Grapes Moldova

There is probably no winegrower who has not heard of the Moldova variety. This grape is one of the oldest varieties, and in Russia it gained popularity only at the end of the last century. Moldova has a lot of strong qualities: it’s not for nothing that the variety is considered one of the best table species and is successfully cultivated almost throughout the country. It cannot be said that the bunches of this grape are huge, and the berries are very large and have a non-standard taste, but Moldova consistently deserves high tasting marks and pleases with large yields, even with minimal care and unfavorable external factors.

Description grape varieties Moldova, photos and reviews about it can be found in this article. Here you can also find a list of the strengths and weaknesses of the variety, as well as how to grow it correctly. table grapes Moldova.

Characteristics of the variety

The description of the Moldova grape variety should begin with the history of its origin. As the name implies, the culture was developed in Moldova by crossing two distinct species: Guzal Karu and Seive Villar. In some literary sources you can find the second name of Moldova – Late Codryanka.

The variety was originally intended for regions with a mild and warm climate, so the grapes show the highest yields in Moldova, southern Ukraine, Crimea, Krasnodar Territory and Rostov region.

The variety is not suitable for more northern regions, as it has a late ripening period (the berries may remain green).

Characteristics of Moldova grapes:

• variety with medium and late ripening - the berries will become ripe in 155-160 days;
• grapes are considered table grapes, the taste of the berries, although not exquisite, is very pleasant - the taste characteristics of Moldova deserve a rating of 8 points;
• The sizes of the bunches are mostly small, but there are also clusters weighing about a kilogram;
• the shape of the bunches is cylindrical-conical, the fullness is average;
• the berries themselves are oval in shape, their average weight is 6 grams (that is, the grapes are quite large);
• the skin of grapes of the Moldova variety is dark purple, dense, covered with a clearly visible waxy coating;
• the flesh is tight, crunches when chewed, there are 2-3 seeds inside the grapes;
• the yield is very high - the Moldova grape variety produces about 140 kg of berries from each five-year-old bush;
• the sugar content in the fruits is high - 19%, which allows them to be used for making wine and natural juice;
• the harvested crop can be stored for up to five months, it can also be processed, frozen, and used to make preserves and jams;
• the bushes of Moldova are vigorous, already in the second or third year the first fruits can be collected;
• the leaves on the bushes are large, smooth, light green, slightly pubescent on the underside;
• about 70% of Moldova's runs are fruitful;
• each shoot produces, on average, 1.7 clusters of fruit;
• grape inflorescences are bisexual, so Moldova does not need additional pollinators (other varieties);
• the variety has high resistance to various diseases and fungal infections;
• Moldova grapes are frost-resistant - without shelter, the wood can withstand temperatures down to -23 degrees;
• the variety is not demanding in care, it does not require complex agrotechnical techniques.

Any grape is very good for health, because it is a source of many vitamins, minerals, fruit sugars and acids. Moldova is no exception; the fruits of this variety are high in calories and nutrients, they are full of antioxidants and beneficial vitamins.

Advantages and disadvantages

Moldova grapes would not have become so popular if they did not have a lot of advantages. Among the strengths of the variety it is worth mentioning:

• unpretentiousness of Moldova;
• high productivity;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• self-pollinating;
• excellent presentation of the fruits and their suitability for storage and transportation;
• resistance to most diseases;
• good grape resistance to low temperatures;
• ability for rapid regeneration (recovery after pruning and mechanical damage to the vine);
• universal purpose of fruits.

The skin of the berries is dense, they ripen late, so they are rarely attacked by insects, and retain their presentation and integrity.

A winegrower who has decided to plant Moldova in his garden should also be aware of some nuances. The first thing worth mentioning is that these grapes definitely needs to be rationed: Moldova does not forgive either overload or underload. The second disadvantage of the variety is its weak resistance to such a dangerous disease as oidium - bushes will have to be processed several times per season.

Growing grapes

The description of the Moldova grapes and photos of the bunches and berries of this variety are very attractive: you immediately want to plant several seedlings on your plot. To achieve excellent results, you need to provide the crop with competent care.

Agricultural technology during planting

From how much landing correctly seedlings in Moldova, the grape yield and the growth rate of the bushes largely depend. The first thing a winegrower should pay attention to is the soil on the site. Moldova grapes prefer light and fertile soils that retain moisture and nutrients well.

