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At the word grape, many gardeners in temperate latitudes still imagine mainly the luxurious fruiting vines of the southern regions. And if grapes grow on someone's site in the middle lane, then powerful shoots of Amur or girlish grapes, which perfectly serve to decorate walls or fences, appear to the imagination. It is rather difficult to imagine grapes bringing berries of good dessert taste in the middle lane, and this fact seems incredible even for sophisticated gardeners. Nevertheless, this becomes possible due to the appearance in recent years of new super-early hybrid forms of grapes, the ripening time of which is already approaching 100 days and may be even shorter.
Such characteristics are possessed, for example, judging by its description of the variety and reviews about it, the Rhombic grape, the photo of which you can see below.
Actually, it is not yet a variety, but it would be more correct to call it a hybrid form of grapes undergoing testing. Since it appeared almost several years ago, it has not yet managed to gain wide distribution among gardeners, although it has interested many keen winegrowers with its interesting characteristics.
The history of the origin of the variety and its description
The Rhombic grape is the creation of the famous wine-grower Evgeny Georgievich Pavlovsky. Having been engaged in viticulture since 1985, he has developed dozens of the most diverse and interesting hybrid forms, many of which have been tested and grow in private and industrial gardens.
Perhaps the main advantage of this hybrid form is the very early maturity. The grapes begin to ripen within 80-90 days after the start of the growing season. Even experienced winegrowers hardly believe in this, nevertheless, this fact has already been confirmed by many gardeners. Many growers confirm that by the very beginning of August the bunches of grapes not only have time to fully ripen, but even slightly overripe on the bushes and begin to raisin. The video below clearly illustrates this fact.
And the ripening of Rhombic grapes begins in mid-July. In some southern regions, ripening dates may shift even to the beginning of July.
Grape bushes of this form have strong vigor of growth, are distinguished by the massive size of the bushes, the shoots are well branched. To avoid overloading the bushes with crops, it is necessary to normalize the inflorescences. A maximum of two brushes can be left on one vine.
The vine has time to fully mature to its entire length during the growing season. Cuttings of this grape shape have good rooting.
The fruits can be left hanging on the vine after ripening. They begin to dry directly on the bush and gradually turn into raisins. Some people like this taste of grapes even more than fresh. They consider it more delicious and savory.
Concerning wasp damage, wine growers' reviews differ - some argue that they use a protective net from wasps, while others argue that this hybrid form of grapes is practically not damaged by wasps.
Regarding the yield, the description states that Rhombic is a high-yielding form, but no one has yet been able to provide verified clear data on this matter.
This hybrid form is highly frost-resistant, the bushes are able to withstand up to -23 ° C. This fact may contribute to the spread of the Rhombic grape in relatively more northern latitudes. Although it is imperative to cover it for the winter. But due to the early ripening period, it will have time to ripen quite well at the latitude of the Moscow region and even further north.
This hybrid form of grapes is characterized by a fairly high resistance to many diseases characteristic of grapes, which is confirmed by numerous reviews. Therefore, treatments against diseases can be exclusively prophylactic.
Fruit characteristics
This hybrid form of grapes got its name for the original shape of the fruit, which is, in a sense, unique. But this grape has other characteristics that set it apart from other forms.
- The brushes are characterized by a fairly regular conical shape, while the looseness of the clusters is medium. That is, it cannot be said that the berries in the bunches were tightly packed together, but they do not have the ability to crumble in the hands, but quite keep their shape. This is very convenient for harvesting, since the brushes, after being removed from the vine, fit optimally into the prepared container.
- The size of the brushes is quite large - the average weight of each is from 500 to 1000 grams.
- A feature of this form of grapes is the strong attachment of the berries to the bunch, due to this, you can not be afraid of the berries crumbling or falling off during the ripening process.
- The berries are rather large, each weighing from 10 to 15 grams or even more.
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The shape of the berries, as the name implies, really resembles a rhombus slightly smoothed at the corners.
- When ripe, the berries turn dark purple, and subsequently become almost black.
- Berries contain a small amount of seeds.
- The skin is rather thin, not felt at all when eaten.
- The flesh is also dark and crispy attractively.
- The taste of the grapes is moderately sweet, harmonious with very original fruit flavors.
- Rhombic grapes are characterized by good commercial qualities and are quite suitable for transportation.
- Cracking of the berries is usually not observed.
Advantages and disadvantages
Of course, the main advantage of this form of grapes, as noted above, is its very early ripening. There are also other benefits that allow winegrowers to turn their attention to the Rhombic.
- Attractive berry appearance and atypical taste;
- High resistance to disease;
- Endurance for transportation.
Among the shortcomings, only the relative youth of the hybrid can be noted, which does not allow giving stable recommendations for its cultivation. Some growers also note the insufficient sugar content of berries and small clusters.
Gardeners reviews
Since the shape of the Rhombic grape appeared quite recently, there are still few full-fledged reviews about this hybrid, but in general, gardeners confirm the declared characteristics, especially the early ripening periods.
Conclusion
Rhombic grapes will be a real boon for novice winegrowers who live north of the Rostov region. With high disease resistance, very early ripening and unconventional sweet taste, it will decorate any home garden.
After 2 cold seasons after planting Rhombic, now it has given its first fruits. The bush is overloaded. There are many bunches, but they are not large. Today, August 2, 2020, I removed the first ripe bunch. The berry is only 5g, the bunch is not weighed. Sugar 16 BRICS. There is no acid. The taste is great. This is the earliest grape that ripened at this time NOT at the southern wall of the house in 25 years of my viticulture.