Modern breeders are constantly struggling to produce super resistant and hardy varieties.
However, in such a race, the taste qualities of new varieties often suffer, all the richness of the grape flavor and the natural pleasant aroma that arouses appetite at a distance are lost.
For this reason, many experienced growers will forever remain faithful to the old varieties, bred in the last century.
One of these varieties is the Volzhsky grape.
Despite the complexity of caring for this variety, it has many advantages that are difficult to find among modern varieties. About them in detail and tell below.
Description of varietal characteristics of grapes "Volzhsky"
This grape variety was bred by breeders back in 1971, crossing for this complex combination of grape varieties.
In particular, a mixture of pollen from such grapes as Muscat Hamburg and Vitis Amurenzis was used. With its help, the variety “Firstborn of Kuibyshev” was pollinated, as a result of which the “Volzhsky” grapes were obtained.
Mostly this grape variety grown on the territory of the middle bandwhose climatic conditions are best suited to him for growth and fruiting. To date, it is rarely found in private plots, although it has all the necessary characteristics, since it is the finest grape varieties of table purpose.
Also, the bushes of this variety are perfectly adapted for industrial cultivation in large areas.
Features grape brushes varieties "Volzhsky"
Bunches of "Volzhsky" grapes have a very elegant appearance and a beautiful wide conical shape (sometimes they are shapeless). Sometimes one wing can form. In size, they are usually found medium and large, ranging in length from 12 to 23 centimeters.
The berries on the bunch are placed tightly, if the bunch is shapeless - medium density. Also, their distinguishing feature is a very short stalk, due to which it is sometimes very difficult to remove bunches from a bush, berries can be damaged.
The most important pride of grapes "Volzhsky" are its berries.
Firstly, they are very large in size: the length of a single berry can reach almost 2.1 centimeters.
Secondly, they have an attractive rounded shape, densely and densely weighing a bunch.
Thirdly, a rich dark blue or even black color makes these berries especially attractive and appetizing.
In addition, the flesh is unusually pleasant and tender, when eating, it seems that it simply melts in the mouth. Generally, the taste is very harmonious.
Many believe that such a grape has a lot in common with the Amursky variety, but we are in a hurry to inform you that it has no specific taste and its resemblance to Amursky is only external. Moreover, the described grape variety also has high sugar content of juice, which it reaches by the moment of removable maturity - from 14 to 17% (then, when its acidity is maximum 9 g / l).
Terms of ripening the crop and the volume of fruiting grapes "Volzhsky"
The great advantage of this variety is the fast ripening of its fruits, which makes it possible to grow the "Volzhsky" grapes in the middle zone. He ripens in the early-medium term, approximately 125-135 days of the growing season of the bush (this is the time during which the bush has time to bloom and form a crop). Thus, the removable maturity of the fruits of this variety comes to the end of August - early September.
As for the peculiarities of fruiting, you can collect the first crops from the bushes planted on your site in the third year (if two-year-old seedlings were planted, or the method of grafting to the stock with a large supply of perennial wood was used).
The bush has an average growth power., but at the same time pleases with sufficiently abundant harvests: if the bush is formed by a multi-arm fan method, then for 3-5 years it will produce about 4-6.5 kilograms of good berries. But on older bushes and subject to the rules of agrotechnology, these bushes can easily form up to 14 kilograms of large and well-ripened fruits.
It is also interesting to read about the fight against grape diseases and prevention
Why this grapes need to be planted: the dignity of the grapes "Volzhsky"
- Excellent table grapes with excellent taste and early-medium ripening time.
- Good rooting of cuttings and adaptability of bushes to growth in the territory of the middle climatic strip.
- The presence of bisexual flower, thanks to which the inflorescences of the bush are pollinated 100%, and the berries are not peas.
- Shoots ripen satisfactorily, ensuring good yield.
- The variety is characterized by high resistance to fungal diseases that most often affect vineyards - mildew and gray mold.
The disadvantages of the variety or why it loses its former popularity
In general, each grape variety has its drawbacks, which manifest themselves in varying degrees.
The most important disadvantages of grapes "Volzhsky" is its low resistance to frost and very strong whimsical care. For this reason, in order to achieve high yield, you have to sweat well over the bush and the area where it grows. For busy modern people, this is simply not a permissible luxury, for this reason they tend to choose more sustainable and easy-to-care grape varieties.
In addition, the "Volga" grape is a covering variety, its berries contain 2-3 seeds. For many, they very much spoil the sensations of the taste of berries, for which they neglect this variety.
How to plant grapes "Volzhsky" on your site: detailed tips
This grape breed multiplies quite simply. It is enough just to determine the method of planting and proceed to its preparation.
Among the existing methods of propagation of grape bushes of the Volzhsky variety, planting seedlings is best suited, although it is also possible to inculcate cuttings and branch from an adult bush. However, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.
Thanks to the seedlings planted on your own roots, you can be 100% sure that it will grow a shrub of exactly the sort that it was going to grow. However, in this case all its disadvantages will appear.
When grafting a "Volzhsky" grape to a strong-growing and frost-resistant stock, it is possible to significantly increase its fertility and resistance, however, the fruiting can change not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. Propagation by taps has the same advantages and disadvantages as planting seedlings, but it is much easier to implement it.
How to choose the right place for planting grapes "Volzhsky"
Since the growing season of a bush of this variety lasts a long enough period of time, a large amount of solar heat and light is required for the timely and successful ripening of the crop. Therefore, the bushes of this variety in no case planted in the shade.
It is best to choose a place on the south side of your plot, so that no shadow falls on the grapes from buildings or other plants and trees. Also, the southwest side of the plot will also work wellsince it is also the long period of the day is illuminated by the sun.
Another important nuance that must be considered when growing all grape varieties is protect them from cold northern winds.
