Grapes are a crop that grows not only in warmer climates but also in colder areas. The grape, depending on the variety, loves the sun, earth, moisture in moderation, love and care.
Plant - grapes
Grapes are a perennial plant with a length of 20 to 40 meters. It looks like woody lianas, on which antennae are located. Thanks to these processes, the grapes cling to the support. It is mainly a thermophilic plant, but it is also grown in colder regions.
Soil and planting site
The grapes are not picky about the soil. It is able to grow on clay, sandy, limestone and even poor soil, but the main condition is looseness. Grapes grow better in the southern part of the site, if this is not possible, it should be planted to a depth of about half a meter so that the roots do not freeze. The seedling should be planted near a wall or fence.
Water
Grapes love moisture, but cannot tolerate excess moisture. The best option is to equip the planting site with a drainage system for constant, but not over-watering.
Light and warm
Grapes tolerate heat well, but react poorly to heat. It should be planted in places protected from the wind, but open to the sun. And where there is no accumulation of cold air.
How to choose a variety
It is necessary to choose the right grape variety depending on the climate. For this, such parameters are taken into account:
- the purpose of cultivation (making wine, juices or fresh consumption);
- the ripening time of the crop;
- frost resistance of the vine;
- her whimsicality;
- the need for shelter for the winter, etc.
Love and care
In the process of growth, when the shoots on the seedling reach 10 cm, a fragment should be carried out. To do this, you need to leave 3 - 4 shoots on the plant itself and 2 on the cutting. The soil should be loose and free of weeds. It also needs to be fertilized three times a season with special fertilizers. Grapes are pruned, broken off and pinched annually. Since the vine is flexible, it requires support.
Grape cultivation
Grapes can be grown in two ways: seed and vegetatively. The method of propagation using seeds is ineffective, and the vegetative method is propagation by cuttings and propagation by layering.
Propagation by cuttings: the cuttings are cut from ripe, lignified shoots. In this case, a "heel" or "crutch" is left on it. That subsequently stimulates root formation.
Reproduction by layering: in the fall, two most powerful processes are selected, freed from leaves, antennae, fit into pits 20-30 cm deep and buried in. Watered abundantly, sprinkled on top with mulching material (peat, sawdust or other). In the spring, two new vines are detached from the mother plant.
