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In recent decades, not only residents of the southern regions have become “sick” with the cultivation of grapes, many gardeners of the middle zone are also trying to settle wine berries on their plots and quite successfully. Many are no longer satisfied with just taste and unpretentiousness in care, but strive to grow a grape variety with the largest possible berries and clusters. Among the many varieties and hybrid forms of grapes bred in recent decades, the achievements of the amateur breeder V.N. Krainova. This article is devoted to the description of the Ataman grape variety, reviews of which are very contradictory, but the photos of the berries are very attractive.
Description of the variety Ataman
Ataman grapes were born as a result of crossing two very popular grape varieties – Talisman and Rizamat. Both parental forms have outstanding characteristics, and Ataman inherited most of them, although he proved to be very susceptible to growing conditions. Rizamat rewarded him with huge berries and high yields, and from the Talisman he inherited stability, good maturity of shoots and rooting of cuttings.
The leaves of the Ataman grape are large in size, have a slight pubescence on the lower part of the leaf. The flowers are bisexual, so the bush can be planted even in splendid isolation, the harvest will still be. No problems are expected with the propagation of this grape variety, since the cuttings take root well and the fusion with rootstocks during grafting also occurs at the highest level.
In terms of ripening, the Ataman grape variety belongs to the middle or even to the middle-late ones – about 130-145 days pass from the moment the buds open to the ripening of the berries. In the south, berries can begin to ripen from the beginning to the first half of September. For more northern regions, ripening dates are shifted closer to October. It is possible to significantly accelerate the ripening of Ataman grapes by grafting it onto early ripe rootstocks, as shown in the video below.
Ataman’s bushes have considerable growth power, especially on their own roots. Therefore, normalization of the crop is mandatory for them, otherwise ripening may be delayed until the very frosts, the vine will not have time to ripen, and the bushes will leave unprepared for the winter. Not only can this affect the frost resistance of the bushes, but even next season the vines may refuse to bear fruit at all, trying to restore the forces spent on the excessive harvest of the previous year.
According to various sources, the optimal load on an adult bush should be from 30-40 to 55-60 eyes. At the same time, fruitful shoots make up 50-65% of the total mass of shoots. The fruiting coefficient, therefore, is 0,9 – 1,1.
Pruning of fruiting vines is recommended to be done at 8-10 buds and it is better to carry it out in the fall, after the end of fruiting, before sheltering grape bushes for the winter. In the summer, it is only necessary to cut out individual shoots and stepchildren that thicken the bush.
The frost resistance of the hybrid form Ataman is average – the grapes withstand without shelter up to -24 ° C. Therefore, in the vast majority of regions of Our Country, it must be covered for the winter. According to gardeners, this grape does not tolerate shelter with earth in the best way – it is better to use plywood or wooden shields, slate with coniferous spruce branches and straw as shelters.
One of the advantages of Ataman grapes is its undeniable yield. Thanks to the rationing of shoots, it can be kept within, but this hybrid form is capable of a lot with good care. Many growers easily collect several 10-12 liter buckets of berries from one bush.
Disease resistance of Ataman grapes causes the most controversy among those who grow this variety on their plots. According to the breeder, it is average. As for oidium and mildew, resistance is 3-3,5 points. Indeed, several preventive treatments are often enough for grapes. But about the various rots, opinions are less favorable. Especially often there are lesions with gray rot. Many growers note the particular tendency of Ataman grapes to crack berries under conditions conducive to this phenomenon: a sharp transition from heat to heavy rains. And already through the cracks an infection enters, and the berries begin to rot badly. To avoid these unpleasant moments, in addition to preventive treatments with fungicides, you can use a regular moisturizing regimen. The ideal solution for industrial plantings would be to install a drip irrigation system.
Characteristics of berries
Clusters and berries of the hybrid form of Ataman grapes are famous, first of all, for their size. According to reviews, some individual berries can reach the size of a good plum.
- The clusters are predominantly cylindrical-conical in shape, sometimes changing into a lobed.
- The length of the bunches can reach up to 35 cm with a width of about 15 cm.
- The mass of a bunch is on average 900-1200 grams, but often reaches 2 kg.
- The density of the brushes is medium, sometimes increased.
- The shape of the berries is mostly oval.
- The berries have a beautiful pinkish-red hue, in the sun they darken and become more purple.
- The skin is dense, but quite eatable, with a slight wax coating.
- The pulp is juicy and fleshy.
- The dimensions of the berries are: in length -35-40 mm, in width – about 25 mm.
- The average weight of one berry is 12-16 grams.
- There are few seeds in the berries – 2-3 pieces.
- The taste of the berries is harmonious, pleasant, without excessive cloying, rather refreshing. Tasters rate it at 4,2 points.
According to its purpose, the Ataman grape variety is table. It is of little use for making raisins or homemade wine.
- The sugar content in berries is 16-20 g / 100 cc, acid – 6-8 g / cc. dm.
- Damaged by wasps to an average degree.
- The transportability of grapes is declared as high. Some people agree with this. For others, this characteristic is questionable, mainly due to the fact that if the berries crack, then there can be no question of any transportation.
Reviews of gardeners
As mentioned above, reviews of Ataman grapes are very controversial. Apparently, this is due to the strong dependence of this hybrid form on growing conditions. Perhaps there are also facts of sorting.
Grape Ataman Pavlyuk
There is another hybrid form of grape with a similar name but slightly different characteristics. Judging by the description of the Ataman Pavlyuk grape variety, they have a relationship with Ataman grapes in one of the parents, and the photo shows that the berries are somewhat similar to each other.
Description and characteristics of berries
Grapes Ataman Pavlyuk was bred by an amateur breeder V.U. Drop by crossing varieties Talisman and Autumn black. It also belongs to the middle-late grape varieties, as it usually ripens during September, depending on the growing area.
The growth force of the bushes is above average, the vine matures at a fairly early date along the entire length of the growth. On each shoot, from two to four inflorescences can be laid, so the grapes require normalization. Usually leave one, maximum two inflorescences per shoot.
Disease resistance is good. Of course, it is impossible to do without fungicide treatments, but you can get healthy bushes by performing only a few preventive sprays per season.
The yield is good, the bush can pull a very large load. The video below clearly shows what this grape variety is capable of.
Clusters can reach considerable sizes, up to 2 kg, on average, their weight is 700-900 grams. The berries are dark purple, almost black in color. The shape is oval, the size of the berries is large, on average, the weight of one berry is 10-12 grams. Peasing is usually not observed. The taste is very pleasant, sweet with harmonious sourness. The pulp is dense and fleshy.
In the right conditions, bunches of grapes can easily be stored until the New Year, and some even until spring.
Reviews
Grapes Ataman Pavlyuk, for unknown reasons, is not very popular among winegrowers, only a small number of amateurs grow it. Although it does not have particularly outstanding characteristics, those who grow it on their plots are completely satisfied with it and appreciate it for its reliability, productivity and good taste.
Conclusion
Both Ataman and Ataman Pavlyuk grapes are worthy hybrid forms, the greatest value of which is the size of their berries and yield. Of course, each variety has its own nuances in cultivation, which must be taken into account. But each gardener chooses for himself which characteristics are more significant for him.