Description and characteristics of the Catalonia grape variety, fruiting and growing rules

The ancestors of the Catalonia grape were the Talisman and Burgundy Magnolia (Mantle) varieties. The plant and its clusters got their aesthetic appeal from Burgundy Magnolia, and the berries got their refined taste from Talisman. This self-fertile table grape variety with bisexual flowers was given to gardeners by breeder Alexander Vasilyevich Burdak.

Description of Catalonia grapes

Fruiting of the Catalonia variety begins in the first season after planting. The grapes growing in Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova do not require any special care. For the cold regions of the North-West, Moscow region, and the Baltic states, this variety is not the most suitable; it will have to be carefully covered in anticipation of winter.

The grape bush of this variety has a powerful structure; massive clusters weighing from 600 g to 1 kg are easily held on the vine. The bushes are generously strewn with massive conical clusters.

Depending on the region of growth, the variety can be classified as either early-ripening or mid-ripening. In warm regions, the berries begin to ripen by the end of July; in mid-latitudes, you can enjoy their taste no earlier than the last ten days of August.

Origin of the variety

The variety was bred by the usual crossing of vines of two grape varieties with large red and blue fruits. What improved the taste of one and the appearance and transportability of the other.

Description of the bush

The bushes are vigorous, spreading, and resistant to stress. The shoots growing together reinforce each other. The leaves are medium sized, dark green. The veins do not differ in color, but clearly stand out on the leaf plate.

The seedling takes root quickly in fertile soils. The plant is highly adaptable to climatic conditions. Immediately after planting, the plant begins to take root intensively, and simultaneously with this stage, the formation of the vine occurs.

The first harvest consists mainly of bunches not exceeding 500-600 g. Proper care of the plant will increase the yield by increasing the weight of each berry (from 12 to 18 g).

Main characteristics

Catalonia is not highly resistant to frost. The maximum cold snap that the bush can withstand during winter without consequences is -23 °C. Resistance to fungal diseases and insect pests. Fruiting is abundant, annual.

Sweet and juicy berry

The berries of the Catalonia grape variety attract wasps and birds with their aroma and juiciness. It is extremely difficult for wasps to damage the thick skin, but the beaks of birds can seriously damage the crop. Large berries, growing in heavy clusters, are more often used for making wine than for consumption raw. The tasting assessment of the taste of Catalonia is 8.9 points out of 10 possible.

The sweet taste of the pulp is mixed with the tart aroma of the skin, which gives an astringent aftertaste. This combination of pulp and skin flavors is typical for grape varieties grown for wine production.

Immunity from diseases and pests

Catalan grape bushes are resistant to fungal pathogens - mildew, oidium, gray rot. Most insect pests do not like this grapevine variety. The tart aroma of the skin of the berries repels leaf rollers and phylloxera.

What is special and how does the variety differ from others?

The peculiarity of the variety lies in its tendency to fasciation - the fusion of stems. This cannot be considered a disadvantage, because the vineyard shoots have to withstand a significant load.

Bunches of grapes ripen simultaneously and evenly, withstand a long shelf life without loss of presentation and taste. When mature clusters are left on the vine, the berries also do not wrinkle and do not lose their taste. The berries of the Catalonia grape variety are not prone to peas.

The plant develops poorly in soil with high acidity, cannot tolerate waterlogging, and is susceptible to chlorosis and mold. During severe frosts, the roots freeze, which affects the health of the bush and the quality of the harvest.

Landing in the ground

Before planting grape seedlings in the ground, their roots must be soaked in water for a day. If the soil is not fertile, then a growth regulator can be added to the water. It promotes better rooting and shoot formation.

Preparing the landing site

The area for planting must be leveled, the roots of weeds and stones must be removed from it. When choosing a location, it is necessary to take into account that the seedlings must be exposed to the sun's rays and protected from the winds. Lean soil must be saturated with mineral fertilizers, acidic soil must be normalized with fluffed lime, or better yet, ash.

Choosing seedlings

The young seedling has brown shoots with a greenish tint. The gray or dark brown color of the bark indicates that the seedling is old. It is not suitable for planting; its adaptation to a new place will be long and painful.

Peeling and lumpiness on the bark are signs of disease. Damage to the bark and broken branches are the highest risk areas for fungal and bacterial damage. Such seedlings are also not suitable. There should be no damage to the rhizome of the plant.