Also, it is very dangerous to plant bushes in the lowlands, where cold air can stagnate for a long period of time. In this regard, grape bushes land on hilly surfaces and best of all, near the walls of houses that serve as protection from the wind. After all, the danger of exposure of such natural weather phenomena to a bush during flowering is equal to the loss of a crop or its pea.
Also, for good growth of the grape bush and its harvest, it is important that the soil be as fertile as possible. Black soil is ideal for this, light soils such as loams are also well suited.
In the absence of such types of soil, the land can be fertilized independently and continue to do it regularly throughout the growth of the bush.
Important also take into account the depth of groundwater: if they rise above 2 meters to the surface of the soil, it is necessary to dig a drainage system in the area. After all, the root system of vines is very highly developed, and therefore, may suffer from glut.
The scheme of planting grape bushes varieties "Volzhsky" on the site
Any vine requires a lot of space for the growth of shoots and the development of the root system, which provides it with nutrients. Therefore, grape plantings should be arranged according to a specific scheme that takes into account all these criteria.
Since the grape variety "Volzhsky" bushes have an average growth force, but the distance between the two bushes must be at least 1.5-2.5 meters. But between two rows is to make a gap of 3 meters.
We select the appropriate time of year and time for planting grapes
With the planting of grapes there are two options: this crop can be planted both in spring and in autumn. In each case, there are disadvantages and strengths, therefore, it is very difficult to determine which time of year suits best.
- Spring planting of grapes can be carried out starting from the last days of March and up to the first flight ones. If the seedlings are sleeping and "black" - they need to be planted as soon as possible.
Vegetative saplings and with green shoots - as late as possible. The great advantage of planting grapes in spring is the fact that at this time the weather is getting warmer every day, stimulating the bush to grow. After one growing season, the grapes will get stronger and become comfortable in the new place of growth, which will help him to withstand the winter frosts more steadily.
Also, due to this, the grapes can start fruiting a little earlier.
- Planting of grapes in the fall is acceptable only for seedlings that have already passed into the period of tranquility and for grafting cuttings on rootstocks. It is held around mid-October.
Time needs to be chosen so that the planted seedling does not have time to start growing before winter, but there have not yet been strong frosts. The advantages of such a planting are that at this time, firstly, the harvesting material for propagation of grapes is carried out, and secondly, the autumn soil is much more wet than in spring, and does not require such frequent irrigation.
Grape seedlings varieties "Volzhsky" and especially their planting on the site
First of all, it is worthwhile to prepare the pit for the sapling. It is worth digging up to 80 centimeters deep and the same in width. Such sizes will allow a large amount of fertilizers to feed the bush during the first years of growth to fall asleep at its bottom.
As a fertilizer, humus, potassium, phosphates and nitrogen are used (the latter in very small quantities, since it can adversely affect the growth of the hive). All these fertilizer mixed with fertile soil and fall asleep to the bottom of the pit.
However, another 10 cm layer of unfertilized soil should be poured over them to protect the roots from burns. Further, the pit should be left for several weeks to soil it subsided. Otherwise, it will settle along with the seedling and then its root collar will be underground, which is extremely undesirable.
The main criteria for choosing a grape seedling is the white color of the roots and the green color of its upper cut. Before planting, the acquired seedling is recommended to be held in water so that it is as much as possible saturated with moisture (it will be the basis of its vitality until it can absorb moisture from the soil on its own).
It is necessary to lower the seedling into the pit to the level of its root collar, it is better if it rises a little above the level of the soil. It is necessary to fill a hole gradually, in order not to damage the roots and not to leave spaces with air near them (the roots will dry out from this).
It is recommended in the middle of this process. pour a bucket of water into the pit and only then continue to fall asleep. When you complete this process, a stake should be dug near the seedling, which will serve as a support for it. The soil around the seedling is abundantly watered, and for a longer retention of moisture in it, it is covered with mulch.
Vaccination cuttings to the stock: how not to spoil the planting materials and grow a good bush?
Cuttings for vaccination are prepared in advance. Optimally, so that they were no more than 3 eyes. Under the lower of them, the cutting is cut off from two sides, which will allow it to cuddle closer to the rootstock and to take root much faster. Also, this part is recommended to be held in water at least a day before inoculation.
Moisture will play the same role as the seedling. To stimulate the formation of roots can also dip the cutting in a special solution of the drug "Gumat". When planting in the autumn, it is very desirable to paraffin a cutting.
The stock should be prepared immediately prior to grafting.
The first step is to remove the old grape bush, and carefully clean the cut. Further, exactly in the middle of the stock, a shallow split is made, in which the grape cutting is placed.
For better rooting, the stock with the handle should be pulled as tight as possible. To do this, it is recommended to use cotton fabric: it is strong enough, and after a year it will decompose on its own, leaving no trace of itself.
For better preservation of moisture, grafting is smeared with wet clay. The stock, like the seedling, is watered and the soil around it is covered with mulch.
What you need to know about the care of grapes "Volzhsky"?
- This plant is very fond of moisture, which is the basis of its vitality. For this reason, there are periods when the grapes are recommended to be watered: during budding, before flowering, during the formation of berries on the inflorescences. Droughts also belong to these periods.
- Each watering of the soil must be accompanied by its mulching, which will keep moisture longer. The best mulch for vineyards is sawdust or moss, which is laid out in a layer of 3-4 centimeters.
- A good harvest of this grape variety will give in the case if his bush is well fed. This should be done every year from the entry of the bush into fruiting. It is worth using both organic and mineral fertilizers.
- Pruning for a bush of grapes "Volzhsky" is recommended long.
- Variety refers to a covering that should not be forgotten before the onset of winter.
- Preventive sprays against fungi are carried out every year, preferably 3 times.
