Different people grow grapes for different purposes: some simply "for themselves", others do these professionally and earn money by selling crops, while others strive to have a large ornamental plant on their land that beautifully wraps around the front of the house or a gazebo.
But there are those growers who report all efforts to find a variety that could combine all the above functions.
One of these grape varieties, which does not require much attention, is "Augustine".
Below, we will try to uncover all the secrets and peculiarities of this variety in order to familiarize you with it as closely as possible and to simplify the preparation for planting a vine.
Description of grapes "Augustine"
Introducing you with this wonderful grape variety, first of all you should pay attention to the existence of several more of its names.
If you have to meet such varieties as "V25 / 20", "Pleven Sustainable" or "Phenomenon", you know - this is all the same "Augustine".
One of the names mentioned was obtained by one of its parents, the variety "Pleven", which, thanks to the efforts of Bulgarian breeders, was significantly improved.
Another form of parent "Augustine" is a grape "Vilar Blanc", from which he received its resistance. This grape variety is intended for table use, that is, it is usually eaten fresh and not used for technical processing.
The grape variety described is varied widely enough, which is facilitated by the early ripening of its fruits and good low temperature resistance.
In general, clusters of grapes "Augustine" have a lot of similar to the fruits of the variety "Pleven".
They are quite large in size, have a conical shape, often one wing can form. The average mass of one bunch can vary from 0.4 to 1 kilogram.
The berries on the bunch are not placed densely, although their size is quite large - 2.8 x2.0 centimeters. The weight of the berries described varieties small - from 5 to 8 grams.
A distinctive feature of the berries is the white or amber-yellow color of their skin, due to which the sunlight gives the impression that they shine through.
This effect gives a special attractiveness elongated-oval grapes "Augustine", very much raising their presentation.
Tastes of this grape variety are generally ordinary, however, due to the dense fleshy pulp, the berries have a special tenderness and originality. In general, their taste is quite simple and harmonious.
There are a lot of sweets, because the variety boasts good sugar accumulation, which does not decrease even with very heavy and private precipitations. Although the skin is strong, it does not feel when eating.
This table grape is considered very early because its fruit ripen around mid August.
The growing season of the bush on average lasts only 117 days. Fruiting as a whole is plentiful and even sometimes requires rationing.
Experienced winegrowers note that if you leave only one inflorescence on one shoot, but the ripening period of the crop will be reduced to about the bottom of 10. But, if you don’t have time to carry out such a robot, you will not have to worry about the harvest: although it will mature a little later, the bush will easily carry any number of fruits.
If we talk in figures about the possible yield volumes, which can be harvested from one hectare of plantings of this variety, then on average this figure is 120-140 centners. When amateur growing grapes, from one bush without any problems you can collect about 60 kilograms of berries.
Winegrowers love "Augustine" not only for the abundance of crops, but primarily for the fact that the bush fruit steadily, even with minimal care for him.
Speaking about the yield, you should pay attention to the qualities that make it possible to obtain some high results. First of all, it is a strong-growing bush with well-ripening shoots, on which two inflorescences are stably laid.
The variety propagates very easily, which is facilitated by quickly rooted cuttings.
Briefly about others merits grapes "Augustine"
- The grape bush of the described variety has a bisexual flower, which ensures not only high and stable yields, but also the absence of pea berries and good pollination of all inflorescences. In addition, the variety "Augustine" is an excellent pollinator for many other grape varieties, the flowering time of which coincide with it.
- The early terms of ripening of the crop and the ability of the berries is stored on the bush for about 2 weeks without loss of taste and appearance.
- Fruits are characterized not only by the high quality of the fruits, but also by their good suitability for transportation over long distances.
- The variety is characterized by increased resistance to the most common fungal diseases of vineyards.
- Wasps rarely damage fruit. This can only contribute to the presence of damaged berries, but in this case, the pest does not occur every year.
- The bush easily tolerates low winter temperatures. In particular, the thermometer readings at -24ºС wood is not damaged. But despite this, the variety belongs to covering crops, especially when grown in the Middle Climate Region.
- The vigorous and unpretentious plant in leaving is an excellent decor for arches and arbors. In particular, when arched growing may increase the size of the clusters.
- The variety is one of the most promising in viticulture, used in breeding.
disadvantages varieties: what you need to be prepared in advance?
- With prolonged and prolonged rains, cracking of the berries is observed, which later becomes the cause of their rotting.
- Over-grown berries, not removed from the bush for two weeks after maturity, begin to crumble on their own.
- There is damage from the graveyard that causes the berries to rot.
- In the berries of this variety there are several seeds that are relatively large in size. Many growers consider this fact a big disadvantage of grapes.
- Prolonged transportation may cause the berries to fall from the bunch.
About the features of planting varieties
Grape culture multiplies quite simply. Moreover, there are several ways to plant this beautiful plant:
- Planting varietal seedlings grown on their own roots, or grafted.
- Reproduction using cuttings grafted on the stocks with a large stock of perennial wood.
- Use for breeding seeds.
- Getting a new bush using taps.
Choose one way or another is only based on your own capabilities and resources. For example, in the absence of an old grape bush or the ability to propagate "Augustine" taps, these options automatically fall away for you.
The time of the year and the time of planting the grapevine will depend on what kind of planting you have chosen. If you have purchased a green seedling, it should be planted only in spring, although in general, autumn time is also suitable for planting seedlings.
