Grapes Nastya: description and characteristics of the variety, pros and cons, cultivation

Grapes of the Nastya variety are loved not only by summer residents, but also by professional farmers due to their unpretentiousness and excellent taste. Vine growers know it under the name Arcadia. The plant is characterized by unpretentiousness and good commercial qualities, as well as the versatility of the use of the harvested crop.

History of Nastya hybrid breeding

The hybrid grape variety Nastya was bred at the Institute of Viticulture. V. E. Tairov, located in the Ukrainian city of Odessa. The breeder E.N. Dokuchaeva, who crossed the popular table varieties Cardinal and Moldova. The miracles of genetics led to the fact that from two plants with dark fruits, a new one with white berries appeared.

Today, Nastya grapes are popular not only in their homeland and in the countries of the former USSR, but are also successfully cultivated in France. This once again proves that the variety really deserves to get more attention.

Pros and cons of the variety

Grape Nastya stands out among other varieties with its many advantages:

the return and ripening of the crop is happening together;
high yield (about 20 kg of berries from each bush);
beautiful appearance of bunches and fruits;
excellent taste;
excellent frost resistance (up to -24 °С);
increased resistance to fungal diseases;
excellent in transporting over long distances, holds the record in this regard and occupies a leading position in the market.

Among the shortcomings, practicing growers single out the variety's tendency to overload the vines with a crop and a high probability of damage by oidium without timely prevention.

External data

Attractive appearance of bunches of grapes Nastya immediately attracts attention. According to some signs, it can be distinguished from the general mass and recognized among competitors.

Description of bush and vine

Depending on the region in which Arcadia grapes are cultivated, bushes can grow medium to tall.

75% of shoots produce clusters with fruits. In the middle lane during the summer period, the shoots fully ripen along their entire length, which is quite large. The bush requires constant shaping and pruning. As soon as the vine reaches a length of 2 m, it is recommended to pinch it.

Leaves

The leaf of the Nastya grape has a slight pubescence, five-lobed, saturated green color. Closer to autumn, it may change color to yellow.

Taste and appearance of berries

The berries of Arcadia grow ovoid, although, according to the characteristics, their shape should be round. The diameter of the fetus exceeds 25 mm, in some cases reaches 35 mm. The weight of one berry ranges from 8 to 16 g.

The pulp of grapes is juicy, dense, with a thin and almost imperceptible skin. When ripe, the berries acquire a beautiful yellowish tint, and when fully ripe they become amber yellow with a waxy coating.

The taste of Nastya grapes is very good. The content of acids and sugars is in perfect balance. Sugar content is no more than 17%, and acidity does not exceed 6 g / l.

These fruits are recommended for people who are on a diet or watching their weight. When using Arcadia grapes, a slight nutmeg aroma is felt.

Specifications of Arcadia Pink

In terms of technical characteristics, Nastya grapes are not inferior to eminent foreign hybrids. It shows excellent results with minimal cost and maintenance.

Yields

Arcadia grapes have a very good yield. About 20 kg of berries are harvested from one adult bush, but record cases have been recorded when the yield reached 40 kg. Such an overload does not have a very good effect on the further state of the bush, so the yield must be normalized.

Pollination

Nastya's flowers are bisexual, so for pollination she does not need the presence of a number of other varieties, and the plant itself can also act as a pollinator.

Frost resistance

Nastya grapes have very good frost resistance and can withstand temperatures down to -24 ° C, but it is recommended to cover it in winter.

Immunity to diseases

Arcadia is famous for its excellent resistance to diseases and pests, but needs timely preventive spraying, which eliminates the possibility of damage by oidium and mildew.

How to propagate grapes

The plant is a hybrid, therefore it propagates only by cuttings, grafting or layering. The survival rate is almost 100%.

Cultivation

Growing Nastya grapes has some features that you should definitely familiarize yourself with.

Fitting technology

It is important to choose the right place and time for planting seedlings so that they have time to take root well and develop normally in the future.

Date of planting

Planting grape bushes is best done in spring or early summer, so that they have enough time to take root. In autumn, such work is carried out extremely rarely. But vaccinations are done just closer to the end of autumn.

Seating chart

For planting Arcadia, a hole measuring 70 x 70 x 70 cm is being prepared. If several bushes of this variety are planted on the site, then the distance between them is left at least 1.5 meters.

Optimal soil composition

The soil for planting Nastya grapes is being prepared in advance. To do this, manure, ash and superphosphate are brought to the site, and the soil is also cleaned from weed roots.Next, they dig a hole and lay a drainage layer on the bottom of it, on top of which fertile soil is poured, mixed with any humus, ash and azophos. Exceptionally clean soil is poured under the roots.

Water Regularity

Vineyards do not like excess moisture, but in drought conditions irrigation is necessary. During the period of flowering and fruit formation, watering is carried out more intensively, but at the end of July they are stopped altogether so that the berries can gain sugar. If the autumn turned out to be dry, then pre-winter watering is also carried out before shelter.

Fertilizer

In the first year after planting, Nastya does not need to be fertilized. Further, 2 liters of wood ash are added annually under each bush. Once every 2 years in the spring, add a couple of buckets of compost or humus. In summer, foliar top dressing is carried out by spraying foliage.

Before flowering and after its completion, complex mineral fertilizers are sprayed, and then potash and phosphorus.

Tie to supports

Arcadia's grapes reach great heights, so you can't do without a garter. You will need to plan and install supports in advance or build trellises to which the vine will be attached.

Formation of a fruitful vine

Fruit-bearing vines are formed in such a way that each Nastya grape bush has up to 45 eyes. Pruning is done for 8 or 10 eyes, depending on the thickness of the branch. A fan-type bush is formed, at the base of which 3-4 sleeves are left. All work is planned for the time when the vine is at rest.

Mulching

To prevent excessive evaporation of moisture from the soil, it is advisable to mulch. For these purposes, straw, sawdust, peat or other similar materials are suitable. Mowed hay is also used.

The period of ripening and fruit picking

The fruits of Nastya grapes ripen 115-120 days after flowering. Berries are harvested in early September. On the bushes, they remain without loss of taste and commercial qualities until the beginning of October, if there are no frosts.

The harvested crop is stored for a couple of months, and in the refrigerator the fruits do not lose their characteristics for up to 3 months. They are eaten fresh, and also allowed for processing or making wine.