Grape variety kishmish GF-342

Farmers from the southern regions have no difficulties with the choice of grapes: the range of varieties is very wide. But for the inhabitants of the middle zone, the Urals, Belarus, it is very difficult to find such grapes that could develop normally and bear fruit in difficult climatic conditions. One of the versatile and very resistant to external factors varieties is Kishmish 342. Someone knows this hybrid called Hungarian, other gardeners know it by the abbreviation GF-342 – the demand for this variety of Kishmish is very high. The hybrid, indeed, deserves the closest attention, because it has a lot of advantages, is unpretentious and does not need complicated care.

A detailed description of the grape variety Kishmish 342 with photos and reviews of gardeners can be found in this article. Here we will talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the Hungarian hybrid, give recommendations for its cultivation and care.

Hybrid characteristics

The grape variety Kishmish 342 was bred at the end of the last century by Hungarian breeders. The “parents” for the new species were the American Perlet and the European Vilar Blanc. Perlet belongs to the super-early varieties of Kishmish, it is distinguished by its dessert taste and the absence of seeds in the pulp. But Vilar Blanc is a technical variety with late ripening, he took GF-342 for productivity, winter hardiness and unpretentiousness.

Description of variety Kishmish 342:

• grapes with very early ripening and a short growing season – for technical maturity, the culture is enough from 100 to 115 days;
• the bushes are vigorous, well-branched and tall – this must be taken into account when choosing a place for planting a seedling;
• the number of fruiting shoots is about 80% of the total;
• it is recommended to normalize hybrid 342 so that 2-3 clusters remain on one shoot;
• the size of the clusters is medium and large (400-900 grams), on old lignified vines, the grape tassels are usually larger;
• berries are oval in shape, medium in size, their weight is from 3 to 4 grams;
• the skin is greenish-yellow, thin, but dense;
• in the pulp of Kishmish 342 there are no seeds or rudiments (the greater the load on the bush, the less often the seeds are found in berries);
• the pulp of the hybrid is elastic, sweet, with light notes of nutmeg;
• the amount of sugars in fruits at the level of 19-21%, and the sugar content is slightly dependent on climatic conditions and weather;
• Kishmish 342 grapes can be used as a dessert variety, it is also good for the production of raisins, as it does not contain seeds;
• fruiting in grapes is stable;
• high yield – within 20-25 kg from each bush with proper care;
• the transportability of the crop is good – Kishmish easily transfers transportation over long distances;
• harvested grapes can be stored for 3-5 weeks (in the basement or in the refrigerator);
• variety Kishmish is resistant to various fungal infections, which is very important for early ripening grapes;
• berries with a thin skin and a high sugar content are often affected by wasps, so you should think about special traps for these insects;
• the shoots of the grapes ripen well, the growth rate of the vine is very high – the bushes grow quickly;
• frost resistance in Kishmish 342 is good – the vine can withstand temperatures down to -26 degrees without shelter;
• the hybrid does not like thickening and needs regular competent pruning.

Advantages and disadvantages

Fruit Kishmish 342 is a reliable grape that will give a good harvest in almost any climatic conditions. This variety is chosen by winegrowers living in a temperate climate, Kishmish has proven itself well in the southern vineyards.

There are many advantages of hybrid grapes, among them:

• unpretentiousness;
• resistance to cold and disease;
• high yield;
• decent table taste of berries;
• lack of stones in fruits and thin peel;
• transportability of the crop and its suitability for long-term storage;
• fast growth and strong vine.

As such, GF-342 has no drawbacks. For farmers who are accustomed to a variety of foreign varieties and hybrids, Kishmish may seem too simple, and its taste is flat, not multifaceted. Such gardeners also note the relatively small size of the clusters, small berries.

As you know, the berries of ordinary grape varieties will be the larger and sweeter, the more heat and sun they receive during the season. In regions with a temperate climate (Moscow region, the Urals, Belarus), the summer season is often rainy and cloudy, and Kishmish 342, regardless of this, pleases with large and sweet fruits.

