The northern regions of Russia are not suitable for growing heat-loving grapes. But for those who want to grow crops in cold climates, varieties with special characteristics have been bred. Let's look at the Northern Shoulder grape, its description, advantages and disadvantages, and the subtleties of cultivation. How and when to plant grapes, how to care for the bush, water and feed it, prune it and protect it from diseases.
Characteristics and description of the variety
This is a hybrid of European and Amur grapes, medium late, in the Rostov region the fruits ripen by mid-September. The bushes grow to medium and above average height. The flowers of the vine are bisexual. The brushes are conical or cylindrical-conical, large, medium in density, weighing on average 370 g, the largest - 700 g.
The grapes are medium in size, round in shape, the color of the skin is dark blue, almost black. Weight, on average, 2.2 g. The pulp of the grapes is juicy, the skin is medium-dense, and is easily separated from the pulp. The taste is considered harmonious; a lot of light-colored juice can be obtained from the pulp - up to 85%. The sugar content of the Northern Shoulder grape is 22-24 g/100 cm3, acidity is 8-9 g/dm3.
The variety has average resistance to fungal diseases, high winter hardiness, grapes can be grown without covering, with the exception of the regions of the Urals and Siberia. The yield level is high, the grapes are versatile, the berries can be used for food and for making table wines.
Pros and cons of Northern shoulder grapes
Advantages of the variety:
- winter hardiness;
- disease resistance;
- dense clusters;
- juicy pulp;
- excellent taste;
- productivity;
- the ability to use berries for food and juice making.
Disadvantages: reduced yield and deterioration in taste if the bushes do not get enough water.
Subtleties of growing a plant
The Northern Shoulder variety needs to be planted correctly, choose the right place for planting and during planting follow the recommendations on agricultural practices for the crop. Then the engraftment will be successful, the plant will not get sick, and will quickly continue to grow and develop.
Where and when to plant
The time for planting Northern shoulder grape seedlings occurs 2 times a season - in spring and autumn.On the site you need to choose a south or south-west side so that the vine is illuminated by the sun and protected from the wind.
The crop prefers neutral, sandy or loamy, light and fertile soil.
Before planting, you need to prepare a planting hole; its width and depth must be at least 0.5-0.7 m. A drainage layer must be placed down so that it drains excess water from the roots. You also need to prepare a fertile substrate, its composition: half of the excavated soil, sand, humus and ash. The whole mixture must be mixed well.
Landing rules
A distance of 1.5-2 m in a row and at least 2 m in row-spacings should be left between the seedlings of the Northern Shoulder. Each seedling is planted in a previously prepared hole. The planting process is simple: straighten the roots, place the grapes in the center, sprinkle with soil. Water and cover the surface with a layer of mulch.
Further care of the bush
After planting, a period of plant care begins. The grapes need to be watered, fertilized, monitored, and pruned. After the end of the season, cover for the winter.
Watering and fertilizing
The young seedling is watered often at first, 1 or 2 times a week, until it takes root. 2 months after planting, you can reduce the frequency of watering to once a month. An adult bush should be watered only during drought; this is especially important, since with a lack of water, the number of grapes decreases.
Fertilizing is carried out starting next year after planting. At first, they fertilize only in the spring; after the start of fruiting, the bush is fertilized at least 3 times: before the leaves begin to bloom, after the fruits set, and when they reach the size of a pea. At the first feeding, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied, at the 2nd and 3rd – phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.
Pruning crop
In the fall or next year, in the spring you need to prune the shoots of the Northern shoulder grapes. Remove all old and fruit-bearing shoots, dry and damaged, or frozen in the spring. After flowering, leave no more than 2 inflorescences on each shoot so as not to overload the plant.
Winter period
Despite the fact that, according to its characteristics, the variety can withstand frost down to -30˚C, in the northern regions the grapes need to be covered. To do this, the shoots are removed from the trellis, tied together and laid on the ground.
Diseases and pests
The Northern Shoulder variety is resistant to mildew and other fungal diseases. But for prevention, the bushes are sprayed with fungicidal preparations even before the disease appears. If signs of damage appear, you need to prepare a solution by dissolving the therapeutic dose of the drug. With good care, bushes are resistant to pests, but weakened plants are attacked by aphids. You can get rid of it by treating with insecticidal agents.
Harvesting and storing grapes
The grapes are harvested when the berries are ripe. Remove them by carefully cutting off the bunches with pruning shears. Such brushes can be stored in a cold, dark room, for example, in a cellar, where they can remain until mid-winter. You can make juice and canned products from overripe grapes.
The main advantage of the Northern shoulder is its resistance to frost; this property makes it possible to plant and grow it even in cold climates. Like many varieties with this characteristic, it is unpretentious; standard care is sufficient. The grapes are sweet, tasty, juicy, and make excellent table wines.
