Lora grapes (flora) are among the most favorite table varieties. The plant is known for its good yield and excellent taste. These differences have become the main ones, because of which the crop is preferred by many gardeners.
Description of the Laura grape variety
Let's start with a description. The culture was bred by Ukrainian selection specialists. Shoots differ in average growth rate, the number of fruiting reaches sixty - eighty percent of the entire bush.
The bunches are conical, the average weight of each is more than one kilogram. Their length reaches forty centimeters. Pollination of inflorescences and the strength of the vines have a significant impact on the density and mass of bunches. As a rule, they are formed the same, they rarely differ in weight and size.
The foliage is five-lobed, with split tips, a dark green hue.
Ripening is early, this will take from one hundred and ten to one hundred and twenty days from the day the ovary is formed. One adult bush is capable of producing up to forty kilograms of harvest.
Laura is frost-resistant, withstanding cold temperatures of - 23 C.
Characteristics of berries
They are oval in shape, slightly oblong or slightly cylindrical. The weight of one berry reaches seven to ten grams, the length is from three to four centimeters.
Berries can be even larger in size if there is a tall stock. But at the same time, their ripening period increases and the quality of taste decreases. The berry stays firmly on the stalk, does not fall off for a long time.
The skin is firm and crispy. The berries are delicious, with hints of nutmeg, the combination of sourness (from 6 to 8 grams per liter) and sugar (from twenty percent) is well balanced.
The sweetness index can be reduced due to the large amount of moisture in the soil and in the air. This is especially true in cold weather. Berry seeds are large in size, quite tough.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main positive signs of culture include:
- high yield rates, size of berries;
- harmonious sugar and acid levels;
- excellent taste, the ability to maintain a presentation during long-term transportation;
- berries are firmly adhered to bunches even during large harvests;
- the variety is able to resist fungal diseases;
- moisture does not adversely affect the external signs of berries;
- the culture is distinguished by high rates of pollination, it tolerates winter frosts well.
It should be noted that Laura has a number of negative qualities:
- the duration of the cool period directly depends on the sweetness of the berries;
- berries are prone to damage from wasps;
- the culture is characterized by the instability of annual yields;
- if the clusters are massive, then the size of the berries decreases, more sourish taste appears in them;
- the variety is susceptible to mildew attack.
Landing
In order for grape plants to grow well and bear fruit well, certain requirements must be observed when planting. The soil composition should not be clayey and excessively salty. You should not choose a place for cultivation if the groundwater is too close to the surface.
The planting site should be well lit by the sun, have good protection from drafts. For northern regions, it is recommended to plant grape plants along the walls of buildings or near fences.
Before planting, a hole is prepared, into which potash, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are applied. The landing pattern is chosen 1.5 by 1.5 meters, at least half a meter should be retreated from the obstacle (wall or fence).
Fertilizers introduced into the pit, so that they are better absorbed, must be watered periodically, and after a couple of weeks the plant can be planted. Support posts or trellises are installed in advance.
Care of young and mature vines
After planting vines or grafting cuttings, you should create constant watering for the young vineyard. Three buckets of moisture must be applied to one young bush, and for older plants this rate is doubled.
Irrigation is carried out in the presence of special drainage holes.
To retain moisture in the soil and prevent the growth of weeds, the soil around the vines is mulched with organic matter.
The introduction of fertilizers is another prerequisite. Their number and composition are determined by the state of the soil and climatic conditions. Many gardeners consider manure to be the most versatile remedy.
The vines need to be pruned periodically. Before the first fruiting, weakened and dried branches, excess shoots are removed.
Heavy pruning will not yield the next harvest season.
The vineyard tolerates frost well. But if the plant is cultivated in regions in which constant temperature drops are observed, then the best solution would be to build shelters for the bushes.
Reproduction methods
This can be done by transplanting seedlings or grafting. In the first version, roots are germinated in advance on the vine, then the layering is buried in the soil by twenty centimeters.
When propagating by cuttings from young shoots, the shoots are cut off, kept in a cold place, then poured with warm water for an hour. The grafting is carried out on an old plant, after having treated the shoot with "Humate".
Diseases and pests
The main danger to the plant is posed by oidium. To protect the vines from this disease, they are treated with a sulfuric preparation, manganese solution, mullein infusion, and special chemicals. Simultaneously with such treatments, you can perform preventive measures against mildew using Bordeaux liquid, nitrafen or ferrous sulfate.
The sugar content of the berries strongly attracts wasps. Plants can be protected from the attacks of these insects by fine-mesh nets, which are wrapped around the clusters. The second way is to spread bait near the bushes.
From mice, it is necessary to lay burnt pieces of felt or wool around the vines in order to scare off rodents with unpleasant odors.
Many gardeners note the culture's flexible attitude to care. If you take proper care of grape bushes, you can get a tasty harvest even under unfavorable conditions.