Grape

Grape is a genus of plants in the family Vitaceae, which includes about 70 species, mostly distributed in the temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere.

Grape is a liana climbing by means of coiling stem tendrils, positioned opposite simple, deeply palmately lobed leaves. Flowers are bisexual, or unisexual (in which case the plants are dioecious), small, fragrant, gathered in racemose inflorescences (panicle or compound raceme). Fruit — edible berries of globose or ovoid shape, gathered in loose or sometimes dense clusters.

Varieties: Аркадия, София, Преображение, Надежда АЗОС, Бажена, Ливия, Гармония, Руслан, Августин, Европлевен, Памяти хирурга, Богун, Блэк гранд, Атлант, Лия, Одесский сувенир, Калиста, Симпатия, Новый подарок Запорожью, Первозванный, Ермак, Зарница, Анюта, Виктор, Ксения, Юбилей Новочеркасска.

Site requirements: light-loving; require fertile soils. Do not tolerate waterlogging or close proximity of groundwater.

Planting: Grapevines are planted in autumn or spring as two- to three-year-old plants. Size of the planting pit: 50 x 50 x 60 cm. Distance between plants: 1 m. Before planting, seedlings should be dipped in a slurry made of 10 L of water, 0.4 kg of clay, 0.2 kg of 12% chlorophos and 0.2 kg of iron sulfate. The soil mix consists of humus, peat and sand in a ratio of 3:1:2. Soil reaction should be neutral or slightly acidic. Drainage of broken brick and sand 15–20 cm thick is required.

Care: Fertilization. In June apply 40 g of urea, 80 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium chloride, diluted in 10 L of water. For weakened plants apply organic matter or use foliar feeding: dissolve 15 g of urea or ammonium nitrate in 10 L of water. Watering. All grape varieties appreciate moisture. With deep roots penetrating the soil to 4–5 m, they can withstand drought for a long time. However, it is better to water once a month with 8–10 L per plant. If rains are regular, watering is not required. Loosening and mulching. It is desirable immediately after planting to mulch the trunk circles with peat or soil to a layer of 5–7 cm. Loosening is carried out when weeding. Pruning. From June to August the vines grow actively; they are tied to supports and the crown is formed. Side shoots are cut back to two or three buds, strong canes to one-third of their length. Winter preparation. For winter it is recommended to remove vines from the support and insulate them with spruce boughs, peat, leaves. Dry loose soil can be heaped over the roots to a depth of up to 10 cm.

Diseases and pests: the main diseases are anthracnose, downy mildew, oidium (powdery mildew), gray rot, black spot. Pests: phylloxera, common spider mite, grape eriophyid mite, leafrollers.

Propagation: by seed, cuttings and layering. Seeds are sown in autumn or spring after 2–4 months of stratification. They flower in the 5th–6th year. It is even easier to propagate grapevines with winter cuttings. After two years, rooted cuttings are planted in open ground.

Uses: Grapevines live long. They make excellent green arches, screens, trellises and canopies. They will cover a gazebo, pergola, utility block and even the trunks of large trees, and will adorn the facade of a garden house. The lush, carved foliage turns crimson in autumn. Widely used for vertical greening on mesh supports.