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Among the new products of Russian selection, the Galahad grape, an early-ripening hybrid for table use, has gained particular popularity. Its large amber berries attract with their fragrant aroma and pleasant moderately sweet taste.
The grapes were the result of the successful work of scientists from the Ya. I. Potapenko Institute to cross three different varieties. What is especially important is that the Galahad hybrid is adapted to the climatic conditions of the southern and central regions of Russia.
Characteristics of the variety
Not much time has passed since the appearance of the Galahad variety, but numerous positive reviews from professionals indicate the high technical characteristics of the grapes.
In southern latitudes and the middle zone, the Galahad grape variety is harvested by the end of July or early August. Thanks to early ripening, many summer residents are making attempts to grow the crop in more northern latitudes. Here, the ripening time of the Galahad variety increases by 10-15 days; higher humidity and cold winters are also an obstacle.
Under favorable conditions, the hybrid variety Galahad demonstrates:
- rapid growth - shoots reach 2 m during the season;
- high-quality pollination - thanks to the versatility of peduncles;
- early ripening period - about 100 days;
- good fruiting – up to 70%;
- high frost resistance;
- significant resistance of grapes to diseases;
- rapid rooting of cuttings;
- high productivity.
Description of berries
Galahad grapes, as evidenced by the description of the variety and confirmed by reviews and photos, form large conical clusters weighing up to 600 g. Under the thin skin of large amber-yellow berries there is dense, fleshy pulp with a delicate, very pleasant, sweetish taste. The Galahad grape variety is distinguished by its excellent presentation. In shady places, the berries acquire a milky-white waxy coating. Their skin is quite strong to withstand long-term transportation. The berries do not crack even in rainy seasons. Among the technical characteristics of the Galahad variety are:
- tasting score – up to 9 points;
- sugar content - about 21%;
- acidity – approximately 6 g/l.
The description of the Galahad grape variety mentions that, despite its many advantages, it has minor disadvantages, including:
- attractive to birds, therefore, during the ripening period of grapes, it is advisable to install scarecrows among the bushes or wrap the ripening grapes in nets. To prevent the grape berries from falling off, the harvest should be harvested on time;
- with intense exposure to the sun, the berries of the Galahad variety change their shade to a darker one, so it is necessary to regulate the degree of illumination;
- the nutritional composition of the soil is important;
- Despite resistance to many diseases, Galahad grapes require preventive treatments.
Preparing for landing
Galahad grapes, as the description of the variety, photos and videos show, can be propagated by seedlings or cuttings, which take root very quickly.Planted in the spring, by autumn they already produce two powerful shoots from each cutting. Before planting, you need to carefully inspect the seedlings and select fresh and healthy ones; they differ:
- light brown color, without any stains, damage, or signs of fading;
- for planting the hybrid variety Galahad, only one-year-old seedlings are selected - the old ones develop an earthy tint;
- the roots of healthy seedlings should be elastic, without traces of mold, and the grape shoots should be greenish in color with fresh leaves.
You need to choose the right place to plant Galahad grapes. To ripen quickly and accumulate sugar, berries need plenty of sunlight. Therefore, the area should be open and well lit. At the same time, Galahad grapes need protection from cold winds. A wall or fence that does not shade the vineyard will serve as a good shelter from the wind. In addition, the wall, which has heated up during the day, will transfer heat to the grape bushes at night.
The proximity to the groundwater surface will also be a negative factor for the normal development of the Galahad variety. If they rise to 2-3 m from the ground surface, it is necessary to organize a good drainage system using expanded clay or crushed stone. The surface of the ground must be flat so that water cannot stagnate on it, since it is high humidity that causes root rot to appear on Galahad grape bushes. The optimal choice would be an elevated location in the southern part of the site. The grapes are not very picky regarding the composition of the soil and grow well in both loam and peat soils.The main thing is that the soil is not saline.
Holes for planting Galahad grapes must be prepared in advance:
- for autumn planting, holes are prepared at the end of August, and for spring planting - in October;
- the dimensions of the pits should be quite large, optimally 80x80 cm;
- since the bushes of the Galahad variety grow strongly, a distance of up to 2 m should be left between them;
- the gap between rows is up to 3 m;
- The bottom of the pit is filled with fertile soil mixed with compost.
Planting seedlings
The technology for planting the Galahad grape variety is simple:
- the day before the procedure, the seedlings should be placed in water; you can add several crystals of potassium permanganate to it to strengthen the immune system;
- coat the roots with a mixture of manure and clay and let dry;
- Carefully place each plant on a mound of fertile soil with the growth buds oriented north and cover it with soil almost to the root collar;
- Place grape seedlings longer than 25 cm in the hole at an angle;
- compact the soil and water all the bushes generously;
- to prevent too rapid evaporation of moisture, mulch the soil under the grapes;
- There should be a support next to the plant to tie up the vine as it grows.
If you need to plant several seedlings at once, the trench method of planting grapes is usually used. The support for tying the grapevine must be installed in the hole in advance, otherwise it may damage the root system of the seedling. It is most convenient to stretch several rows of wire parallel to the ground between the posts. For more efficient watering, a small plastic watering pipe is vertically fixed in the hole next to the bush. It should protrude 10-20 cm above the ground surface.A Galahad grape seedling is cut to 3-4 eyes and covered with a plastic container to create a greenhouse effect. After 10-15 days, the cover should be removed.
Features of care
The agricultural technology of the hybrid variety Galahad is characterized by some features that should be kept in mind:
- Galahad grapes are included in the category of heat-loving species, and although they are resistant to 25-degree frosts, in mid-latitudes the bushes need to be well covered for the winter;
- often Galahad grapes begin to bear fruit already in the first season, which leads to too intense stress on the vine, so thinning is necessary;
- to reduce the load on the roots, the stepsons are removed in mid-summer; reviews note that the Galahad grape variety does not grow well on soils with high acidity - their neutralization is necessary;
- plants do not tolerate drought well, so the soil under the bushes should not be allowed to dry out;
- fallen leaves and berries must be collected and immediately destroyed, otherwise they will become a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microflora.
For young Galahad grape seedlings, in the first months after planting, a canopy of white covering material is arranged. It will protect the shoots from direct rays of the sun.
The hybrid variety Galahad responds very well to any type of fertilizer - organic and mineral. Therefore, you can use complex fertilizers, alternating them with manure or compost. Before fertilizing, be sure to water the plants thoroughly.
Disease Control
The description of the Galahad grape indicates that it has good resistance to fungal diseases. The risk of powdery mildew increases if diseased plants are nearby for a long time.It is also highly resistant to mildew.
If, when examining grape leaves, signs of disease are found - yellow or brown spots, dried shoots, they should be collected and burned immediately. Prevention will be more beneficial in the fight against disease. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically spray the Galahad grape bushes with different means.
Three times are usually enough:
- a week after the vine awakens, it is sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate; Bordeaux mixture is also suitable for treatment;
- when the leaves bloom, repeat the treatment with a weaker solution;
- when the grapes finish flowering, you can treat the bushes with a solution of colloidal sulfur.
Reviews from winegrowers
Conclusion
Galahad grapes are a real boon for temperate climates. Compliance with simple rules of agricultural technology guarantees high yields every year.
