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Clusters of grapes of the mid-early ripening period Count of Monte Cristo fascinate with their beauty. Berries of the same size are densely packed together, shimmering in the sun with red-burgundy hues. The beauty of the bunch is compared with the Maradona variety. To grow Count Monte Cristo grapes on your site, you need to know the characteristics of the crop, care requirements and breeding rules.
Characteristics of a variety
Count Monte Cristo belongs to the group of table grape varieties. According to the color of the berries, the culture is considered red-fruited. However, ripe bunches may turn brown or burgundy. At the initial stage of ripeness, the berries are light red or pink. Be sure to have a white coating on the fruits of the Count of Monte Cristo.
In terms of ripening, the grape variety Count Monte Cristo is considered medium-early. Mass ripening of clusters occurs 130-135 days after the awakening of the kidneys. In September, the grapes are ready for harvest.
Clusters grow large, with an average weight of 900 g. With a normal bush load, the mass of brushes can reach 1,2 kg. The shape of the berries is round, slightly elongated. The average weight of one fruit is 30 g. The skin of the berry is thin, almost not felt when chewed.
A big plus of the variety is the ease of propagation by cuttings. Seedlings take root quickly. With proper care for 2-3 years, you can get the first brush.
The frost resistance of the Graf Monte Cristo variety is high. Bushes withstand temperatures down to -25оC. This is a critical minimum, which should not be allowed. In the northern regions, the vine is covered for the winter.
The crop is able to hang on the bushes for a long time, but if the berries begin to crack, the clusters are immediately plucked. Cracking of fruits occurs due to thin skin, oversaturation with moisture and excessively large size of the fruit. However, the taste qualities are preserved even in cracked berries.
Grapes are considered to be of universal use. Ripe berries are so sweet that no added sugar is required during juicing. Grapes in very rare cases can cause an allergic reaction, which allows the use of fruits for the preparation of dietary dishes.
The table variety was chosen by winemakers, but the quality of the drink is affected by weather conditions. All notes of aroma and a maximum of sugar accumulate in the berries in a favorable sunny summer.
Fight against berry cracking
The table variety is rarely affected by mildew, as well as oidium, but you should not refuse prophylaxis. Bushes are treated with a solution of Bordeaux liquid, colloidal sulfur and other fungicides.
Cracked berries cause more trouble for winegrowers. The problem occurs in rainy summers or with excessive watering. Large fruits are torn lengthwise, and the resulting juice attracts insects. Wasps instantly eat the entire crop. In addition to damage from insects, there is a threat of penetration of fungal spores into cracks. The affected berry begins to rot, gradually infecting nearby whole fruits.
If 1-2 bushes of the Graf Monte Cristo variety grow at home, then clusters with cracked berries are immediately plucked for processing. Do this immediately when cracks appear, preventing the fruit from rotting. On large plantations, it is difficult to keep track of all the bunches and it is impossible to partially harvest the rejected brushes. Considering the grapes Count Monte Cristo, variety description, photo, it is worth learning a few important rules to prevent fruit cracking:
- On the bushes, they try to cut off the upper branching of the roots. They absorb a lot of excess moisture.
- In the rainy season, earth mounds are made under the grape bushes and covered with a film. Most of the water drains from the mounds.
- At the end of the rain or after watering, a plot of soil with a diameter of about 1 m is loosened around the bush. Oxygen access to the roots is simplified through loose soil.
- Cracking of berries can occur from an excess of nutrients. If the problem is observed even in dry summers, then the amount of fertilizing is reduced, especially with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
If you managed to grow grapes with non-cracked berries, the harvested crop will be stored for a long time, can be transported and will not lose its presentation.
You can get to know the Count of Monte Cristo better in the video:
Planting of grapes
Continuing to consider the grapes of Count Monte Cristo, variety description, photos, reviews, it is worth paying attention to growing technology. In cold regions, spring planting of seedlings is preferable. The pits have been prepared since autumn. If you have not prepared in advance, then the holes can be dug in the spring 1,5 months before planting grape seedlings.
Holes for grapes
The development of a grape bush depends on the basic feeding laid down when planting a seedling. For these purposes, organic matter, mineral fertilizers are used and a drainage layer is equipped. Grape seedlings are planted in holes. On large plantations, trenches are dug.
Regardless of the shape of the seat, soil preparation measures depend on its quality:
- Chernozem or clay soil. Drainage must be provided in the pit. A thick layer of any stone is laid on the bottom, and sand is poured on top. When preparing the soil, phosphorus-containing fertilizers are added.
- Sandy loam. Loose soil perfectly passes air and has good drainage qualities. At the bottom of the pit, stones with sand are not needed. When preparing the soil, a lot of organic matter and nitrogen-containing fertilizers are added.
- Sandstones. For table grapes, such soil is considered the most favorable, provided that a large amount of top dressing is applied. For one bush, 30 kg of organic matter is poured into the pit with the addition of 700 g of superphosphate.
A seedling of table grapes is planted to a depth of 30–50 cm. Due to the arrangement of drainage and top dressing, a hole is dug about 80 cm deep. Sandstones freeze harder in winter, and warm up in summer. On such soil, the pit is deepened by 20 cm, and clay is poured at the bottom instead of a drainage layer. A 20 cm thick layer will prevent rapid seepage of water deep into the earth.
When digging a hole, the fertile topsoil is set aside. In the future, the soil is used for backfilling a table grape seedling, mixing it with fertilizers. Infertile land is simply leveled on the site.
Pit for grape seedling consists of the following layers:
- Drainage, if necessary, is equipped at the bottom.
- The next layer, 25 cm thick, consists of fertile soil mixed with humus.
- Fertile soil is poured on top with a thickness of 10 cm, adding 300 g of superphosphate and potassium each. Additionally, 3 liters of dry wood ash are added.
- The last layer 5 cm thick comes from pure fertile land.
After making all the nutrient layers, the depth of the pit will remain about 50 cm. Before planting a seedling of table grapes, the hole is poured abundantly three times.
Preparing seedlings before planting
To get good grapes, you need to choose high-quality seedlings. You can grow them yourself from cuttings or buy them. In the second case, purchased seedlings are subjected to a thorough inspection. If there is mechanical damage to the bark, signs of fungus and other defects, then such material is not worth buying.
Good one-year grape seedlings of the Graf Monte Cristo variety have a root system from 10 cm long. The height of the aerial part is at least 20 cm with four developed buds. If a grape seedling is sold already with leaves, then the plates should be clean without bright green spots.
Rules for planting seedlings
Before planting, at annual seedlings of table grapes, the ends of the roots are cut, shortening them to a length of 10 cm. Only four eyes are left on the upper part, and all the rest are removed.
In the prepared pits, a seat is arranged. A dense mound is formed from the soil. A grape seedling is set with a heel on a tubercle. The root system is carefully straightened along the slopes of the mound. Backfilling of grape seedlings is done with loose soil, lightly pressing with hands. Two buckets of water at room temperature are poured into the pit. After the liquid has been absorbed, the earth is filled up, a peg is driven in and the aerial part of the seedling is tied to it.
Green grape seedlings of the Graf Monte Cristo variety are planted along with a clod of earth. The first 10 days organize protection from the sun during the day, and complete shelter from the cold at night. In autumn, all grown stepchildren are pruned, leaving one shoot.
The video shows the container method of spring planting grapes:
Reviews
There are still few reviews about the Count of Monte Cristo grapes, as the variety is just beginning to spread widely throughout all regions.