Grapes Moldova

Probably, there is no such grower who would not have heard about the Moldova variety. This grape belongs to the oldest varieties, and in Our Country it gained popularity only at the end of the last century. Moldova has a lot of strong qualities: it is not for nothing that the variety is considered one of the best table varieties and is successfully cultivated almost throughout the country. It cannot be said that the clusters of this grape are huge, and the berries are very large and have a non-standard taste, but Moldova consistently deserves high tasting marks and pleases with large harvests, even with minimal care and adverse external factors.

Description of the grape variety Moldova, photos and reviews about it can be found in this article. Here is a list of the strengths and weaknesses of the variety, as well as how to properly grow Moldova table grapes.

Characteristic of the variety

The description of the Moldova grape variety should begin with the history of its origin. As the name implies, the culture was bred in Moldova, for this, two excellent species were crossed: Guzal Karu and Save Villar. In some literary sources, you can find the second name of Moldova – Kodryanka Late.

The variety was originally intended for regions with a mild and warm climate, so the grapes show the highest yield in Moldova, in southern Ukraine, in the Crimea, the Krasnodar Territory and the Rostov Region.

For more northern regions, the variety is not suitable, as it has a late ripening time (berries may remain green).

Characteristics of Moldova grapes:

• variety with medium and late ripening – the berries will become ripe in 155-160 days;
• grapes are considered table grapes, the taste of the berries, although not refined, is very pleasant – the taste characteristics of Moldova deserve an 8-point rating;
• the size of the clusters in the bulk is small, but there are also brushes weighing about a kilogram;
• the shape of the clusters is cylindrical-conical, the fullness is medium;
• the berries themselves are oval in shape, their average weight is 6 grams (that is, the grapes are quite large);
• the peel of grapes of the Moldova variety is dark purple, dense, covered with a clearly visible wax coating;
• the pulp is tight, crunches when chewed, there are 2-3 seeds inside the grapes;
• the yield is very high – the Moldova grape variety produces about 140 kg of berries from each five-year-old bush;
• the sugar content in fruits is high – 19%, which allows them to be used for making wine and natural juice;
• the harvested crop can be stored for up to five months, it can also be processed, frozen, used to make preserves and jams;
• the bushes of Moldova are vigorous, already in the second or third year you can collect the first fruits;
• the leaves on the bushes are large, smooth, light green, slightly pubescent on the wrong side;
• about 70% of runs in Moldova are fruitful;
• each shoot allows to ripen, on average, 1,7 fruit clusters;
• grape inflorescences are bisexual, so Moldova does not need additional pollinators (other varieties);
• the variety has high resistance to various diseases and fungal infections;
• Moldova grapes are frost-resistant – without shelter, wood can withstand temperatures down to -23 degrees;
• the variety is not demanding in care, it does not need complex agricultural practices.

Any grape is very healthy, because it is a source of many vitamins, minerals, fruit sugars and acids. Moldova is no exception, the fruits of this variety are high in calories and nutrients, they are full of antioxidants and useful vitamins.

Advantages and disadvantages

Grapes Moldova would not have become so popular if it did not have a lot of advantages. Of the strengths of the variety, it is worth mentioning:

• unpretentiousness of Moldova;
• high productivity;
• excellent taste characteristics;
• self-pollination;
• excellent presentation of fruits and their suitability for storage and transportation;
• resistance to most diseases;
• good resistance of grapes to low temperatures;
• the ability to quickly regenerate (recovery after pruning and mechanical damage to the vine);
• universal purpose of fruits.

The peel of the berries is dense, they ripen late, so they are rarely affected by insects, retain their presentation and integrity.

A grower who has decided to have Moldova in his garden should also be aware of some of the nuances. The first thing worth mentioning is that this grape must be normalized: Moldova does not forgive either overloads or underloads. The second drawback of the variety lies in its weak resistance to such a dangerous disease as oidium – bushes will have to be processed several times per season.

Growing grapes

Description of Moldova grapes and photos of bunches, berries of this variety are very attractive: immediately there is a desire to plant several seedlings on your site. To achieve excellent results, you need to provide the culture with competent care.

Agricultural technology during planting

The yield of grapes and the growth rate of bushes largely depend on how correctly the planting of Moldovan seedlings is carried out. The first thing the grower should pay attention to is the soil on the site. Grapes Moldova prefers light and fertile soils that retain moisture and nutrients well.

