Characteristics and cultivation technology of the super-early grape variety Elegant

The Elegant grape variety is considered very popular. This crop is characterized by excellent flavor and a pleasant aroma. This makes the fruit suitable for fresh consumption or for use in various preserves. To ensure a bountiful harvest, it is essential to ensure proper agricultural practices. These include timely watering, pruning, and fertilization.

Description and Features

This grape variety has certain characteristics that should be considered before planting.

Vine

This is a low-growing plant, reaching a height of no more than 2 meters. It is characterized by a rather thin, fragile vine. The leaves are medium-sized, reaching 5 centimeters in length and 3 centimeters in width. The surface has a slight bloom and stripes.

Inflorescences

The inflorescences are female. They form clusters of medium looseness, weighing 300-400 grams and prone to pea-like blooms. It's important to plant this grape variety near others that have bisexual flowers. It's important that the plants bloom at roughly the same time.

Berries

This variety is characterized by fairly large berries, weighing 6-7 grams. They are usually shaped like a nipple. Sometimes, the fruits are oval with a pointed end. The berries are milky white in color, turning amber as they ripen.

Taste

This grape variety is characterized by excellent flavor. The fruits have crisp flesh and muscat notes. They are virtually seedless. Sugar content reaches 19-22%. Acidity is no more than 6-9 grams per liter.

Growing regions

This is an extremely early variety, ideal for growing in the southern regions of Russia. Ripening occurs in late July or early August, 100-115 days after ovary formation. Under the influence of sunlight, the berries accumulate a significant amount of sugar.

The plant can also be grown in temperate climates. However, in this case, the bush must be covered for the winter.

History of selection

The super-early variety Elegant was developed at the Russian Potapenko All-Russian Research Institute of Viticulture. This hybrid was created by crossing the varieties Vostorg and Frumoase Albe.

Main characteristics

Before you start growing a crop, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with its key characteristics.

Drought resistance

The plant tolerates hot weather and drought well, as it is intended for cultivation in southern regions.

Frost resistance

This variety is characterized by high frost resistance. When grown in the European part of the country, it does not require covering. It can withstand temperatures down to -26 degrees Celsius.

Productivity and fruiting

The berries of this variety ripen within 100-110 days of the growing season. With flowers appearing in late May, the harvest will be ready by early August.

The crop is considered high-yielding. Fruitfulness parameters are 1.6-2. This means that each shoot produces 1.5-2 bunches of grapes.

The average yield is 7-10 kilograms of fruit. With proper care, this figure can be increased to 15 kilograms.

Areas of application of fruits

This grape is considered a table variety and is used for food. The berries also make excellent compotes and jams. They are often used to make juices. However, wine is not made from this grape.

Resistance to diseases and pests

The Elegant grape variety is highly disease-resistant. It is virtually immune to powdery mildew, mildew, and rot.

Transportability

The fruits cannot be transported long distances. They tolerate only short journeys.

Pros and cons of the variety

The plant has many benefits, including the following:

• early and stable harvest;
• compatibility with many rootstocks;
• no need for winter insulation;
• disease resistance;
• nutmeg notes in the taste.

However, the culture also has certain disadvantages:

• a large number of pea-shaped berries;
• greenish color of fruits;
• the need to plant pollinators;
• berries falling from the bunches during long transportation or overripening.

How to plant correctly

To achieve success in growing a crop, first of all, it is necessary to carry out planting work correctly.

Recommendations for choosing deadlines

This plant can be planted in either fall or spring. In the latter case, it's recommended to wait until the snow melts and the soil warms up.

Choosing a location

When choosing a site for the plant, keep in mind that grapes are a heat-loving crop. They should be planted in a sunny spot facing south or southwest. The site should be protected from drafts and wind.

It's important to pay attention to the groundwater depth. It should be no higher than 1.5 meters.

Soil requirements

The plant is recommended for planting in black soil with neutral pH. Light loam or sandy loam are also ideal.

Site preparation

When planting in spring, the hole should be prepared in the fall. If you plan to plant in October, the hole can be made in July or August.

The top fertile soil should be set aside separately. The hole should be left open and regularly filled with water.

It is recommended to mix the soil with compost or humus. Heavy soil should be thinned with sand or crushed brick.

Before planting grapes, it's recommended to add organic fertilizers to the soil. Mineral fertilizers can also be used, but they should be dissolved in water.

