There are a lot of varieties of grapes, which complicates the choice of options for planting in your personal plot. As an introduction to one of the worthy contenders, which has universal use, the Julian variety is offered.
Description of the Julian grape variety
Let's talk about the description. An early ripening plant with a growing season of 95-105 days is the winner of the "Golden Bunch" competition in 2011, ahead of other candidates in two nominations at once: "The best form of private selection" and "The best sample of table grapes." The high rating was received quite deservedly, which is confirmed by gardeners who have accumulated experience in growing this crop.
The grapes were obtained by the national breeder Kapelyushin Vasily Ulyanovich, who used the Rizamat and Kesha varieties to cross.
Julian combines in her qualities the virtues of her parents, complemented by an early maturity. Successful breeding work has become a real gift for consumers, a cocktail of advantageous characteristics makes the variety ideal for home cultivation. Average yields are 30-60 kg per bush.
You can enjoy ripe berries at the end of July. By this time, the grapes have collected a sufficient amount of sugar (up to 28%) and are colored pink. The bushes are developing intensively, which requires a mandatory garter. The root system is highly ramified, the selected petioles are distinguished by good survival rate. A peculiarity of the hybrid is the possibility of re-harvesting from stepchildren, but only if the crop is grown in the warm regions of the country. Attention is also drawn to the frost resistance of the plant, temperatures up to minus 23 ° are tolerated normally.
The plant grows well and bears fruit in the southern regions of Russia, but some gardeners manage to grow sweet berries in the Moscow region, as well as in the central regions. Wintering in this case provides for the presence of a shelter.... Without it, the roots will freeze.
Characteristics of berries
On the massive branches of the bush, loose clusters with large berries are formed. The weight of one hand reaches 700-1000 grams, and sometimes with proper care, the figure increases to 2 kg. On one lash, 20-40 bunches with finger-shaped berries are tied, about 4 cm long, weighing an average of 20 grams. The color is heterogeneous: a pinkish color of varying intensity appears against a green background as it ripens. The skin is of medium density, but rather thin, almost imperceptible in the mouth.
The density of the skin contributes to long-term storage of the crop and good transportability.
Taste qualities differ in different shades, borrowed from the parent varieties. The nutmeg note, sweetness and even strawberry shade are well felt.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Considering all the characteristics of the Julian variety, the following advantages can be distinguished:
- early ripening of grapes;
- strong immunity, which is manifested in resistance to many diseases;
- high commercial qualities;
- saturation of taste with different notes, sugar level;
- plant frost resistance;
- good yield.
It is also important to note the fact that the hybrid is quite unpretentious in the neighborhood with other varieties. The companion does not have a negative effect on taste and fruiting. The agricultural technology is understandable and does not contain complex technology, so even an inexperienced gardener can grow delicious berries on his site.
Julian has no significant drawbacks, except that there is a demand for the choice of the landing site. It should be well lit without a piercing wind. These factors negatively affect the development of the bushes.
Landing
Cuttings or seedlings are used as planting material. It is better to plant cuttings in the spring, so that before winter there is enough time to strengthen the root system. The seedlings already have formed roots, so there are no strict time limits.
For normal vegetation of grapes, a lot of lighting is required, so a place for planting should be chosen far from buildings and a garden. It is better if the selected area is not subject to strong drafts. It is recommended to install foil screens as protection from winds.
The earth should be dug up a few days before planting (in two tiers). If the water table is high, drainage should be provided. This will prevent decay of the root system. The culture develops well in a neutral or slightly acidic environment, so if the soil is acidic, lime must be added to it (a glass per 1 m2). Dolomite flour also copes well with the task. To make the soil fertile, it is recommended to enrich it with rotted manure, compost or mineral fertilizers. It is recommended to dilute clay soil with sand to increase the permeability of moisture and air.
Chubuki of Julian grapes are planted in autumn or spring (October - March). If the climatic features of the region are characterized by low temperatures and long winters, then it is better to postpone planting until spring, so that young cuttings have time to take root by summer, and by autumn they can get stronger in order. The main landmark that determines the planting time is the soil temperature above 10 ° C.
When arranging a vineyard, the spacing between the bushes is taken into account, which should not be less than 80 cm.The hole for the seedling is dug deep: the depth is more than 70 cm, the diameter is 65-75 cm. Such parameters should not scare, because part of the volume will be occupied by the substrate (fertile soil, peat, compost). The rest of the space will be required by the root system, which will begin to grow rapidly. Experienced gardeners have noticed that when cuttings are buried in a shallow hole, the plant develops and bears fruit poorly.
After planting, the supports are immediately installed, to which the shoots are subsequently tied.
Care of young and mature vines
Like any other plant, grape seedlings require attention and care. First of all, you should take care of watering. If it is not possible to irrigate young shoots regularly, it is recommended to equip a drip system or underground by laying pipes. Before the flowering period, the soil is moistened once every 7-15 days. Watering activities stop during the period of pouring berries. Excessive moisture can cause the fruit to crack.
The soil should be moist, but without stagnant water. High humidity provokes the development of fungal infections.
The final watering is carried out a week before the grapes are sheltered for the winter.
Root top dressing from organic matter is introduced once a year. Compost, rotted manure, is used as fertilizer. For watering (before the flowering period), the use of an ash solution is allowed. You can also feed the bush with ash in the fall after the harvest.
In order to avoid overloading the bushes, they cut off excess inflorescences and bunches. About 40-45 brushes are left on one plant. Vines are pruned for 8-10 eyes.
To protect the soil from drying out, it is mulched after planting the seedlings. When using organic materials, the need for feeding is eliminated. Over-matured hay or sawdust feeds the soil with beneficial trace elements.
Reproduction methods
Grapes propagate in several ways: by cuttings, seedlings, using cuttings. The seed option is not suitable; when growing a seed shoot, the taste and other qualities of the variety are lost.
Layering involves burying the shoot with a layer of earth for rooting, but this method allows you to grow a small number of shoots. The most common type of reproduction is the use of seedlings, which are obtained as a result of rooting cuttings. This method is used for planting the Julian variety.
Diseases and pests
The Julian variety is valued for its strong immunity, which is reflected in the plant's resistance to various diseases. However, this does not mean that the culture is not threatened. The main danger to the variety is represented by the following diseases:
- gray rot;
- oidium;
- anthracnose;
- mildew (downy mildew).
Do not wait for diseases to manifest themselves on the foliage or trunk of the plant. It is better to do with preventive measures:
- use a solution of colloidal sulfur from oidium;
- from fungal infections - Bordeaux liquid.
Systematic inspections of the bushes will help regulate watering and preventive treatment. If the culture is still struck by any disease, you need to localize the problem by spraying with one of the suitable preparations: Kuprikol, Abiga-peak, Topaz, Hom, etc. Of the more powerful agents (in terms of composition and effect) are used: Fundazol, Euparen, Sumileks.
The main pest of grapes is birds. To protect the crop from them, it is enough to stretch a polymer net with small cells over the lash.
In general, the agricultural technology of Julian grapes is not complicated. Unpretentious care and excellent taste made the berry popular in a short period of time. It's time to get a really fertile plant with sweet fruits on your site.