Among the grape varieties, gardeners give particular preference to medium-late hybrids. They are appreciated for a convenient ripening period and quality characteristics obtained by crossing parental species. One of the most popular and demanded varieties should be noted the grapes "Strashensky".
Some growers know him as the Moldavian hybrid "Consul". Thanks to its excellent characteristics, the popularity of the variety is growing every year. To grow on the site the famous grapes "Strashensky", we turn to the description of the variety, as well as photos, reviews and videos of gardeners:
Description
The "Strashensky" grape variety belongs to table mid-season hybrids. Some growers consider it medium early, others medium late. Some difference in the ripening period is due to the climatic conditions of the regions in which the grapes are grown. Gardeners consider the fact that negative reviews and disappointments in the cultivation of the "Strashensky" variety are not known to be an important plus. Therefore, in almost every garden, you can find several bushes of the famous grapes. With what qualities has this variety won the gratitude of winegrowers?
Productivity, large-fruited and unpretentious.
The yield of grapes of the "Strashensky" variety, according to gardeners, is stable and high. It is about 30 kg per adult bush. If the harvest is removed on time and does not overexpose on the bush, then the gray rot of the berries is not terrible for the grape variety.
The bunches are formed large, the average weight is 1.5 kg. With good care, more than half of the brushes weigh 2.2 kg. The density of the groin is more loose than average. Depends on growing conditions. The bunches have a high quality presentation and consist of round, beautiful fruits.
The berries are very large, each on a par with a five-kopeck coin.
The skin color is dark purple, but can be almost black. The mass of one berry of grape variety "Strashensky" varies from 8 g to 14 g. The pulp is juicy and fleshy, the taste is sweet with a slight sourness. Tasting score 8 points. The skin on the grapes is thin, almost imperceptible when eating.
The bush of the variety is vigorous and powerful. Leaves are weakly elongated, large, the bottom plate is covered with fluff. The flowers are bisexual, pollination is good. Ripening of shoots at the level of 85%, the coefficient of fruiting is 2.0. The load on one shoot is 1.2 kg.
According to the description, the distinctive characteristic of the "Strashensky" grape variety is its high frost resistance. The vine is not damaged even in frost down to -24 ° C. Drought resistance is not so high, but for some time the bushes can do without additional watering.
The description of the variety indicates that the "Strashensky" grape has increased resistance to spider mites and phylloxera. Demonstrates average resistance to mildew and rot, but gray rot, powdery mildew can be found quite often on the "Strashensky" grape. Especially if the bunches are standing on the bush.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of the "Strashensky" grape variety are easy to list, based on the description of the variety and gardeners' reviews. These include:
- high yield, which is easily confirmed by the photos of grape bushes "Strashensky";
- commercial and taste qualities of berries;
- resistance to a number of cultural diseases;
- increased resistance to pests - spider mites and phylloxera;
- frost resistance up to -24 ° С;
- medium drought resistance, which is important for moisture-loving crops;
- transportability of an average level, which allows the variety to be transported over short distances.
The disadvantages of grapes "Strashensky" are:
- a delay in the ripening of berries due to a long flowering period;
- frequent defeat by powdery mildew and gray rot;
- damage by birds and wasps due to slow maturation;
- unsuitability of the grape variety for storage.
The appearance of the second disease from the listed (gray rot) can be prevented by the timely collection of berries. Prophylactic spraying of seedlings during planting against diseases is very useful for grapes "Strashensky". A solution of copper sulfate works well in this case. In the future, 3 more treatments are carried out, the last of which falls on a time one month before the start of the harvest. To save the clusters from the raids of birds and insects, the nets, which the growers put on the grones, help. What grapes look like with protective nets can be seen in the video:
And in order to reduce the duration of the flowering period, the very first brush is removed from the bush.
Landing
It will be more difficult to grow Strashensky grapes correctly if you do not use a detailed description of the variety and agricultural technology, photos of the plant and gardeners' reviews. It is necessary to familiarize yourself in detail with each stage in the development of a grape bush. The first important activity is planting a seedling.
The grapes prefer sunny places without harsh gusts of wind. It is important to pay attention to the depth of the groundwater and the leveling of the surface of the site. The roots of the "Strashensky" variety do not like moisture stagnation, which leads to decay of the system.
In addition, you need to provide the soil with a sufficient amount of nutrients. The more fertile the land, the better the grape harvest. Planting can be scheduled for both autumn and spring. The main thing is to prepare the seat in advance.
For spring planting, fertilizers are applied during autumn digging. Compost or humus works best. One planting pit requires 1 bucket of organic matter and 500 g of superphosphate. If it is decided to plant grape seedlings "Strashensky" in the fall, then fertilizers are applied to the pit prepared in advance 3 weeks before the event.
The size of the planting pit should be such that the roots are sufficiently loose in it. Parameters less than 0.75 m should not be done. The distance between the pits is at least 2.5 m, and between the rows of plants - at least 3 m.
If the site is clayey soil, chernozem or a close location of groundwater, then a drainage layer is required. It is placed at the bottom of the pit using rubble or other suitable material.
On sandy or light soil, drainage can be dispensed with.
A layer of organic matter is laid on top and a support is installed in the center of the pit. The grape bushes "Strashensky" are distinguished by powerful growth, so at first there will not be superfluous support for the seedling.
The seedling is placed in the middle, the roots are straightened and sprinkled with fertile soil.
The ground is lightly tamped and the newly planted plant is watered. It is recommended to mulch the periosteal circle to keep moisture longer. Planting seedlings allows the grapes to take root faster. For planting, select healthy planting material without signs of disease or pest damage, with a good root system.
Nuances of care
Gardeners are always interested in the result. Tips on growing Strashensky grapes will help you achieve a good harvest. This can be a description of the "Strashensky" grape variety, a photo or reviews of gardeners.
In the first month after planting, the seedlings are watered as the top layer dries. Once the plants are rooted and grow, you can reduce the amount of watering. For adult grapes, three full waterings per season are enough, plus an autumn water-charging one.
On a site with sandy soil, you will have to water more often, once a month.
And at the beginning of the ripening of the fruits, it is required to carry out selective cutting of the gron in order to reduce the load. In this case, the rest of the bunches will be well ripened.The peculiarity of the "Strashensky" variety is the uneven ripening of the bunch. This is when the top of the bunch is ripe and the bottom remains green. To prevent this from happening, at the time of tying the berries, you can safely cut off 1/3 of the length of the brush. The volume of the bunch will decrease and all the berries will ripen on time and evenly.
Another feature. Enough stepchildren are left on the "Strashensky" grape bushes for the plant to form more leaves. This will allow you to get a high-quality harvest.
The grape pruning is done standard for 4-6 eyes, alternating between inflorescences and blank eyes. In this case, it is taken into account that large clusters are formed at level 2. No more than 18 eyes are left on one.
To prevent the spread of diseases, it is imperative to carry out preventive spraying of plantings.
If you do 3-4 treatments, then no further treatment is needed. "Strashensky" belongs to resistant varieties, therefore, competently carried out prophylaxis is enough for him.
To prevent wasps and birds from spoiling the crop, they set traps or put a net on the bunches, which protects them from pests.
Although the variety is considered quite frost-resistant, it is still recommended to remove it from the supports and cover it until spring in regions with severe winters. This is indicated in the description of the "Strashensky" grape variety, and the photo shows how to do it.
