Grapes Kuban

Unpretentious and early grape varieties are popular with gardeners. Each of them wants to enjoy juicy berries as early as possible. Such varieties are less susceptible to fungal diseases. Kuban is one of the best early black grape varieties. It appeared quite recently, but has already managed to gain popularity. To make the idea of ​​Kuban grapes complete, consider its description, photos and reviews of gardeners. Learn how to properly plant and care for shrubs.

History of breeding

Kuban grapes were brought out by domestic breeders of the zonal station of winemaking and viticulture, which is located in the city of Anapa. A new variety was obtained by crossing two varieties of berries – Moldova and Cardinal.

The Kuban is sometimes called Early Moldova. But these are two completely different varieties that differ in many characteristics. The hybrid has successfully passed the tests, it became possible to grow it in many regions of Our Country, Ukraine and Moldova.

Variety description

Kuban is table variety that brings an early harvest. Berries ripen in 115-120 days after bud break. In the southern regions, the fruits are harvested in mid-August. In the central and northern parts of Our Country, grapes can be tasted closer to September.

Bushes and flowers

Kuban grape bushes are sprawling and vigorous, characterized by strong branches and trunk. They can reach 1,5 to 2,5 meters in height. The leaves are medium in size, bright green in color and jagged, carved edges. On one bush grows from 35 to 45 shoots.

The peculiarity of this variety is small, bisexual flowers, which greatly simplifies the fertilization procedure. They are collected in inflorescences that form a panicle. Petals yellow-green, cap-shaped. Flowering brushes bear fruit well. But during rains, the pollination process can be disrupted.

The photo shows bushes of Kuban grapes.

Clusters and berries

Grape clusters are large, have a cylindrical shape and medium density. The average weight of the vine is in the range of 0,7-0,9 kg, and the maximum mass of the brush is 1,3-1,5 kg.

The berries are large, oblong, weighing from 10 to 15 grams and measuring 3×2,5 cm. Under the thin black skin is juicy and fragrant flesh with blue-red veins. Seeds are large, pronounced. The taste is rich, harmonious, sweet, with a touch of nutmeg and a little sourness. Tasters rate it at 8,4 points. The sugar content in Kuban grapes is 20%, acids 5-6 g/l.

Advantages

Grapes of this variety fell in love with gardeners due to the following properties:

• excellent taste and decorative qualities;
• large berries and a large weight of bunches;
• high resistance to mildew, oidium and gray rot;
• early harvest;
• wasps do not attack ripe fruits;
• can be stored for a long time;
• during transportation does not lose its external and taste qualities;
• berries not prone to sprinkling and cracking;
• 55-60% of shoots bear fruit

Kuban is an unpretentious variety that does not require special growing conditions.

Disadvantages

Like any variety of grapes, Kuban has some disadvantages:

• low frost resistance, does not withstand temperatures below -20 ^оC, so the bushes should be covered for the winter;
• berries of this variety can get sunburn, so it is not recommended to cut off the foliage over the clusters;
• pimples may occur;
• so that the branches do not break and are not overloaded with berries, the bushes need to be cut;
• during prolonged rains, the pollination process may be disrupted.

High-quality care for Kuban grapes will help to avoid many problems.

Agrotechnical features

Despite the unpretentiousness of this variety, it is necessary to take into account the features of agricultural technology. The volume of the crop, the health of the berry bush and its resistance to diseases depend on this.

Terms of planting

Spring planting of grape seedlings is carried out from April 15 to May 15, before the awakening of the kidneys. The soil by this time should warm up to +10 ^ОC, and air up to +15 ^ОC. Before the cold weather, the grapes will have time to take root and take root.

In autumn, the Kuban can be planted from the first days of October. At the same time, the air temperature should be from +5 ^ОC to + 15 ^ОC. It is undesirable to delay planting, as the roots may freeze and the bush will die.

Site Selection

This grape variety is sun-loving and grows well in lit areas. The berry bush does not tolerate sharp cold winds and drafts, so it is located on the southern slopes or next to buildings. Plant it is not recommended to plant in lowlands and ravines, as there are most often fogs, frosts and high humidity.

Kuban grapes love fertile, loose soil. Bushes grow best on black soil. But if you fertilize the planting hole well, then you can plant a plant in any land.

Planting pit preparation

The selected area is dug up and cleared of weeds. A planting hole should be prepared 1-1,5 months before planting the grapes.

To do this:

1. They dig a hole 80×80 in size and 0,8-1 meter deep.
2. At the bottom, 5-8 cm of drainage is poured from crushed stone, gravel or broken brick. This layer protects the root system from high humidity.
3. An irrigation pipe is installed in the pit, the end of which rises above the ground.
4. The next layer is black soil mixed with humus in a ratio of 1 to 1. Its thickness is 20-30 cm.
5. 150-250 g of potash fertilizer and superphosphate and a little wood ash are poured on top, slightly mixed with the soil.
6. They close the hole with a fertile layer of soil, which was removed when they began to dig a recess. The place of planting grapes is irrigated with water.

Landing procedure

24 hours before planting, the root system of the seedling is soaked in cold water. Rules for planting a berry bush:

1. The planting hole is watered with several buckets of water.
2. Lower the seedling into the hole and straighten its roots.
3. It is covered with earth to the point of growth and tamped. The soil layer should be 30-40 cm.
4. Planted grapes are watered at the rate of 25-30 liters per bush.
5. Mulch with straw, sawdust or branches.

Some gardeners dig a ditch around the bush to drain water.

Features of care

An early ripe Kuban hybrid will regularly bear fruit on any land if it is properly cared for. It includes: watering, fertilizing, pruning the bush and preventive treatment of diseases.

Trimming

In the spring, weak shoots and dry branches of grapes are pruned, excess buds are removed. After pruning, 35-40 eyes and 30-35 green shoots should remain on the shrub. In summer, infertile stepchildren are cut off, which form in the axils of the leaves. In autumn, after the foliage has fallen, the main part of the branches is pruned and the bush is covered for the winter.

Additional fertilizing

To increase the yield of Kuban grapes are fed organic and mineral fertilizers. The procedure is carried out three times a year:

• in early spring, before bud break, complex fertilizer is applied;
• before ripening – superphosphate and potassium supplements;
• after flowering – potash fertilizers.

In autumn, once every three years, slurry is used at the rate of 1 kg / 1 m².

Watering

It is necessary to water the Kuban grapes rarely, but plentifully. Depending on the composition of the soil and the weather, it is desirable to irrigate every 25-30 days. In summer, watering is carried out more often, once every 7-14 days, in the evening or morning. In August, during the ripening of berries, watering is removed. BUT autumn carry out moisture charging humidification.

One bush consumes 5-20 liters of water. It should be warm and settled.

Disease Prevention

Grape variety Kuban resistant to gray mold and mildewbut may be affected by other common diseases. Therefore, carefully take care of the berry bush: remove weeds, prune.

They also carry out preventive spraying of grapes with special means:

• before flowering;
• after flowering;
• after harvest.

Bordeaux mixture, copper and iron sulfate are used for processing. From pests, Phytoferm, Fozalon, Spark are the most effective.

Reviews of gardeners

Conclusion

Kuban grapes are a favorite variety of many summer residents and gardeners. It attracts with unpretentiousness, decorative qualities, large berries and rich taste. The variety is in demand among buyers, so it is quickly sold out on the market. Kuban is suitable both for personal consumption and for sale.