Viticulture has long ceased to be just gardening or plant growing.
For many, the process of growing grapes is a real hobby and meaning of life, which, in particular, can bring not only pleasure, but also material security.
V.Zagorulko is one of the most famous among winegrowers, who has gone from being a simple amateur to a real professional in his field.
This breeder is the author of a huge variety of currently popular grape varieties, the place of honor in the list of which is occupied by the variety "Ruslan".
It is about him and his varietal characteristics that we will tell you in this article.
We get acquainted with the most important characteristics of grapes "Ruslan"
Zagorulko V.V. created this hybrid form of grapes from such wonderful varieties as "Gift of Zaporozhye" and "Kuban".
Thanks to these varieties, the created form has received not only good taste, but also an unusually beautiful appearance and stability.
It is table grapes that will decorate the table at any time of the year.
Grapes "Ruslan" perfectly adapts to the conditions of the middle band, and is able to bear fruit both in solitary cultivation on private plots and in industrial fields. In particular, today the variety is well zoned over the territory of the southern and middle zone of such countries as Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia.
The size of the grapes of this grape variety is quite large.
Average, the weight of one bunch is 0.5-0.8 kilograms. There are both smaller and larger ones, care for the grape bush and weather conditions throughout the season play a big role in this.
In form, they are most often conical, with berries not tightly placed on them.
Particularly pleased with the fact that his berries are even and identical, without pea.
As for the distinctive features of the grapes "Ruslan", they have a beautiful oval shape and dark blue (sometimes even black) color of the skin.
It is worth noting that the skin of these berries is rather thin, but it also has a layer of prune (a special wax coating that forms on the surface of the grapes). With all this, it is easily torn and eaten without problems, without affecting the taste.
Speaking about the last characteristic, namely about the taste, the grapes "Ruslan" can be called one of the most sophisticated and original. After all, the taste of its fruits is very harmonious, and due to its dense and crunchy flesh, it is also tender. But its distinctive feature is pleasant taste of ripe plum, for which the variety is so appreciated by lovers.
The sugar content of these berries is 18%, with an acidity of 6.5 g / l.
But the most important characteristic of the berries of this variety are their very large sizes. On average, the weight of one berry is from 18 to 20 grams, which is quite an impressive indicator for grapes. Despite their size and thin skin, they are stored for a very long time.
This variety is also loved for its high yields and for the early terms of their ripening. Thanks to vigorous shrub, it can form long and powerful shoots. At the same time, the vine matures just fine, the average rate of shoot maturity is equal to 72.6%.
With all this, the coefficient of fruitfulness of this variety is 1.2-1.5. Thus, not one, but as many as 3 clusters can fully develop on one shoot. Such a large amount does not affect the quality of the crop: with good care and dressing, the bush will easily pull out such a crop.
But, besides the main crop, clusters are constantly forming on the stepsons on the bushes of Ruslan grapes. It is not surprising, but this crop has time to ripen well before the onset of cold weather in all regions.
By the way, the variety of this grape is very early. The vegetation period of his bush lasts only 100-115 days, which allows you to start collecting his harvest from August 10th.
Virtues grape "Ruslan"
- The grapevine of this variety has a flower of both sexes, which facilitates the task of pollination not only to him, but also to the varieties that bloom with him at the same time. Due to this, the grapes do not peas berries.
- High fruitfulness and quality of the crop, which is able to be well transported and stored for a long time without loss of appearance and taste. Also, the clusters can be fully stored on the bush for some time, after their full ripening.
- In addition to the excellent taste, the berries of this grape have many useful properties. The high content of vitamins and trace elements contributes to the fact that it can be an indispensable medicine for anemia, cancer, inflammation of arthritis, kidney diseases. Thanks to its use in food, the entire gastrointestinal tract responds well, the body's metabolism is much better.
- For the preparation of dishes are used not only the berries of this grape variety, but also its large green leaves. The most common method of their use is the preparation of marinades.
- Due to its resistance to low temperatures, the grapes of "Rusla" can be grown as a non-covering culture. The vine of bushes is not damaged when lowering the winter temperatures to -24ºС.
- For such fungal diseases as mildew and oidium, the variety is almost indifferent. No damage and gray rot were noted, since the resistance gene to it was transferred to the Ruslan grape from parental forms.
- The variety is suitable for both amateur and industrial cultivation; in general, it is not picky and complexly sustainable. It spreads very easily, which is promoted by the excellent rooting rate of cuttings harvested from the Ruslan grape bush.
Many are very critical of this grape variety due to the fact that each berry has 1-2 bones. Naturally, they can influence the taste and the overall impression of the grapes. But at the same time, this does not reduce the popularity of "Ruslan".
A more significant disadvantage is cracking berries in conditions of high soil and air humidity. But still, compared to other varieties, for Ruslan this fact is not so catastrophic. Indeed, even under the most adverse conditions only the smallest part of the crop is cracked. In addition, these berries do not rot, while remaining suitable for consumption.
It is also interesting to read the rules of autumnal care for grapes.
