Top Grape "Elegant": description and cultivation of the variety

At first glance, it may seem to novice gardeners that growing grapes is a complex and laborious process. In most cases, this view is wrong. In this article we will try to dispel this myth using the example of a variety specially bred for novice growers. We will introduce you to the wonderful grapes "Elegant", its description, features of the variety, as well as photos of shrubs and fruits.

Breeding history

The variety "Elegant" was obtained as a result of the crossing of varieties "Delight" and "Frumoas Albe". Bred in the Russian VNIIViV them. Ya. I. Potapenko.

Description and distinctive characteristics

Most main distinguishing feature The grape "Elegant" is its very early ripening: the berries appear as early as the end of July - the beginning of August.The clusters have a cylindrical shape, sometimes in the form of a cone, the density is average.

Mass bunch is about 300-400 g.

The berries are rather large - about 7 g, white-yellow in color, have a cocoon-like shape, less often - pointed oval.

They have a slight nutmeg flavor, moderately sweet, with a slight sourness, the bones are almost absent. Ripe grapes can remain on the shrub up to 1 month.

Grapes "Elegant" superearly is a table variety and is unsuitable for making wine. It has a high yield, tolerates transportation. It has high rates of frost resistance, and also tolerates drought and heat. Shrubs are low-growth or medium type, have about 95% of fruit-bearing shoots.

Features of growing

Next, we describe what you should pay attention to and what conditions to create for successful cultivation.

Lighting

Grapes are a very light-loving culture, so for planting you need to choose well-lit areas, without shadow. On the south side there should be no obstacles in the form of buildings and trees.

Soil requirements

The main requirement for the soil is its ease. If the soil does not meet this condition, it can be improved by removing excess moisture and fertilizing.

Planting rules variety "Elegant"

Let us dwell on the criteria that should be paid attention to when planting grapes.

Selection of seedlings

The pledge of growing strong, well-fruiting shrubs - the right choice of seedlings. First of all, it is worth remembering that you should buy seedlings from verified sellers or in special nurseries.

What you should pay attention to when buying:

• The color of the roots is important: they should be light. Also on the cut, the roots should be cream colored.
• Do not buy seedlings in the autumn, with leaves. Through foliage a sapling loses a lot of moisture and can die.
• It is best to purchase seedlings in March or April.

Timing

Grapes are planted in both spring and autumn.

When spring planting, special attention should be paid to frequent watering.It is preferable to land as soon as possible, for example, in March or even in February (in the absence of frosts).

The main rule when planting in the fall is not to plant in frozen ground. In this case, the roots will not have sufficient contact with the soil and will not receive the necessary moisture and nutrients.

Landing pattern

The next important step after determining the landing site and timing will be choice of landing pattern, that is, the distance between the bushes. The scheme depends on the type of trellis and on the selected grade.

When choosing a single-plane trellis, bushes of the "Elegant" variety are planted at a distance of about 3.5 m from each other. The distance between the rows should not be less than the height of the trellis plane, usually it is about 2 m.

If you decide to install a two-plane trellis, the distance between the bushes can be reduced to 2 m, and the distance between the rows is better to increase to 2.5-3 m.

For planting it is necessary to dig a hole about 1 m deep, lay a layer of rubble on the bottom, then about 40 cm of soil.Then place the seedling in the pit, which should be filled alternately with compost and soil. The top layer is good to tamp and pour two buckets of water.

Grade Care

No special measures for the care of grapes do not take.

Watering

No strict conditions for watering the grapes also require, moreover, the "Elegant" is drought resistant variety. But it should be remembered that with abundant watering yields increase.

Fertilizer

"Elegant" does not need compulsory fertilization, which once again confirms the unpretentiousness of this variety. During the growing season, you can feed bird droppings. Once a season, the soil is fertilized with ashes.

Pruning

Shrubs of a grade "Elegant" do not need obligatory cutting in the fall in view of the frost resistance. It is produced only for the purpose of thinning, leaving approximately 6 eyes on each shoot.

For high-quality crop pruning should be carried out during the growing season. It is necessary for reduce the load on the bush. As a result, the size of brushes and berries increases, the condition of the vine improves.

Weed removal and soil care

During the summer, the soil should be loosened well after each watering. It is also worth paying attention to the removal of weeds - they take moisture and nutrients from the soil.

Do I need to cover the grapes for the winter?

The variety "Elegant" is extremely cold-resistant, nevertheless, it is better to hold a shelter, because, despite this quality, it, like any other grape, does not tolerate prolonged icing of the vine. In this case, the kidneys are limited in air access and die.

Diseases and pests of the variety

"Elegant" refers to varieties resistant to diseases and pests, can do without preventive treatments.

However, he may still be subject to such ailments:

• Fungal disease, which manifests itself in the form of black dots on the leaves, fruits and stem. The affected areas must be cut during the growing season. If the disease manifested itself during the period of maturation of the brushes, the bush should be treated with a Bordeaux mixture.

• On the leaves can settle an itch, then they change the color to a pinkish tint. Spraying is dispensed with preparations containing phosphamide.
• Listohka damages the brushes and leaves. Starts usually during the winter shelter. To prevent its reproduction, after wintering, the old bark is burned, and the bush is treated with special solutions.
• There may be a change in the color of the leaves due to lack of useful elements. In this case, the soil is fertilized with copper sulphate.

Advantages and disadvantages

The "elegant" super early has positive reviews among gardeners.

Its main advantages include:

• unpretentious care;
• early ripening of fruits;
• high yield;
• good taste of berries;
• increased frost resistance;
• resistance to many diseases and pests.

The disadvantages include a small shelf life of berries: for this reason, it is practically not grown for commercial purposes. Often prone to fungal diseases, and also does not tolerate the ingress of moisture on the leaves during watering.

We hope this article about the variety "Elegant" will dispel your fears of growing grapes and help you get a good harvest of healthy fruits.