Amur grapes have many positive qualities in their characteristics. The variety is frost-resistant, so cultivation is possible not only in the southern, but also in the northern regions. The main thing is to follow the recommendations for planting and caring for the crop, and it is also important to create the recommended conditions for development. The berries contain many healing components and therefore benefit human health.
Description of the variety
The ancestor of the Amur grape is considered to be the wild Amur vine.As a result of selection, a variety was obtained that can withstand severe frosts while maintaining its taste and sweetness. The description of the variety indicates that the crop is characterized by average crop ripening limits. The berries are eaten fresh, and they are also used to make alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Amur white grapes are distinguished by berries that are round in shape, yellow in color and weigh about 4 g. One bunch can contain many berries, so the weight reaches 800 g. It begins to ripen at the end of August.
There are several varieties of the variety: Voldemar, Triumph, Zolotoy Potapenko, Proryv and New Early Russian.
Their ripening periods are different, from the last days of August to the end of September. The clusters of each variety are formed in different shapes and weigh from 300 to 700 g. The color of the berries is also different. For example, Black Amur grapes are characterized by dark purple round berries.
Properties
Grapes contain a whole vitamin and mineral complex, which includes calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, as well as organic acids. Various healing tinctures are made based on the fruits and leaves of grapes.
Medicinal properties of Amur grapes:
- normalizes blood sugar levels;
- normalizes blood pressure;
- helps improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
- removes toxins and restores liver function;
- the composition includes a phytohormone, which maintains the functioning of all internal organs in tone and increases the body’s defenses;
- copes with inflammatory foci in the body.
It will be possible to achieve the desired therapeutic effect on the body only if the product is regularly consumed for 2.5 months.
Calorie content
The pulp of the fruit contains monosaccharides in the form of fructose and sucrose, so grapes satisfy hunger and replenish expended energy. 100 g of white grapes contain 45 kcal, red varieties contain more calories - 65 kcal. The amount of carbohydrates is 17 g. Grapes do not contribute to weight gain, but whet the appetite.
Benefits and harms
All the beneficial components that make up grapes determine its benefits for the human body. Organic acids cleanse the body and remove toxins. The benefits of grapes will be noticeable in diseases of the blood, upper respiratory tract, as well as in cases of nervous and physical overload.
The monosaccharides contained activate the functioning of the digestive organs, promote the secretion of saliva, all this helps to increase appetite. For those who have a goal to lose weight, this product is not suitable. Amur grapes are contraindicated for diseases of the digestive tract. It should not be eaten if you have gastritis, ulcerative formations, or colitis.
Acidity
The berries taste sour, but there is also a sweet and sour taste. Sugar contains about 12%. The berries contain organic acids in an amount of 8-9%. These are mainly citric, oxalic and malic acids.
Characteristics of berries and bush
The liana of the Amur grape variety looks powerful, its diameter reaches 22 cm. It is capable of entwining any support that is nearby, rising up to 30 meters. The shoots develop quickly; in a year they can grow up to 2.5 meters. The leaves are large, 27 cm in diameter, with coarsely carved edges. The shape of the leaves is three-lobed, oblong-oval, round.
The round berries (diameter up to 1.5 cm) are covered with a thin but durable skin of dark cherry or yellow color. The pulp is juicy, with a sweet and sour taste.The bunches are large, conical, weigh 700 g.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The advantages of the variety include the following characteristics:
- ability to quickly recover from damage;
- the vines are durable and can withstand heavy loads;
- resistance to frosts down to -39 degrees allows you to harvest crops even in cold areas;
- the pulp of the berries is juicy, with a sweet taste, and contains many useful substances;
- the variety is resistant to grape diseases;
- Maintenance is minimal and does not require much time or effort.
The plant is tall, so the yield is average. It is imperative to carry out annual pruning, otherwise the crop will stop bearing fruit.
Landing
Planting of Amur grapes begins in October or April. In order for the crop to adapt faster and develop well, the soil must be slightly acidic, light and fertile. You need to choose a bright place on the site, protected from draft winds. It is also possible to grow grapes from seeds and cuttings.
Groundwater should not flow closer than 2.5 meters. If groundwater flows too close to the surface of the earth, the roots will begin to rot and the berries will crack.
It is important to know, how to plant grapes. Cuttings are planted at a distance of 1 meter from each other. The holes are dug to a depth of 65 cm. The drainage must be filled in, then a fertile layer of mineral and organic components is made (compost, humus, superphosphate, potassium sulfate are suitable).
Care
Maintenance of the crop is minimal. It is important to follow the established watering schedule, apply fertilizers on time and do not forget to trim the shoots.Grapes show resistance to diseases and pests, but experienced gardeners still carry out preventive treatment.
Watering
Abundant and frequent watering is necessary only for young grape bushes. The first watering is carried out even before the seedlings are planted. The dug hole is watered generously with warm water. After a week, watering is repeated. Before and after flowering, it is also necessary to water.
A trench is dug around the trunk and water is poured into it. You can’t water grapes right to the roots. To ensure that moisture remains in the soil for a long time and does not evaporate, mulch with moss, sawdust, straw, and peat.
Top dressing
In the first years, it is recommended to apply nitrogen fertilizers to the soil every spring, complex compounds in the summer, and potassium-phosphorus components are suitable in the fall.
Trimming
Since Amur grapes are vigorous, annual formation is required. It is enough to leave one or two of the strongest shoots, cutting them off to the fifth eye. Perennial branches will subsequently branch off from the central shoot. Shoots that form on perennial branches should be pruned regularly.
Preventative treatment
Amur grapes rarely get sick, especially good immunity against mildew and oidium. Resistance to adverse factors increases if vines are pruned on time and correctly. To treat grape bushes for preventive purposes, drugs such as Quadris, Bordeaux mixture, and Acrobat MC are used.
Reproduction methods
Amur grapes are propagated by seeds, cuttings or seedlings. Seeds are purchased from trusted sellers. It is better to plant them in the fall. The depth of the hole is 16 mm. Within a month shoots should appear.Grapes grown from seeds differ in basic characteristics, which attracts some gardeners. Cuttings and seedlings are planted in spring or autumn. The distance between plants should not be less than 2 meters. The vine begins to bear fruit only in the 7-8th year after planting.
