Content
Pleven grapes are a common variety that attracts gardeners with its good taste, resistance to diseases and winter frosts. For planting, resistant and nutmeg varieties are often chosen. The varieties form large clusters, and the berries have excellent commercial qualities.
Characteristics of varieties
Several different varieties have the name Pleven. All of them have a table purpose and are used fresh for preparing snacks and desserts. Each variety has its own characteristics regarding the size of the berries, yield, resistance to diseases and winter frosts.
Pleven
The Pleven grape variety comes from Bulgaria. The variety has a table purpose. The bushes are vigorous, the shoots ripen well. The mass of the bunch is 250-300 g. The bunches are conical, loose and loose.
Features of Pleven berries:
- weight 4-5 g;
- large sizes;
- oblong shape;
- yellowish-green color;
- waxy coating;
- crispy pulp;
- thick skin;
- harmonious taste.
The disadvantage of the Pleven variety is its low winter hardiness. Grapes are susceptible to fungal diseases. To protect against damage, the variety needs careful processing.
Pleven grapes in the photo:
Pleven nutmeg
The Pleven muscat grape variety was obtained by crossing varieties Friendship And Strashensky. Maturation occurs at an early stage.
According to the variety description and photo, Pleven muscat grapes are characterized by vigorous and powerful shoots. The mass of the bunch is from 600 g, usually reaching 1 kg.
Characteristics of Pleven nutmeg variety berries:
- White color;
- oval shape;
- size 23x30 mm;
- weight 6-8 g;
- thick skin;
- juicy pulp;
- nutmeg aroma;
- pleasant taste.
The variety is characterized by high yield. The grapes tolerate winter frosts down to -23 ° C, so they need shelter. Resistance to fungal diseases is rated at a high level.
The nutmeg variety is valued for its excellent taste. Gardeners note the good survival rate of grapes, low susceptibility to disease, and active shoot growth in spring and summer.
Photo of Pleven muscat grapes:
Pleven stable
The Pleven resistant grape variety is known as Augustine and Phenomenon. The variety was bred in Bulgaria based on the Pleven and Villars blanc grapes. The resulting variety is resistant to diseases and low temperatures.
Pleven resistant ripens in mid-August. In terms of external characteristics, the resulting variety resembles Pleven grapes. The clusters are medium dense, conical in shape. Their weight reaches 500 g. The yield per bush is up to 30 kg.
Distinctive features of the berries of the Pleven stable variety:
- size 18x27 cm;
- weight 5 g;
- simple and harmonious taste;
- White color;
- juicy pulp, shines through in the sun.
The sustainable variety of grapes is valued for its high yield, reliability and unpretentiousness. The bunches have high commercial quality and do not deteriorate during transportation.
Fruiting of the Augustine variety is extended, lasting 2-3 weeks. The berries are the same size, do not pea, and hang on the bushes for a long time after ripening. Bushes grow quickly, so they are often planted to decorate arches, gazebos, and recreation areas. Winter hardiness is above average.
Pleven resistant grape variety in the photo:
Planting grapes
The development and productivity of grapes largely depends on choosing the right place for growing. The plant prefers an abundance of sunlight and the presence of fertile soil. Pleven grape seedlings are purchased from trusted suppliers.
Preparatory stage
An area well lit by the sun and located on the south or southwest side is allocated for the vineyard. The culture does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so it is better to choose a place on a hill or in the center of a slope. Not only water, but also cold air accumulates in the lowlands.
In the northern regions, grapes are planted on the south side of the house or fence. When the sun's rays are reflected from the surface of the walls, the plants will receive more heat.
The vineyard is planted at a distance of more than 5 m from bushes and trees. This arrangement allows you to avoid shady areas. Fruit trees take most of the nutrients from the soil and do not allow the grapes to fully develop.
Planting pits are prepared at least 3 weeks before work. The culture prefers loam or sandy loam soil. If the soil is clayey, coarse river sand will be required. To make sandy soil retain moisture better, it is fertilized with peat.
