Libya grapes: description of the variety, photos, cultivation
Content:
The article presents the grapes of Libya: description of the variety, photos, rules of cultivation, care.
The cultivation of grapes is a fairly old occupation that has been developing for thousands of years all over the world. Today, there are many different varieties of grapes, and it is often quite difficult to choose one of them. For this reason, before buying, you should definitely get acquainted with the varietal characteristics of Libya grapes.
The Libya grape variety was developed relatively recently, but it has already become popular among many winegrowers. This variety was bred in the territory of Zaporozhye by V.V. Zagorulko. This breeder has been dealing with grapes for a long time, on his account there is more than one hybrid variety popular among gardeners. Libya is the result of crossing two Flamingo grape varieties and Arcadia, Libya was entered into the State Ukrainian Register in 2011.
Libya grapes: description of the variety, full characteristics
Photo of grape variety Libya
These grapes are table grapes. The plant has flowers of both feminine and masculine genders. Their appearance is not very expressive, however, as a result of flowering, fruits with high taste are obtained.
The ripening period of Libya grapes is about one hundred days. The level of yield from the Libyan grape bush is quite high, the berries are large in size, in their weight they can reach from eight to fifteen grams. As for the bunch itself, its structure is quite dense, the weight varies from six hundred to nine hundred grams. There are even larger specimens. There are almost no pea-sized berries on the bunches. Many gardeners compare the size of Libya's berries to the size of a coin. The bunches of this grape weigh quite a lot, this is not surprising, because in its length one such bunch can reach thirty-five centimeters.
The fruit contains a lot of juice, has a fleshy structure, and a nutmeg tone is felt in the aftertaste. The peel is not tough; it is almost invisible during the use of the berries. The number of seeds is not too large, there are about three of them in one berry. The color of the berries varies, on one cluster there can be yellow, pink and slightly purple berries at the same time. This is due to the fact that the color changes during the ripening of the fruit. As for the shape of the berries, they are quite different. They can resemble the shape of an oval, egg, sphere. When choosing a site for planting the Libya variety, it is better to give preference to a well-lit area. In such conditions, the harvest will ripen more harmoniously, and the number of berries will be greater. Many gardeners call this variety candy, this is due to the fact that the berries in their composition contain a large amount of sugar, about 25%.
On a young stem, there is a crown painted in a light green shade, while there is no pubescence. There are no divisions on the first leaflet. As for the rest of the sheets, they have 5 lobes each, while the dissection is average. How to determine whether the shoot of one year has already ripened or not? You can tell by the light brown color. The shoots of this variety are quite powerful, strong, directed upward. If you followed all the necessary rules during planting, and also were engaged in the formation of a shrub, then the first berries can be harvested after three years.
Now this grape is grown both among summer residents and on large farms.This is due, of course, to the fact that this variety has many positive qualities. First of all, it should be noted that the berries retain their presentation for a long time. Brushes that have been cut can be stored for about one month. The berries have a fairly dense structure, they remain fresh for a long time, retaining turgor, and are able not to crack for a long time. Such berries tolerate long-term transportation well, they do not let juice. This is important enough for those who grow grapes commercially.
The yield of this variety is quite stable. Libya is a cultivar that is capable of self-pollination. Therefore, even if only one plant grows on your site, then you can get a fairly good harvest from it. If the plants are provided with good shelter for the winter, then the Libya variety can grow calmly in the middle lane. The vines are able to withstand frosts down to minus 20 degrees. However, with all the positive qualities, there are some disadvantages. So, for example, ripening berries on bunches acquire color unevenly. In addition, this variety can be attacked by oidium and mildew.
Libya grapes: description of the variety, photos, recommendations for cultivation
Libya grapes: description of the variety, photos, recommendations for cultivation
As for the cultivation and care of this grape variety, this process is not too complicated.
The plant needs to be watered periodically well, the necessary nutrients should be added, timely pinching should be carried out, and the deprivation of shoots should be cut off. During the period of active growth, the plant needs additional nutrition. This is especially true for elements such as potassium, phosphorus, and organic matter.
What dressing should be applied dry under the bushes. For this, the period of late autumn is well suited, as well as spring.
This grape variety grows quite actively, for this reason it is periodically necessary to prune the plants. It is necessary to form a vineyard so that the load on the shoots is uniform. On one bush, you need to leave no more than forty-five eyes. If you leave more of them, then this can lead to a deterioration in the yield. This is due to the fact that the clusters do not have time to fully ripen. It is not advised to remove the foliage on such grapes. If there are too many flowers on the plants, then they can be partially removed. This grape variety actively forms shoots and stepchildren, this process must be controlled. Before the onset of the flowering period, it is imperative to pinch off the excess fruiting shoots, remove the stepsons. Otherwise, the grapes will waste energy on growth, while the harvest will be poorly formed. It is necessary to prepare grapes for wintering if the temperature drops below 20 degrees. This applies to aged plants, while young bushes must be covered without fail at any temperature.
Libya grapes: planting and care
Libya grapes: reproduction, planting, watering
This culture can be propagated in a variety of ways. For example, by grafting or grafting. An important stage in the life of a plant is the correct planting.
When choosing seedlings, pay attention to the appearance of the plants. The seedlings should not have traces of various diseases and pests; one seedling should have at least two or three buds. The rhizome of the plant must be healthy, resilient, and a green color must be present at the cut site. Before planting a bush, it is necessary to trim the tips of the root system, and also treat it with growth stimulants. The planting hole should be several times larger than the plant itself. Half the hole must be filled with humus, then sand or soil must be poured. It is not necessary to place the seedling directly on the layer of humus, otherwise the root system can get severe burns.Be careful when you bury the root system of the plant, it is still too delicate and easily damaged. There should be two buds above the ground. When it comes to planting time, it is best to choose spring or autumn. First-year plants must be tied to pegs, after another 1 year a reliable support must be installed, gardeners usually use a trellis for these purposes.
Typically, the Libya variety is watered about twice a season, with the first watering at the start of flowering. The second time you need to water the plants after the fruit setting begins. This scheme is suitable if precipitation occurs between these waterings. If there is little rain, then you need to water the plant additionally. At the same time, this should be done in moderation, since excess moisture can harm the quality of the fruit. Watering is mandatory if the weather is stable and dry.
Protection
An important step in the care of the Libyan grape variety is the fight against harmful insects and various diseases. Most often, the vineyard is affected by diseases such as mildew and powdery mildew, while immunity against these diseases is estimated at four points out of five.
Oidium appears on plants in the form of gray mold, which is located on the foliage. It can quickly spread throughout the rest of the plant, so it is very important to take the necessary measures in time. We must not forget about preventive measures, this will avoid such problems. Many gardeners against powdery mildew spray the vineyard with special compounds, colloidal sulfur is often used.
As for mildew, or as this disease is also called, powdery mildew, it usually occurs on too dense plantings of grapes. A preventive measure in this situation is regular pruning of plants, pinching of shoots, and also pinching. Thus, air will circulate normally between the shoots. Gardeners use Bordeaux liquid against mildew.
As for pests for grape plantings, first of all, birds and wasps should be noted. The berries have a very sweet taste, and this is the real bait. To prevent the birds from annoying your landings, throw a not too thick cloth over the trellis. For the same purpose, a bird net may be suitable. For wasps, gardeners use insecticide traps that are sweetened with honey or sugar. You can also put a gauze bag on each bunch of grapes, then harmful insects and birds will not disturb your berries.
Libya grapes: video about the variety