Maiden or wild grapes are an undemanding crop that can be grown in any region. It does not grow except in the Far North and in the desert. This plant is planted in Siberia, in the southern regions, and in the Moscow region. The main purpose of culture is considered to be a decorative function. In order for the plant to look attractive, it needs to be properly cared for.
Popular varieties
This culture has several varieties, each of which is divided into varieties.Not all plants can be planted in Siberia, but virgin grapes are highly frost-resistant. Therefore, climatic conditions are not particularly important for him.
In this region, you can grow a five-leaved species, which is considered medium-sized. It reaches a maximum height of 15 meters. This type is perfect for owners of small plots. In Siberia it can be planted as a hedge element. The leaves of the crop are divided into 5 identical fragments, each of which reaches a length of 30 centimeters.
The decorative properties of the five-leaf variety are associated with its red or golden shoots. In the warm season, blue fruits appear on them. For cultivation in Siberia, you can choose the following varieties of this species:
- Star Showers - this crop has green leaves with white spots along the edges. By autumn they increase in size and acquire a pink color. Thanks to this, the plant looks very decorative.
- Engelman - the vine has a dark green hue, which changes to bright red in the fall.
- Wall - this type is suitable for decorating vertical surfaces. Moreover, these can be not only walls, but also mesh fences. This crop is often grown in Siberia.
Another popular type of girlish grape is considered to be triacid. Its homeland is Japan. Despite its origin, this variety can safely be grown in Siberia. The leaves of the plant have a green tint and are divided into 3 parts. The fruits are dark blue in color. Eating their food is prohibited.
Popular triogrape varieties include:
- Golden - its green leaf plates are covered with yellowish veins. With the arrival of autumn they increase in size and the bush changes color.The color changes harmoniously. At first, the leaves acquire a yellow tint, then their edges darken and the plate becomes recolored.
- Purple - the variety resembles its closest relatives both in leaf structure and growth characteristics. At the same time, its characteristic feature is its unusual purple color. Due to this, the bush looks great with flowering crops. It is better to grow tall flowering plants near a living fence, as small crops will look inconspicuous.
- Vicha - this type of girlish grape quickly branches. Therefore, the bush is perfect for creating a hedge. This variety is characterized by dense leaf cover that does not allow wind to pass through.
It is important to take into account that triacid grapes are not so frost-resistant. If the plant is not properly cared for, it may die when grown in Siberia.
Landing instructions
In order for the cultivation of virgin grapes in a harsh climate to be successful, first of all, it is necessary to carry out the planting work correctly.
Timing
You can plant the crop at any time of the year. It is best to do this in the spring. Thanks to this, you will be able to get into the natural development cycle of the plant. If this is not possible, it is recommended to root virgin grapes in summer or autumn. In this case, at least 30 days must remain before the onset of frost.
Selecting a location
Maiden grapes do not require special conditions for active development. But to preserve its decorative value, the place must be well lit. If there is enough sun, the leaves of the plant acquire bright shades. In addition, the vine grows faster and fills the space better.
It is undesirable to plant the crop in windy places, as it can hardly withstand cold drafts and develops worse.You should not place such grapes near electrical wires or water pipes. The fact is that the plant has quite powerful shoots that can destroy everything in its path. It is best to plant girlish grapes near plastered brick, concrete and wooden walls. It is also permissible to place it near gazebos and sheds.
How to prepare the ground
This unpretentious plant grows well in any type of soil. However, the best option for it would be loam or neutral soil, which has a slightly acidic or slightly alkaline reaction. Seeds should be planted in loose soil. A couple of weeks before this, the bed needs to be dug up and a mixture of peat and wood ash added.
The maiden grapes will have enough nutrients for the next 3 years. Subsequently, it needs a minimum of fertilizers.
How to prepare seedlings
First, the seedlings need to be inspected. It is recommended to plant only healthy plants. However, even in this case they require processing. It is recommended to soak the planting material in the stimulator. It is important to follow the instructions for the drug used.
When propagating virgin grapes by seed, the seed must first be soaked in cold water and then placed in a container with sand. After this, it is recommended to water the substrate and put the container in the refrigerator for 2 months.
Step-by-step planting instructions
After the preparatory activities, you can proceed to planting. To do this you need to do the following:
- Dig up the bed and form a hole.
- Place the seedling in the hole and bury it. In this case, the root collar cannot be left on the surface, otherwise it will freeze. In addition, the seedling needs to be positioned at an angle.
- Dig a trench around for water.
If you plan to plant several bushes, it is important to maintain the interval between them. To form a hedge, it is worth retreating 50-100 centimeters. Since the bushes develop rapidly, you should not plant them too densely.
Aftercare
In order for virgin grapes to develop normally and maintain their decorative properties, they need to be provided with high-quality care.
Trimming
When the seedling adapts to the new site, you can begin to form it. This will make it possible to get a neat decorative bush. It is recommended to use garden pruners. In this case, non-lignified shoots should be trimmed. They need to be given the required direction and fixed to a support.
When the skeletal branches are fully formed, it is worth systematically performing sanitary pruning. In this case, you need to remove dry and diseased shoots, cutting them off above a healthy bud. If you do not carry out this procedure, the girl’s grapes will grow rapidly and will look untidy.
Top dressing
Maiden grapes require feeding from time to time. Before the active growth of branches begins, nitroammophos should be added to the root. The next feeding should be done in the summer. To do this, it is worth using a complex composition for garden crops. Loosening the tree trunk circle is of no small importance. In this case, the bare roots need to be covered with earth.
Watering
During summer drought, grape seedlings need to be watered. However, this should be done in moderation. Under normal conditions, 3-4 waterings per season are sufficient. It is recommended to use 10 liters of water for 1 bush. The next watering is carried out when the top layer of soil dries.
Preparing for winter
When growing virgin grapes in Siberia, they must be prepared for winter. The health of the bush depends on the correctness of this procedure. The plant can withstand temperatures down to -28 degrees. Before this indicator, the culture feels quite normal. Certain varieties are considered more resistant. However, they also must be protected.
At the stage of preparing the crop for winter, the vine should be removed from its support and placed under cover. It is permissible to use mulch or spruce branches as insulation material. Agrofibre is also suitable for this purpose. It is important to consider that ventilation must be maintained. Otherwise, the vine may prohibit.
Pest Control
Maiden grapes are characterized by resistance to many pathologies. However, he sometimes suffers from fungal infections. This is due to violations of agricultural technology or excessive soil moisture.
To cope with pathologies, it is important to take action immediately. If the disease is detected, infected branches and leaves must be removed. You also need to immediately stop watering and treat the bush with a fungicide. In this case, it is worth using a broad-spectrum drug. If the bush is affected by pests, it is worth using insecticidal substances.
How to propagate grapes
This culture can reproduce in different ways, each of which has its own characteristics:
- The seed method is considered the most time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this case, at the beginning of autumn, you need to collect ripe berries and dry them in the fresh air. After this, the dried fruits need to be cut and the seeds removed. They need to be washed in water and dried. Seeds should be stored in paper bags and stratified before planting.
- Cuttings - in this case, you need to cut a shoot with several leaves from an adult plant. The cutting must be placed in water. It must be deepened 3-4 centimeters below the first leaf. Periodically, the cuttings need to be sprayed with water. After the roots appear, it needs to be planted in a permanent place in the ground. Cuttings should be carried out in late summer or early autumn.
- Layering - for this you need to press the shoot to the ground, fix it and sprinkle it with earth. This procedure is recommended to be carried out in the spring. During the summer, the shoot should be irrigated with water and left in this form for the winter. With the arrival of spring, the mother crop can be cut off, since a new plant with roots will form in place of the cutting. The new bush can be transplanted or left in the same area. It is important to consider that replanting in the spring is not worth it. During this period, active sap flow is observed, therefore there is a risk of severe damage to the crop.
Maiden grapes are a popular ornamental crop that is often used to decorate plots. This plant develops normally even in harsh climates. However, in this case, he needs especially careful care.
