Valentine grapes: description of the variety, cultivation

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The article presents Valentine grapes: a description of the variety, planting rules, care, protection.

The brushes of this grape variety Valentine have a very beautiful color, especially beautiful golden berries look in the rays of the sun. The clusters are very large in size. The berries have a beautiful appearance, which makes this variety suitable for commercial purposes. The yield of the Valentine variety is also at a high level.

Valentines grapes: description of the variety, full characteristics

Valentines grapes: photo of the variety

According to its purpose, the Valentine variety belongs to the dining room. In terms of ripening, it belongs to the mid-season. Ripens at the same time as the famous Zaporozhye Gift and Pervozvanny varieties. Very large brushes, high quality berries. Valentines make excellent juices and wines.

The berries are amber with a yellowish tinge. There is also the Valentin grape variety, however, there is nothing in common between them, Valentin has blue fruits.

The vine of this grape variety deserves special attention. The bush grows quite rapidly, shoots are formed quickly. If the plant receives a sufficient amount of nutrients, then the stems are pulled out quite actively, thus, such grapes take up quite a lot of space on the site.

As we said above, the brushes of the plant grow quite large, they have a cylindrical shape, the lower part is elongated. The fruits are not too tightly arranged in the bunch. In its length, one brush can reach about forty centimeters. Weighs about one and a half kilograms. The berries are quite large, one specimen can weigh about sixteen grams. As for the size of the berry, it is about forty-three millimeters long and twenty-five millimeters wide. In shape, the berry is similar to a cylinder, it is slightly elongated, slightly curved.

After the bunches of grapes reach full maturity, they become very beautiful in terms of appearance. Small dots can be observed on the peel of the fruit. In the sunlight, a light brown barrel appears on the sides. Valentines ripen bunches of grapes quite amicably. The fruits do not have the property of being peas.

Inside, the berry has amazing taste. The pulp has a very delicate texture, the peel is so thin that it is practically not felt during eating. Inside the berry contains from one to two seeds. In terms of taste, a nutmeg shade is clearly felt. The berries have a fairly high sugar content, about nineteen percent.

The Valentina variety is a complex hybrid that was bred by Novocherkassk breeders. It was obtained by crossing a variety such as Muscat Summer with a hybrid (derived from Arcadia and Rapture). Valentina is a grape that has gained popularity in different regions of our country. If the winter is rather severe in the growing area of this grape, then additional planting insulation will be required.

In terms of yield, this variety shows a very decent result, the plants bear fruit steadily. The first berries can be harvested the next year after planting. However, it is better to remove such clusters. This is necessary in order to give the required shape to the bush.After the buds are awakened, it should take about one hundred and forty days before the bunches of grapes ripen. If you remove the brushes from a two-year-old plant, then the yield of the next year will be twice as rich. As a rule, over the summer period, more than half of the length of the shoot is ripened. And in the autumn time, it is imperative to carry out pruning, in which it is necessary to leave vines with eight to twelve buds.

This grape variety has flowers of both sexes, plants can pollinate on their own, this does not require pollinating insects. Valentina vines are able to withstand fairly low temperatures, around -22 degrees. However, this is the maximum that such grapes are able to survive, and that is, the risk that the fruit buds will begin to freeze. If you do not want to put your future harvest at risk, then it is better to use additional insulation. To begin with, you need to remove the weakened and lignified shoots, form a plant, and then spill it thoroughly with water. Place a thick mulch layer around the base of the plant. Then tie the vine with a rope, wrap it with covering material, place it in the prepared groove and lay the ground on top.

Valentine grapes: a description of the pros, cons

Photo of grapes valentine

Like any other cultivated plant, Valentine has a number of advantages. But there are also some disadvantages.

Let's start with the positives. First, by planting such a variety on your site, you will receive a fairly abundant and stable harvest. Secondly, Valentina has a fairly strong immune system, so that gray rot and the plant is almost not threatened with mildew. The grapes have medium resistance to powdery mildew. Thirdly, the fruits have an attractive appearance for a long time. They are stored for a long time and tolerate transportation very well.

As for the shortcomings, there are not too many of them. This variety is not very good for growing in regions with harsh climates. The berries are large enough, have a lot of juice, however, if the weather is too humid, they begin to burst, thereby attracting insects. Appearance components such as dots and brownish inclusions can alienate potential consumers.

How to properly plant Valentine grapes

Many lovers of grape cultivation say that this variety is very good at taking root in a variety of conditions. This is not too difficult a matter, so even an inexperienced gardener can grow Valentine grapes on his site. There are some points to consider when planting plants.

The grape bush is a rather vigorous crop, has a spreading shape, for en reason, quite a lot of space must be allocated for planting. It is best to stick to a four-by-six meter pattern.

