Grapes began to be grown more than 7 thousand years ago in Egypt, which is confirmed by finds from those times. One of the earliest cultivated plants was grapes, which are mentioned in the Bible. Modern gardeners and summer residents have increasingly begun to develop new grape varieties with better characteristics than their ancestors, such as the Super Extra variety.
History of the variety's creation
The Super Extra variety, popularly called Citrine, was recently bred in the Rostov region by winegrower Evgeniy Georgievich Pavlovsky. Citrine was obtained experimentally from a mixture of pollen from the Cardinal and Talisman varieties. It belongs to the very early varieties and is used in any form except winemaking.
Description and characteristics
The bush is spreading, with strong vines that support large cone-shaped clusters of large berries. The color of the berries is white, light green with a golden tint. Brushes from 0.5 kg to 2 kg, wide, medium-dense. Oval-shaped berries 8-12 g, berry length from 2.8 cm to 3.5 cm, width - 2.3 cm-2.5 cm. Sweet taste, sugar accumulation - 18%.
The inflorescences are bisexual and have an average degree of pollination, so next to this variety you need to plant grapes of another pollinated variety.
Description and characteristics of the Super Extra variety:
- Frost resistance up to –25 degrees.
- High yield, large clusters.
- Resistant to fungal diseases.
- It is successfully transported over long distances without losing its presentation; the skin is thick but tasty.
- Begins to bear fruit from the 2-3rd year.
- The same brushes are formed on the stepsons.
- Sweet and sour taste with a pleasant nutmeg aroma.
- The root system is powerful and viable.
- Self-pollinating variety.
Super Extra is a variety that can be confused with Arcadia, but they have differences in taste.
Advantages and disadvantages
Citrine grapes are unpretentious and have many advantages, which is why they are grown in most CIS countries.
Advantages of Citrine:
- Immune to mildew and oidium.
- Big harvest every year.
- Resistant to frosts down to -25, easy to care for.
- Grows well in shade and sun.
- Duration of storage.
Flaws:
- Susceptible to phylloxera.
- Hard skin of berries.
- Large and small berries in one cluster may crack at the bottom.
The tough skin of the berries is edible and does not have an unpleasant or tart aftertaste. To prevent the appearance of phylloxera, preventive spraying is carried out in the spring. Therefore, the only drawback that cannot be eliminated is the different dimensions of the berries, which does not spoil the appearance of the bunch.
Tips for planting and care
They grow grapes in any soil, but it is better if it is light and soft with an admixture of sand, peat, and organic fertilizers. Planted on the southern, southwestern, southeastern side of the site, with no strong drafts.
The plant is shade-tolerant, so it can be planted under a fence or near the walls of a house. Does not like too wet summers and frequent rains. It is easy to care for and can be watered 1-2 times a month.
It is very important to normalize the harvest so that heavy brushes do not break the vines. Up to 20 brushes are left on one bush. Replacement shoots should not be heavily loaded. Just like other varieties, you need to feed them 2-3 times during the spring-summer season and carry out sanitary pruning of branches. In regions with winter temperatures greater than -25, it is better to make a shelter.
Fruit ripening time
Ripening occurs from flowering in 95-105 days. This makes it possible to grow the variety in the northern regions of the country, since by the end of July, at the beginning of August, the fruits are ready for consumption.
About diseases and pests
The variety is resistant to mildew, oidium, and is also almost not attacked by mites, aphids, and wasps. It can be eaten by flies and wasps in places of cracking and form a brown stripe on the crack, but does not rot. To prevent eating the berries, special protective nets are placed on the bunches.
Infections are most likely due to improper agricultural practices and during the rainy season: anthracnose, phylloxera, chlorosis, bacteriosis. Grapes should be sprayed prophylactically with “Bi-58” or Bordeaux mixture, “Fitosporin”, “Aktofit”, “Carbamide”, and colloidal sulfur.
Which region is best to grow in?
The best regions for cultivation are those with a mild, warm climate, but grapes can be successfully grown in the central, southern part of Siberia. It is also grown throughout Ukraine and Belarus.
The yield of the variety is very high, without standard pruning it can ripen later than 90 days, but at the same time maintain the size of the berries and yield up to 25-30 kg.
