For the Middle Zone, with not very long summers and harsh winters, it is difficult to choose grapes for planting. A sweet and large berry with a short ripening period is the Victoria grape variety. This bush takes root or grafts easily; when covered, it tolerates cold winters well and pleases with a bountiful harvest and a distinct taste. It is resistant to diseases and is almost uninteresting to pests.
Origin story
This variety was bred in the 90s by Russian breeders. The main task was to obtain frost-resistant grapes for cultivation in the mid-latitudes with short summers.The selection was carried out on the basis of three varieties: Vitis Vinifera, Vitis Amurenzis and Save Vilar 12-304.
The result was a plant very similar to the Japanese Uehara, which originally had the same working name. Later the variety was named after Empress Victoria.
Description of the variety
The bush feels great in the conditions of Siberia, the Middle Zone, and can withstand frost up to 27 ° C. In size it is medium-sized, with a powerful root system. The leaves are tender, soft, dark green in color.
The description of the grape variety indicates a female type of flowering. It is necessary to plant other pollinating varieties nearby.
Victoria grapes feel good with a load of 25-30 buds distributed 5-8 per shoot. It bears fruit 2-3 years after rooting. Harvest ripening time is 115-120 days. Brushes of medium density, weighing from 0.5 to 0.7 kilograms. The berry is oblong, large, with a thin skin, fleshy.
There are several varieties of the variety based on the color of the berries:
- Pink Victoria - purple-pink brushes that mature at the same time;
- White Victoria - clusters are yellow-green, smaller;
- Romanian Victoria - berries are yellow, pink and green due to non-simultaneous ripening.
Landing Features
For planting, choose a place with good lighting and a minimum of drafts. The best time is autumn, since in spring the bush quickly wakes up and begins to grow.
Soil selection
For the horse system, a pit with a diameter of approximately 0.8-1 meter is prepared. The bottom is filled with drainage, and then alternate 10-centimeter layers of ordinary garden soil and humus. For the root system, leave a hole of the required dimensions. The soil is well compacted and watered. After planting the grapes, the surface is mulched with sawdust or straw.Planting is carried out in increments of 1.5-3.0 meters.
Selection of seedlings
The survival rate of the plant depends on the quality of planting material. When choosing grapes, pay attention to:
- length – not less than 20 centimeters;
- quality of wood - if you pick off the bark, it is green;
- development of the root system, absence of growths and thickenings on it;
- root color – white and moist when cut;
- The quality of the eyes - when pressed, they do not fall off or peel.
In addition to the seedling, you can choose a cutting and graft it onto another medium- or tall-growing grape variety.
Care
The main stages of caring for newly planted grapes are periodic loosening of the soil, watering - if necessary, timely fertilizing and pruning, on which the yield depends.
Top dressing
The procedure is carried out in the spring, when the temperature outside is more than 16 °C. In a 10-liter bucket of water, dilute 20 grams of superphosphates, 10 grams of ammonium nitrate and 5 grams of potassium salt. After the ovary has formed, a second feeding is done: add 30 grams of a mixture of potassium (1 part) and phosphorus (2 parts) to a bucket of water. To stimulate the ripening of berries, at the end of summer, water the bush with superphosphates (50 grams) and potassium sulfate (25 grams).
Trimming
In the spring, active juice production is observed, so Victoria grapes are pruned in the fall. They cut off all the excess that has grown over the summer. The normal load on a bush is 25-30 eyes. Some gardeners prefer to leave 2-3 eyes, rather than 5-8 pieces.
Strengths and weaknesses of the variety
Victoria attracts gardeners due to:
- big harvest;
- simultaneous ripening of all berries on the bunch;
- disease resistance;
- ability to withstand frosts down to -27 ° C;
- quick adaptation to a new place.
The main disadvantages include:
- crushing of fruits due to poor-quality pruning and increased load on the bush;
- attractive to wasps - if the crop is not protected, it will quickly be eaten;
- cracking of the skin during ripening due to violation of the water regime. From abundant but infrequent watering or during dry weather and short-term rains, the peel easily bursts.
Attention! When planting grapes, you need to remember the predominance of female flowers and select other pollinating varieties.
Diseases and pests
Among the pests of this variety, special attention should be paid to wasps and grape mites. Wasps are attracted to juicy and sweet berries. If watering is improper, ripe berries are picked, or the bunches are placed low, the grapes crack, releasing juice. Wasps flock to this juice. Not a single grape is immune from the mite, and they fight it with special means before the grapes begin to ripen.
On the disease resistance scale, Victoria received a score of 2.3, which is quite good. Sometimes this variety is exposed to powdery mildew, chlorosis, white and gray rot, and black spot. All these diseases are combated with special drugs, and preventive treatment is carried out in the fall.
