The main use of Crystal grapes is as a raw material for the production of fortified dry and sweet wines of the Jerez brand. But, due to the high sugar content in the berries and high taste, it is very popular among amateur gardeners - for fresh consumption, making natural juices, compotes, marshmallows, jam, raisins.
History of the variety
The Crystal variety was obtained by Hungarian winegrowers by two-stage crossing of Amur grapes with Hungarian varieties: Csallotsi Lajos - 1st stage and Villar blanc - 2nd stage of selection.
From the Amur grapes, Crystal received endurance to adverse weather conditions and severe frosts, and from the Hungarian varieties - noble taste and resistance to diseases and pests.
This variety is grown in the North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions.
Description of grapes Crystal
Crystal is a technical grape variety with a high sugar content, it is a self-fertile variety (with bisexual flowers), and does not require proximity to pollinators.
Description of the variety:
- bushes are medium-sized, with split leaves of dark green color;
- bunches of medium size, with medium density of berries;
- bunch of conical cylindrical shape;
- medium-sized berries (berry weight - from 2.0 to 2.5 grams), oval in shape;
- the berries are light green, yellow, with a pink tint when ripe;
- The grapes have juicy, tender pulp, small seeds, a dense skin, covered with a waxy coating, which serves as protection against pests.
Characteristics of plants and berries
Crystal is an early ripening variety; full ripening of the berries occurs 4 months after the spring awakening of the vine. In the Saratov and Volgograd regions, the mass grape harvest occurs in mid-August; in the Astrakhan region and the North Caucasus, the harvest begins in early August.
The variety produces consistently high yields - from 160, on average, to 200 centners per hectare.
The weight of one bunch is 180-200 grams.The berries retain their taste in clusters on the vine until the onset of cold weather.
The crystal can gain a sugar content of 18 to 23% of the weight of the berries on the Brix scale, which is considered a good indicator.
The tasting rating of table wines of the Sherry brand from Crystal grapes is estimated at 8.5 points, and sparkling wine - 9.1 points on a 10-point scale.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Advantages of the Crystal variety: high and stable yield, early ripening of berries, resistance to fungal diseases and gray rot (at the genetic level).
The variety tolerates frosts with shelter from -29 0From to -35 0C, depending on the methods and quality of the covering material.
The disadvantage is the formation of small berries (peas) in the bunch - this occurs from poor quality care of the grapes during the formation of the bunch and negative climatic conditions in the spring.
Selection of seedlings and site
Selection of sites for grapes: lowlands, areas with close groundwater, and areas blown by winds are not suitable for planting. In such areas, the grapes and their root system rot, the plant grows slowly or dies, and becomes infected with fungal diseases.
Hill slopes are chosen for plots, and seedlings are planted on the south side.
When choosing seedlings, pay attention to the condition of the root system. The roots should be up to 10 centimeters long, healthy roots have a light brown color, young roots are green, and the internal fibers are white.
It is better to choose seedlings rooted in the ground.
The grapes propagate well by cuttings (3-4 buds), germinated for 2-4 weeks in water; After the formation of roots 3-4 centimeters long, the cuttings are planted in the ground.
Planting Tips
Planting of seedlings or cuttings is carried out in holes with a drainage layer of pebbles and clay shards; Nutrient soil is laid on top of the drainage with the addition of wood ash and complex mineral fertilizer.
The seedlings are laid at an angle and covered with soil, leaving the root collar 3 centimeters above the ground. To stimulate growth and rooting, the seedling is watered with a solution Potassium humate and Heteroauxin (root growth stimulator).
It is better to plant seedlings in the spring, when the air warms up to +15 0WITH.
The distance between plants is 80 centimeters, and between rows - 2.5 meters.
Growing and care
Growing and caring for grapes includes agrotechnical and technological cultivation procedures.
It is necessary to carry out annual pruning and pinching of shoots, to prevent thickening of the bush, which leads to a decrease in yield and disease of the bushes. It is necessary to prune the shoots in late autumn or early spring, when the vine is dormant.
When pruning, a replacement shoot of 3-4 buds and a main shoot of up to 10 buds are left on the sleeve. A total of up to 60 buds can be left on a mature vine. Watering is carried out depending on weather conditions. In dry weather, watering is carried out every ten days; in rainy summers, water as needed.
Fertilizing is carried out with mineral fertilizers. Potassium humate is a universal stimulator of grape growth and development.
Weeding under the bushes and mulching the soil with pine needles will protect the plants from pests.
About diseases and pests
The main diseases of grapes are mildew, oidium, gray rot; among pests, grapes suffer from mites and wasps. The crystal has a protective gene against rot and good resistance to the penetration of fungal spores.
Preventive treatment (2 times a year) with combined fungicides provides protection against diseases and pests.
To protect against wasps, traps are made, and the bunches are wrapped in mesh fabric.
