More recently, grape cultivation was practiced only in the southern regions. Today it is cultivated everywhere. Among the most common types are technical varieties used for making juices, wine and other products. The Airen grape variety is not popular among amateur gardeners. At the same time, it is the world leader in terms of space occupied and is the basis for creating table wines.
Story
The Airen grape has been known since the 17th century, when it was called Layren. Even then, wine was made from it, but according to reviews, it was not considered tasty. In 1807, two types of Layren were described - known today as Airen and a table variety. Subsequently, the technical variety gradually spread throughout Spain and today occupies about 30% of the total area allocated for vines.
Description and characteristics of Airen grapes
The variety belongs to the white technical species. The plant is vigorous, with well-ripening vines. The leaves are three-lobed, medium-dissected. Near the petiole there is a dome-shaped depression. The back side of the leaf is slightly pubescent. Grape flowers are bisexual. The bunch is large, highly branched, has the shape of a cylinder or cone, its density is average. The berries are small, round, light (white or yellow). The pulp is loose, with a thin skin. The taste is harmonious, with pleasant sourness.
Airen grapes tolerate drought well and are easy to grow and care for.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Gardeners love the Airen variety and note its advantages, including:
- undemanding to the composition of the soil on which it is grown;
- resistance to elevated temperatures and dry weather;
- high yield.
The disadvantages of the variety include:
- average resistance to diseases and pests.
Cultivation
Despite the unpretentiousness of the Airen variety, you should carefully consider the rules for planting grapes. The success of rooting and development of the bush, its productivity, and the quality of the berries depend on their implementation.
Deadlines
Planting can be done in spring or autumn. Both options have their pros and cons.
Spring planting time begins in March and ends in mid-June. Specific dates depend on the region and climatic conditions.The optimal soil temperature for planting is +10 ⁰С, air temperature - from +5 ⁰С to +15 ⁰С.
In autumn, Airen grapes are planted starting in early October. There is no need to delay landing. In the spring you should do it before the heat sets in, and in the fall - before the frost arrives.
If after planting the grapes there is a sharp drop in temperature, the seedling is provided with a reliable shelter.
Selecting a location
To plant Airen grapes, choose a place protected from northern winds. A good option is the southwest or southeast side of the house or garage, protected from drafts.
Do not place the vine under a drain, otherwise the plant will get sick and quickly die.
When planting several bushes, an open sunny place is determined for the vineyard. It can be flat or have a slight slope (about 10⁰) to the south.
Planting process
Before planting, the seedling must be prepared by performing a number of steps:
- Place the root system of the seedling in water for a day.
- Trim the annual shoot to a height of 4 eyes.
- Remove the roots on the upper nodes, shorten the roots on the lower ones.
- Treat the plant with a root formation stimulator.
When planting seedlings in rows, 3 m are left between them, and 2 m between bushes. Planting holes with a width, length and depth of 80 cm are prepared a month and a half before planting Airen grapes. You can dig one trench for all the plants. Drainage is laid at its bottom, and pipes for irrigation and fertilizing are installed. The extracted soil is fertilized with manure, ash, and mineral additives and stored next to the site of future planting. It is carried out according to the scheme:
- A mound of prepared soil mixture is poured onto the bottom of the trench or hole.
- Place the seedling on top and straighten the roots.
- The “heel” is placed at a depth of 0.5 m.
- Fill the hole and compact the soil.
- After shrinking, add soil, leaving a hole 25 cm deep.
- Water abundantly and mulch the soil.
- If necessary, shade the seedling or build a shelter from frost.
Nuances of plant care
The condition, quality and volume of the future harvest depend on how the Airen grape variety is cared for.
Watering rules
Bushes are watered regularly - at least 4 times per season at a rate of 12-14 liters of water per bush.
Watering through pipes buried near each bush is considered optimal. Water and fertilizer flow through them directly to the roots.
Drip irrigation has its advantages and disadvantages. With its help, it is possible to maintain constant humidity and prevent cracking of the berries. But in the presence of constant humidity, the upper roots develop excessively, which are susceptible to freezing in winter.
Fertilizing
If the soils on which Airen grapes are planted are poor, at least five fertilizing treatments should be carried out per season:
- in the spring, after the winter shelter has been removed from the bushes;
- with the beginning of flowering of the plant;
- at the stage of berry formation;
- during the period of technical ripeness of grapes;
- in the fall, before sheltering for the winter.
Fertilizer is applied in liquid form, powder, granules, or using foliar feeding on the leaves. Organic and mineral fertilizers are used.
Grape pruning
The grapes are pruned in order to form a bush, to remove diseased, immature, damaged shoots.
Sanitary pruning is carried out in the fall. In the spring, a bush is formed and branches that have not overwintered are removed.The procedure begins before the buds begin to open, when the daytime air temperature reaches +10 ⁰C and the threat of frost has passed. The weather should be sunny and calm. On Airen grapes, the vines that bore fruit last season are removed and about 6 strong shoots with a diameter of 8 mm are left.
Preparing for winter
Several types of shelters are used to protect grapes:
- hilling with earth up to 20 cm high for young seedlings;
- semi-shelter - protection of the root part with agrofibre, straw;
- complete cover - removing the vine from the trellis and protecting it with boxes, slate, film.
The type is chosen depending on climatic conditions and winter characteristics in a particular region.
Diseases and pests
The most common fungal infections of grapes include:
- mildew;
- oidium;
- anthracnose;
- scab;
- black spot.
The most common viral diseases are:
- infectious chlorosis;
- leafroll virus;
- shortknot virus.
Insect pests that can transmit diseases include:
- spider mite;
- tick;
- phylloxera.
Harvest and storage
Airen grapes are productive even in dry years. Up to 6 kg of berries are harvested from one vine. They are used to make dry white wine, brandy, and mixed with highly colored varieties to give the wine a less intense color.
