Grapes "Augustin": features of the variety and subtleties of cultivation
Not every horticultural crop can be used not only for harvesting, but also as a decorative component of the landscape design of the site. As for the grapes "Augustin", this plant is notable for its excellent yield, as well as the ability to decorate backyard arbors, creating beautiful arches.
Characteristic
Grape varieties bred by Bulgarian breeders are very popular. As a special achievement in the work of scientists, it is worth noting the Augustin hybrid, unique in its qualities, which differs from other plants in its ability to bring high yields even in harsh climatic conditions. That is why the culture is successfully grown in the Moscow region, in the Leningrad region and even in the Urals.
The hybrid is considered a table variety and has several names - "Pleven Stable" or "V25 / 20 Phenomenon". Winter hardiness and good immunity to diseases make it possible to use the fruits in various ways - as a fresh delicacy or as a product for making juices and wines.
Grapes have harmonious organoleptic properties with a pleasant fresh aftertaste. The peel of the fruit is quite dense, but during use it is practically not felt. The pulp usually contains several seeds.
Quite large fruit clusters are formed on the bushes, having a conical shape. The mass of one brush is about 400 grams, in some cases there are brushes weighing about one kilogram.
The berries are also notable for their size, they are oval in shape 3x2 centimeters and are quite densely packed on clusters. The color of the grapes varies from whitish to amber-yellow, when exposed to sunlight, the fruits are translucent. The variety accumulates sugar well, according to the description, its content in berries reaches 20%. This indicator does not change even taking into account the rainy summer during the ripening period.
The plant itself is vigorous with a powerful skeleton, due to which it is able to withstand weighty clusters with berries. Two inflorescences are formed on the shoots; when planted by a cutting, it quickly adapts and develops. The green mass of the vine is quite large, due to which it creates an excellent shadow.
"Augustin" is a self-pollinating variety, since it contains flowers of both sexes, as a result, there are no problems with pollination of the vineyard. In addition, the crop itself can act as a pollinator for other grape varieties growing nearby.
The plant is capable of fruiting already in the second year after planting. The culture, according to the ripening period, belongs to the super-early varieties, since the berries acquire technical maturity by mid-August. The average growing season is about 117 days. When forming, the berries do not have a tendency to pea. Ripe fruits on the bushes retain their marketable appearance and taste characteristics for about 2 more weeks. However, due to heavy precipitation, the skin of the fruit may crack.
According to the reviews of experienced growers, "Augustin" with proper care gives high yields. On average, about 120 centners of fruits can be harvested from one hectare. In private vineyards, harvest volumes are about 50-60 kilograms.
The variety is resistant to diseases and pests, but spoiled berries become an excellent bait for wasps and grapevines. With regard to resistance to negative temperatures, grapes retain their viability even at -24C, but subject to competent shelter for the winter.
In general, the harvest is quite transportable, however, in some cases, overripe berries can crumble from the brushes. The hybrid is most often consumed fresh; it is rarely grown for making wines or juices. Its decorative properties are highly valued, due to which "Augustin" is often referred to as pavilion cultures.
Advantages
Grapes "Augustin" is quite in demand among winegrowers due to the mass of positive features:
- culture gives high yields;
- the variety is resistant to various climatic conditions;
- the hybrid is immune to most diseases;
- fruits and clusters are distinguished by external attractiveness;
- the plant does not need to plant other crops for pollination;
- the variety belongs to early ripening crops;
- berries almost do not attract insects, so they do not need to provide additional protection.
Flaws
To have the most detailed idea of the Bulgarian hybrid, It is worth noting some of the disadvantages inherent in the plant:
- during long-term transportation, overripe berries will crumble from the brushes;
- from heavy rainfall, the berries crack;
- in the pulp of berries, as a rule, there are several seeds.
What climate does it grow in?
Due to the available properties of "Augustina" perfectly adapt to weather conditions and climate features, it bears fruit well not only in the south, but also in the northern regions. The variety is successfully grown in the northern regions of Ukraine and Belarus, in the central regions of Russia.
The hybrid is popular in the Crimea, Moldova and in the south of our country. In the northern regions, it is also possible to grow the grape variety in question.
In a cold climate, the culture retains its unique features, due to which it is so popular. That is why growers get a good harvest of berries in season.
Landing and care
Although the characteristic of the variety defines the culture as universal, there are still a number of planting requirements regarding the establishment, which relate to the type of soil. Swampy soil, as well as stony soils, is not suitable for grapes. In addition, low rates in the development of grapes will be observed on clay soil.
It is better to plant the plant on a flat area of the garden, since excess moisture can accumulate in the lowlands, contributing to rotting of the roots.
Reproduction of the variety "Augustin" is possible in several ways:
- planting cuttings;
- planting young varietal seedlings;
- seed cultivation;
- reproduction by offshoots.
It is worth noting that the least successful of all the listed options is the method of planting grapes with seeds, since in this case the plants lose their genetic characteristics.