Peculiarities of growing

Grapes 342 will not cause trouble for the summer resident, because this hybrid is very unpretentious and is suitable even for beginner growers. The variety pleases with good quality cuttings, the possibility of propagation by root and grafting. In order to get a bountiful harvest, the agrarian does not have to constantly take care of his vineyard – Kishmish needs the simplest care: watering, fertilizing, preventive treatment, pruning.

Rules of landing

The most important condition for the successful cultivation of Kishmish 342 grapes is the choice of a suitable place for it. This hybrid feels great in a site with good illumination, reliable protection from wind and draft. The best place to plant a cutting is a sunny area near the wall of a house or outbuilding, not far from a high fence.

A suitable time for planting Kishmish can be both spring and autumn. In the spring, cuttings are planted when the soil warms up well and the threat of return frosts has passed. Usually planting occurs at the end of April-beginning of May. If the grapes are planted in the fall, then this must be done at least a month before the onset of frost (October is perfect for planting).

When preparing planting pits, it is necessary to take into account the strong branching and high height of the Kishmish vine. This variety is planted at intervals of 3-4 meters between adjacent bushes or other plants. The pits should be large and deep: about 70 cm deep and 80 cm in diameter.

The soil taken out of the pit is mixed with a bucket of humus and a liter jar of wood ash. Mix well. After planting, the grafting site should be above the ground. Immediately after planting, it is recommended to cut the cutting into two buds.

Necessary care

In the first year after planting, the entire care of Kishmish 342 grapes consists in regular watering, loosening the soil and at least once feeding the seedling with mineral fertilizers.

In subsequent seasons, the work of the winegrower will be as follows:

1. Annual pruning of the vinewhich is performed in early spring. Kishmish 342 is recommended to be cut into 6-7 buds, normalizing the shoots so that no more than three clusters ripen on each.
2. Soil loosening after every watering or rain. To make your job easier, you can mulch the soil around the grapes with sawdust, dry leaves, or other organic material.
3. Water hybrid 342 is not often needed, this grape requires additional moisture only during periods of prolonged drought. Since the variety is early, its vegetation takes place in June-first half of July, when there is usually no drought in a temperate climate.

   

4. In the middle of summer Kishmish is necessary feed phosphorus-potassium complex – this will improve the quality of the fruit and help increase the size of the berries. In late autumn, the grapes are fed with organic matter (humus, compost, wood ash, bird droppings).
5. Although variety 342 is resistant to fungal infections, it is necessary to carry out prevention these diseases. This treatment is especially important in rainy and cool summer conditions. Fungicidal preparations are combined with insecticides, protecting the vine from spider mites, leafworms, and May beetle larvae. In the spring, you can use Bordeaux mixture or biological protection for grapes.
6. Ripe bunches are a must protect from wasps. To prevent these insects from damaging most of the crop, bunches of grapes are placed in special bags, wrapped with mesh or gauze. Effective as a means of struggle and wasp traps.

   

7. In the northern regions (in the Moscow region, in the Urals, for example), Kishmish grapes are necessary shelter for the winter. The vine of this variety is quite elastic, so it is difficult to bend it. But the shoots will have to be tied and bent to the ground in order to cover with special material. Spruce or pine spruce branches, dry foliage, sawdust, agrofibre are suitable as shelters. As soon as the snow falls, it needs to be collected from the site and build a mound-shelter.

You can use the harvested crop for various purposes: eat fresh table berries, prepare wine and juices, dry the fruits to get raisins. By the way, hybrid 342 can be dried to the state of raisins right on the vine. To do this, the clusters must be placed in protective bags and rotated regularly.

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Conclusion

Kishmish 342 is a wonderful grape variety that is suitable for growing in different climatic conditions. In addition to high yields and good stability, the hybrid pleases with excellent taste and high sugar content in berries.

This grape rarely gets sick and does not need complex care, so it is suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners. Photos of bunches and reviews about the variety will not leave anyone indifferent – growing Kishmish is definitely worth it!