Many gardeners are engaged in growing Blagovest grapes on their plots. The culture ripens early. The bunches are well stored, and the taste of the fruit is bright and rich. But in order to reap a rich harvest, you need to study the features of caring for the variety. It is important to prevent vine disease, choose the right planting material and care for the plant throughout the growing season.
Brief history of selection
Blagovest grapes are not included in the State Register of Varieties.The hybrid was bred by a national breeder from the Rostov region. For his work, Viktor Krainov used the well-known varieties Talisman and Radiant Kishmish. Experiments to create a frost-resistant crop lasted about 4 years and ended at the end of the last century. Winegrowers in the south of Russia were the first to appreciate the merits of the variety. Today Blagovest is widespread among local residents and in other regions of the country.
Description and characteristics of Blagovest grapes
Blagovest forms many fruitful shoots. The flowers of the self-pollinating variety bloom in early summer. Large berries have a conical shape and weigh about 15 grams. The taste reveals notes of nutmeg, which are complemented by hints of pear. The high percentage of sugar and juiciness makes the variety popular with winemakers.
The harvest begins in August. The clusters remain on the bush for a long time. As the fruits ripen, they acquire a bright amber color. With proper care, winegrowers harvest up to 7 kilograms of berries from one bush.
In winter, the grapes can withstand frosts down to 22 °C. But agronomists do not advise neglecting the insulation of bushes when the temperature drops. During drought, Blagovest can go without watering for a long time due to its developed root system.
Pros and cons of culture
The deficiencies of the crop can be easily eliminated by observing agrotechnical norms and rules for plant care.
Growing the variety
To grow Blagovest grapes, you need to choose high-quality rooting material and then organize proper care for the vine.
Preparation of planting material
For growing, shoots are purchased in specialized stores. Seedlings with a strong trunk and overgrown roots are selected.
You can prepare the material yourself. Seedlings begin to be harvested in the fall. Only healthy vines are suitable for cuttings. During the winter it is stored in a cool place, and before the onset of heat they begin to germinate. Before planting, the roots are trimmed a little and then dipped in a mixture of mullein and clay. No more than 3 eyes are left on the shoot. If the seedling has several branches, leave the strongest branch, the rest are removed using a sharp knife.
Landing
The place for rooting the vine begins to be prepared 2 weeks before planting:
- In the selected area, loosen the soil and select weeds and root remains.
- Dig holes about 80 centimeters deep and the same width.
- The soil is mixed with ash, manure and superphosphate.
- The pit is filled with the resulting mixture, leaving a third of the space free.
- The seedling is lowered into the hole and covered with earth. After watering, cover the soil with a layer of hay, sawdust or agrofibre.
Sunny areas protected from drafts are suitable for planting Blagovest grapes.
Further care of the plant
After planting, it is important to properly care for the plant. The bushes require special attention in the first years of cultivation. During the season, Blagovest grape seedlings are fed 3 times with mineral complexes and organic fertilizers are added to the soil.
Watering
Young, fragile shoots need regular replenishment with water.Until the vine takes root, water the plant up to 2 times a week.
Moistening the soil where mature bushes grow is carried out according to the following scheme:
| Irrigation number | Irrigation period |
| 1 | Before the first leaves appear on the vine |
| 2 | Half a month before flowering begins |
| 3 | When the fruit ripens to the size of a pea |
| 4 | 3 weeks before harvest |
| 5 | After leaf fall, subject to dry weather. During prolonged rains this watering is skipped |
From 5 to 7 buckets of water are added to each bush. After irrigation or precipitation, the soil on the site is loosened to provide air access to the root system.
Trimming
Gardeners prefer to prune Blagovest grapes in the fall rather than in the spring. About 30 shoots are left on each bush. This amount is optimal for load distribution. A section with 8 eyes is removed from the vine. In the future they can be used as cuttings.
Dangerous diseases and pests
Blagovest grapes are resistant to most garden diseases. Gray rot, as well as diseases such as mildew or oidium, pose a danger to the crop.
The problem is solved by spraying the bushes with Bordeaux mixture. 4 treatments during the warm season reduce the risk of infection to a minimum. Thinning of the vine is recommended as a preventative measure. Fresh air prevents the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
Of the pests, wasps pose a danger to Blagovest. There are no effective methods to combat them. Sometimes winegrowers cover the grapes with a thin net. Other insects rarely attack fruits.
Cleaning and storage
Blagovest is harvested as the fruits ripen.It is recommended to use pruning shears to cut brushes. If you pick the bunches with your hands, you can crush the berries, and damaged grapes will quickly spoil.
To store the crop, choose cool places, protected from light. The hybrid tolerates transportation well.
Gardeners highly value this relatively recently developed variety. Blagovest grapes practically do not get sick and are resistant to weather vagaries. If agrotechnical cultivation standards are observed, it produces a harvest in the third year after planting. Berries with pear and nutmeg flavors are popular among winemakers.
