Description of the Krasnostop grape variety and species characteristics, planting and care rules

Growing Krasnostop Zolotovsky grapes is very common in the south of Russia. It was there that this technical variety was born. But in recent years, its merits have also been appreciated by residents of other regions of the Black Earth Region. Its expansion is supported by both high yields and impressive persistence. So how did he actually bribe domestic gardeners?

How the variety was developed

Krasnostop Zolotovsky was born in Russia, and was first described in 1980, on the Zolotovsky farm in the Krasnodar Territory. This is where it got its name. Experts consider its ancestors to be ancient Dagestan varieties exported by the Cossacks during campaigns.

External characteristics

Like any other variety, Krasnostop grapes have their own distinctive characteristics. Certain nuances of appearance make it possible to distinguish this cultivar from any other.

Winegrowers focus on:

• general appearance of the bushes;
• leaves;
• shoots;
• shape and color of berries;
• bunch size;
• their shape.

Although the taste of the fruit, the period of their ripening and the plant’s resistance to frost are not related to appearance, they are still identified as the most important distinctive characteristics of the variety.

Bush and shoots

The bush of this grape is characterized by an average growth rate. At the same time, the shoots ripen very early. It blooms with bisexual flowers, which is considered an important distinguishing feature - the fact is that similar cultivars, like Gimra, bloom only with female flowers.

An important feature of a variety is the appearance of its leaves. Their color on the outside is always shiny and glossy, while on the inside it is pubescent. The veins are not green, but red, of a rich hue. The number of blades is three, each of which has an expanded middle part.

Pollination

This variety is self-pollinating, which distinguishes it from other cultivars of similar origin.

Ripening period and harvest quantity

This variety appeared in conditions close to the climate of most regions of the European part of Russia, south of Moscow. Therefore, it is distinguished by rapid growth and maturation.It produces leaf buds at the end of April. Before the crown appears, the release of signal shoots is observed. Well, the crown itself is in May. In most years, flowering occurs as early as early June. And in the first ten days of September, ripe fruits are already collected.

The productivity of Krasnostop is such that it is invariably classified as a high-yielding variety. Thanks to its increased resistance, even in harsh steppe conditions, it produces at least 60 centners per hectare. Of course, with good care and suitable weather, the yield only increases.

In especially dry years, the yield can fall and reach 20 centners per hectare.

Bunch size and berry taste

The shape of Krasnostop's bunches is quite classic - conical. At the same time, its dimensions are not very large, but not small either. The density of berry coverage is also average. Loose clusters with small fruits are quite often observed.

Main characteristics of grapes:

• size - from small to medium;
• shape - round, turning into an oval;
• color - dark, blue, with a purple tint;
• a waxy coating is often noticed on the surface of the berries;
• the skin is somewhat dense, easily peeled off;
• sugar content - from 22 to 30% on average;
• acidity is at a level typical for technical varieties.

The popularity of the variety was brought by its high yield, equal to 80 centners per hectare in good years, and its high ripening speed - the berries become ripe no later than 137 days (under normal conditions).

Immunity to diseases and insects

Despite good indicators of disease resistance, this cultivar is affected by typical fungal diseases of grapes - mildew and powdery mildew (oidium). The danger increases in unfavorable years or with poor care. The main signs of these diseases:

• spots on leaves, shoots, cuttings and berries;
• cracking of the skin;
• rotting of the pulp;
• desiccation of fruits.

When the infection is particularly severe, the bush emits an unpleasant odor.

To avoid such problems, the plant is sprayed, for preventive purposes, with preparations containing copper.

As for pests, the felt mite is considered the most dangerous for Krasnostop. Leaf rollers and grape moths also infect bushes of this variety, but on a smaller scale.

Frost resistance

Krasnostop Zolotovsky is able to survive winter in most regions of the Black Earth Region. Therefore, it is classified as medium cold-resistant. At the same time, when temperatures drop below the cherished indicator of -23 degrees, it requires shelter.

If the gardener did not have time to cover the bush, it is not a disaster. One of the main advantages of the variety is its ability to grow in the spring even from frozen shoots. The only thing is that the timing of ripening and the beginning of fruit appearance shifts.

Growing area

Krasnostop Zolotovsky feels as good as possible in the Black Sea region. At the same time, it is able to grow and bear fruit well throughout the Russian Black Earth Region.

Landing technology

Krasnostop Zolotovsky is a trellis variety. This means that before planting, the need to install trellises up to two meters high is taken into account. Choose a sufficiently illuminated area, not exposed to strong winds and, preferably, located on the south or east side. The groundwater in such an area should not be too deep, but there should not be a danger of flooding.

Soil preparation in the form of digging is carried out a couple of weeks before planting. If we are talking about poor soils, then humus, superphosphates and other suitable fertilizers are added.Seedlings are planted when there is no danger of even night frosts.

The minimum distance between seedlings is a meter. And between the ridges - one and a half. To obtain the optimal distance, these indicators are increased, on average, by 20-30 centimeters. They retreat half a meter from the fence.

Rules of care

Despite all the unpretentiousness of this grape variety, it produces truly abundant harvests only with proper care. And proper care includes:

• timely watering;
• disease prevention;
• weed and pest control;
• feeding with fertilizers;
• pruning

Only by taking all this into account will the winegrower be able to enjoy the fruits of his labors.

Irrigation

Timely watering is a mandatory procedure in the case of Krasnostop. It is able to grow in the arid steppe, but prefers regular moisture.

The most abundant watering is the first. Immediately after planting the seedlings, at least three buckets of water are poured under them. After this, water every time the soil noticeably dries out. It is advisable to loosen the soil before irrigation. The presence of drainage is also important.

In dry years, grapes are watered more often and loosened more intensively.

Top dressing

Fertilizing of grape bushes is not carried out as often as in the case of some other crops, but it is not neglected. Much depends on the type of soil in which the plant lives. If it is black soil, then less fertilizer is used.

The first fertilizing occurs before planting. Compost or humus is added to the beds. In the future, special nutrients are used less frequently - once every year or two. At the same time, they limit themselves to nitrogen fertilizers, which contribute to an increase in the sugar content in berries.

Trimming and pinching

Pruning is a must for any grapevine.They resort to it for the following reasons:

• to improve frost resistance;
• to create a strong compact bush;
• to increase productivity.

Pruning is done every few weeks, starting from the first year of the crop's life.

Shelter from frost

As noted above, Krasnostop Zolotovsky is moderately winter-hardy. This means that in some years it requires shelter. To do this, use conventional covering materials such as agrofibre.

Preventative treatment

To prevent grape diseases, preparations containing copper are used. For example, a solution of vitriol. Spray several times a season under unfavorable conditions.

Diseases and pests - ways to combat them

The main pest of this variety is the felt mite. A solution with soap or special preparations is used against it.

Conclusion

Krasnostop Zolotovsky is one of the best domestic varieties. Its wide distribution is facilitated by its ability to withstand low temperatures in winter and its ripening speed of 135 days. We must not forget about resistance to disease.