The timing of planting a crop directly depends on the chosen method of propagation of grapes. As practice shows, spring is considered the optimal time for planting in the ground for green seedlings, but planting plants in the fall is not prohibited.
Each period has its positive and negative features.As for spring work, at this time the sprout will be able to take root and grow better, since it has quite a lot of sunny and warm days ahead. Some growers claim that plants planted in the spring enter the fruiting phase faster. The disadvantages of spring planting time include the need for frequent watering, due to the fact that water quickly leaves the soil and evaporates. In addition, in the spring there may be problems with the acquisition of material for planting.
At the end of the summer months, there is no shortage in young plants, and the purchased crop can be planted immediately on the site. The main task during the autumn planting is the shelter of the plant for the winter.
The place for the vineyard must be sunny, in addition, the soil for the plant is necessary with the maximum content of nutrients. Unfortunately, not every gardener and gardener will be able to fully satisfy such requirements. That is why, before planting grapes, it is necessary to carry out preparatory measures regarding soil fertilization. Usually, humus in combination with mineral elements is used as an effective means for feeding the earth.
As far as access to sunlight for plants, give preference to a vineyard facing the south side of the building on the site or planting plants along the fence. Shaded areas in the garden will cause the culture to develop with a significant delay.
The distance between the bushes should be at least one meter. The indent between the rows must be done at three meters.Such a hybrid placement scheme will allow plants to receive the maximum amount of sunlight without shading other bushes with their foliage, in addition, in this embodiment, care and harvesting are facilitated.
For planting grapes, holes are prepared in advance, they should be about 1 meter deep. It is better to apply fertilizer to the bottom, compost in this case will be the optimal composition. From above, in order to avoid burns of the root system, it must be sprinkled with ordinary earth. Such a hole should be left for some time in such a state to allow the earth to subside.
Before planting, the seedling must be carefully examined for various defects and damage. The root system of a healthy young bush should be plastic, and the top of the seedling should be green. To speed up the process of adaptation of the culture, a few days before planting it should be kept in a growth stimulator. After planting, the bush should be watered abundantly. Further moistening of the soil is carried out as needed.
Agrotechnical measures associated with the cultivation of grapes "Augustin" are reduced to the following points:
- timely watering;
- loosening the soil and removing weeds;
- feeding with fertilizers;
- preventive spraying;
- sanitary pruning;
- cluster normalization;
- shelter for the winter.
Based on the experience of winegrowers, we can conclude that Augustine will grow best in moist soil, but stagnant water and excessive moisture should still be avoided.
Pruning of bushes is carried out once a season, in the course of these works, the shoots are cut into 6-12 eyes. When the first shoots appear, the grape bushes need to be given the appropriate shape. The optimal form for the variety will be a fan-shaped multi-arm.Branches must be cut between knots. There are certain rules for pruning bushes:
- the vine is cut so that one is longer than the other;
- two buds should be left on a short shoot, a long shoot can contain up to nine buds;
- on a bush, you can leave several of these vines.
Forming can be carried out after the first year of the plant's life, and be carried out until the bush acquires the desired appearance.
As a fertilizer for a plant, humus, phosphorus and potassium preparations give good results. It is more correct to apply top dressing to the place of occurrence of the root system of grapes, at a distance of one meter from the trunk. To facilitate the work, you can make special trenches for the introduction of useful trace elements.
Spraying against diseases is performed twice a season - before and after the flowering phase of the bushes.
A big problem that can jeopardize the grape harvest is the grapevine, after which the processes of rotting berries can begin on the bushes.
In general, the variety is quite resistant to fungal infections. However, in order to further protect the crop from diseases, gardeners are advised to spray the plants with a weakly concentrated sulfur solution shortly after planting.
Variety "Augustin" needs shelter for the winter, even despite its frost resistance. Works related to preparation for wintering include the following activities:
- a vine of healthy plants is laid on the ground in trenches specially equipped for them;
- a film is stretched on top, it is worth making sure that the material does not come into contact with the culture;
- then a layer of straw or needles is laid out;
- the last layer is the earth.
It will be possible to remove the shelter in the spring, when the snow melts and there is no chance of frost.
Tips & Tricks
Even in spite of the improved characteristics of the hybrid culture, there are several important rules that must be followed when growing grapes "Augustin":
- the key to a good and regular harvest will be the fertility of the soil on the site, therefore, when planning the creation of a vineyard, one should take into account the condition of the soil;
- despite the unpretentiousness of agricultural technology, the plant needs good contact with sunlight, so the place for the development of the plant should not be in the shade, drafts should also be avoided;
- if you neglect loosening the soil in the vineyard, the berries on the clusters will become smaller;
- in the autumn period, it is necessary to take care of feeding the bushes with organic fertilizers, for example, manure;
- mulching the ground with sawdust or moss will help maintain optimal soil moisture;
- before fruit ripening, some leaves must be removed to allow unhindered access of sunlight to the bunches of grapes.
For an overview of the grape variety "Augustin", see below.