by 200-300° per season.
- The use of covering structures made of film or non-woven material;
- Planting grape bushes near the southern heated walls of houses and other buildings;
But besides heat, the timing of grape ripening is affected by:
- Possibility of return spring frosts;
- Providing grape bushes with moisture;
- Mechanical composition and soil fertilization;
- Strength and direction of prevailing winds.
Each grape variety has some degree of resistance to each of these factors. For example, Sphinx and Victor, having approximately the same ripening time (110-115 days), can begin bearing fruit in completely different periods. Since the Sphinx's buds bloom very late and the likelihood of being exposed to spring frosts is minimal. And Victor begins to bud very early, and the first shoots can be damaged by frost, and after the shoots are restored, the ripening period will naturally be delayed.
Therefore, under different conditions, one or another variety may show itself differently. It is for this same reason that there are no clear leaders in early ripeness. The earliest grapes in some conditions may ripen 2-3 weeks later in other conditions.
Therefore, if you want to get very early grapes first, then you need to deliberately underload the bushes with the harvest.
In addition, the very concept of ripening in relation to grapes is very relative. Typically, grapes are considered ripe if they have turned the color appropriate to their variety, become more or less soft, elastic, and have gained a certain amount of sugar content. But some grape varieties, including early ones, after coloring, need to hang on the vines for several weeks to a month to obtain a truly rich taste.
Taking into account all of the above, very early grape varieties can ripen from the first half of July (in the southern regions) to the beginning of August (in the middle zone).Very early varieties ripen mainly from the end of July to the tenth of August. The ripening period for the remaining early varieties includes the entire August and until the beginning of September.
In the middle zone, it is advisable to harvest the entire harvest in September from all, even later varieties, except technical ones. The fact is that the shoots often cannot fully ripen (wooden) while the clusters are still hanging on them. And if the shoots do not have time to ripen, they can be damaged by the lightest frosts, even under shelters.
Reasons for growing early ripening varieties
In addition to the most important reason related to the elementary ripening of berries and shoots, there are several other reasons why early grape varieties are preferred to be grown in many southern regions of Russia.
- Firstly, this may turn out to be more effective, since by harvesting the crop as early as possible, you may not have to deal with most fungal diseases, which usually become active in late summer and autumn.
- Secondly, it turns out to be cost-effective. After all, the early harvest of grapes is in higher demand on the market and, accordingly, has a much higher price.
- Finally, even southerners already in the middle of summer begin to yearn for the taste of grapes, which can be fully provided by several bushes of grapes ripening at the earliest possible dates.
Ultra early ripening
The unique varieties and hybrid forms of grapes described below manage to ripen on average in less than 100 days from the start of bud break. Among them there are fruits of different color and size, but most have good resistance to the main problems of growing grapes.Below is a brief description of varieties with the most important characteristics that will allow you to determine how suitable a particular grape variety is for you and your conditions.
Light in color
In this category there are the most varieties and hybrid forms, but only the most popular and disease-resistant ones will be discussed.
Super Extra
This variety of Pavlovsky selection, fully justifying its name, despite its relative youth, is one of the most popular early grape varieties. In most areas it is one of the first to ripen. Combining the large size of the berries with their beauty and taste, it is also distinguished by the high marketability of relatively large bunches (400-800 g) and their transportability. The shoots also have time to ripen well. In addition, its resistance to fungal diseases is beyond praise, and frost resistance reaches -24°C.
F-14-75
A very easy to care for and stable in fruiting hybrid form from Hungary. The berries have a strong nutmeg, are pleasant to the taste, are not subject to cracking, and the clusters remain on the bushes for a long time. The growth of the vine is rather weak, but does not require pinching or rationing. It ripens well, the cuttings take root perfectly. The size of the berries may be small for a table variety, but they are one of the first to ripen and forgive many mistakes in care. The female type of flower can be considered a disadvantage, but it pollinates perfectly with any nearby growing grapes. It is resistant to diseases and tolerates frosts down to -26°C, recommended for rather harsh conditions.
Olympics
Another one of the earliest representatives of the grape family. The variety is quite old, so apart from super early ripening, it is not particularly famous for anything.Productivity is average and greatly depends on growing conditions. The bush is vigorous, the clusters are small, the berries accumulate little sugar (15-16), but the acidity is minimal (5-6 g/l). Disease resistance is average.
Harold
In recent years, one of the most popular grape varieties, thanks to its record early ripening, harmonious taste with a light muscat aroma and good yield. The clusters are medium in size and density, the berries gain sugar up to 20 Brix. Transportability and safety are good. Disease resistance is average.
Galahad
Also a very valuable and popular hybrid form of grapes. It ripens only a week later than Harold, but is distinguished by high taste qualities, which tasters rated at 8.9 points. The berries and clusters are large, have a high marketability and excellent transportability. The bushes are vigorous, the shoots ripen well, the flowers are bisexual. Disease resistance is at a good level, frost resistance is down to -25°C.
Tsiravas Agraa
A very interesting and disease-resistant ultra-early grape variety from Latvia. Not very well-known, but very promising variety for growing in the middle zone. According to most indicators, it is in the middle range - in terms of the size of berries, bunches, vigor of bush growth and yield. But the sugar content manages to reach 21 Brix, and the vine ripens well. The flowers are bisexual and tolerate frosts down to -23°C.
