Despite such a short period of distribution in our country, the raisin grape variety has already managed to win the love and popularity of many summer residents for a century. It is this variety that is used to make the highest quality raisins. Next, let's talk about its description and consider the main characteristics
Characteristics and description of grapes century
Century was bred in the USA, California by a group of American breeders in 1980. This is the result of crossing Gold and Q25-6. Experiments on breeding the variety continued for 14 years. This species came to Russia only in 2010 and immediately became extremely popular.
It belongs to early ripening varieties, the berries ripen for 120 days. The berries do not contain seeds. Each brush weighs from 700 to 2000 grams. Experienced growers recommend timely harvesting so that the bunches do not crumble. The shape of the berries is oval-oblong, the color when ripe is golden yellow.
The mass of each berry is from 5 to 10 grams. The fruit has a nutmeg flavor and a light hint of tea rose. The flavor can vary depending on the soil on which the variety grows. The skin is thin, has no taste, so the fruit can be eaten with the skin.
The flesh of the fruit is dense, juicy, sweet taste. The variety is frost-resistant. Freely tolerates temperatures down to -25 degrees. The fruiting period is from mid-September to the onset of cold weather. Ripe brushes are advised to be left on the bush before the onset of frost, with the onset of frost the berry picks up the maximum amount of sugar.
Advantages of the variety
The advantages are:
- excellent taste;
- lack of seeds;
- good disease resistance;
- early ripening;
- not prone to decay and shedding;
- excellent presentation;
- frost-resistant;
- stability of high yields;
- berries are not prone to cracking.
The disadvantages include:
- not storage duration;
- the need for thinning brushes.
Choosing a seat for landing
Despite the fact that the variety is frost-resistant, the most favorable place for growth is the southern part of the site. It is good if the bushes are planted next to the house or near the fence. The buildings will protect from harsh winds and provide additional heat.
When planting grapes near the house, it is necessary that the distance from the vine to the foundation of the house is at least 1.5 meters!
The site should be well lit by sunlight from all sides. The soil for planting must be prepared in advance so that it has time to settle well and be saturated with moisture and nutrients. The soil must pass moisture and air well. You can plant grapes in autumn and spring.
Selection of seedlings
The choice of seedlings must be taken seriously, since it depends on what the vine will be and, accordingly, its yield. Seedlings can be classified as:
- elite;
- 1sort;
- 2nd grade;
- substandard.
Elite seedlings have four or more evenly spaced roots, at least 2 mm thick and 25 cm long. The base thickness must be at least 5 mm.
Seedlings of the first grade must have four or more roots. The difference from the elite is that the root thickness of 2 mm should be at least 2 roots. The distance of the roots from each other should also be uniform.
2nd grade must have at least two developed roots.
Substandard seedling has a weak immature growth. It is better not to plant such seedlings.
Landing features
If planting is planned in spring, then the soil for planting is prepared in autumn.... The planting depth of seedlings depends on the type of soil. In light soil, it is necessary to dig a hole with a diameter of 40 cm and a depth of 60 cm. In heavier soil, the area of the hole will be 70X80 cm, a depth of 70 cm. The presence of nearby groundwater will favorably affect the planting. However, the vineyard area should not be flooded with melt water. The soil should be sufficiently moist, loose, without weeds.
Before planting, the roots of seedlings must be treated with a growth stimulator. Purchased cuttings are soaked in this solution for a day, then disinfected with a manganese solution and after that the roots are trimmed.
At the bottom of the hole, you need to make a drainage layer with the addition of complex fertilizer. The seedling is planted in a hole and covered with soil, carefully tamped. In the absence of a soil suitable for grapes, fill the hole with soil with the addition of humus. The distance between seedlings should be at least 3 meters, as the vine grows rapidly. There should be at least 2 meters between rows for single-lane planting and 3 meters for two-lane planting.
To get less vigorous bushes, cuttings must be grafted onto small varieties.
Autumn planting is best done from the last days of October to mid-November. It is necessary to plant grapes in well-moistened soil.
Care rules
After planting grapes, special attention must be paid to the condition of the soil. The soil should always be loose and free of weeds. On the tubercles, loosening must be done carefully so as not to damage the young shoots. As the seedlings grow, the height of the tubercle is gradually reduced. In August, the seedlings are opened to the point of adhesion of the grafted shoots.
At the end of June, it is necessary to perform the procedure for removing roots growing on the surface. This is done so that the bush develops roots inward, since the roots growing close to the surface reduce frost resistance and endurance during drought. Pruning should be done on a cloudy day. To do this, rake the ground around the seedling and make a hole 25 cm deep. To remove the roots, use a pruner. After pruning, the hole is filled up, leaving only the green mass of the bush on the surface.
The second pruning is done in August. After pruning, a hole 15 cm deep is left around the seedling.
For grapes grown from cuttings, watering is very important for rooting. After planting, you must immediately water the seedling. The second watering is carried out in two weeks. The third watering must be done 35 days after planting. Depending on the dryness of the soil, water consumption for each bush is one or two buckets. It is best to use water heated in the sun for watering. Watering in the evening.
Top dressing of grapes is carried out in the summer, combining them with watering. Fermented mullein can be used for feeding. For fermentation, mullein is diluted with water in a 1: 2 ratio and left at a temperature of +22 degrees for two weeks. Then the finished slurry is diluted with water 1: 4. Add to this solution:
- superphosphate - 100 grams;
- ammonium sulfate - 75 grams;
- saltpeter - 45 grams.
Do not overfeed the seedlings with fertilizers, as in this case there will be poor development of the root system.
To prevent damage to the shoots, they are tied to stakes in an upright position. With an abundant growth of stepsons, pinching must be performed. This procedure will speed up the formation of bushes.
To prevent diseases, young seedlings are sprayed with Bordeaux liquid.
In early October, they dig up the land in the vineyard, and at the end of October, when the foliage falls, the seedlings are covered for the winter. To do this, a groove is dug, a vine is laid in it along the length and covered with earth.
In spring, young grape seedlings are opened later than an adult vine, since young shoots are more susceptible to frost. In subsequent years of growth, the care of the vine is as follows:
- trimming;
- pinching;
- loosening the soil;
- weed removal;
- fertilizer;
- watering;
- disease prevention;
- pest control.
Diseases and pests
This grape is practically not susceptible to disease. However, it suffers from attacks by the phylloxera pest. This pest damages the root system, whiskers of the plant and foliage. And in this case, the loss of bushes is not complete. In a place affected by phylloxera, it is possible to plant grape bushes no earlier than after 5 years.
For prophylaxis purposes, a cardboard tube 15 cm in diameter is put on the roots of the seedling when planting. The tube is covered with sand and the seedling is added with earth. The tube is then carefully removed.
If care was taken correctly throughout the season, and the vine was properly prepared for wintering, then in the next season you can count on a good harvest.