Saperavi grapes: variety description and characteristics, where it grows and care with a photo

Growing your own vineyard for the purpose of producing juice, creating preparations for the winter or making wine is not an easy and exciting task. There are a large number of technical varieties that are the best suited for these purposes. These include Saperavi grapes, the history of selection of which has more than a dozen years. Let's see how it is useful and how it is grown.

History of selection

Saperavi is one of the most famous grape varieties from Georgia, whose homeland is Kakheti. Due to its taste, the variety has become widely known and is bred in countries such as:

• Armenia;
• Ukraine;
• Kazakhstan;
• Bulgaria;
• Uzbekistan.

The Black Sea region is considered to be the most suitable region in which ideal conditions for growth are observed. Experts do not advise breeding this variety in the Middle Latitudes. This is due to the late ripening of the variety, due to which the crop does not have time to form properly.

Variety description

So, we figured out where Saperavi "Northern" grows, now let's get acquainted with the detailed description of the variety:

1. The variety does not need a third-party pollinator, as its flowers are self-pollinating.
2. The bunch is medium in size and weighs about 150 grams.
3. Berries are medium, with dense, dark blue skin.
4. Has good juiciness. From 100 liters of harvest, 85 liters of juice are obtained.
5. There are few seeds in the berry. Usually no more than a couple of pieces.

Pay attention! Saperavi juice contains many dyes. This must be taken into account when preparing and tasting it.

Plant principle

The quantity and quality of the harvest depends not only on the grape variety, but also on the correct observance of planting principles. Beginning gardeners need to know the following things:

• how to find the right place to land;
• how the soil is cultivated on the site;
• how to properly plant a crop.

Choosing a seat

The main criterion that should be followed when choosing a place is illumination. The more sunlight that falls on the site, the better.

You should not plant a crop in a place that is blown by the winds, especially from the north side. This will negatively affect the growth and quality of the crop.

However, you should not build up a plot with grapes with a high fence either. The landing site must be ventilated, otherwise there is a risk of infection of the culture with fungal diseases.

Tillage

Soil does not have a strong effect on crop growth. It is preferable to plant the plant in loose soil, which quickly warms up in the sun. Preferred soils include:

• chernozem;
• loam;
• light loamy soils.

It is not recommended to plant a crop in:

• sandy soil;
• on clay surfaces;
• soils with high acidity;

Grapes are planted as follows:

• width and depth of the hole for the seedling - 100 centimeters;
• the hole is filled with a mixture of fertile soil and fertilizer;
• add some coarse sand and gravel;
• before planting, the hole is watered abundantly with water.

Landing

Saperavi is planted in autumn. The optimum temperature on the day of planting is 15 ^o during the day and not lower than 5 ^{o at night. Such terms are suitable for southern regions, with a warm, mild climate. It is possible to plant grapes in the spring - from mid-April to early May. If your region is dominated by the steppes, the planting time is postponed two weeks later.}

Proper care

It is not enough to plant Saperavi correctly to hope for a good harvest. Grapes require timely and systematic self-care.

Irrigation

Thanks to a powerful root system, the crop is able to extract moisture on its own, but it needs to be replenished with moisture from the outside in the following periods:

• kidney swelling;
• after the plant has faded;
• during berry formation.

Important! Do not water Saperavi during its flowering period. Due to excessive moisture, his flowers will begin to crumble.

Cutting

Pruning grapes shapes the bush and stimulates the fruiting process. Make sure that no more than 60 eyes are formed on the bush. Pruning is carried out on the 10th eye, and in some areas, for example, in the Crimea, on the 8th.

Shelter for the winter

Young grape shoots are completely covered for the winter, with special film structures. Adult shoots can withstand frosts down to -20 ^{o, so you should only worry about the root system, mulching the soil around the seedling.}

Feeding

Manure is called as an ideal fertilizer for grapes. It provides the culture with all the necessary substances for growth and development. It is desirable to fertilize the soil with manure in the spring, in the proportions of 6 kilograms of fertilizer per 1 square meter. After harvesting, experts advise fertilizing the soil with substances with a high content of phosphorus and potassium.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The variety has a number of advantages, including:

• increased frost resistance;
• brings a bountiful harvest;
• self-pollinates;
• transports long distances without complications.

Flaws:

• poor resistance to pests and diseases;
• shedding inflorescences.

Pests and diseases

Prone to various kinds of fungal diseases, in particular:

1. Mildew.
2. Oidium.
3. Grey rot.
4. Filloxere.

The best protection against them is preventive inspections of the plant and the removal of disease-damaged leaves at the initial stage of development.

If the onset of the disease could not be prevented, use special preparations to combat harmful organisms.

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