Blagovest grapes: variety description and characteristics, planting and cultivation

Many gardeners are engaged in the cultivation of Blagovest grapes on their plots. The culture matures early. Clusters are well stored, and the taste of the fruit is bright and rich. But in order to reap a rich harvest, you need to study the features of caring for the variety. It is important to prevent diseases of the vine, choose the right planting material and take care of the plant throughout the growing season.

Brief history of breeding

Blagovest grapes are not included in the State Register of Varieties. The hybrid was bred by a folk breeder from the Rostov region. For work, Viktor Krainov used the well-known varieties Talisman and Radiant raisins.Experiments to create a frost-resistant crop lasted about 4 years and ended at the end of the last century. Winegrowers of the south of Russia were the first to appreciate the merits of the variety. Today Blagovest is widely distributed among local residents and in other regions of the country.

Description and characteristics of Blagovest grapes

Blagovest forms many fruitful shoots. Flowers of a self-pollinating variety bloom in early summer. Large berries have a conical shape, weigh about 15 grams. On the palate, notes of muscat appear, which are complemented by shades of pear. A high percentage of sugar and juiciness makes the variety popular with winemakers.

Harvest begins in August. Clusters remain on the bush for a long time. As they ripen, the fruits acquire a bright amber color. With proper care, growers harvest up to 7 kilograms of berries from one bush.

In winter, grapes can withstand frosts up to 22 °C. But agronomists do not advise neglecting the insulation of bushes when the temperature drops. In a drought, Blagovest can do without watering for a long time due to the developed root system.

Pros and cons of culture

Pros and consGood rooting of cuttingsThe fruits ripen quicklyBerries do not fall during ripeningHigh frost resistanceImmunity to common diseasesHigh percentage of sugarThe ability to maintain a marketable appearance for a long timeTransportabilityWith an incorrect load on the vine, uneven ripening of berries is observed.Sweet taste attractsDuring prolonged rains, cracking of fruits is observed

Culture deficiencies can be easily eliminated by observing agrotechnical norms and rules for plant care.

Cultivation of variety

To grow Blagovest grapes, you need to choose quality material for rooting and then organize competent vine care.

Preparation of planting material

For growing, shoots are purchased in specialized stores. Seedlings with a strong trunk and overgrown roots are selected.

You can prepare the material yourself. Seedlings begin to harvest in the fall. Only he althy vines are suitable for cuttings. During the winter, it is stored in a cool place, and before the onset of heat, they begin to germinate. Before planting, the roots are cut a little, and then dipped in a mixture of mullein and clay. No more than 3 eyes are left on the shoot. If the seedling has several branches, leave the strongest branch, remove the rest with a sharp knife.

Landing

The place for rooting the vines begins to prepare 2 weeks before planting:

1. The soil is loosened in the selected area and weeds and root residues are selected.
2. Dig holes about 80 centimeters deep and the same width.
3. The soil is mixed with ash, manure and superphosphate.
4. The pit is filled with the resulting mixture, leaving a third of the space free.
5. The sapling is lowered into a recess and covered with earth. After watering, the soil is covered with a layer of hay, sawdust or agrofibre.

Sunny areas protected from drafts are suitable for planting Blagovest grapes.

Further plant care

After planting, it is important to properly care for the plant. Bushes require special attention in the first years of cultivation. During the season, Blagovest grape seedlings are fed 3 times with mineral complexes and organic fertilizers are applied to the soil.

Irrigation

Young, fragile shoots need regular watering. Until the vine takes root, the plant is watered up to 2 times a week.

Moisturizing the soil where adult bushes grow is carried out according to the scheme:

2Half a month before flowering3 When fruits ripen to the size of a pea4For 3 weeks before harvest5After leaf fall, subject to dry weather. During prolonged rains, this watering is skipped

Irrigation number	Irrigation period
1	Before the first leaves appear on the vine

Under each bush bring from 5 to 7 buckets of water. After irrigation or precipitation, the soil on the site is loosened to provide air access to the root system.

Cutting

Gardeners prefer to prune Blagovest grapes in autumn rather than spring. About 30 shoots are left on each bush. This amount is optimal for load distribution. On the vine, a section with 8 eyes is removed. In the future, they can be used as cuttings.

The seedlings are stored in the basement, and planted in the ground in the spring. The hybrid variety is compatible with rootstocks. The shoots are often grafted onto other varieties of grapes.

Dangerous diseases and pests

Blagovest grapes are resistant to most garden diseases. The danger to the culture is gray rot, as well as diseases such as mildew or oidium.

The problem is solved by spraying the bushes with Bordeaux liquid. 4 treatments during the warm season minimize the risk of infection. Vine thinning is recommended as a preventive measure. Fresh air prevents the growth of pathogens.

Of the pests, wasps represent a danger to Blagovest. There are no effective methods to deal with them. Sometimes growers cover the bunches with a thin net. Other insects rarely infect the fruit.

Cleaning and storage

Blagovest is harvested as the fruits ripen. To cut the brushes, it is advised to use a pruner. Picking the grapes with your hands can crush the grapes and damage the grapes quickly.

For storage of crops choose cool places, protected from light. The hybrid tolerates transportation well.

Relatively recently bred variety is highly valued by gardeners. Blagovest grapes practically do not get sick and are resistant to weather vagaries. Subject to agrotechnical cultivation standards, it yields a crop in the third year after planting. Berries with a hint of pear and nutmeg are popular with winemakers.

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