How to select and prepare planting material

It's advisable to purchase seedlings from reputable suppliers. A nursery is also a good option.

Healthy plants should not have any damaged areas, growths on the root system, or dark spots on the vine.

It's best to purchase a one-year-old seedling. It should be 40 centimeters tall, with shoots 5 millimeters in diameter and three to four buds.

Planting diagram

After selecting and preparing a landing site, you should do the following:

• maintain a distance of 3-3.5 meters between bushes and 2 meters between rows;
• deepen the hole to 90-100 centimeters, make it 60-70 centimeters in diameter;
• fill the hole with fertile substrate - its layer should be at least 40 centimeters;
• install a support at the edge of the hole;
• place a seedling in the central part, sprinkle with soil and leave a few centimeters to create a depression;
• compact the soil and pour 15-20 liters of water under the bush.

Care instructions

For a plant to thrive, it needs quality care. It's important that this care be comprehensive.

Watering mode

Young plants are recommended to be watered once a week. Mature plants should be watered only during dry periods. This should be done during the fruit formation period. It's important to avoid overhead irrigation when watering.

Top dressing

Fertilizer should be applied every three years. This should be done in early spring, using compost or humus. It is recommended to work these fertilizers into the furrows around the bushes. In the fall, manure should be dug into the soil. In the summer, grapes can be fed with wood ash and chicken manure in a solution.

Preparing for winter

The vines of this plant ripen well even when overloaded. They are considered frost-hardy, so in mild climates they can be left uncovered. If the region is susceptible to frost, pruning and covering are recommended.

Mulching

After watering, it's recommended to cover the soil with a layer of mulch. Sawdust, peat, or straw can serve this purpose. This simple procedure prevents moisture evaporation and prevents weed growth.

Prevention of diseases and pests

This grape variety is resistant to mildew or gray mold. If you strictly follow the growing guidelines, the risk of developing these diseases is significantly reduced.

To protect the plant from diseases, preventative treatment is recommended. Products such as Horus, Topaz, and Ridomil are used for this purpose. It's recommended to prepare a solution and spray it on the leaves of the plant.

The manipulation can be carried out in the spring – before flowering begins, and in the fall – after harvesting.

Sometimes the plant suffers from attacks by spider mites, cockchafers, leaf rollers, and aphids. To protect the crop from pests, it is recommended to spray it with Karbofos or Actellic. If the grapes are attacked by wasps and birds, the fruits are covered with cloth bags.

Trimming

Grapes require annual pruning. This is done in October. Five shoots should remain on the vine. It is recommended to remove weak branches. A long pruning, which leaves 6-8 buds on the shoot, is suitable for this variety.

During flowering, it's important to remove excess fruit. Each shoot should have 1-2 clusters. The highest quality fruit is obtained on branches with a substantial supply of wood.

In summer, it's recommended to remove some leaves. This will improve the light exposure of the berries. They will accumulate sugar faster and become more flavorful. It's also recommended to remove side shoots.

Methods of reproduction

Grapes can be propagated by cuttings or seedlings. The former method is more commonly used. Planting material should be prepared in the fall, after the leaves have fallen. Straight, fruit-bearing branches are suitable for this purpose. They should be wrapped in plastic and stored in a cellar or refrigerator.

In the spring, it's time to assess the condition of the cuttings. When water appears at the cut surface, you can prepare for planting. Soak the plants in warm water. After two days, germination can begin. Once leaves appear, the plants are ready to be planted in the ground.

Harvesting and storage

This grape variety is characterized by light-colored fruit, so ripeness can only be determined by taste. Sweetness and muscat notes indicate ripeness.

It's best to wait a few days until the berries' skins turn golden.

Ripe bunches don't necessarily need to be picked immediately. They can be stored for up to a month. This will prevent the grapes from spoiling and will instead develop a distinct muscat aroma.

This grape variety is considered a table grape and is therefore not used to make wine. However, the berries are often used to make preserves, jellies, and juice. The fruits are also often eaten fresh.

Tips from experienced gardeners

To achieve success in growing grapes, it is worth following these recommendations:

• choose the right site for the plant and carry out planting work;
• water the crop on time;
• prune the plant correctly;
• apply fertilizers;
• carry out preventive spraying.

The Elegant grape variety is very popular among gardeners. It is prized for its excellent flavor and muscat aroma. To ensure successful cultivation, it is recommended to provide high-quality care.