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Seedless grapes have always been popular with consumers. Breeders do not stop working and get new varieties and hybrids that ripen quickly and at the same time have an attractive presentation. In 2009, a new grape variety Veles appeared, thanks to the labors of the wine grower V.V. Zagorulko. The variety was bred on the basis of Rusbol grapes and Sofia, has large, early ripening clusters. The variety is named in honor of the Slavic god of fertility Veles.
Description of Veles grapes
Veles grape is a hybrid early ripening variety. From the appearance of the first leaves to the ripening of the fruit, it takes about 100 days. The vine of the Veles variety grows and matures rapidly. One fruiting shoot forms 2-4 flower clusters. Flowers are bisexual. The plant does not need additional pollination, but if you want to increase the yield, you can resort to artificial pollination.
In the process of harvest maturation, stepchildren are formed on the vine, which can give an additional harvest by mid-September.
In the description of the Veles grape variety, the mass of a bunch of grapes is indicated from 600 g to 2 kg, according to reviews and photos of winegrowers, a brush can ripen up to 3 kg. The shape of a bunch of Veles grapes is cone-shaped, very voluminous, not very dense or loose.
Berries are oval in shape, weighing up to 5 g, the skin is thin, but rather dense, does not allow the berries to crack, the color of the berries is pink with the technical ripeness of the fruits, only rudiments remained from the seeds - the rudiments of seeds that are not felt when eating.
Thanks to the thin skin of the Veles variety, the berries are translucent in the sun, which makes them aesthetically attractive for the buyer. The flesh of the berries is dense, jelly-like, of pleasant taste with a nutmeg tint.
Veles kishmish grape is a frost-resistant variety that can withstand temperatures as low as -23 ° C. Suitable for central Russia, if the plant is covered for the winter. In the southern regions, 2 harvests are possible.
Watch a video about the Veles grape:
Features of growing grapes
The planting of the Veles variety is carried out either by cuttings harvested in the fall, or by ready-made seedlings. Young plants take root well in any case and can give the first signal fruits already in the second year. It is recommended to remove the inflorescences that have appeared so as not to delay the forces of the seedling for the development and ripening of fruits, but to send them to the ripening of the shoots.
Veles grapes do not make high demands on the quality of the soil. It can grow on sandstones, loams or clay soils. Regardless of the soil, humus, peat or compost is placed in the planting hole, mixed with the soil. Broken brick is placed at the bottom of the pit, expanded clay for drainage, if the soil is dense clay. Despite the fact that the seedling is still small, the size of the planting pit should be at least 0.8x0.8 m.
When planting the Veles variety, take into account the direction of the rows from north to south and the distance between the seedlings at least 1.5 m. The planting pit should be filled with organic matter as well as possible, since this is food for grapes in the next 3-4 years. You can add superphosphate (300 g), ash (500 g), potassium salt (100 g).
While the plant is young, it will require more careful care. Loosen and water regularly, remove weeds... Covering the topsoil under the grapes with mulch can reduce maintenance as mulch inhibits the growth of weeds and reduces moisture evaporation. Peat can be used as mulch.
An adult plant of the Veles variety does not need frequent watering, especially when the fruits ripen, excess moisture can cause cracking of the berries and their decay in Veles grapes. Watering is carried out no more than 4 times per season, at the most crucial moments of plant development.
Be sure to arrange support when landing. It can be a simple trellis made of a dug-in base - pillars and a wire stretched between them in several rows. The wire must be strong enough and taut enough to withstand the considerable weight of the grapes and their ripening fruits.
A sufficient amount of space is left between the trellises, convenient for leaving, organizing shelter, it is important that the Veles grape bushes do not shade each other, and they have enough sunlight and heat. The minimum distance between rows of trellises is at least 3 m.
How to tie and pinch grapes
During the growing season, the shoots of Veles grapes will need to be repeatedly tied to several rows of trellises. Why is tying shoots done?
- The crowding of leaves and shoots is negated when the green mass shades each other, while not receiving enough sunlight;
- It makes it easier to carry out work on the care of the vineyard. It is much easier to carry out foliar fertilization, pinching and removing shoots from Veles;
- Shoots in a tied position grow strong, ripen faster;
- Tying grapes is the prevention of diseases, the airing of shoots and leaves is improved.
When the shoots reach a size of 30-40 cm, they are tied up in the lower trellis, then, as they grow, they are fixed to the next rows of wire.
The garter material can be twine, twine, trimming of textile or knitted fabric. It is required to fix it reliably, but with some margin, so that the growing shoot in the future does not turn out to be over-tightened. Manufacturers offer winegrowers special plastic clips that are very convenient to use and designed for repeated use.
A feature of the Veles grape variety is its ability to form multiple shoots of the second order. In the southern regions, they may well grow a second crop. But in the middle lane, a large number of shoots will only draw off the forces of the bush, preventing the crop from ripening quickly and shading the bush, which is a negative factor in the development of diseases. Therefore, the stepsons should be removed completely, and in the southern regions, pinch the upper part.
Preparation of protective structures for grapes
The Veles variety tolerates the cold of the middle zone well. However, shelter organization will be required. To do this, in the fall, the grapes are removed from the trellis, cut off, preventive treatment for diseases is done, and covered with film or agrofibre.
Pruning Veles grapes is an obligatory stage of plant care, which not only facilitates the wintering of plants, but also forms the future harvest. For the Veles variety, it is recommended to prune 6-8 buds of each shoot. Usually, in the middle lane, pruning occurs in late October - early November.
For more information on protecting grapes for the winter, see the video:
Shelter should not be organized right away. Until the temperature reaches -10 ° C-12 ° C. The first frosts are beneficial for Veles grapes, as they harden it and prepare it for lower temperatures.
Old bushes of the Veles variety tolerate winter frosts much easier, a sharp drop in temperatures is most detrimental to young plants. They need to be covered most carefully. The grape shoots removed from the trellis should not lie on bare ground. A substrate is used between them. For example, sheets of slate or boards.
Further, from above, the grapes are covered with spruce branches, straw, or simply covered with earth, taking it from the rows. Combined protective structures for grapes are more effective. Example: covering the plants with spruce branches, stretch a film or agrofibre on top, securing them around the perimeter with bricks. The fallen snow will additionally insulate the structure.
Another example of a defensive structure is wooden or plywood panels covered with agrofibre or plastic wrap. They are placed over the laid lashes of Veles grapes at an angle, in the form of a hut. The advantage of such shelters is their repeated use over several years.
Another way to shelter Veles grapes for the winter. Special trenches are dug under the vine. Grapes removed from the trellis are placed in them, fixed with metal hooks. Arcs are installed on top at intervals of 0.5 m. Covering material is stretched over the arcs, which is fixed on the sides with bricks or pegs. While the weather is positive or with a slight minus, the ends of the shelter are not closed. But as soon as the weather settles with an air temperature of -8 ° C-10 ° C, the ends are securely closed.
Conclusion
The positive characteristics of the Veles grape variety: frost resistance, early ripening of the harvest, good taste, attractive appearance, make the variety attractive for growing not only in the south of the country, but also in the middle lane with rather cold winters. The basics of agricultural technology should be observed, then there will be no problems in growing Veles grapes.
Sevastopol. The soil is loam, located on the south side of the country house. The second year after planting, the vigorous growth of the vine, left two signaling (cut), tomorrow, August 3, we will taste. In principle, I am satisfied with the purchase of this variety, V.V. Zagorulko. a master with a capital letter in the creation of such masterpieces.