The Valentina grape variety feels very well on not heavy chernozem soils, the earth should have a fairly large amount of nutrients. The land for this is usually fed with organic fertilizers. This must be done without fail if you want to get large grapes. Young plants are planted in spring and autumn. Plants take root best if planted in October. Planting pits for grapes are prepared in advance. It is necessary to dig them to a depth of eighty centimeters. The diameter of each should be between forty and sixty centimeters. A drainage layer must be placed in each pit. For this, you can use expanded clay, crushed stone. It is imperative to add about three buckets of fertile mixture. Many gardeners use humus and black soil for these purposes. If the soil is too heavy, sand can be added to the soil. After you have covered the apples, the pit should be about fifty centimeters deep.

From the nutrient mixture, you need to form a second bottom of the pit, which will resemble a small hill in shape. At the top of this mound, you need to install the root system of a young plant, then you need to tilt it slightly and cover it with light soil. After the plant is planted, it is necessary to water it. To do this, use two buckets of water. In order for the plant to take root well, you can use a growth stimulator for the root system.

After the moisture is completely absorbed, the soil in the pits should settle. Then you need to add the missing part of the soil, and put a mulching layer. For this, you can use peat or sawdust. Drive in pegs near each hole. Tie your plant so there is no risk of being broken by the wind.

We propagate the grape variety by cuttings

This grape variety is excellently propagated by cuttings. For this there is a certain algorithm of actions:

Cuttings of this grape variety are harvested in the fall, when the planned pruning of plants is carried out. For these purposes, a mature vine at the age of one year is well suited. See that it is not damaged.
Cuttings must be cut in such a way that each of them has at least two well-developed buds.
Then you need to wrap the cuttings with a damp cloth. Storage of future seedlings is done in a cool place. A cellar, basement or refrigerator is well suited for this. Spray the cuttings from time to time with a spray bottle.
In the last days of December, you need to carefully examine your cuttings, remove branches that have dried up. After that, you need to disinfect your future seedlings. For this, a manganese solution is usually used. After that, rinse the cuttings with water.
Where the lower bud is located on the handle, a cut must be made directly above it. It is desirable that it be oblique. Make shallow cuts along the surface of the bark, they should be about one to two centimeters long. So, the roots will appear faster. After that, the cuttings should be left for two days in a container of water. It will not be superfluous to add a drug there that stimulates plant growth.
How to germinate the root system, each gardener chooses for himself. For these purposes, a damp cloth or moss is often used. They are wrapped around the bottom of the cutting. The upper part is wrapped in turn with a film. Place the cuttings in a warm place. Some grape lovers plant cuttings immediately in small containers with moistened soil. There, future plants begin to take root and form a root system.
If you chose the first option, using wet cloth or moss, then after the buds bloom, the plants must be planted in separate containers, which will be filled with well-fertilized soil.

As a rule, cuttings are germinated at home, near the window. When stable warm weather sets in, plants can be placed on the site.

Care rules

This grape variety certainly requires some investment in terms of maintenance. This process is not too complicated, however, it is necessary to know about some rules of agricultural technology.

Throughout the growing season, Valentine grapes need fertilizers based on organic matter and mineral elements. It is imperative to water the plants. You cannot overdo it with moisture when the berries are ripe, otherwise they will begin to crack. After the watering of the plant is carried out, it is necessary to loosen the soil near the grapes. It is not superfluous to lay a mulch layer around the plantings. For these purposes, peat or sawdust is often used. Remember to weed the weed area. The shoots of this grape must be cut off periodically. In the fall, after the pruning has been done, your grapes need to be covered.For regions with a warm climate, this measure is optional. From the onset of the spring period until late autumn, it is necessary to carry out preventive work against harmful insects and the main diseases of grapes.

About pests and diseases of Valentines grapes

Valentine grapes have an average degree of resistance to diseases such as oidium. As a rule, this disease manifests itself on the foliage of plants. Light spots appear. Oidium in a short time is able to spread to other parts of the plant, in particular on fruits and stems. Then a putrefactive process appears, the plant begins to grow moldy.

If you do not want to jeopardize the harvest of your grapes, then you can use special drugs against this disease, such as colloidal sulfur. And yet the best option is spraying as a prophylaxis. This event is usually held three times per season. In the autumn, after leaf fall, it will be superfluous to process the plant with Bordeaux mixture. Copper sulfate is also suitable for these purposes.

In addition to all of the above world, do not forget to cut the plants in a timely manner, the plantings should not thicken. It is necessary to remove the bark from old shoots, which has exfoliated, the fact is that many harmful bacteria live in it. If the disease spreads, then it is necessary to remove the parts of the plant that have been affected, be it bunches of grapes or leaves. Valentine grapes can sometimes be exposed to harmful insects. Most often, this plant is affected by phylloxera, ticks and leaf rollers. In order not to face such problems, you need to periodically spray the plants. This must be done strictly in accordance with the instructions. Wasps are also dangerous insects that can harm your grapes. To combat them, special traps are used, which are made using plastic bottles. A sugar solution or any other sweet liquid is placed in them.

Grapes Valentine: video