The Augustine grape variety has a good ability to withstand low air temperatures, so it is grown not only in the southern regions. Bunches of berries begin to ripen early, and they can be consumed without processing. Care does not require a lot of time and effort. If certain conditions are met, it will be possible to preserve a large and sweet harvest for many years.
Breeding history
The Augustine grape was bred by breeders in Bulgaria, in the city of Plevna, as a result of crossing the Pleven and Vilar Blanc varieties. Table grapes have other names: Pleven Stable, Phenomenon. The resulting hybrid has better characteristics, which are determined by an increase in the number of crops, the taste of the berries and the ability to withstand adverse factors.
Description of the variety
A description of the Pleven Sustainable grape variety is not complete without mentioning the following characteristics:
- belongs to the early ripening groups of plants; an average of 118 days pass from the formation of the ovaries to the ripening of the berries;
- The harvest begins in mid-August.
- bushes of the Phenomenon variety are vigorous;
- bisexual flowers form on the branches;
- the clusters are conical in shape, their weight reaches 700 g;
- the berries in the clusters are formed large, of the same size, the weight of each of them is 6-7 g;
- the color of the thin but dense skin, greenish-yellow;
- the flesh is dense, sweet and juicy, there are few seeds inside, but they are quite large.
The Augustine Muscat variety has a high sugar content, up to 20%. The level of sugar content does not decrease even when exposed to unfavorable factors (cold, rain).
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Augustine variety include the following characteristics:
- opportunity to harvest early;
- abundant fruiting (up to 60 kg from one bush);
- a ripened harvest hangs on the branches for up to two weeks without cracking or falling off;
- ability to withstand frosts down to -25 degrees;
- fruits are well transported over long distances;
- berries are rarely damaged by wasps;
- fairly high resistance to fungal infections;
- After planting, seedlings quickly adapt to a new location.
The disadvantages of the Augustine variety are:
- the presence of large seeds inside the berries, up to 6 pieces;
- prolonged rains lead to cracking and rotting of fruits;
- not suitable for making fruit and berry wines;
- You should not keep ripe berries on the branches for more than 14 days, otherwise they will begin to crumble;
- If not properly cared for, the berries become small and begin to crumble.
Before planting a plant, you need to choose the right place and prepare the soil. To maintain productivity, it is necessary to regularly prune the vines.
Distinctive characteristics
It is possible to distinguish Augustine grapes from other varieties by the following characteristics:
- yellow-green berries with a whitish tint, almost transparent;
- the berries are large, oval-oblong in shape, with large seeds inside;
- the berries form a conical bunch, loosely adjacent to each other;
- the leaves are large, dark green, practically without cuts, so the edges are more round;
- During the ripening period, the vine acquires a speckled red-brown color.
The fruits are intended for fresh consumption and do not require additional processing.
How long does it ripen?
Grape berries of the Augustine variety begin to ripen early. From the moment flowering begins, 117-121 days pass. If spring came early and was warm, then harvesting begins in August.
Planting Tips
Planting of seedlings begins in spring or autumn. Working in the summer or autumn has advantages and disadvantages:
- Seedlings planted in spring take root better and adapt to a new location faster, as there is a lot of light and warmth. During this period, it is important to provide the seedlings with sufficient and regular watering.
- In autumn, seedlings are planted long before the onset of expected frost.The plant should be provided with covering material that will protect the branches and roots from the winter cold. In spring, such seedlings quickly enter the growth phase.
For planting, choose an area that is heated most by the sun. It is better to plant on the south side of buildings so that the plant is protected from through northern winds. Augustine grapes prefer to grow in moist, fertile, loose soil.
Rules to follow when planting grapes:
- Dig holes 70 cm deep at a distance of 3 meters.
- Drainage made of crushed stone or expanded clay is laid at the bottom. The layer should be 10 cm.
- Then a mixture of soil and fertilizer is poured in, followed by a regular layer of soil.
- The pits are well watered with warm water.
- The seedlings are covered with soil up to the root collar, lightly compacted and watered again.
A circular groove is dug around each planted bush. It is necessary for fertilizing and watering.
Caring for Augustine grapes
Caring for Augustine grapes is simple and does not require much time and effort.
Watering
The Augustine grape variety needs regular watering, but do not allow the soil to become excessively waterlogged. The plant needs watering most in early spring and during the flowering period. Water intended for irrigation must be warm. You shouldn't pour it at the root. Experienced gardeners dig a circular trench into which they pour water.
Fertilizer application
If planting was carried out according to all the rules, then the fertilizers that were placed in the hole will be enough for the next three years. In the first autumn, an additional layer of humus is placed at the base of the trunk. Humus will keep you warm and serve as food in the spring.
As the grapes grow, fertilizing is carried out three times per season. In early spring, fertilizers containing nitrogen are applied.Before flowering begins, components containing superphosphate are needed. As soon as the berries begin to ripen, it is necessary to feed the plant with potassium-phosphorus components.
Trimming
Side shoots grow at high speed, so it is necessary to control the growth of the bush. If timely pruning is not carried out, the yield will decrease, and the berries will become small in size and lose their taste. It is better to prune the bush in the fall, when sap flow stops. Up to 10-12 eyes are left on each branch.
In the spring, they begin to remove damaged and dry branches, which will further slow down the development of vines.
It is recommended to remove excess greens. It is enough to leave 5-6 leaves above each bunch. Thinning the green mass promotes better penetration of light and air to all parts of the plant.
Shelter for the winter
The plant can withstand frosts down to -24 degrees, but it is better to take care of shelter for the winter. To do this, the grape vines are freed from support, tied and placed on the ground. Then cover with film, cover with a small layer of earth and mulch with straw or spruce branches. It is recommended to start organizing the shelter in dry, clear weather.
The air temperature should not be more than 0 degrees. Otherwise, a greenhouse effect will be created inside the film, which harms the grape branches. The shelter is removed in the spring, when the threat of frost is over, the snow has melted and warm weather has set in.
Reproduction of the variety
Reproduction of the Augustine variety is possible in three ways:
- It is not recommended to grow grapes by seeds, as the original characteristics are lost. If, nevertheless, it was decided to plant grapes with seeds, then the first days of June are considered the best time.You can't do without vaccination. Fruiting begins no earlier than five years later.
- The plant propagates more easily and quickly by cuttings. Each cutting intended for planting must have at least four eyes.
- The crop is also propagated by layering. The method is suitable for those who already have the Phenomenon variety growing on their plot. In the spring, the largest lash is buried in the ground.
If optimal conditions are created for the development of cuttings and layering, fruiting can be expected after two years.
Which regions are best to grow in?
Augustine grapes are of southern origin, but over time they spread to the regions of the middle zone. Thanks to its characteristics, cultivation is also possible in Siberia.
Diseases and pests
The Augustine variety is resistant to many fungal infections and firmly resists the attack of insect pests. But experienced gardeners advise carrying out preventive treatment of bushes. It is enough to spray the plant with a solution of soda or potassium permanganate.
The most common pest that sometimes damages the plant is the nail borer. If control measures are not taken in time, the pest leads to a decrease in yield. A sulfur solution is suitable as a preventive measure. The component is diluted in a bucket of water, and the plant is sprayed with the prepared solution in early spring.
