The grape is a very useful and tasty berry.
Moreover, among its varieties you can find a wide variety of not only tastes, but also sizes, shapes and colors.
But for many winegrowers, the most important factor is the ripening time of the grapes.
This factor is especially important for regions with a cool climate, where later varieties may not have time to mature.
In this case, the best suited top-grade varieties, which is the grape "Libya".
After all, this hybrid variety has not only an advantage in the early stages of ripening, but also in its high resistance to disease damage.
Therefore, growing such grapes is simple. Details about him below.
Details on all the features of the variety of grapes "Libya"
This variety is very young. In the register of grape varieties of Ukraine grape "Libya" appeared only from the beginning of 2011. It was obtained as a result of the crossing of such grape varieties as "Flamingo" and "Arcadia" by the researcher V.V. Zagorulko. Gets its popularity due to the large size of the grapes and berries.
Distinctive characteristics of clusters of grapes "Libya"
Clusters of grapes "Libya" are most often quite large and elongated in length. With their weight from 600 grams to 1 kilogram, the length of one bunch may be approximately 25 centimeters and more. In shape, the clusters of this grape are cylindric, although most often they are absolutely shapeless and branchy. Not dense placement of berries on the bunch makes it medium-friable. However, all these characteristics do not reduce the external beauty of the clusters of grapes "Libya".
The berry of this grape also has a large size. With its oval or ovoid shape, the height of the berry is on average 2.8 centimeters, and the average width is 1.8-2 centimeters. The average weight of a grape "Libya" is 11-13 gramswhich is pretty much a lot for this plant. According to the color of the skin, this grape variety is pink. A distinctive feature of the skin is that it is unusually soft with this grape and when eaten only its tenderness is felt.
As for the pulp of the berry, it is in grapes "Libya" has a fleshy structure. The pulp contains a very large amount of juice, for which this grape is valued. The taste qualities of grapes are simply excellent: they combine the pleasant grape sweetness and delicate aroma of muscat.
Taste and flavor are preserved in the grapes unchanged throughout the month of storage.
As for the chemical composition of the pulp, it contains a fairly high level of sugars - about 17-18%. At the same time, the acidity of one liter of grape juice of the described variety is only from 5 to 9 grams. The seeds in the berry are only 1-3, due to the easy ability to separate from the pulp, they practically do not complicate the process of eating grapes.
The main purpose of this grape is of course table. They are used most often in the table form, since the variety is not transportable. At the same time, it is grown even in industrial vineyards and is widely used for the production of grapes. For the sale of a variety it is also very attractive due to its beautiful appearance, however, due to the short shelf life, this direction for the variety is not very promising.
A few words about the characteristics of ripening and the levels of the harvest of grapes "Libya"
The value of the described grape variety is also in its high and stable yields. At the same time, the first bunches of grapes appear on the bush "Libya" in the third year after its landing in a permanent place. The ripening of the grapes is extremely secure since it comes on 105-110 days after the entry of the bush during the vegetative period. Harvest ripening is marked with a full load on the grapevine. If the bush is overloaded - only 70-80 percent of the total crop can grow.
Such a high yield of this variety is possible due to the large and strong bush, which it can boast. In particular, it can be pulled out very high to the top if it is not cut. Growth at a bush prompt. It should be noted a great advantage of the variety, which is the ability to self-pollinated. Thus, the grapes "Libya" is well suited for single planting.
The merits of grapes "Libya" - for which the variety is praised
Undoubtedly, the main criterion behind which this variety is chosen by many for planting on their own land is unsurpassed clusters and excellent berries in taste. But there are a number of other benefits:
- The variety is very frost resistant. The wood of the vine is not damaged even when the temperature drops to -21ºС, but in colder climatic conditions, the vine must be covered for the winter.
- Grapes "Libya" has a high resistance to such diseases of vineyards as mildew.
- Very good response to the right care and feeding, delighting with great crops.
- Super early ripening of grapes.
Cons and drawbacks varieties "Libya"
Despite the fact that, in general, this variety has a very attractive appearance due to its unusual pink color, it does not always acquire the stated coloring by the period of maturity. Besides, resistance grapes "Livia" before the flour dew is not sufficientthat requires regular treatment with special preparations.
Planting grapes "Libya" - how to grow a good and fruiting shrub?
In matters of planting, this grape variety does not have any particular differences and requirements, which somehow differed from the generally accepted ones. However, in order for the grapes to turn out really good and fruitful, there are a lot of nuances to consider.
How to plant grapes "Libya" - sapling or grafting?
In fact, the type of landing does not matter much. Although, in each case there are advantages:
- Thanks planting grape cuttings on their own roots You can achieve very good growth results of the grape bush. In addition, in most cases, such a planting marked richer taste of grapes.
- With grafting the grape "Libya" on the stock of an old vineyard you can achieve faster entry of the vine into fruiting. Moreover, the first years of fruiting will be distinguished by higher yields, compared to the seedlings planted in the same year.
In any case, a very responsible need to approach the issue of the preparation of materials for planting. Otherwise, the cutting may not take root at all and you will be left without grapes. In particular, as a cutting for planting on its roots, and for vaccination, should have 2-3 peepholes. For planting grapes by sapling, the cutting must have good roots by the time of planting.
Especially attentive to the roots should be when you get a seedling. They should be white, without frostbite, damage and not dried. Also, the cut of the seedling should be green, which will also indicate its good ability to root at the landing site. Before planting, the seedling should be well soaked in water.
