In addition to table varieties, winegrowers pay great attention to technical ones. The ideal landscaper and pollinator of the plots is the Alpha grape variety, common in many regions.
The main place of its cultivation in Our Country is Primorsky Krai. Since 1937, the culture in the region has taken one of the first places in the cultivation of industrial grapes; more than 800 hectares of area have been occupied by its cultivation. The Alpha variety was bred in North America using the parent species Riparia and Labruska. Grapes first attracted the attention of breeders among wild varieties of plants. What characteristics of the technical variety were able to win the favor of winegrowers? The answer to this question is easy to get by reading the description of the variety, photos and reviews of the Alpha grapes.
Main characteristics
Variety for winegrowers is not new. For decades, it has been grown by experienced and novice gardeners. It attracts attention because it perfectly tolerates the cold season and preserves the splendor of the bush. It is difficult to find the best landscaper for arbors, balconies, buildings and the entire site. In addition, Alpha grapes have a pleasant taste and good juiciness of berries. For gardeners, the following parameters are important:
Harvest maturity. According to the description of the variety, Alpha grapes refer to the average ripening period. The berries are ready for picking in 110-145 after the start of the growing season. Usually the collection takes place at the end of September.
The yield of grapes of the Alpha variety, according to gardeners, is 10-14 kg per plant and 150-180 kg / ha.
The bush is vigorous and powerful. Differs in the presence of a large number of stepchildren. This leads to thickening of the vine. Therefore, stepchildren have to be removed at least 2 times per season. If this is not done, then the density and size of the gron decreases.
Creepers grow up to 9 meters, they have large leaves (up to 25 cm in length). The leaves have sharp teeth along the edges, characteristic of the Alpha variety.
Alpha’s clusters are medium-sized, cylindrical, the weight of one varies between 150-180 g. In some cases, gardeners note the formation of larger specimens up to 250 g on the vine. This is a good indicator for a technical grape variety. Medium density grons.
The Alpha variety blooms in mid-June. On the shoot there are 2-3 bisexual inflorescences. Often used by growers as a pollinator for other varieties.
The berries of the Alpha grape variety are round, dark blue in color, weighing 2-3 g each. A slight wax coating forms on the skin.
The taste of the berries is very pleasant, nutmeg, but with sourness. Therefore, “Alpha” is used for making wines and juices.
But after all, it does not apply to table species. The pulp of the berries is juicy and slimy, with a slight taste of strawberries.
Frost resistance is the most worthy characteristic of grapes. The root system perfectly withstands soil temperatures of -12°C, and air temperatures of up to -35°C. For this quality, the Alpha variety was very fond of gardeners. It does not require additional shelter, which significantly saves time and effort during the busy autumn period. It also serves as a quality stock for varieties with low frost resistance.
Resistance to fungal infections. The variety does not require a large number of preventive treatments for infections and constant attention. But chlorosis is affected quite often.
Be sure to trim for 8-10 eyes. Otherwise, Alpha grapes will significantly reduce yields.
In the photo, “Alfa” grapes:
Landing algorithm
The main activities that will ensure the good development and fruiting of the Alpha grapes are planting and care. The final result depends on how well they are executed.
In addition to high frost resistance, Alpha grapes demonstrate the same degree of survival. Therefore, the variety is planted in spring (end of March-June) and autumn (October-November).
First choose a place. It should be well lit and protected from the wind. The groundwater level is not higher than 2 meters. Otherwise, you can not do without drainage. The southwest side of the building is perfect.
Planting material is being prepared. Most often, gardeners propagate Alpha grapes by rooting cuttings. The variety has a good characteristic – trouble-free merging with a stock. Seedlings must be hardened and perform all the procedures recommended for growing cuttings.
For cuttings choose the vines closest to the ground. Before planting, the seedling is soaked in water for better rooting and development of the root system.
The soil for planting is suitable with any composition, but fertilized. Be sure to add sand to the soil. It is not worth it to moisten the ground too much before planting a seedling, so the event is not scheduled after rain.
Planting holes are being prepared. For fertile soils, a cube of 80 cm in size is enough; for sand, you will need to go deep to 1 m. Leave a distance between the holes of at least 1,5 m, and 2 m between the rows.
A peg is placed in the center of the pit – a support, the seedling is lowered to the root collar, covered with soil.
Grape seedlings must be watered and mulched. A young plant is covered for the winter, it still does not have the strength to withstand frost. Do not expect a harvest in the first year after planting. At this time, there is still residual rooting, hardening and strengthening of seedlings. Despite the fact that Alpha grapes, according to the description of the variety and reviews, are unpretentious, you need to take care of it. Especially at the first stage of development. Therefore, the next step for the gardener is to provide the grapes with decent care.
Care of grapes
In order to maintain Alpha grapes in good condition and obtain the result stated in the description, it is required to fulfill the requirements of the agricultural technology of the variety:
water. For the first time, abundant water-charging watering is carried out after removing the spring shelter. This is important to do especially in those years when there was little snow in winter and little rain in spring. In the following months, the bushes are watered in the early morning or evening once a week. One plant needs 1-2 buckets of settled warm water. Sprinklers or sprayers are not used for these purposes; water must be supplied to the roots. For adult plants, the dose of watering is increased, 2-4 buckets are spent per bush.
Feed. Alfa grape seedlings are characterized by intensive growth. Without the introduction of a group of fertilizers, it is difficult for the plant to withstand the initial responsible period. Until the natural process of symbiotic nutrition is normalized, grapes are fed with nitrogen, carbon and potassium. Organic additives are also suitable:
- infusion of bird droppings (in good dilution);
- herbal infusion;
- infusion of wood ash.
Also used drugs “Biovit”, “Gummi-Plus”, Vermistim”, “Optim-Gumus”. They are made according to the instructions and not earlier than 7 days after the main ones.
Trim and remove stepsons.
Thin out vines throughout the summer. Pruning is done correctly for 8-10 eyes. It is not recommended to skip events, otherwise the bushes will overgrow.
Protect from diseases and pests. Fungal lesions of the variety are not terrible. But other diseases and pests are as common as in other species.
The main pests attacking Alpha grapes:
- Grape flea. You can destroy the flea with the help of insecticides Karbofos and Fufanon.
- Grape mosquito. For grapes, its larvae are dangerous, at the site of introduction of which galls are formed. Apply the same insecticides as against fleas.
- Grape cushion. It is problematic to destroy adult pests, therefore, the spring treatment of the vine is carried out with “Preparation 30” or “Nitrafen”. In order not to process the grapes once again, the cushion can be removed manually. You just have to do it regularly.
- Wasps. They love ripe grapes. The danger is that Drosophila breeds in places of damage by wasps and the fruits rot. The fight is carried out using scented traps or insecticides.
Among the diseases, on grape varieties “Alpha” are found:
- Chlorosis, oidium, varieties of rot. It is difficult to deal with such problems, so regular preventive measures are needed.
- Anthracnose. Save spraying “Ridomil”, “Anthracnol”, Bordeaux mixture.
Preparation for the winter grapes “Alpha” is to shelter the vine. Despite the high frost resistance, the vine near the ground can freeze.
Reviews
Reviews of gardeners about the variety are different. It depends on the region and growing conditions. But most of them are positive. Along with a description of the variety and a photo of the Alpha grapes.
Useful video for winegrowers:
