Content
Among the novelties of the Russian selection, the Galahad grapes, an early ripe hybrid of table purpose, gained particular popularity. Its large amber berries attract with a fragrant aroma and pleasant moderately sweet taste.
The grapes were the result of the successful work of scientists from the Institute named after Ya. I. Potapenko on crossing three different varieties. Most importantly, the Galahad hybrid is adapted to the climatic features of the southern and central regions of Russia.
Characteristics of the variety
Not much time has passed since the appearance of the Galahad variety, but numerous positive reviews from professionals testify to the high technical characteristics of grapes.
In the southern latitudes and middle lane, the Galahad grape variety is harvested by the end of July or early August. Due to early ripening, many summer residents are making attempts to grow crops in more northern latitudes. Here, the ripening time of the Galahad variety increases by 10-15 days, higher humidity and cold winters are also an obstacle.
Under favorable conditions, the hybrid variety Galahad demonstrates:
- rapid growth - shoots reach 2 m during the season;
- high-quality pollination - due to the versatility of the peduncles;
- early ripening period - about 100 days;
- good fruiting - up to 70%;
- high frost resistance;
- significant resistance of grapes to diseases;
- fast rooting of cuttings;
- high productivity.
Description of berries
The Galahad grape, as evidenced by the description of the variety and confirmed by reviews and photos, forms large conical bunches weighing up to 600 g. Under the thin skin of large amber-yellow berries there is a dense fleshy pulp with a delicate, very pleasant, sweetish taste. Galahad grapes are distinguished by their excellent presentation. In shady places, the berries acquire a milky-white waxy coating. Their skin is strong enough to withstand long-term transportation. Berries do not crack even in rainy seasons. Among the technical characteristics of the Galahad variety are:
- tasting assessment - up to 9 points;
- sugar content index - about 21%;
- acidity - about 6 g / l.
In the description of the Galahad grape variety, it is mentioned that, with numerous advantages, it has minor disadvantages, including:
- attractiveness to birds, therefore, during the ripening period of grapes, it is advisable to set scarecrows among the bushes or wrap ripening brushes in nets. To prevent the grapes from falling off, you should harvest on time;
- with intense exposure to the sun, the berries of the Galahad variety change their shade to a darker one, therefore, the degree of illumination must be adjusted;
- the nutrient composition of the soil is important;
- despite the resistance to many diseases, the Galahad grapes require preventive treatments.
Preparing for landing
Galahad grapes, as the description of the variety, photos and videos show, can be propagated by seedlings or cuttings, which take root very quickly. Planted in spring, by autumn they already give two powerful shoots from each cut. Before planting, you need to carefully examine the seedlings and select fresh and healthy ones, they differ:
- light brown in color, without any spots, damage, signs of wilting;
- for planting a hybrid variety Galahad, only annual seedlings are selected - the old ones have an earthy shade;
- the roots of healthy seedlings should be elastic, without traces of mold, and the shoots of grapes should be greenish in color with fresh leaves.
You need to choose the right place for planting Galahad grapes. Berries need plenty of sunshine to ripen quickly and accumulate sugar. Therefore, the site should be open, well lit. At the same time, Galahad grapes need protection from cold winds. A wall or fence that does not shade the vineyard is a good shelter from the wind. In addition, the wall that heats up during the day will give off heat to the grape bushes at night.
The proximity to the surface of groundwater will also be a negative factor for the normal development of the Galahad variety. If they rise up to 2-3 m from the ground surface, it is necessary to organize a good drainage system using expanded clay or gravel. The surface of the earth should be flat so that water cannot stagnate on it, since it is the high humidity that causes the appearance of root rot on the Galahad grape bushes. The best choice would be an elevated location in the southern part of the site. Grapes are not very capricious in terms of soil composition and grows well on loam and peat soils. The main thing is that the soil is not saline.
The holes for planting Galahad grapes must be prepared in advance:
- for autumn planting, holes are prepared at the end of August, and for spring planting - in October;
- the size of the pits should be quite large, optimally 80x80 cm;
- since the bushes of the Galahad variety grow strongly, a distance of up to 2 m must be left between them;
- the gap between the rows is up to 3 m;
- the bottom of the pit is filled with fertile soil mixed with compost.
Planting seedlings
The technology of planting the Galahad grape variety is simple:
- the day before the procedure, the seedlings should be placed in water, you can add several crystals of potassium permanganate to it to strengthen the immune system;
- smear the roots with a mixture of manure and clay and let dry;
- carefully place each plant on a mound of fertile soil with the orientation of growth buds to the north and cover it with earth almost to the root collar;
- grape seedlings, the length of which is more than 25 cm, should be placed in the hole in an inclined form;
- compact the soil and water all the bushes with plenty of water;
- to prevent too rapid evaporation of moisture, mulch the soil under the grapes;
- there should be a support next to the plant for tying the vines as it grows.
If you need to plant several seedlings at once, the trench method of planting grapes is usually used. The support for tying the vine must be installed in the hole in advance, otherwise it can damage the root system of the seedling. It is most convenient to stretch several rows of wire between the posts parallel to the ground. For more efficient watering, a small plastic watering pipe is vertically fixed in the hole next to the bush. It should protrude 10-20 cm above the ground. A Galahad grape seedling is cut to 3-4 eyes and covered with a plastic container to create a greenhouse effect. After 10-15 days, the shelter should be removed.
Care features
Agrotechnology of the hybrid variety Galahad is characterized by some features that should be borne in mind:
- Galahad grapes are included in the category of thermophilic species, and although they are resistant to 25-degree frosts, in mid-latitudes, the bushes need to be well covered for the winter;
- often Galahad grapes begin to bear fruit already in the first season, which leads to too intense stress on the vine, therefore, its thinning is necessary;
- to reduce the load on the roots, stepsons are removed in the middle of summer; reviews note that the Galahad grape variety grows poorly on soils with high acidity - they need to be neutralized;
- plants do not tolerate drought well, therefore, the soil under the bushes should not be allowed to dry out;
- fallen leaves and berries must be collected and immediately destroyed, otherwise they will become a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microflora.
For young seedlings of Galahad grapes, in the first months after planting, a canopy of white covering material is arranged. It will protect the shoots from direct sunlight.
The hybrid variety Galahad responds very well to any kind of fertilizer - organic and mineral. Therefore, you can use complex fertilizers, alternating them with manure or compost. Water the plants thoroughly before feeding.
Fight disease
The description of the Galahad grape indicates that it resists fungal diseases well. The risk of powdery mildew damage increases if diseased plants are nearby for a long time. Its high resistance to mildew is also observed.
If, when examining the leaves of grapes, signs of a disease are found - yellow or brown spots, dried shoots, they should be collected and immediately burned. In the fight against disease, prevention is more beneficial. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out periodic spraying of Galahad grape bushes with different means.
Usually three times are enough:
- a week after the vines wake up, they are sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate; Bordeaux liquid is also suitable for processing;
- when the leaves bloom, the treatment is repeated with a weaker solution;
- when the flowering of the grapes ends, you can treat the bushes with a solution of colloidal sulfur.
Winegrowers reviews
Conclusion
Galahad grapes are a real boon for temperate regions. Compliance with simple rules of agricultural technology guarantees its high yields every year.