Its root system can be treated with a special tool that can stimulate root growth. Before direct landing the tips of the roots of the grape seedling is recommended to cut a littleusing a very sharp knife (pruner).
Preparation of the graft for grafting is also quite time-consuming. The most important thing is to cut it properly and well. Only its lower part is clipped, just below the lower peephole. It is necessary to cut it with a wedge on both sides. From the other two uncircumcised sides, the so-called "coat hanger" should remain. The upper, not trimmed part is recommended to wax.
This is done so that the grape cutting can retain moisture much better and be more resistant to external adverse factors. This process is carried out very quickly, only by instantly lowering the cutting in paraffin melted in water. After that, the stalk very quickly needs to be cooled in water.
The lower part of the cutting, to stimulate rooting, it is recommended to place before grafting into the water. Also, it can be treated with a solution stimulating the growth of the roots of the drug, as well as it is done with a seedling.
The choice of location, soil and the right time of year for planting grapes
- Place for planting grapevine should be well lit by the sun. Thus, given the need for weaving grapes "Libya" vertically upwards, it is better to plant them on the south side of the house buildings. In addition to the backwater, they will still serve as protection from the cold northern winds.
- Choose a good soil for grapes "Libya" not difficult, because this grape is not particularly capricious. Also, soil deficiencies can be smoothed with regular nutrient supplements. Well loamy soil and chernozem, with good drainage capacity and deep groundwater are well suited.
- Plant grapes best in spring. However, for the grafting on the stock of grape cuttings, the spring season is also perfect.
Planting Grape Seedlings - Top Tips
Prepared seedlings need to be planted in a prepared pit. In particular, having dug it several times more than the roots of a seedling, more than half of its space needs to be filled with humus. It is most effective to mix the humus with fertile soil, and after filling this mixture into the pit, to cover the fertilizer with another layer of soil but without fertilizers (otherwise there is a danger of burning the roots of the grapes).
Next, take the seedling itself and drop it into the pit, leaving the root neck on the surface. Bury it very carefully due to the fragility of the roots. After that, next to the sapling, best from its northern side, it is recommended to dig in a solid support, on which it will rest upon growth. Also, after planting, the grape seedling is plentifully watered with 3 buckets of water.
What you need to know about the correct grafting of grapes "Libya"
Following the preparation of the cutting for grafting, you need to start preparing the stock. First, you need to remove the old grape bush, leaving only penechek 8-10 centimeters above the soil surface. Secondly, the cut is recommended to very carefully clean up serrations and other irregularities to prevent the possibility of disease.
The smooth and smooth surface of the vineyard wipe is wiped from the debris with a damp rag and very carefully split right in the middle. The split should not be deep, it only has to fit the cutting (well, or several cuttings, if the size of the rootstock allows it).
Further, the stalk should be lowered into the place of the split of the trunk with the trimmed part and very tightly pulled off the stem. For tightening and wrapping a bobbin, it is recommended to use durable fabric that is able to decompose over time. Also, the site of vaccination is recommended to lubricate with clay, which will contribute to the retention of moisture in the rootstock.
It is also interesting to read about the care of grapes in the fall.
Caring for a grape bush "Libya": ways to increase yield
For yields to be consistently high, grapes like “Libya” as an artificially created culture require proper and regular care. A distinctive feature of this variety is that grapes are mostly formed on the lower part of the grape bush. At the same time, during the ripening of the clusters, it is not necessary to tear off the leaves above them, although it is strongly recommended to do this for other varieties. Consider other features of care.
- The grapes grow better on well-moistened soils, although it is very dangerous to overdo it with watering. Optimally water the grapes only twice per season.: before and after the flowering of the vine. Watering is increasing only in case of droughts. It is very important to take into account that with sudden drops of moisture in the soil grapes can crack.
- The soil around the vineyard is very useful to process and mulch. After all, the mulch is not only able to retain moisture in the soil and perform a protective function during cold and cold weather, but can also nourish the grapes. After all, mulch vineyards are mainly used for stubborn humus, which is lined on the soil surface with a layer of about 3 centimeters. It is recommended to mulch the soil only in spring and autumn.
- In addition to feeding the grapes with organic fertilizers that are applied to the soil by mulching, This plant also responds well to mineral fertilizers.. In particular, grapes have a very great need for fertilizers, which contain potassium and phosphorus. It is best to apply fertilizer in very late autumn, during the period when the bush is already asleep and the soil is not able to deliver them to the roots earlier than by spring.
- In order for the grapes to win over well and not be damaged by frost, it is necessary to cover it for the winter. This is especially true for the variety “Livia”, since the upper plank, at which this grape is not damaged, is only -21ºС. To cover the bush completely, it must be very well cut and lowered to the ground. You can cover with soil, hay and film. It is very important to cover only planted grapes. For this very big old pan or tub, in which the bottom is missing, will serve very well. Putting it near the seedling and covered with soil, you can best protect it from frost.
- Pruning grapes is the most important ritual required by grapes for good fruiting. For Livia, short trimming of only 2-6 eyes is considered acceptable. When forming a bush, it is very important to leave 3-4 main sleeves, which also need to be shortened every autumn. Also, it is very important to regulate the harvest by removing too many ovaries. After all, when overloading the bush, the grapes will not be able to ripen well.
- Variety "Livia" can often be affected by a disease such as flour dew. To effectively counter it, experienced growers recommend regular preventive spraying of the grape bush. The recommended number of sprays for one season - 2: one is carried out before flowering, the second - after. Processed grapes fungicides.
