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Early Gourmand grapes are an amateur hybrid form bred by the famous breeder V.N. Krainov. The original name was Novocherkassk red.
The parent varieties were Kishmish radiant and Talisman. The berries ripen early, within 115-120 days after the buds swell. The harvest is harvested at the end of July.
Botanical description
Description and photo of the Novocherkassk red grape variety:
- medium-sized plant;
- female type flowers;
- clusters of cylindrical conical shape, weighing from 700 g to 1.5 kg;
- oval berry weighing 8-10 g, pink;
- juicy fleshy pulp;
- nutmeg taste.
The early Gourmet variety brings a stable high yield. The thick skin is edible, but is not damaged by wasps. The berries are consumed fresh, used for making juices and other types of processing.
Planting grapes
A correctly chosen place for planting Gourmand early grapes is the key to high yields in the future. Be sure to take into account the illumination of the site, its location relative to buildings and trees. To improve the soil composition, fertilizers and other components are used.
Preparing the site and seedling
The early Gourmet variety prefers good natural light. It is best to choose a place for planting located on the south or west side of the site. In the shade, the plant develops slowly, and the fruits do not acquire a sweet taste.
Novocherkassk red grape variety needs fertile, loose soil. If necessary, the soil composition is improved with sand, compost and wood ash.
In cool regions, bushes are planted on the south side of the building. By reflecting the sun's rays, the grapes will receive additional heat.
Saplings of the early Gourmand variety are purchased from nurseries. Healthy plants do not have a dry root system, there are no spots, cracks or other defects. Before planting, the seedling is left with 2 strong shoots, which are cut into 2 eyes. The roots are also shortened to a length of 15 cm.
Work order
Planting work is carried out in early spring before the buds begin to swell. If the planting of Novocherkassky red grapes is postponed to autumn, then the end of September or October is chosen.
First, a hole is dug into which drainage and fertile soil are poured. The soil will settle within 2-3 weeks, after which work will begin.
The order of planting early Gourmand grapes:
- Dig a hole with a diameter and depth of 80 cm.
- Place a layer of crushed stone or expanded clay 10 cm thick on the bottom.
- Fill the drainage layer with 1 bucket of sand and 2 buckets of humus.
- Add 150 g of superphosphate and 180 g of potassium sulfate to the fertile soil. Place the soil mixture into the hole.
- When the soil settles, plant the seedling.Spread its roots and cover them with soil.
- Compact the soil and water the grapes generously.
After planting, water the seedling weekly with warm water. Before the onset of frost, be sure to insulate the grapes to protect them from freezing in winter.
Grape care
Early Gourmand grapes respond positively to care. The bushes require watering, fertilizing and pruning. In snowless, cold winters, plants are provided with shelter. Preventive spraying will help protect the vineyard from the spread of diseases and pests.
Watering
Bushes under 3 years of age require frequent watering. Adult bushes of the Novocherkassky red variety have a developed root system, which helps them extract moisture from the soil.
Irrigation scheme for early Gourmand grapes:
- in spring before leaves appear;
- when buds appear;
- after flowering.
The water consumption rate is 4 buckets for each bush. For irrigation, take warm, settled water, to which a handful of wood ash is added. When the berries begin to ripen, the addition of moisture is stopped so that the pulp does not acquire a watery taste.
In the fall, before sheltering for the winter, early Gourmand grapes, regardless of age, need abundant watering. The procedure increases the winter hardiness of plants, since moist soil protects the roots of the grapes from freezing.
Feeding
If fertilizers were applied to the planting hole, then the early Gourmand grapes are provided with useful substances for the next 3-4 years. In the future, feeding the bushes is carried out annually.
The grapes are fed according to the following scheme:
- in spring when the first leaves appear;
- 14 days after flowering;
- when the harvest ripens;
- in the fall after harvesting berries.
If the grapes develop normally, then two treatments are sufficient: 10 days before and after flowering. For spring feeding, choose substances containing nitrogen. The vineyard is watered with mullein infusion in a ratio of 1:15.
Before and after flowering, to treat Novocherkassky red grapes, prepare a solution containing 130 g of superphosphate and 200 g of potassium salt per 10 liters of water. After the substances are dissolved with the resulting fertilizer, the plants are watered at the root.
Root feeding of grapes can be replaced by spraying. Plants are treated one leaf at a time in cloudy weather or in the evening.
Every 3 years in the fall, the soil is dug up and up to 6 buckets of manure per 1 square meter are added. m. Instead of organic matter, 100 g of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are embedded in the soil.
Trimming
According to the description of the variety, review and photo, early Gourmand grapes bring a high yield due to the correct load. No more than 22-24 shoots are left for each bush. The remaining branches are cut off. The shoots are shortened by 6-8 eyes.
Pruning is carried out in early spring, when the air warms up to +5 °C.
If the work is postponed to autumn, then you need to wait until the end of leaf fall.
In summer, early Gourmand grapes are not pruned. It is enough to remove the stepsons and leaves that cover the bunches from the sun.
Protection from diseases and pests
Early Gourmand grapes are highly resistant to mildew and gray rot. However, the variety is susceptible to oidium, a fungal disease that develops in damp conditions. The risk of developing the disease increases in the absence of pruning and frequent planting of grape bushes.
At first, oidium affects leaves and shoots, gradually spreading to inflorescences and berries.As a result, the yield decreases, and in advanced cases the plant dies.
To protect grapes from diseases, preventive treatments are needed. To spray plants, prepare a solution of Ridomil, Ordan or Topaz. During the season, 3-5 treatments are allowed.
The vineyard is susceptible to attack by aphids, thrips, wasps, weevils, mites, leaf rollers and other pests. After insects are detected, the plants are treated with the insecticides Karbofos and Actellik. For prevention, folk remedies are used: infusions based on wormwood, tobacco dust, and onion peels.
Shelter for the winter
According to the description of the variety, reviews and photos, the winter hardiness of the Early Gourmet grape is -23 °C. When grown in cold regions, bushes need shelter. In autumn, the shoots are removed from the support and laid on the ground. They are hilled up, then covered with dry leaves and humus.
Additionally, a wooden or metal frame is installed above the grapes. Burlap or agrofibre is fixed on top. It is not recommended to use plastic film, since the plant will quickly dry out under it.
In spring, the shelter is removed when the temperature rises to +5 °C. If there is still a risk of frost, ventilation holes are left in the covering material.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Early Gourmand grapes are distinguished by early ripening and high harvest quality. Caring for bushes involves watering, fertilizing and pruning. The variety has good frost resistance and is able to resist fungal diseases.