Excessive amounts of moisture in the soil have a bad effect on the condition of the grapes: they rot, are affected by fungal infections, and lag behind in development. Winds and drafts have a bad effect on Moldova; this culture does not like shade and cold.

Taking into account all of the above, A place for seedlings of this grape is selected according to the following criteria:

• the site should not be in a lowland;
• groundwater lies deep (if not, you need to fill up a mound of earth);
• the place is well lit by the sun and is located on the south side of the garden;
• seedlings of Moldova will be protected from wind and draft;
• The soil on the site is nutritious.

Moldova grapes can be planted both in autumn and spring. Most gardeners prefer to do this in the spring months, then the grapes will have plenty of time to get stronger and overwinter well. Those who decide to plant grapes in the fall should take care of shelter for the seedlings.

In any case, Moldova seedlings cannot be planted in the ground at air temperatures below 15 degrees.

Bushes of this variety are very prone to overgrowth, so it is necessary to maintain a sufficient interval between plantings. Each Moldavian bush needs about 3-4 meters of space on any side. If the seedlings are planted too densely, this will affect the quality and quantity of the fruit.

Directly planting seedlings in Moldova is carried out as follows:

1. A hole with a diameter of about a meter and a depth of 90 cm is dug in advance.
2. The bottom of the hole is covered with a generous layer of compost mixed with soil or humus.
3. I cover the fertilizer with another layer of fertile soil.
4. Place the seedling in the hole, carefully straightening its roots.
5. Sprinkle the grapes with soil, shaking the seedling slightly to compact the soil.
6. Water the soil generously and cover it with mulch.

Do not forget about the high growth rate of grapes - for Moldova you need to build an arch, trellis or other support in advance.

Necessary care

Moldova is not a capricious and demanding variety, but this grape also requires minimal care. It is noticed that with due attention from the owner, the variety is capable of producing up to 150 centners of harvest per hectare of vineyard.

You need to care for the Moldova variety like this:

1. Water the vineyard. For Moldova grapes, sufficient soil moisture is extremely important; special attention should be paid to watering a week before the vines flower and immediately after setting the berries. Any watering method is acceptable: from drip irrigation to watering through canals and directly under the bush. If the weather is dry, the vineyard is additionally watered in the spring, immediately after the leaves bloom, and in the fall, when the entire harvest has already been harvested. If there is too much moisture in the region, you need to take care of drainage.
   
2. Mulch the ground within a radius of about 50 cm from the trunk. Mulch helps retain moisture, prevents roots from drying out, and protects them from the hot sun. Rotted straw, sawdust, and humus are suitable as mulch. The mulch layer should be about five centimeters.
3. Preparing for winter. In the northern regions, Moldova needs to be covered for the winter. Considering the strong growth of bushes, the method with metal vertical arcs and film is suitable only for young plants. More mature grape bushes are tied and bent to the ground. After this, you can sprinkle the vine with earth, build a shelter from wood or slate, or use spruce branches.
   
4. Trimming and Loading. As mentioned above, Moldova definitely needs to be rationed. The total load on the bush should not be more than 70 buds, so 4-7 fruit buds are left on each shoot. When the clusters are formed, the normalization is carried out again: cutting off all the tassels so that there are no more than two left on each shoot. Moldova should be pruned in spring and autumn, usually using the long sleeve method.
   
5. Feeding. The vineyard needs to be fertilized 3-4 times per season. In spring, nitrogenous mineral fertilizers are used; in summer, it is better to apply preparations containing potassium and phosphorus. Organic matter spoils the taste of grapes, so it is added to the soil in the fall, after harvesting.
6. Diseases and pests. Moldova grapes are resistant to most diseases, and they are not afraid of pests. But the variety can be affected by powdery mildew, so it needs prevention. The bushes are sprayed several times a season using Bordeaux mixture or another product.
   

Review of the variety

Conclusion

Moldova grapes are an excellent option for “lazy” summer residents and gardeners, and they are also excellent for industrial cultivation. The fruits of this variety are tasty fresh, suitable for any processing, can be stored and transported for a long time, and have a good presentation. The variety does not require special care, so it is also suitable for beginning winegrowers. All reviews about Moldova grapes are extremely positive.

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