Content
Many summer residents prefer early-ripening grape varieties, since their berries manage to accumulate solar energy in a short period of time and achieve high sugar content. Bred by Novocherkassk breeders grape Alexa, the description of the variety, as well as photos and reviews indicate its undoubted advantages.
Alex's table grapes were obtained by crossing two varieties and successfully combined their best characteristics - early ripening and frost resistance of one and high yield of the other.
Description of the variety
An important feature of the Alexa variety is its frost resistance; the vine tolerates temperatures down to -25 degrees without consequences. It is this quality that makes Alex grapes popular among gardeners in the western regions of the country, and in the north they are grown under covered conditions. On grapes in uncovered soils capable of producing from 1 hectare, on average, up to 135 c. The harvest is harvested at the end of August or early autumn.
The shoots of the Alexa early grape are evenly distributed on the bushes, which grow very quickly. Among all shoots, the number of fruitful ones is more than 70%.The large five-lobed leaves of the Alexa variety with yellowish veins have a rich green color on the upper side, and a lighter shade and slight pubescence on the lower side. The flowers are bisexual and do not require additional pollination.
Large light green berries of the Alexa grape variety are collected in large clusters up to 35 cm long and weighing up to 1 kg or more. They are characterized by:
- cylindrical shape;
- dense juicy pulp;
- pleasant nutmeg taste;
- excellent sugar content – up to 20%;
- low acidity – up to 6%;
- possibility of long-term preservation on the bushes;
- resistance to cracking after rains;
- excellent presentation;
- possibility of long-term transportation without loss of consumer qualities;
- high tasting score - more than 8 points.
Features of cultivation
To obtain consistently high yields of Alexa grapes, reviews from gardeners recommend taking into account some features of its planting and care:
- the Alexa variety grows well on light, fairly moist soils;
- grapes form a powerful root system that quickly branches, which should be taken into account when planting;
- bushes develop well in elevated sunny areas with well-drained soil;
- since the Alexa variety is frost-resistant, it grows well in lowlands;
- bushes grow quickly, so they should not be shaded;
- the rapid growth of bushes and the formation of large clusters require regular gartering of grapes;
- The optimal load on a bush is considered to be 40 shoots, but leaving 30 of them, you can get a higher yield and larger berries;
- Grafted seedlings bear fruit better;
- Although the Alexa variety demonstrates resistance to many diseases, it requires preventive treatments.
Planting grapes
In order for the Alexa grape variety to produce good yields, it is necessary to provide it with comfortable growing conditions.
Site selection
The Alexa variety is unpretentious in the choice of soils; almost any soil is suitable for it:
- It is important to provide clay soils with good drainage;
- peat bogs can be diluted with sand;
- high acidity can be reduced by liming;
- Fertilize sandstones with manure or compost.
The Alexa variety also grows well in lowlands. Usually, the southern parts of the plot are chosen for planting grapes; otherwise, the seedlings can be buried in a trench up to half a meter. Then their root system will be protected from freezing, which means the vine will also be preserved. It is good to plant bushes next to a wall or fence to avoid drafts.
Well preparation
The optimal pattern for planting early Alexa grapes is considered to be 3x0.75 m, otherwise the overgrown bushes will shade each other. The trench or holes for planting are prepared two weeks in advance:
- their width and depth are 0.8 m;
- the bottom 10 centimeters is filled with crushed stone or expanded clay, which will provide drainage;
- from above it is covered with the same layer of soil and spilled abundantly with water;
- a support for the vine is fixed in the center of each hole;
- compost or humus is laid along with mineral supplements;
- The hole is filled one third with earth and again spilled generously.
Planting grapes
If all the rules are followed when planting, the seedlings will quickly take root and grow:
- a mound of soil is assembled around the support peg;
- a seedling is installed on it and tied to a support;
- the roots are carefully straightened on the mound;
- soil is gradually added and compacted;
- the grafting site should be 3 cm above the ground;
- the circle around the trunk is covered with a small layer of humus.
If grape bushes are planted in a trench, then a garter wire is stretched between them every 30-40 cm.
Propagation by cuttings
Alexa reproduces well with the help of cuttings; they quickly take root and by the fall they are already producing good shoots. To prepare cuttings you need:
- after autumn pruning of the vine, select a woody part of a healthy shoot about 70 cm long;
- the optimal cutting diameter should be about 10 mm;
- on the cutting you should leave a heel from a thicker shoot, from which roots will then come;
- cuttings should be dipped in a weak solution of copper sulfate;
- place them in a box with sand in a cool, dark place until spring;
- with the onset of March, select healthy, strong cuttings and plant in sawdust;
- Already in May, ready-made seedlings can be transplanted to the site.
As follows from the description of the variety and photo, Alexa grapes can also be propagated by layering:
- choose two strong shoots at the bottom of the vine;
- remove their leaves and tendrils; drop in pre-prepared grooves to a depth of 30 cm;
- layerings are watered and mulched with sawdust or peat.
In the spring, new vines of the Alexa variety will grow from the cuttings. In two years, when they are stronger, you can separate them from the mother vine.
Bush care
The agricultural technology of the Alexa variety consists of timely procedures for feeding, pruning and watering the bushes.
Spring care for early Alexa grape seedlings consists of:
- in breaking out excess shoots;
- removal of unnecessary kidneys;
- pruning root shoots;
- gartering young shoots to trellises;
- correct rationing of colors;
- complex fertilizing.
Summer jobs include:
- systematically pinching the vine to prevent it from being pulled out;
- removing stepsons on the vine to ensure effective nutrition of fruitful shoots;
- removing leaves that shade the berries during their ripening;
- timely feeding;
- daily inspections of the vines to identify pests;
- preventive treatments for diseases.
In autumn there comes a crucial moment when the vine has devoted all its strength to ripening the fruits. After harvesting, you should prepare Alexa grapes for winter:
- to strengthen the protective forces, feed with complex fertilizers;
- treat against pests;
- carry out formative and sanitary pruning, removing all damaged branches after the leaves fall;
- in the northern regions, the grapes are hilled and the vines are covered with spruce branches.
Preventative treatments
The thick skin of grape berries reliably protects them from various pests. The variety is resistant to many diseases. However, prevention of common diseases and pests is important. In the spring, when young shoots begin to grow, the bushes are sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture.
The second treatment of the Alexa grape variety is carried out before the ovaries appear. If the bushes are affected by a bacterial or fungal infection, all diseased parts of the grapes - shoots, leaves, bunches - should be collected and destroyed, since they cannot be treated. The remaining healthy vines need to be sprayed with chemicals. You should also clean the tree trunk circles from weed, from which pests easily move to grape bushes.Creating favorable conditions for their aeration will prevent the appearance of mold and fungi.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Alex's grapes will be a successful variety for home viticulture and will delight you with harvests of juicy, sweet berries, without requiring complex care.
