Description of the Mukuzani grape variety, planting and care rules

The Mukuzani grape variety is considered a crop of folk selection, since there is no information about its breeding. This variety of plant was discovered by chance in a Georgian village with the same name. Over time, the grapes were cultivated. Today it is very popular in the northern regions and central Russia. In order for the crop to develop normally and bear fruit abundantly, it must be properly cared for.

Description and characteristics of the Mukuzani variety

This hybrid grape is perfect for growing in the Voronezh region. However, this is far from the only region. The plant is characterized by an early period of ripening. In the center you can pick fruits at the beginning of August, in the north - at the end of September.

Characteristics of bushes

The average height of the plant reaches 4 meters. According to the description, the leaves can have 3 or 5 lobes. Deep sections are observed on the surface of the plates. The leaves have a round shape and a rough surface.

The bush has bisexual flowers. Thanks to this, the plants are well pollinated and produce an excellent harvest. The shoots are characterized by excellent development. Each of them brings 4 large bunches.

Productivity

From 1 adult bush you can get 40-50 kilograms of harvest. The fruits can easily be transported.

Bunches and berries

The clusters are distinguished by their conical shape and dense arrangement of berries. The length of the bunches rarely grows beyond 30 centimeters. The berries are characterized by their small size and round shape. The mass of each of them is 1.5-3 grams.

The berries have a normal taste without any specific notes. The variety is well suited for making light wine. The fruits have a dark purple hue. Each of them is covered with a natural coating, which extends the shelf life of the fruit. The berry contains 2-3 seeds.

Main pros and cons

Mukuzani is a wild grape variety. Thanks to this, the variety is considered very resistant. Unlike cultivated varieties, the plant has strong immunity, easily adapts to negative conditions and does not suffer from pest attacks.

Other benefits of culture include the following:

• excellent transportability;
• simultaneous ripening of fruits;
• resistance to major diseases;
• frost resistance;
• juicy fruits;
• pleasant taste.

The only disadvantage is the rapid development of shoots. This forces gardeners to prune frequently.

Subtleties of growing a plant

To achieve success in growing crops, it is necessary to carry out planting work correctly and strictly follow the care recommendations.

Site selection and preparation

First of all, it is important to choose the site wisely. It is best to plant grapes on a southern slope that is well ventilated. The culture is distinguished by long roots. Therefore, groundwater must lie at a depth of at least 2.5 meters.

Carrots, cereals, and melon plants will be good predecessors for the plant. Grapes can also be planted after carrots and zucchini.

Do not place it near sage and colored peas.

Chernozem is perfect for culture. It is also permissible to plant grapes in sandy and loamy soil. If the soil is too acidic, it is worth adding lime.

Landing in the ground

To plant a plant in a trench, you should dig holes measuring 80x80 centimeters and lay drainage at the bottom. It is recommended to pour a layer of earth on top. A bush is placed on it, the root system is straightened and sprinkled with earth. The plant should be buried down to 2 buds, compacted and watered with 20 liters of water. Cover the soil with mulch.

Rules for caring for grapes

In order for the plant to bear fruit abundantly, it needs to be provided with quality care. It must be comprehensive.

Fertilizer

In the first 2-3 years, the plant does not need organic matter. The first feeding is carried out for the growth of fruiting branches.To do this, dissolve 40 grams of ammonium nitrate, 20 grams of potassium salt, and 15 grams of superphosphate in 10 liters of water.

To stimulate flowering and the formation of fruit ovaries, it is worth adding a composition based on 15 grams of ammonium nitrate and 20 grams of potassium salt. After 1 week, 5 grams of boric acid are added to the composition. During fruiting, it is worth using 40 grams of superphosphate and 20 grams of potassium magnesia.

Watering

Grapes of this variety tolerate dry weather well. With stable precipitation, it is enough to water the plant 3-4 times. In the absence of rain, the first watering is carried out in March and April, pouring 30 liters of water under the bush. It is worth moistening the soil a second time in May.

During fruiting, the plant needs to be watered 2-3 times.

Trimming

Mukuzani requires systematic thinning of bushes and cutting off excess branches. If this procedure is not carried out in time, the berries will not fully ripen, which will cause uneven ripening of the vine. Spring pruning should be done in March.

Weeding

For the normal development of bushes, the beds should be systematically weeded. There should be no weeds or other unnecessary plants near the plant.

Wintering

For the winter, the grapes should be removed from the support and trimmed to leave short shoots. It is recommended to bend the vine to the ground, tie it and pin it to the ground. Then the plant is hilled up and covered with spruce branches.

Methods of controlling diseases and pests

The bush may suffer from the following diseases:

1. Downy mildew. Bordeaux mixture is used to combat it.
2. Gray rot. Copper sulfate will help cope with the disease.
3. Fruit rot. To eliminate problems, bushes are treated with Khomus.

Among the pests, grapes are susceptible to attacks by wasps, aphids and birds.To cope with birds, bushes are fenced with dense nets. To protect the crop from wasps, special bags are suitable. Oxychoma solution helps to cope with aphids.

Timing and technology of harvesting

The fruits ripen in mid-August or early September. Harvesting should be done with sharp pruning shears. It is important to leave a long petiole. For transportation, grapes are placed in small boxes with holes..

Mukuzani grapes are very popular among farmers and are often used to make wine. To obtain a bountiful harvest, the bush must be properly cared for.