An excess amount of moisture in the ground has a bad effect on the condition of the grapes: it rots, is affected by fungal infections, and lags behind in development. Winds and drafts have a bad effect on Moldova, this culture does not like shading and cold.

Considering all of the above, a place for seedlings of this grape is chosen according to the following criteria:

• the site should not be in a lowland;
• groundwater lies deep (if not, you need to pour a hill of earth);
• the place is well lit by the sun and is located on the south side of the garden;
• seedlings of Moldova will be protected from wind and draft;
• the soil in the area is nutritious.

Moldova grapes can be planted both in autumn and in spring. Most gardeners prefer to do this during the spring months, when the grapes will have plenty of time to get stronger and overwinter well. Those who decide to plant grapes in autumn should take care of shelter for seedlings.

In any case, Moldovan seedlings cannot be planted in the ground at an air temperature below 15 degrees.

Bushes of this variety are very prone to overgrowth, so it is necessary to observe a sufficient interval between plantings. Each bush of Moldova needs about 3-4 meters of space on any side. If the seedlings are planted too tightly, this will affect the quality and quantity of the fruit.

Directly planting seedlings of Moldova is carried out as follows:

1. A hole is dug in advance with a diameter of about a meter and a depth of 90 cm.
2. The bottom of the pit is covered with a generous layer of compost interspersed with soil or humus.
3. Fertilizer fall asleep with another layer of fertile soil.
4. Place the seedling in the hole, gently straightening its roots.
5. Sprinkle the grapes with earth, slightly shaking the seedling to compact the soil.
6. Water the soil abundantly and cover it with mulch.

Do not forget about the high growth rate of grapes – for Moldova, you need to build an arch, trellis or other support in advance.

Necessary care

Moldova does not belong to capricious and demanding varieties, but even this grape needs minimal care. It is noticed that with due attention from the owner, the variety is capable of producing up to 150 centners of yield per hectare of vineyard.

You need to take care of the Moldova variety like this:

1. Water the vineyard. For Moldova grapes, sufficient soil moisture is extremely important, special attention should be paid to watering a week before the flowering of the vine and immediately after setting the berries. Any method of irrigation is acceptable: from drip irrigation to irrigation through channels and directly under the bush. If the weather is dry, the vineyard is additionally watered in the spring, immediately after the leaves bloom, and in the fall, when the entire crop has already been harvested. If there is too much moisture in the region, you need to take care of drainage.

   

2. Mulch the ground within a radius of about 50 cm from the trunk. Mulch helps retain moisture, keeps the roots from drying out, and protects them from the hot sun. As a mulch, rotten straw, sawdust, humus are suitable. The mulching layer should be about five centimeters.
3. Preparation for winter. In the northern regions, Moldova needs to be covered for the winter. Given the strong growth of bushes, the method with metal vertical arcs and film is only suitable for young plants. Older vine bushes are tied and bent to the ground. After that, you can sprinkle the vine with earth, build a shelter from wood or slate, or use spruce branches.

   

4. Trimming and loading. As mentioned above, Moldova must be rationed. The total load on the bush should not be more than 70 eyes, so 4-7 fruit buds are left on each shoot. When the clusters are formed, the normalization is carried out again: cutting off all the brushes so that no more than two of them remain on each shoot. You need to trim Moldova in spring and autumn, usually using the long sleeve method.

   

5. Feeding. You need to fertilize the vineyard 3-4 times per season. In spring, nitrogenous mineral supplements are used; in summer, it is better to apply preparations containing potassium and phosphorus. Organics spoil the taste of grapes, so it is brought into the soil in the fall, after harvest.
6. Diseases and pests. Moldovan grapes are resistant to most diseases, they are not afraid of pests either. But the variety is able to be affected by powdery mildew, so it needs prevention. Bushes are sprayed several times a season using Bordeaux liquid or another agent.

   

Variety review

Conclusion

Moldova grapes are a great option for “lazy” summer residents and gardeners, and it is also great for industrial cultivation. The fruits of this variety are tasty fresh, suitable for any processing, can be stored and transported for a long time, have a good presentation. The variety does not need special care, so it is also suitable for beginner winegrowers. All reviews about Moldova grapes are extremely positive.