The Isabella grape is a black variety, the namesake of Queen Isabella of Spain. The plant is accepted even in harsh climatic conditions and is resistant to frost, even if it is not protected with special shelter. Isabella is rarely exposed to diseases; pests rarely attack the bushes. Every winegrower manages to grow an unpretentious variety with high yields.
History of variety development
Breeder William Prince developed the Isabella grape variety by crossing the Vitis Labrusque and Vitis Vinifera varieties. Its initial goal is to improve the quality of the vines and increase the fertility of the bush. The story began more than 200 years ago.
Isabella is considered an American species that is popular in America. Until the early 80s, grapes were grown in all states of America and European countries. Winemakers have come to the conclusion that when creating wine products, Isabella has an unpleasant rotten tone and a small amount of alcohol. All plantations were gradually cut down.
The variety has remained popular among planters in Canada, Japan, Brazil and Portugal, where Isabella is still successfully grown to this day. CIS countries also do not refuse the opportunity to grow domestic grapes.
Description and features of Isabella grapes
Thanks to the detailed description of the variety, some features of the berries can be highlighted. Isabella is classified as a tableware type with a universal purpose. After all, the berries are used fresh, in the production of wine, juice, desserts, and jams. The main characteristics include:
- the berries ripen quite late;
- the plant tolerates frost, moisture, and drought well;
- not affected by infectious diseases such as chlorosis and anthracnose;
- the yield is high compared to other varieties;
- even after freezing, the vine of the bush is restored, reproduction occurs with the help of rooted seedlings.
A few years after planting, a tall bush grows, on which clusters with a cone shape are formed every year. The dark-colored berries have a round or oval shape and are densely packed.
Due to the presence of a waxy coating on the surface, the fruits acquire a bluish color. Despite its density, the skin is not difficult to separate from the pulp.
The vine develops quickly, as a result of which Isabella's bush is used as an ornamental plant.
What are the varieties?
One of the ubiquitous natural American hybrids is Isabella largefruited. The plant grows intensively. The clusters are small and have a cylindrical shape. Fertility is high, the bush is frost-resistant. The berries have thick skin.
Through numerous experiments, an early grape variety was developed - Isabella white. The clusters are of medium density, cylindrical in shape. The berries are small, round in shape, and have a thin skin. The variety is quite productive.
Selection of seedlings and site for planting
When choosing young seedlings, it is recommended to take into account some features:
- The best time to purchase a seedling is autumn. During this period, the seller can show the harvest and let you taste the fruits. In the spring, it is also possible to purchase material for planting, but you should not expect quick returns.
- Isabella takes root by the time frost sets in and begins to grow intensively in early spring.
- To avoid purchasing an infected seedling, and to avoid infecting other crops in the garden, you should purchase them from specialized nurseries.
- The best choice for a summer resident is a classic grape variety, because in pursuit of new products, you can make the wrong choice.
- It is recommended to choose elite and first category varieties. A strong and healthy vine often grows from initially weak shoots. Elite seedlings contain at least 4 developed roots, the shoot reaches 25 centimeters. The first variety has a not so strong and strong root system, the shoot is up to 20 centimeters.
When a powerful root system has formed, it is time to place the seedling in a permanent place.
For planting grapes You should choose a place based on the following criteria:
- the area should be sunny and protected from gusts of wind;
- if possible, it is recommended to plant seedlings near the walls of buildings or on gentle slopes; you can build a support for the vine yourself;
- if peat predominates in the area, add a little river sand to the soil;
- It is recommended to dilute clay soil with a drainage layer;
- sandy soil is enriched with rotted manure and compost;
- When an acidic reaction occurs in the soil, the area is diluted with lime.
Important! There should be no stagnation of groundwater in the soil for planting grapes.
How to plant Isabella grapes correctly?
For planting grapes it is recommended:
- Choose a suitable place, prepare the soil.
- Leave the purchased seedling in warm, settled water for 24 hours. The shoots are cut off by only 3-5 eyes and the roots by 50-100 millimeters.
- Prepare a hole for planting in advance, the depth of which should be about 50-90 centimeters, the diameter should be 80 centimeters.
- Drainage is placed at the bottom of the hole. The next layer is the excavated soil.
- A peg is installed for support.
- The following layer of potassium salt, ash and superphosphate is applied as fertilizer.
- After filling some soil on top, you can plant the bush.
- The root is dipped in clay slurry, buried and tied to a peg.
