Russian Concord grapes: variety description and characteristics, cultivation

On the plots of domestic gardeners, vine bushes are quite common. The fruits of this culture have a universal purpose, wine, juice are made from berries, added to marinades, compotes are boiled and frozen for the winter. Before deciding on a suitable variety, it is necessary to study its description and characteristics. One of the advantages of Russian Concord grapes is its high winter hardiness, which allows it to be cultivated in cold regions.

History

The "parent" of the domestic variety is the American Concord. Scientists crossed it with the Amur species, thanks to which the variety has a high frost resistance, thanks to which it is possible to grow grapes in the middle lane and northern regions.The American variety has given the new variety a pleasant taste.

The first seedlings of Russian Concorde were bred by breeders in 1947, since then the variety has become widespread throughout the CIS and, despite the emergence of new hybrids, continues to be popular and produce rich harvests.

Description of variety Russian Concord

Russian Concord grapes belong to isabelle varieties and are planted by gardeners and farmers in both southern and northern regions. Description and characteristics of the plant:

1. The leaves of the vine are three-lobed, rounded, large in size. The color of the plates is saturated green, and on the lower surface of the leaf there is a pubescence resembling a white gossamer.
2. Flowers are female, so pollinators need to be planted nearby.
3. Bunch - average size, cylindrical shape, when fully formed it has an average density.
4. Berries are round, rather large, dark red in color with a slight purple tint. The skin of the fruit is medium firm, and the flesh is juicy and fleshy.
5. The ripening period is 128 days from the beginning of bud break.
6. The average yield is 75 centners per hectare.

Pros and cons of grapes

Over the years of growing the Russian Concord variety, gardeners have identified its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and consHigh frost resistance to cold and fungal diseases.Unpretentiousness to the place of cultivation.Good yields with proper agrotechnical care.Long shelf life without loss of taste.The tendency of berries to crack in rainy summers.The great strength of the growth of creepers.

Subtleties of growing crops

In order for Russian Concord grapes to show all the characteristics declared by breeders, it is necessary to properly prepare a place for it and take a responsible attitude to the acquisition of seedlings.

Date and place

It is allowed to plant young seedlings of the Russian Concord variety both in spring and in early autumn. If winter comes early in the growing region, it is better to carry out planting work in the spring, then the vine will have time to fully take root and not freeze out during the winter period.

The grapevine of this variety does not tolerate through winds, so the south side of the buildings will be an ideal place for cultivation. The culture bears fruit well on light and fertile lands.

If the soil at the proposed planting site is poor, a few weeks before the start of work, nutrients are added and the site is dug up.

Boarding rules

Pits measuring 100 by 100 cm are dug a week before the intended landing. Maintain a distance of 2 meters between holes. At the bottom of each hole or trench, a drainage layer is first laid. As a material for drainage, broken brick, chopped dry brushwood or small gravel are used. This is necessary so that water after rain does not stagnate at the roots of the grapes.

Fertile soil mixed with mineral fertilizers is poured onto the drainage layer, and a seedling is set, spreading the roots in different directions. After that, they fall asleep with the remnants of the earth and lightly tamp. Water the seedling thoroughly and lay a layer of organic mulch.

In this case, weeds will not have to be fought, and the organic material, decomposing, will feed the roots of the grapes.

Subtleties of plant care

The quality of plant care depends not only on the amount of the harvest, but also on the he alth of the grapes. The vine needs timely shaping, irrigation and nutrients. It is also important to periodically carry out preventive treatments - although the variety is resistant to damage by fungal microorganisms, if left untreated, it can be affected by diseases and pests.

Formation of the bush and its pruning

Experienced gardeners recommend pruning plants in the fall, before sheltering the vines from frost. Starting from the second year of cultivation, they begin to form a bush. All branches are cut into two buds, thus forming sleeves. On the 3rd year, the formation of sleeves of the second order is carried out.

Before winter, remove all dry, diseased and weak shoots that still will not survive the cold.

Water and fertilize

Irrigate the vine as the soil dries up. Regular watering is especially important in the first year after planting the crop. In hot and sunny weather, each bush is moistened once a week, pouring a 10-liter bucket of water under each. In the event that it rains, they refuse to irrigate, as excess moisture will cause the development of fungal diseases.

If enough fertilizer was applied when planting a crop in a hole or a trench, then the plant will need top dressing only after a year of cultivation. For this, both organic compounds and fats with mineral components are used. For the first time top dressing is applied in the spring, using compounds with nitrogen. Re-fertilization is used at the stage of fruit formation, at which time the plant needs potassium and phosphorus.

Protection from diseases and pests

Despite the strong immunity of the variety to fungal diseases, experienced gardeners recommend preventive treatments twice a season using fungicidal preparations.To prevent pests from destroying the grapes, weed weeds on the site in time, and when the first signs of insect invasion appear, acaricidal compounds are used.

Harvesting and storage of crops

The grapes are harvested in late August or early September, depending on the growing region. Berries can be stored in the refrigerator, in airtight plastic containers for up to 3 weeks, or in a cool cellar. However, most gardeners use the fruit to make wine or juice.

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