Elegant Super Early
Not claiming record yields, but a reliable and disease-resistant ultra-early variety. The taste is simple, but the berries remain on the bushes for a long time. The color of the berries is considered not particularly attractive for the market (white-green), but it can withstand frosts down to -25°C.
Pink
Pink grape varieties are considered one of the most beautiful and attractive in color, among which you can also find several representatives of the ultra-early group.
Eva
Due to its relative novelty or for some other reason, this hybrid form is not particularly popular among winegrowers. Of course, bushes have significant growth power, and it has to be constantly trimmed and normalized. But it ripens at the earliest possible time, after 95 days, the berries and clusters are quite large and very beautiful, without peas. Sugar content reaches 22% well. The shoots ripen early and along their entire length, which is very pleasant. The cuttings take root well, and the grapes can withstand frosts down to -24°C. Disease resistance is not fully understood; treatments are naturally needed, but due to the early ripening period, the main control can be postponed to the moment after harvesting the entire crop. All this proves Eva’s promise for cultivation in the middle zone.
Julian
An extremely early hybrid form with the original shape of berries and clusters, obtained from one of the parents - Rizamat. The bushes have great growth power, the vine ripens along its entire length, the cuttings take root by 90-95%. The berries are not only beautiful, but also very tasty, with dense, crispy pulp and a good accumulation of sugar. To obtain good yields, normalization is required; it is characterized by above average disease resistance.
Dark-colored varieties
There are not so many high-quality dark-colored, very early grape varieties.
Beauty of Nikopol
Considered one of the the best grape varieties with ultra-early ripening of berries. Very productive and powerful grapes, clusters and berries have an excellent presentation and harmonious taste.The disadvantage is the relative instability to mildew, which can be corrected by spraying the bushes after harvesting.
The video below allows you to get an idea about this variety, as well as about the sultana super early grape variety Veles.
Extra early red nutmeg
A curious very early form of grape from Moldova. The berries are very similar in shape variety Cardinal, but smaller in size. It has a peculiarity: the older the bush, the larger the clusters and berries in them become. When ripe, the berries change color from red to almost purple.
Anniversary of Kherson summer resident
A fairly new hybrid form of grapes from Ukraine is already very popular due to its ultra-earliness, pleasant taste of berries with muscat notes, their attractive appearance and fairly high winter hardiness of the bushes. The berries are large, pink in color, and in the sun they acquire an additional dark “tan.”
Viking
Another popular ultra-early hybrid form with early and complete ripening of all shoots. The bushes are distinguished by their vigorous growth and productivity. Elongated berries can remain on the vine for several months. Disease resistance is average - requires mandatory treatments.
Diamond
A completely new hybrid form of grapes, the fruits of which have an original diamond shape. The taste of the berries is also unusual; it contains some fruity notes. It is one of the first to ripen, but disease resistance has not yet been fully studied.
Kishmishi
Among seedless grape varieties, there are also super-early ripening varieties.
Very early seedless
The name of this variety alone eloquently testifies to its main characteristics.The harvest can begin to be harvested 80-85 days after the start of the growing season. This sultana needs a SAT of about 1800° for full ripening. The berries have tasty, crispy pulp with a thin skin; they can be used for drying. Productivity and disease resistance are average. But the shoots ripen well.
Somerset Seedleys
It is considered the best seedless variety for northern viticulture, as it can withstand frosts down to -32°-34°C. One of the first to ripen. The clusters and berries are medium-sized, pinkish in color with a pleasant taste. The yield is average, but you have to pay for frost resistance and early ripening.
Very early and early in terms of ripening
There are quite a lot of grape varieties belonging to this group. Some of them were bred quite a long time ago; new hybrid forms with early ripening are also popular. The following are the early table grape varieties (ripening time from 100 to 120 days), which have at least average resistance to major diseases and are popular among gardeners.
- Timur;
- Delight;
- Nadezhda Aksayskaya;
- Libya;
- Aladdin;
- Serafimovsky;
- Kolobok;
- Argo;
- Azalea;
- Amethyst Novocherkassk;
- Athos;
- Victor;
- Gift of the Unlighted;
- Victoria;
- Sphinx;
- Rochefort;
- Codrianka;
- Cardinal Suite;
- Catalonia;
- Teacher's memory;
- Transfiguration;
- Shevchenko.
There are quite a lot of interesting raisins in this category, the most popular of which are the following:
- Kishmish 342 or Hungarian
- Veles
- Jupiter
- Rusball improved
- Korinka Russian
- Reliance Pink Seedles
Particularly worth noting are the so-called technical or wine grape varieties with early ripening.Among them, the Hungarian variety Crystal stands out, which is characterized by high yield, early ripening, winter hardiness and a completely harmonious taste of berries, which allows some to classify it as a universal grape variety.
Among other early ripening technical varieties we can mention:
- Reform
- Lando noir
- Valiant
- Kay Gray
It should be noted that since most of them are characterized by fairly high winter hardiness, many of them can be grown in uncovered crops, on arches or arbors.
Among the most stable early uncovered grape varieties can also be noted:
- Pineapple early
- Price
- Juodupe
- K-878
- Vulture
- Sharov's riddle
The winter hardiness of most of these varieties is at the level of -28°-32°C, so you can try to grow them as uncovered plants, even in central Russia.
As it became obvious to you, there are a lot of early grape varieties, so you can easily choose the appropriate grapes according to your taste, and focusing on your specific conditions on the site.
