Earlier, grape crops were cultivated in order to make good wine from the obtained crops. For this purpose, the plots were planted with technical grape varieties that yield a large amount of juice. And today most winegrowers try to choose crops with excellent taste and excellent presentation in order to feast on delicious berries and decorate dining tables with beautiful bunches. One of such examples is the Baikonur grape culture.
Description of the Baikonur grape variety
The plant is very popular because it produces excellent yields, has beneficial properties for human health and has a pleasant taste.
The grapes owe their origin to the efforts of the breeder Pavlovsky E.G., who combined the Talisman and Krasotka varieties into one whole. Baikonur took over from them resistance to unstable climatic conditions, an excellent ability to adapt to new places.
The frost-resistant culture develops well and brings in the regions of central Russia, it grows even in the Moscow region.
Attractive bunches distinguish Baikonur from other grape crops. Conical berries form large clusters, reaching in weight five hundred grams.
Hybrid refers to early maturing, the first berries can be removed with the onset of August. From the moment of leaflet formation to complete ripening, the culture needs no more than one hundred and ten days.
Characteristics of berries
They are considered the most important indicator of the variety. Each berry reaches length 4 cm, the average weight is between thirteen and fifteen grams. The shape is somewhat elongated, pointed towards the tip. It is due to the appearance of the berries that this variety cannot be confused with others.
According to the description, the shade of berries ranges from dark purple to cherry lilac. The dark skin is covered with a waxy coating of almost black color.
The dense flesh crunches a little during biting, it has a unique aroma and fruity flavor, well in harmony with the astringency of the grapes. The berries are quite juicy and sweet and contain about twenty percent sugar.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The main advantages of this grape culture are:
- size of berries and their taste, external beauty;
- the speed of aging;
- possibility of long storage and excellent transportability;
- independent pollination, allowing the formation of fruits in any weather;
- dense skin does not allow berries to crack from excess moisture;
- the variety resists fungal diseases, is not affected by powdery mildew and rot, wasps fly around it;
- bushes tolerate frosts down to -23 degrees, but still they should be covered for the winter;
- the crop can be grown not only for own consumption, but also for commercial purposes.
The hybrid is relatively new, no negative qualities have been identified.
So far, gardeners have only one wish - to get rid of the seeds that are in the berries.
Landing
Culture grows best in places where enough sunlight and no drafts... Therefore, it should be planted in southern directions.
The plant has no special requirements for the soil composition. But preference should be given to light chernozems. Groundwater should be at a depth of 2 - 2.5 meters from the surface of the earth.
The planting scheme is of particular importance. So that the bushes do not shade each other, they should be planted at intervals of three meters, taking at least four rows for row spacing.
You can start planting on time from the end of March and continue before the summer season... Only for each time interval you will have to select planting material.
Seedlings harvested in autumn should be planted in March; during spring, layering can be done. And to plant green seedlings, you will have to wait for the onset of steady heat.
A grape bush is planted in several stages:
- a landing pit is being prepared in a few weeks. Its depth should be sufficient to apply a large number of fertilizers - at least eighty centimeters... Humus is poured into it, mixed with fertile soil. The mixture must be given time for it to settle well. On top of the fertilizer layer, ordinary soil is poured;
- it is recommended to purchase a seedling. If there is already a Baikonur bush on your site, then the cutting can be planted in an ordinary flower pot to develop the root system. Before planting, the roots should be soaked in water for a couple of days;
- when planting, the seedling deepens to the root collar... The pit is filled up gradually so that no air cushions remain in the soil;
- planting ends with abundant watering - at least three buckets. Then the soil should be mulched with sawdust or moss.
Care of young and mature vines
In the spring the plant is watered dailyuntil the flowering period begins. In addition, the water rate should be increased at the time the berries are forming. Be sure to mulch the soil so that moisture stays longer.
Every year, under each bush, mineral fertilizers are applied from among those that were used during planting.
When trimming, you must leave long branches... Cuttings can be prepared from cut shoots. Before the onset of the winter period, the plant must shelterto protect from cold weather.
Preventive spraying for diseases should be carried out before flowering.
Reproduction methods
Baikonur can be propagated in three ways:
- saplings... This simple option is suitable for the first landing. An established seedling bears fruit in three to four years;
- cuttings... A varietal culture is grafted on the stumps of old bushes with healthy wood and a strong root system. The shoot begins to receive all the nutrients from the old plant, quickly gains strength and grows. But at the same time, it is necessary to understand the basics of breeding and successfully combine varieties so that they get along well;
- layering... Long shoots are bent to the soil surface, strengthened with slingshots, and sprinkled with soil at one point. It is necessary to water this place abundantly so that the roots begin to hatch. Then the layering is cut off from the adult plant and turned into an independent bush. While the root system has not developed much, the bush is transplanted to a new place.
Diseases and pests
Grape vines resist diseases, their berries are reliably protected from wasps. But as a preventive measure at the initial stage of the growing season, it will not be superfluous to process the plant.
When hiding for the winter season, be aware of rodents and take the necessary measures to scare them away.
The grapes have excellent consumer qualities that will appeal to gardeners. Baikonur has only one not very pleasant feature - short trial period... But if all conditions of care are observed, good harvests of berries are obtained.