Landing calendar

From mid to late October, it is necessary to plant the seedling in a previously prepared hole. The favorable days for planting change every year. What remains unchanged is that it is recommended to replant plants on a waxing moon, and not on a waning one.If grapes are classified as berry bushes, then the suitable days are 2, 3, 11, 12, 15, 16, 20, 21; if Catalonia, due to its high growth and the peculiarity of the fusion of shoots, is classified as fruit trees, then it should be planted on 11, 12, 15 , 16th, 20th, 21st, 25th, 26th. You cannot plan planting on the 8th, 9th, 10th, or 24th; it will be more difficult for the plant to adapt and enter the stage of painless rooting.

Sequence of steps during disembarkation

The planting hole is prepared in advance, approximately 10-14 days before planting. The recommended width and depth is 1 m. It is partially filled:

• 15-20 cm - drainage layer.
• Soil mixed with humus and mineral fertilizers necessary for autumn fertilizing (the exact list of mineral additives is specified in accordance with the characteristics of the soil of the area).
• The enriched soil is covered with soil selected from the hole.
• Humidification is carried out - 10 liters of water.

A day before planting, the root system of the seedling is soaked in water. Immediately before planting, the roots are treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This will protect the roots from insect pests and worms:

1. The treated seedling is placed in the middle of the hole on an earthen elevation.
2. Its roots are carefully straightened.
3. The hole is filled 2/3 with soil (in chernozem regions, simple, in non-chernozem regions, enriched with compost, humus, manure).
4. Watering is carried out, which will somewhat compact the soil.
5. The hole is filled to the top with soil.
6. After the soil is compacted, the area is mulched.

Gartering for fast-growing Catalonia grape shrubs is a mandatory step.

Growing and care

Proper care ensures the health of the bush and a quality harvest for the winegrower.

Bush pruning

When pruning in autumn and spring, old shoots are removed; they are distinguished from the rest by their gray, flaky bark. Pruning of vines, leaves, and shoots affected by disease or insects is carried out immediately after detection of the disease. Weak and thin shoots are also cut off; they only draw juice from strong shoots, which will affect the size of the bunches.

Watering

Systematic watering of Catalonia grapes during the vegetative stage of the plant is recommended in areas with a hot, dry climate. Catalonia will not withstand strong moisture; it can be affected by a putrefactive fungus. In cold regions, abundant watering is recommended for the plant at stages:

• bud breaking;
• flowering;
• formation of bunches - weight gain;
• before the onset of winter frosts.

Attention! No watering is carried out 4 weeks before the planned harvest. The more moisture the grapes receive during this period, the more acids and less sugars there will be in its juice.

Fertilizer

Before the flowering period and during the formation of ovaries, the soil at the roots is enriched with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Mineral fertilizers are applied as needed, which depends on the soil in which the vineyard is planted.

How to protect against diseases and pests

Preventive measures:

• timely protection from frost;
• high-quality fertilizers;
• spraying with insecticides until the vegetative stage;
• removing fallen leaves and fruits from under the bush;
• regular replacement of mulch after winter and harvest;
• pruning affected and damaged shoots as they are detected.

It is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it, risking the harvest.

Berry ripening

Ripening of the Catalonia grape variety occurs simultaneously.In Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and the Krasnodar Territory, it falls on the horses of July, in central Russia on the horses of August - early September.

Fruiting dates

After planting, already in the first season, the bushes of Catalonia delight with a decent harvest. From the beginning of the growing season to harvest in different climatic zones, it takes from 90 to 110 days.

Preparatory work before winter

In a climate where winters are not particularly harsh, the thermometer does not fall below -23 °C, Catalonia grapes are not threatened by freezing of roots and shoots. Here it is enough to carry out high-quality mulching of the soil. Where there is a threat of frequent thaws, it is necessary to provide drainage and drainage of melt water from plants.

In cold regions, it is necessary to cover the vineyard with film, creating greenhouse wintering conditions for it, and with each snowfall, increase the snowdrift next to it. The thicker the layer of snow, the less the ground will freeze.

Harvest and use

Catalonia grapes are harvested at the full ripening stage. For some time, mature clusters can hang on the bushes without any damage to the grower. After harvesting, the grapes can be sent for storage, sale, or processing into wine must.