Grapes Witch fingers: description and characteristics of the variety, cultivation and care

The Witch's fingers grape variety is a hybrid and is characterized as an elite variety. Fruits are valued for their unusual appearance and high taste. The variety is obtained by crossing several species using manual pollination.

The history of the creation of the variety

Exquisite witch's fingers grapes bred by Californian breeders in 2002. The variety quickly gained popularity as it has unusual characteristics due to the hybridization of American grapes with other Mediterranean varieties.

Botanical description

Witch's fingers grapes are classified as table red varieties. The vines are vigorous and often used for ornamental purposes. The flowers are hermaphrodite and self-pollinate. According to the ripening time, the variety belongs to the early ripe ones.

Bush

With proper care and favorable climatic conditions, grape bushes grow tall, dense and strong. Due to the large amount of foliage, the bushes need periodic pruning.

Appearance and taste of fruits

The shape of ripe fruits is tubular, oblong. Color - dark blue, gradually turning into purple with black accents. Fruit surface matte.

Specifications

When growing grapes, it is necessary to take into account its technical properties and susceptibility to various environmental conditions.

Creating a favorable environment for the growth of berries has a positive effect on the quality and quantity of the crop.

Frost resistance

The plant is heat-loving, the frost resistance index is average. Bushes are able to undergo a temperature drop of up to -23 degrees. In anticipation of frost, it is recommended to remove the vines from the trellis and protect them from the cold with a covering material.

Climatic growth conditions

The variety is unpretentious in care and withstands the climatic conditions of central Russia, while demonstrating high yields. It is possible to grow Witch fingers both on an industrial scale and in private areas.

Disease resistance

Grapes are resistant to a wide range of common diseases, including downy mildew and penosporosis. This variety is immune to disease due to its high sugar content and reduced acidity.

Ripening period and yield

Maturing term - early-medium. The first fruits ripen by mid-summer, 115-120 days after the start of flowering. Massive clusters weighing from 0.7 to 1.5 kg grow on the bushes. The weight of one berry is 7-10 g. In comparison with other varieties, the yield is average.

Breeding and landing

When planting and further growing vines, a number of rules must be observed. In order to consistently receive a he althy and large crop, you need to choose the right seedling, decide on its location and ensure constant care.

Seedling selection

When choosing a seedling with an open root system, it is recommended to take into account several nuances. Specifically:

1. The color of the roots should be light. If the main part of the roots has darkened, then the bush will most likely not take root and will rot.
2. After pruning, the root on the cut should be creamy.
3. Roots should be free of bulges and visible damage indicative of infection or pests.

Plant and planting depth

Establish a grape plantation, starting with site selection. For the Witch's fingers variety, sunny areas are suitable, protected from through wind and flooding. It is recommended to leave a distance of 1-1.5 m between the bushes.

The soil is prepared from plowing to a depth of 60-80 cm. The depth of the hole for placing a seedling is also up to 80 cm, and the width is about 1 m.

Feeding young shoots

For the intensive development of plants, when planting a seedling, it is necessary to apply top dressing. Compost, mineral fertilizers and rotted manure are placed at the bottom of the dug hole. The soil is diluted with coarse sand and black soil.

Crop Care Tips

Regular and proper care is the key to obtaining a quality crop. Vineyard care involves constant inspection for the timely detection of diseases, tillage, fertilization and the elimination of adverse factors.

Loosening the soil

Deep loosening of the soil is carried out every autumn. The earth is dug up to a depth of about 1 m in order to mix the lower and upper layers. As a result of careful loosening, the soil is completely saturated with nutrients, which it transfers to the roots of the plant. In addition to deep loosening, it is recommended to periodically loosen the top layer of the earth so that liquid and precipitation do not stagnate.

Water Regularity

It is important to keep the Witch's Fingers watered regularly, as a lack of fluid leads to underdevelopment of the bushes and a reduction in yield. Waterlogging of the earth provokes rotting of the roots, as a result of which the plants die.

When growing young seedlings, a hole is formed and watering is carried out only within its boundaries.

After the growth of the vines, water the ground under the bushes. During the season, the soil is moistened several times, observing the external condition of the plants. Immediately after planting, seedlings are watered once a week, reducing the frequency over time.

Fertilizer

Grapes require complex fertilizers with a high content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Substances are responsible for stimulating the growth of green mass, the formation of inflorescences and ovaries, increasing frost resistance, increasing the yield, improving taste characteristics.

The first fertilizer is applied at the stage of planting grapes. Then you need to fertilize the plants in the spring for active growth and 10 days before the formation of the ovaries. 3-4 weeks before harvest, a final top dressing is used to increase fruit mass and improve keeping quality.

Infection and pest control

Despite the resistance of the Witch's fingers variety to diseases, if the rules of care are violated or the climate is unfavorable, there is a risk of infection or attack by harmful insects.

Signs of damage to grapes are:

• dark spots on leaves;
• mold formation;
• root rot;
• appearance of plaque on the green part of the plant.

To protect the bushes and as a preventive measure, it is necessary to spray the plants with insecticidal and fungicidal preparations. Large pests are allowed to be removed from green spaces on their own.

Pruning and shaping the vine

In order for the bunches to get enough sunlight and air, pruning of the vine is required.You can form a plant in the spring, when the risk of return frosts disappears, or in early autumn. In the process of pruning, old branches, rotten leaves and excess green mass are removed. A secondary purpose of shaping vines is to give a decorative appearance.

Preparing grapes for winter

Before the first frosts, it is necessary to prepare the vineyard and protect the bushes with covering material. The need for shelter arises when frosts are below -25 degrees or when autumn pruning is carried out. As a material to protect the bushes, you can use a dense film of reinforced polyethylene or burlap.

When covering the grapes, care should be taken to partially ventilate the plants to prevent them from rotting. It is also important not to cover the bushes prematurely, because during the period when positive temperatures prevail, the plant needs natural growing conditions.

Where Witch Fingers Harvest Is Used

Harvested fruits due to unusual taste characteristics are often used for fresh consumption. For the preparation of wine and juice, the Witch's Fingers variety is practically not used. If it is necessary to preserve part of the crop after harvest, it is allowed to freeze the berries or leave them for a short time in a dark, cool place. To ensure that the harvest does not lose its taste characteristics, it is necessary to prevent exposure to sunlight and high humidity during storage.

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