- The soil around the plant is compacted tightly.
- Planted grapes need to be watered abundantly. The hole is covered with peat.
It is recommended to plant seedlings at a distance of 150 centimeters from each other, at least 2 meters between rows.
Tips for care and cultivation
In order to get a high yield, you should follow the basic rules for caring for Isabella grapes:
- the soil should always be clean, free of weeds;
- The soil around the bush must be constantly loosened and the mounds maintained;
- It is recommended to accompany the cultivation of seedlings with proper watering for the first 2 years;
- The soil is fertilized at least three times a season. Experienced gardeners can recommend what to feed, depending on the type of soil;
- humus is added every 2-3 years;
- at the end of the first year of growth, it is recommended to form a support for the vine;
- Before the onset of frost, young seedlings should be covered; the use of pine needles is allowed.
Proper care and fulfillment of basic requirements help ensure good growth and abundant yield of Isabella.
An important process is fertilizing grapes. The most effective way is mulching, which promotes:
- maintaining soil moisture;
- improving vine nutrition;
- preventing the formation of earth crusts that impede the free movement of air;
- slowing down weed growth;
- protecting the roots of the bush during frost.
Humus, dry grass, compost, and wood sawdust are used as mulch. Spraying the solution is carried out using magnesium sulfate. The bush needs feeding based on liquid mineral fertilizers throughout the growing season.
In order to prevent and combat pests and diseases, it is recommended to spray shrubs with a solution of 10 teaspoons of soda and 10 tablespoons of salt per 10 liters of purified water.
To treat leaves, gardeners prepare a solution based on slaked lime. To prepare, just dilute 1 kilogram of quicklime with 3 liters of water. After the extinguishing process, add 7 liters of water and mix thoroughly.
Leaves can be treated with a brush.
Timing and pruning procedure
During the summer, the grape vine often grows and the bush needs to be pruned. It is recommended to use a special tool - a pruning shear. Often the pruning process is carried out in autumn or spring. Autumn pruning should be carried out when the bush completely sheds its leaves, when the grapes are preparing for wintering. The procedure should be completed before the first frost. Diseased and old parts must be removed.
Basic Rules, how to prune a grape bush correctly:
- on young bushes it is necessary to leave healthy shoots in the amount of no more than 8;
- It is recommended to carry out pruning carefully so as not to harm healthy parts of the grapes;
- woody stepsons are partially removed, green ones - completely;
- the top is also subject to removal, which promotes growth on the sides rather than in height;
- pruning is carried out at right angles, the cuts should remain smooth;
- Experienced gardeners recommend thinning the clusters and leaves, a large number of which contributes to a decrease in yield.
Summer pruning of shrubs is carried out in order to correct growth. It is important to monitor the fruitful and empty vines so as not to prune too much.
Pruning in the summer allows gardeners to carry out preventive maintenance on the plant to better cope with the active growing season.
Features of pruning in summer:
- In order for the load to be distributed evenly, young shoots should be broken off in early June. It is recommended to tie up the fruitful vine during this period. Thanks to this, the replacement for next year’s yield will be laid correctly.
- The flowering process ends in July; it is during this period that the stepsons should be removed, sprayed and fertilized. This contributes to high yields.
- In August, young shoots are minted by removing the upper parts of the root in order to compact the lower part of the root system.
- The antennae can be removed every day - they serve as a fastener.
Reproduction methods
Propagation by cuttings is quite common in gardening. When carrying out autumn pruning, cuttings are usually prepared for planting. A part of the annual shoot is cut off with a diameter of 7-10 millimeters and a length of 150-200 centimeters.
Experienced gardeners distinguish 2 methods of preparation:
- The leaves are removed from the prepared vines, the vine is twisted into a ring, and sent for storage in a dark, cool place. No additional processing is required. Cuttings are cut with the onset of spring; it is recommended to leave 5-6 eyes on them. On days 14-21, they are placed in water - warm, under the sun's rays, until roots appear. Then the cuttings should be rooted using mineral fertilizers in specially prepared soil.
- The cut vine is cut into small pieces - 20-40 centimeters each. The upper cut is located 2-3 centimeters from the eyes. The material is soaked in a solution based on iron sulfate for 60-120 minutes and left in a cool place until spring.
It is recommended to plant prepared cuttings in the first days of the last spring month. With proper planting and care, a high harvest is guaranteed in the future.
