Grape Lidia

Synonyms: Izabella pink, Lidia pink, Izabella red.

Grape "Lidia" – a natural hybrid of the varieties Vitis vinifer х Vitis labruscа in North America. It is a technical and table grape variety of mid-ripening (145–160 days at a heat sum of 3090°C). Until the 1960s it was widely cultivated in Ukraine and in Moldova. It is now grown on small areas in Abkhazia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Krasnodar Krai, Crimea, the Chernozem region, the Moscow region and Siberia.

The bushes are above average in height, vigorous. Shoots ripen well even in the northern part of Ukraine. It produces fruiting shoots from old wood and from renewal buds, so it is possible to obtain a harvest even if the primary shoots have been killed by frost. Leaves are rounded, three- and five-lobed, medium to large, shallowly incised, small-puckered; the upper surface of the blade is green, the lower surface covered with felt-like pubescence. Petiole sinus deep, arrow-shaped, open. Flowers are hermaphroditic.

The variety is high-yielding; 3–6 clusters can be seen on a shoot. Yield 10–12 t/ha. Individual vines can give up to 40 kg in wall culture. Clusters are small, 60–100 g, cylindro-conical or conical in shape, branching, loose. Berries medium, rounded, dark red with a dense lilac waxy bloom. Skin is tough, of medium thickness. Flesh is mucilaginous, with a strawberry aroma. As they ripen, the attachment of the berry to the stalk weakens. Sugar content 18–19%, with acidity 5.5–9.3 g/L.

Frost hardiness: very high

Site: not demanding to soil, but grows better on fertile, slightly calcareous ground. Poorly tolerant of drought. The plant tolerates waterlogging and salinity well. It is recommended to grow in sites sheltered from the wind. Can be cultivated in all regions of Ukraine.

Planting: same as for cultivated grape.

Care: responds well to fertilization. Requires removal of lateral shoots and topping (pinching), as bushes become very dense.

Pruning: fruiting canes are recommended to be pruned to 8–10 buds, load per vine 35–40 shoots.

Diseases and pests: resistant to fungal diseases (powdery mildew and downy mildew) and to phylloxera; weakly resistant to lime-induced chlorosis.

Propagation: cutting rooting is very good.

Uses: Fruits are consumed fresh, used for making juices and for materials for fortified and dessert wines. Recommended for open-field (non-covered) cultivation. In ornamental landscaping used for greening balconies, arches, pergolas, house walls, gazebos, etc.