What you need to know about planting a grape bush varieties "Ruslan": a description of the necessary conditions for growth and direct planting
Reproduction methods of grape bush there are several. Each of them has its own advantages, so it’s worth choosing the method for yourself on the basis of the following guidelines:
- Planting varietal grape seedlings on their own roots. The most common method of propagation of grapes in the event that your site does not have other bushes to which this plant can be grafted. The advantage is that the resulting bush 100% inherit all the qualities of its class, not the quality of the rootstock. It is quite simple to purchase or grow a seedling on your own; caring for it also does not require much effort. Saplings can be planted both in the spring, and in the fall. In autumn, this is the period from mid-October until the first frost. In the spring, seedlings intact from the fall are planted with practically the first heat, and those grown from cuttings and green shoots from mid-May to the first summer days. After planting, the saplings must hide.
- Grafting of varietal cuttings to the rootstocks, which have a large stock of perennial wood. For this, both "black" (not yet awakened) cuttings and "green" can be used. The same with stocks for vaccination. The grafting has its advantages in that due to such reproduction of grapes the bush begins to bear fruit much faster, because as soon as it takes root, the powerful and well developed root system of the old bush immediately begins to feed it. Such grapes can be more stable in the early years of growth. Vaccination is carried out either in the middle of spring or in the middle of autumn, depending on what kind of her you want to implement.
- Reproduction of grapes using taps. To grow a new bush in this way, you need an old and fruiting. To do this, take one of his long and strong shoot, which bends down to the soil itself. Further, it is necessary to sprinkle it with earth, and after a while this escape will start its own roots and will begin to develop as an almost independent bush. It can be transplanted as a sapling. You can carry out this method all year round. The great advantage of the taps is that they start producing first yields very quickly, already in the second year.
Grapes - one of the most sun-loving plants, which is simply categorically can not be planted in the shade.
I think you have noticed that lovers most often grow this plant on the south side of their house or arbor. This method is the most effective, since the buildings do not obscure the plant and, at the same time, it is very easy for it to build a support for weaving.
Also, often grapes are planted on the arches or near the arbors. These methods are also very effective. In any case, it should be borne in mind that neither other plants nor neighboring bushes should shade the bush.
So, laying a vineyard, or simply planting a number of several bushes, must necessarily take into account their growth power. Since the grape variety "Ruslan" has a very strong and vigorous bush, for weaving and fruiting, it requires a lot of space. Therefore, between the bushes planted in one row usually indent not less than 1.5 meters.
In general, in the backyard this will be enough, although you can retreat a longer distance. Between the rows of this grape variety is to retreat by 3 meters.
As for the soil, the main requirement for it is the ability to pass moisture well through itself and not to hold it for a very long time. The best option is black soil, or other light soils.
Also, you should not forget about the groundwater. After all, the grape root system is very highly developed, so they must lie at least at a depth of 2 meters.
For planting seedlings the most important task is to prepare the pit. It should contain the fertilizers necessary for the plant in the first years of growth. For this reason, the depth of the pit should be about 0.8 meters and the same in width. At the same time, most of the pit will take a mixture of fertile soil and 2-3 buckets of humus.
Grapes cannot be planted directly on this mixture, since its root system can be damaged. For this, another layer of fertile soil is poured in from above, but without fertilizers. Further, the pit is left for at least 2 weeks, so that the soil in it is well subsided.
The seedling is best purchased in specialized nurseries or from those people who have long been involved in viticulture. A good and intact seedling can be identified by the color and condition of its roots: they must be white and not damaged. Also, pay for the upper cut of the seedling - if the seedling is lively and fresh, then the cut will be green.
After purchase, it should be kept in a damp and humid room, and immediately before planting - in water and solution with a stimulator of root formation.
When planting a grape seedling in a hole, it is important not to bury its root neck and take into account the depth of soil subsidence. By digging up the grapes, the soil around it is abundantly watered and mulched. Also, it is important not to forget about the support for him.
For the reproduction of grapes in this way is especially important to properly prepare materials. In particular, the graft for grafting should not be damaged or dried, otherwise it will not be able to root. The optimal number of eyes on it - 1-2. The lower part of the cutting before cutting is cut from both sides so that a wedge is formed.
Also, she needs aboutlet the day into the waterso that the cutting is well moistened.
In order for the stock to be ready for grafting, the first step is to remove the old bush, leaving behind it only a flat cut and 10 cm penechki. The cut surface is carefully cleaned and made almost smooth. Exactly in the middle of the stock you need to make a split. Its depth must be optimal in order that a cutting can fit inside.
If you make it too deep, you can permanently damage the stock itself. After, the stalk is lowered into the split, tightly clamped and coated with clay. Do not forget to water the stock and mulch the soil. For the winter, be sure to cover.
A little bit about the care of grapes "Ruslan"
- Watering is required before flowering and during the formation of the next harvest. Also, the bush is watered before droughts.
- It is necessary to mulch the soil after each watering - it is covered with 3 centimeters of sawdust or moss.
- Subcortical grapes - the key to a successful harvest. Used for this as organics, and mineral fertilizers: nitrogen, potassium, phosphates.
- At the time when the bush "sleeps" it needs to be cut every year, removing up to 10 buds on each shoot.
- It is not necessary to cover this variety for the winter, although it is recommended. Be sure to hide only seedlings.
- Even before flowering, each of the shrubs is preventively treated for fungal diseases.
