Content
Elegant grapes are a hybrid form of domestic selection. The variety is characterized by early ripening, resistance to diseases, drought and winter frosts. The berries have a sweet taste, and the clusters have a marketable appearance. An area is prepared for planting, which is pre-fertilized with organic matter and minerals.
Botanical description
The Elegant grape variety was bred by VNIIViV named after. ME AND. Potapenko. Its ultra-early form is distinguished by short ripening periods. Parent varieties are Vostorg and Frumoasa Albe.
Grapes Elegant
The Elegant grape variety is characterized by early fruiting. The period from bud break to harvest takes from 110 to 115 days. The berries have a table purpose.
The clusters are cone-shaped, medium density. The mass of the bunch is from 0.3 to 0.4 kg. According to the description of the variety, photos and reviews, Elegant grapes are characterized by medium growth vigor.
Features of Elegant berries:
- size 20x30 mm;
- weight 6-7 g;
- oval shape;
- green-white color;
- harmonious taste.
The pulp of the berries is crispy with a nutmeg aroma. The ripening of the vines is at a high level. The flowers are female, so the variety requires a pollinator. The number of fruitful shoots ranges from 75 to 95%.The variety is resistant to frost and disease.
The bunches tolerate long-term transportation. Sometimes peas are observed. Grapes are consumed fresh and used for making desserts, compotes, and juices.
Grapes Elegant extra early
Grapes Elegant very early – a hybrid variety that ripens in 100-110 days. The hybrid got its name due to its early ripening. The bushes are medium or low growing. The flowers are bisexual; planting a pollinator is not necessary.
The grapes bear large clusters weighing from 300 to 600 g, cylindrical-conical in shape and of medium density.
Description of the variety and photo of the Elegant ultra-early grape:
- weight 5-6 g;
- size 20x30 mm;
- oval shape;
- milky green color;
- pleasant taste with nutmeg notes.
Ultra-early Elegant grapes accumulate sugar well, which has a positive effect on its taste. The clusters are able to remain on the bushes for a long time. Ripening of shoots at a high level. The variety is resistant to diseases and winter frosts.
Planting grapes
The development and productivity of grapes largely depend on the choice of a suitable place for growing the crop. When arranging a vineyard, the level of illumination, the presence of wind, and the location of groundwater are taken into account. Plants are planted in prepared pits, which are fertilized with organic matter or minerals.
Selecting a location
A plot located on a hill or in the central part of a slope is suitable for a vineyard. In the lowlands, moisture and cold air accumulate, which negatively affects the development of the crop.
In regions with a cool climate, Elegant grapes are planted on the south or southwest side of the building. By reflecting the sun's rays, the crop will receive more heat.The site should not be exposed to wind loads.
The culture prefers light nutritious soil. Soils with high acidity are not suitable for planting because they require liming. If the soil is low acidic, then you need to add peat or heather soil.
Growing green manure helps enrich the soil. In the spring, the soil is dug up, after which legumes, lupine or mustard are planted. When the first inflorescences appear, green manure is removed and embedded in the ground to a depth of 20 cm. In the fall, planting work begins.
Work order
Elegant grapes are planted in autumn or spring, when the snow melts and the soil warms up. Seedlings are purchased from reliable suppliers or sent to nurseries.
Healthy plants have no signs of damage, dark spots, or growths on the roots. For planting, choose one-year-old grapes 40 cm high, shoots with a diameter of 5 mm and 3-4 buds.
Sequence of work on planting grapes:
- Preparing a pit measuring 50x50 cm and depth 50 cm.
- At the bottom, a drainage layer of crushed stone or broken brick 10 cm thick is installed.
- Add 2 buckets of humus, 400 g of superphosphate and 220 g of potassium salt to the fertile soil.
- The substrate is poured into the hole and waited 3-4 weeks for the soil to settle.
- A day before planting, the roots of the grapes are immersed in clean water.
- The plant is planted in a hole, the roots are covered with earth.
- The seedling is watered abundantly.
Elegant grapes grow well with the rootstock, but rooting takes more time. Fruiting begins 2-3 years after planting.Young plants are provided with weekly watering. Moisture is added at the root, after which the soil is mulched with humus or straw.
Variety care
Elegant grapes produce a bountiful harvest with regular care. The plants are watered, fed with fertilizers, and the vines are pruned in the fall. To protect plantings from diseases and pests, preventive spraying of plantings is carried out.
Watering
Grapes under 3 years old need intensive watering. It is watered several times a season: after cleaning the shelter in the spring, during flowering and ripening of berries. Mature bushes are able to independently obtain water.
Bushes of any age need winter watering. Moisture is added in late autumn to protect the plantings from freezing.
Feeding
The supply of nutrients ensures the development of bushes and the formation of crops. Both organic matter and minerals are used for feeding.
Feeding scheme for Elegant grapes:
- in spring when buds open;
- 12 days after the appearance of the first inflorescences;
- when berries ripen;
- after harvesting the bunches.
For the first feeding, prepare slurry or 30 g of ammonium nitrate. Liquid fertilizer is watered at the roots of the bushes, and minerals are incorporated into the soil. In the future, it is better to refuse to use such fertilizers. Due to the high nitrogen content, fertilizing stimulates the formation of shoots and leaves to the detriment of yield.
During flowering and fruiting of Elegant grapes, 140 g of superphosphate and 70 g of potassium sulfate are embedded in the soil. Root feeding can be replaced by spraying. The substances are dissolved in water, after which the plants are treated leaf by leaf.For spraying, choose a dry, cloudy day or evening.
After harvesting, the soil in the vineyard is dug up and fertilized with humus. Fertilizing is necessary for plants to replenish the supply of nutrients after fruiting.
Trimming
Elegant grapes are pruned annually in October. 5 shoots are left per bush, weak branches are cut out. For the variety, long pruning is used, when 6-8 eyes are left on the shoot.
When flowering, remove excess ovaries. Just 1-2 bunches per shoot is enough. The highest quality harvest is obtained on branches with a large supply of wood.
In summer, some of the leaves are removed so that the berries are better illuminated by the sun. This way the grapes will gain sugar faster and the taste of the berries will improve. In the summer, it is necessary to remove the stepsons.
Diseases and pests
The Elegant variety is not susceptible to mildew and gray rot. If you follow the growing rules, the likelihood of developing diseases is significantly reduced.
To protect against diseases, preventive spraying of grapes with Ridomil, Topaz, Oksikhom or Horus is carried out. For treatment, prepare a solution that is sprayed onto the plants leaf by leaf. The procedure is carried out in the spring before flowering and in the fall after harvesting.
The vineyard is attacked by spider and leaf mites, aphids, leaf rollers, and beetles. To protect against pests, the vine is sprayed with a solution of Actellik or Karbofos. If sweet berries attract a swarm of wasps and birds, then the bunches should be covered with fabric bags.
Preparing for winter
Elegant grapes can withstand frosts down to -25 °C. For the winter, it is recommended to cover the vine to protect it from freezing. In autumn, the shoots are removed from the trellis and placed on the ground.
Plants are hilled and mulched with dry leaves.A wooden box or metal arches are placed on top, then agrofibre is stretched. In spring, the cover is removed to prevent the grapes from dampening off.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Elegant grapes are a table variety. Clusters of large berries form on the bushes.Grape ripening occurs early. The Elegant variety is suitable for growing for sale and personal use. Caring for grapes involves watering and fertilizing. In the fall, shoots are pruned and the plants are prepared for winter. To prevent diseases, shoots are sprayed with fungicides.
