Alexa grapes: variety description and characteristics, planting and cultivation

High-yielding and frost-resistant table grape varieties are popular with gardeners in all regions of Russia. Consider the description and main characteristics of Alex grapes, its advantages and disadvantages, planting features, growing technology. How to properly care for grapes, protect them from diseases and pests, collect ripe fruits and store them.

Description and characteristics of Alex grapes

The Alexa grape bush has great growth vigor. The flowers are bisexual, the bunch is large, the density is medium, the shape is cylindric, weight - 0.9-1.1 kg (maximum - 1.6 kg).The berries are large, oval, on average, 11 g each, with a matte greenish-white skin. The peel of the fruit is strong, but eatable. The pulp is juicy, crispy. The taste is rich-muscat, harmonious. The berries do not spoil the wasps, there is no pea, the clusters can hang after ripening on the bush without losing quality.

Alexa grapes ripen in late summer, early autumn (vegetation period - 130 days). Yield per sq. m - 1.4 kg. The variety does not need to control the load on the bush, as many inflorescences are formed as the bush can grow in one season.

The main pros and cons of the variety

Pros and consthe bush grows quickly;frost resistance (-25 °С);undemanding to the soil;drought resistance;resistance to fungi;fruits store sugar well.short shelf life of fruits.

Subtleties of growing crops

Alexa's grape planting technique is not difficult, it can be carried out according to the standard crop pattern. But before planting, you need to choose the right place to place the seedlings and prepare the holes.

Select site

Grapes of any variety grow well in sunlit areas. If planted in partial shade, the yield will not decrease, but the berries will be less sweet. The Alexa variety is undemanding to the soil, but prefers light, loose, well-fertilized, moderately moist soil with neutral acidity.

Preparation of wells

Before planting Alex's grape seedlings, the site is prepared: plant debris is removed, dug up and leveled. Then holes are prepared at a distance of 3 m from each other in rows and row-spacings. Fertilizers are applied to each - humus, compost and ash. The bottom layer is mixed with excavated earth. This is necessary so that the roots of grape seedlings do not come into contact with fertilizer.

Planting grapes

The sequence of work: the roots of the seedling are lowered into the hole and sprinkled with earth along the root neck. The soil is compacted and watered, spending 1-2 buckets for each plant. After watering, the ground is covered with mulch made of straw, hay or covered with agrofibre. Mulch prevents the soil from drying out quickly and compacting after watering, which greatly facilitates the work of the gardener and reduces the time spent on such work.

Recommendations for the care of bushes

Caring for Alex's grapes is easy. The general principles remain the same as for other varieties of culture.

Immediately after planting, bushes need to be watered, periodically fertilized, pruned to form a bush and maintain its shape in order. In autumn, cover the soil for the winter.

Irrigation

The variety is considered moisture-loving, despite drought resistance. In conditions of prolonged lack of moisture, the berries will be small and dryish. Therefore, even an already fruitful bush needs to be watered if the weather is hot for a long time. Under an adult bush, you need to pour at least 3 buckets of water at a time.

Feeding

Plants are fertilized at least 3 times a year: the first time in the spring, when sap flow began, then before the blooming of the inflorescences and after flowering is completed. Mineral fertilizers are applied under the bushes in a liquid solution or organic matter is sprinkled. In the latter case, the grapes need to be watered so that the fertilizer dissolves.

Preparing plants for winter

Alex's grapes are pruned in autumn. Each plant leaves 30-40 shoots with a length of 6-8 eyes. After pruning, you need to replace the mulch under the bushes with a new one. The winter layer of covering material should be thicker than the summer one. In cold regions, you need to take care of the shelter of the shoots: remove them from the trellis, tie them up, lay them on the ground and cover them with agrofibre.

Diseases and pests

Alexa variety is resistant to mildew, phylloxera, oidium, gray mold, powdery mildew and aphids. But, despite this, it is advisable to carry out preventive spraying against common dangerous diseases 2 times a season: before flowering and after a young ovary.

Prevention measures: cut damaged shoots, remove weeds around the bushes, they may contain pests.

Grow grapes on trellises, at a distance recommended for the variety, to ensure they are well ventilated. It is important to provide grapes with regular watering and nutrition so that the plants can resist diseases on their own.

Harvest and storage of crops

Alexa's grapes are harvested after full ripeness, if harvested unripe, the grapes will not ripen. Store brushes in standard conditions for berries - in a cold, dark and dry room. They are placed in boxes in 2 or 3 layers, paper is placed under each to prevent contact of the berries with each other and infection with fungi and mold.

Alexa's grapes can be eaten fresh, canned, made homemade fruit and berry preparations. Fresh bunches, thanks to the dense skin of the fruit, withstand transportation well, so the variety can also be planted for growing berries for sale.

The Alexa grape should appeal to beginners and experienced growers alike. This is the merit of its excellent characteristics: the plant is productive, resistant to diseases, tolerates cold and heat well. It has a sweet taste of fruits, dense clusters of a good presentation, which indicates that it can be grown not only for personal use, but also for sale.

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