In general, you need to name the advantages of each season.
The benefits of spring planting are as follows:
- In the spring, there is much more heat, thanks to which only a planted bush adapts well to a new place and enters growth.
- Ahead of the whole season in order to strengthen before the upcoming winter frost.
- It is believed that the bushes planted in spring come into fruition faster than autumn ones.
But, the bush planted in spring will have to be watered very often, because the land is drier at this time than in the fall, and the moisture from it evaporates much more naturally.
In addition, a big disadvantage of spring is that at this time it is much more difficult to purchase a seedling of the required grape variety. Thus, planting grapes in the fall also has its advantages, which should also be added:
- Virtually all planting material for breeding grapes harvested in the fall. For this reason, it is much more logical to plant vines at this time, rather than storing cuttings or seedlings until spring.
- In that case, if you are still going to keep planting materials until spring, you should know: autumn planting and good shelter of grape seedlings and whether vaccinations for the winter are the best way to store.
Of course, many, despite these arguments, choose to plant grapes in the spring, because they are afraid to freeze the grapes in the winter. Of course, there is rationality in this, but in any case, it is simply impossible to answer unambiguously which fit is better.
If we talk about grapes in general, then this crop can be called completely unintelligent to the conditions of growth, and especially to the fertility of the soil. However, the Augustine grape variety is recommended to be grown in good fertile soils, which have a large supply of moisture.
Of course, that not every site there is a similar type of soil. In this case, the only option would be to independently feed the bush regularly with nutrients (both organic matter and mineral fertilizers), as well as regularly water it if there is a need for it.
However, in no case should we forget about the love of grapes to the sunlight. In shaded places, the vine does not only grow poorly, but also gives a very poor and shallow crop, which also matures poorly. Therefore, classically, grapes are grown from the south or southwest side of the house, so that the house also serves as a defense against drafts.
Also, this variety is recommended. grow on arches, or near arbors. In any of these options, it is very important to take into account that on the ground where the bush grows, cold air flows do not stagnate. For this reason, grapes are best planted on hills and hills.
Experts recommend doing step back between the bushes of one row at least 1.5 metersbut between the rows of bushes of this variety is 3 meters. Thanks to this scheme, the bushes will not intertwine much and shade each other with their greens.
A few weeks before landing is very important prepare a pit for grapes. Its depth is about 0.8 meters (the width is appropriate), which will make it possible to add the necessary amount of fertilizer to its bottom.
In particular, mixed with light fertile soil into the pit is brought about 2-3 buckets of compost. The mixture of fertilizers also needs to be covered with another layer of soil, which will separate them from the roots of the seedling, protecting them from burns.
Next, the pit is left to ensure that all these fertilizers are properly subsided and that after planting the sapling does not subside with them.
Only after that you should start searching and buying a grape seedling of the variety you need. The main criteria for choosing a seedling is xirrigated root system without damage and a green cut of the top of the seedling.
Also, before making a direct landing, a sapling descends into the water for several days. During this time, he will have time to be saturated with moisture in order to easily transfer the subsequent period of adaptation to the new environment.
It is also interesting to read about the best white grapes
The planting itself lies in the fact that the seedling must be placed in a hole to the level of its root collar: it should in no case be under the ground even taking into account the subsidence of the soil. Grapes should be covered with soil gradually and carefully so as not to damage the root system.
In the middle of this process, you can pour into it a bucket of water, which consolidate the soil already filled up. Having filled the hole to the end, a support is driven in near the seedling. In addition, he again watered very abundantly. The soil around it is recommended to mulch.
Graft Augustine grapes to the rootstock with a large supply of perennial wood
Grafting grapes to the old stock is that in the very rootstock, exactly in the middle, there is a small dismemberment. That is where the cutting is placed. After this, the stock is tightly tightened to increase the likelihood of rooting. But in order to do everything professionally and efficiently, you need to competently prepare materials.
The first is prepare a good stalkon which should peep 2-3 eyes. The upper part with eyes must be waxed, which will allow much longer to retain moisture.
But the lower part must be very carefully cut from both sides to create a better contact with the wood stock. In addition, before grafting, the lower part is dipped for some time into water and solutions with root formation stimulants.
To prepare a stock, it is only important to remove the old shrub, leaving only a 10-centimeter stump. In addition, the cut surface is necessarily very carefully cleaned to smoothness.
The split does not need to be done deeply, because it can bring him harm. Several cuttings can be grafted onto one stock, if its width allows. The inoculation is completed by smearing the site of grafting with all the other procedures that we described, describing the planting of a seedling.
Tips on caring for the variety "Augustine"
- Grapes require keeping the soil at the same moisture level. For this reason, it needs periodic watering. Be sure to water the bush before flowering and during the formation of the crop.
- After watering, the soil is covered with mulch - 3 centimeters of moss or blackened sawdust.
- For fertilizing this grape variety, compost / humus and phosphate-potash fertilizers are used.
- Every year during the period of tranquility, the grapes must be cut, shortening each shoot by 6-12 eyes, depending on the type of formation of the bush. For this variety, a multi-arm fan shape is preferable.
- In winter, this grape is sheltered. For adult bushes are created corridors of the film.
- Despite the stability of the variety, he recommended preventive spraying before flowering and on its completion.