Work order
For planting, select healthy Pleven grape seedlings with a height of about 0.5 m and healthy buds.Plants with overdried roots and damage do not take root well.
Sequence of work:
- A hole measuring 80x80 cm is dug to a depth of 60 cm for the grapes.
- Be sure to form a drainage layer 12 cm thick. Expanded clay, broken brick, and small pebbles are used for it.
- A pipe with a diameter of 5-7 mm is installed in a vertical position in the hole for watering the plants. Part of the pipe is left to protrude above the surface of the earth.
- Add 0.4 kg of superphosphate and 0.2 kg of potassium sulfate to the fertile soil. The resulting mixture is poured into the pit.
- When the soil settles, begin preparing the seedling. It is cut off, leaving 3-4 buds. The root system is also shortened slightly and placed in warm, clean water for a day.
- A small mound of fertile soil is poured into the hole, and a seedling is placed on top.
- The roots need to be covered with soil.
- The plant is watered abundantly with 5 buckets of water.
When planting several plants, maintain a distance of 1 m between them. According to the description of the variety, photos and reviews, seedlings of the Pleven nutmeg and resistant grapes quickly take root. Young plants require intensive watering.
Care plan
Pleven grapes are provided with good care, which consists of fertilizing, pruning and watering. To prevent diseases, it is recommended to carry out preventive spraying.
Watering
Only young bushes under 3 years old need regular watering. They are watered using a drainage pipe several times a season:
- after removing the winter shelter;
- during the formation of buds;
- during the flowering period;
- late autumn.
Pre-winter watering is necessary for every Pleven grape variety. Moisture is added in late autumn while preparing plants for winter. Wet soil freezes slowly, and grapes withstand winter better.
Feeding
In early spring, Pleven grapes are fed with fertilizer containing nitrogen. Chicken droppings or manure are added to the soil. Instead of organic matter, you can use minerals: 40 g of urea and superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfate.
The treatment is repeated until flowering begins. When the fruits ripen, only phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied. Nitrogen activates the growth of shoots, while in summer it is better to direct the forces of the grapes to the formation of berries.
Grapes respond positively to foliar treatments. Plantings are sprayed with complex preparations Kemira or Aquarin. After harvesting, the plants are fed with wood ash. Fertilizer is incorporated into the soil.
Trimming
By pruning the grapes, high fruiting is ensured. Pleven varieties are pruned in the fall after harvesting.
For each bush, 4-5 of the most powerful shoots are left. Fruit branches are shortened by 6-8 buds. The permissible load on the plant is from 35 to 45 eyes.
After the snow melts, only frozen and dry branches are removed. In spring, the number of bunches is normalized. 1-2 inflorescences are left on the shoot, the rest are cut off.
In summer, it is enough to remove the leaves so that the berries gain sugar content. Extra stepsons are also eliminated.
Protection from diseases
Muscat and resistant varieties of Pleven grapes rarely get sick if agricultural practices are followed. For preventive purposes, plantings are sprayed with antifungal drugs. Treatments are carried out in early spring and late autumn.
The drugs are diluted with water in the concentration specified in the instructions. During the growing season, the last treatment should take place 3 weeks before harvesting.
The vineyard attracts mites, borers, cicadas, caterpillars and other pests. If insects are detected, the plantings are sprayed with special preparations. To protect the crop from wasps and birds, the bunches are covered with fabric bags.
Shelter for the winter
It is recommended to cover Pleven grapes for the winter, especially if a cold, snowless winter is expected. In autumn, the vine is removed from the support, placed on the ground and hilled. Dry leaves are sprinkled on top.
Metal or plastic arcs are installed above the plant, and agrofibre is fixed on top. To prevent the grapes from rotting, when the temperature rises in the spring, the shelter is removed. If there is still a chance of frost, the covering material is opened slightly.
Reviews from gardeners
Conclusion
Pleven grapes are suitable for industrial cultivation and planting in summer cottages. The bunches have an excellent presentation and tolerate transportation well. Muscat and resistant varieties are distinguished by rapid ripening, good berry taste and unpretentiousness.
