Description and characteristics of the Strasensky grape variety, planting and cultivation

Today there are quite a lot of grape varieties on the horticultural market, so it is often difficult to make a choice. The main difference is the shape and color of the berries, fruiting rates, and the ability to withstand difficult growing conditions. If you want to try to grow such a crop on your plot, you should pay attention to the Strashensky grape variety, having previously learned about its characteristics and requirements for cultivation.

History of variety development

The Strasensky variety, often called Consul, appeared in the 80s of the last century and was the result of selection by scientists from Moldova. The culture belongs to the category of complex interspecific ones, since several grape varieties were used in its creation.

Growing area

Initially, the variety was bred for the growing conditions of the Republic of Moldova, in whose territory it showed good results. Today, the garden crop is successfully grown in Russia, Armenia, Italy and France. The ability of the variety to tolerate temperatures down to -20 ⁰C makes it possible to form plantings in regions with difficult climatic conditions, but the plant does not have good drought resistance.

External parameters and characteristics of grapes

The description classifies the hybrid table variety Strashensky as a high-yielding species with an average ripening period. The bushes are formed powerful, with large leaf plates, the upper surface of which is smooth and the lower surface is covered with bristles. The advantage of the variety is resistance to frost and easy rooting of cuttings and seedlings.

At the moment of flowering, bisexual flowers are formed, so the plant does not need additional pollination. The large berries are round in shape and dark purple or almost black in color. The weight of one berry varies from 10 to 15 g, some grapes can reach 22 g.

Yield quantity and taste of fruits

The dark-colored berries form clusters of grapes weighing 700 g; their weight is recorded at 2.2 kg. With proper care, the plant begins to produce its first fruits already in the 1st or 2nd year. Strashensky grapes, when grown on an industrial scale, can produce up to 250 centners per hectare; on a personal plot, one bush produces up to 30 kg of grapes.

Grapes have thin skin and juicy pulp. The tasting qualities of the fruit were rated 8, which indicates high taste levels. Sugar content reaches 19%. The fruits are not capable of long-term storage and cannot withstand long-term transportation.

Planting and care conditions

The quality of the purchased seedling is of no small importance, so it is necessary to purchase grapes only in specialized nurseries and preferably in the region in which the garden plot is located. The plant must be free of signs of damage and putrefactive defects.

Compliance with the necessary planting rules and providing the shoots with the conditions necessary for growth are the key to obtaining a decent harvest. Despite the fact that the variety is frost-resistant and can tolerate low temperatures in regions with cold climates, it is recommended to put it under shelter during the winter period.

To do this, the vines are removed from the supporting supports and placed under a protective structure until spring. This type of work is done before frost sets in. When forming a protective structure, it is important to take into account that the lack of air, humidity and excessive insulation will lead to the effect of “overheating” of the plant, which can negatively affect its condition in the spring or lead to death.

Pit depth and optimal placement of seedlings

Plantings are formed in spring or autumn; it is recommended to place them in even rows. A distance of 2.5 m must be maintained between shoots and 3 m between rows. A sufficient planting depth is considered to be 80 cm.

Before planting, you need to straighten the root shoots well, trim them and, if desired, soak them in a growth stimulator. At the time of planting, it is necessary to achieve uniform distribution of the roots inside the planting hole, then cover it with a layer of fertile soil and thoroughly water it.

The soil

Strashensky grapes are picky about the planting location and adequate lighting. It requires fertile soil and a lot of light, so for placement choose sunny southern areas, protected from gusts of wind. The plant does not tolerate stagnant water, so planting in areas close to groundwater should be avoided.

For light and sandy soils, it is not necessary to provide a drainage layer, since they allow moisture and oxygen to pass through well. Dense types of soil require intervention and adjustment of their qualities. Drainage made of crushed stone, crushed brick or coarse sand will help improve the quality of soil permeability and avoid stagnation of water.

Watering

The Strashensky variety is moisture-loving, so it requires regular, abundant watering. After planting the seedlings, the soil is moistened once every 7 days; after harvesting, the frequency is reduced to once a month. Excessive humidity may cause the grapes to crack.

Fertilizer

The nutritional value and fertility of the soil directly affect the fruiting rates of grapes. To improve the quality of the soil, fertilizers are applied. The first work is carried out in the fall, adding humus or compost when digging. When planning to plant seedlings in the fall, the fertilizer complex is applied to the holes 3 weeks in advance. When planting in spring, add 1 bucket of organic fertilizer and 1 g of superphosphate to one hole.

Pruning and shaping the vines

Grapes of this variety are characterized by a long flowering period, which often negatively affects the ripening period of the fruit. To prevent such a problem, remove the first grape tassel on each bush.

Due to the fact that the variety is high-yielding, the shoots tend to suffer from overload.

To maintain proper plant health, it is necessary to cut off empty flowers and unformed buds. It is considered optimal for grapes to have no more than 18 eyes on one shoot. Pruning of grapes is carried out in a standard way. From 4 to 6 eyes are left on the shoot, taking into account that the largest clusters are formed at the second level.

Pollination

The hybrid produces flowers of both sexes, so the presence of female and male inflorescences allows only this variety to be planted on the site. For fruiting, Strashensky does not require planting other grape crops.

Flowering and fruiting period

The flowering and ripening of Strasensky grapes is delayed in time, which is due to the large size of the bunches. Often there is a situation where the top ones have already stopped blooming, and 1/3 of the bottom ones are just starting the process. A similar situation is observed during the period of fruit ripening.

The period of fruit production, depending on the growing region, ranges from 130 to 145 days. Their color change occurs gradually. The first signs of color acquisition are observed already in mid-July, which becomes more saturated by the end of the month. Ripening lasts for 2 weeks and the harvest can be harvested from the second week of August. The exact timing may vary slightly depending on the region and climatic conditions of cultivation.

Treatment against pests and diseases

Strashensky is a hybrid, which allowed him to acquire only the best qualities from his parents. The variety has excellent immunity to various types of grape diseases and is resistant to rot and mildew. Resistance to the first type of disease is assessed as 3 points, resistance to the second - 2 points. It is most often subject to infection with gray mold and ashtray, but compliance with generally accepted growing rules reduces the risk of their occurrence significantly. The main ones include:

• periodically check the plant for diseases;
• carry out timely fertilizing;
• treat plantings with preventative medications;
• Harvest in a timely manner and prevent grapes from rotting;
• prevent damage to the berries by wasps and birds; if necessary, cover the bunches.

To prevent diseases, grape plantings are sprayed with a solution of Bordeaux mixture with an active substance concentration of 1-3%.