Contents
Cardinal grapes: description of the variety, photo
The “Cardinal” grape was bred in 1939 in the United States. It quickly spread to France, Italy, Greece and other countries with warm climates. In Russia, this grape cannot be grown everywhere.
Description of the grape variety “Cardinal”
One of the main advantages of the variety is its versatility. The grapes are suitable for fresh consumption and for the preparation of various products. Also, this variety is famous for its ease of transportation and early ripening.
Grapes “Cardinal” in the process of ripening becomes red-violet
Here are the main characteristics of the variety:
- The berries ripen in mid-August. Ripening of bunches and berries is uneven.
- The average length of a bunch is 20-28 cm, width is 14-18 cm. Bunches weigh about 0,5 kg. Their legs are long, green, and the petioles break easily.
- The berries are large, round-oval, less often oval. The color of the berries is violet-red with a waxy bloom. Weight – 6-7 g. The skin is firm, the pulp is juicy and fleshy with a pleasant taste. The color of the pulp is pale green. The aroma is weak, nutmeg. Each berry has 2-4 seeds.
- The leaves are large, rounded. The dissection is average.
- The flowers of this variety are bisexual.
The disadvantage of grapes is their poor frost tolerance and soreness. He is afraid of all the typical grape diseases – powdery mildew, mildew, bacterial cancer, gray rot and others. However, diseases most often begin in the fall, when the harvest has already been taken.
Growing grapes “Cardinal”
This grape variety is only suitable for growing in regions with mild winters. It is better to plant it in spring, when the average daily temperature is + 15 ° С, and the earth warms up to + 10 ° С. The soil at the planting site should be loamy or sandy loam. Ideal for “Cardinal” chernozem. Plant it on the south side of the buildings. This will protect the grapes from the cold wind.
The optimal method of growing “Cardinal” is grafting the cuttings to the stock
This grape variety loves moisture, but it should not be poured. The grapes burst from a lot of water. In spring and autumn, the bushes need to be mulched 3 cm with rotted humus. Feed the grapes several times a season with mineral fertilizers, such as potassium-phosphorus fertilizers.
Even before the warm winter, the vines need to be covered. Use hay or straw for this, rake them as high as possible. If a colder winter is likely, place the vine on the ground and completely cover it with hay or straw.
The photo of the Cardinal grape shows its rich color. This is a good variety for gardeners living in warm regions of Russia.