Why do grapes crack during ripening: causes and how to treat

The question of why grapes may crack during the ripening period is of interest to many novice growers. Growing grapes is a difficult but fascinating process, the harvest is awaited with great impatience, so it is very disappointing when the berries that fill with juice begin to crack. Clusters lose their presentation, it is no longer possible to store them for a long time, this can spoil the mood for a long time.

Grape varieties prone to cracking

Global warming and the work of breeders have made it possible to grow grapes in regions where this was not even dreamed of before. At the same time, gardeners faced a problem - an abundance of rain and some other reasons lead to cracking of berries.That is why a novice grower needs to carefully choose the varieties that are supposed to be planted on their site. Some of them are prone to cracking berries, even with proper care and compliance with all agrotechnical conditions.

Such problem was noticed in:

• Laura;
• Raisins;
• Babes;
• Viking;
• Rizomata;
• Bullfinch and some other varieties.

Noted that grape varieties with high sugar content and thin skins are more likely to crack.

Why do berries crack during ripening

They can crack not only from excess moisture, such a problem can occur when grapes are affected by diseases (oidium, powdery mildew), with an excess of nitrogen fertilizers in the soil.

There is no unequivocal opinion on why grapes burst today, so the most common possible reasons should be considered.

Excess moisture

Grapes need a lot of moisture in the pre-flowering period. A flowering vine needs much less water, and during the period of formation of the ovary and the development of a bunch of grapes, the need for watering increases again.

If the bushes suffer from a lack of moisture, and this period coincides with the onset of rainy weather, the berries begin to absorb water intensively.

In this case, their skin does not have time to stretch and bursts.

Nutritional deficiency

Lack of nutrients is the second reason for cracking grapes. The more fertile the soil, the less grapes burst when ripe. The plant needs fertilizing with nitrogen, phosphate and potash fertilizers.

Disease attack

Berries burst when the bush is damaged by oidium. Timely spraying prevents the spread of downy mildew and protects the bushes from diseases, and the berries from cracking. There are varieties that are most susceptible to oidium (for example, Kishmish), in this case, the processing of the vine is carried out every 3 weeks, before the start of the filling of grapes.

Variety features

Vinegrowers have long noticed that varieties with large green berries in bunches are more likely to crack. Small berries and dark grapes, with slightly less sugar and denser skins, are much less prone to cracking.

Prevention and elimination of disease

Bursting berries mean crop loss, and leaking juice attracts pests and provokes the development of various diseases. That is why the problem must be fought.

How to irrigate

Grapes do not like cold water, so plants are watered from a barrel where the water has settled and warmed up by the sun. Watered according to weather conditions. On average, it is enough to water the grape bushes once a month. Abundant watering is carried out after flowering, when pea-sized berries appear.

Important: the amount of watering depends on the region in which it grows; when watering, it is more correct to focus on weather conditions.

The next time the grapes are watered at the end of July. In August, only late varieties are watered, the collection of which falls at the end of September or the beginning of October. Older varieties do not need to be watered.

Proper fertilizer

Nitrogen is very important for grapes, the condition of the vine, the size of the bunches and berries, and the amount of the crop depend on it.However, an excess of this element in the soil leads to cracking. Grapes need mineral and organic top dressing. The best organic fertilizer is rotted manure or compost. For fertilizing with mineral fertilizers, Kemira, Novofort, superphosphate are used.

The first dressing of adult bushes is carried out in the spring, shortly after the opening of the vine. Bushes are fertilized with a mixture of superphosphate, ammonium nitrate and potassium s alt. 20x10x5 grams are dissolved in 10 liters of water. Such a solution is prepared for each bush. The second such dressing is applied a week before flowering.

The third top dressing lacks nitrogen fertilizers. It is introduced during the ripening period of berries, because an excess of nitrogen is harmful to the ripening crop. In addition, during the period of the appearance of flowers, after flowering and during the period of grape ripening, foliar top dressings are used with complex preparations, which are easy to purchase in specialized stores. They must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Reducing the negative impact of nitrogen fertilizers

Bird manure is considered an excellent fertilizer for grapes, however, it should be borne in mind that it contains a large amount of nitrogen, therefore it is not used during the ripening period of berries.

Increase the positive effects of potassium and phosphorus

It is potassium and phosphorus that are additionally added when the berries begin to ripen. Phosphorus and potash fertilizers are used once every 3-4 years, in cases where the vineyard is located on fertile soils. When growing on sandstones, they must be applied every 2 years.

Treatment of bushes with burst berries

If there are a lot of bursting berries in a bunch, you should get rid of it. Such clusters are carefully cut. With a small amount, cracked berries are cut from the bunch with scissors with blunt ends.

It is necessary to remove damaged fruits - they attract wasps, birds, insect pests, and contribute to the development of fungal diseases. Of course, it will not be possible to completely eliminate the cracking of grape berries, but these simple tips will significantly reduce the associated crop losses.

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