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Saperavi Northern grapes are grown for wine production or fresh consumption. The variety is characterized by increased winter hardiness and high yield. Plants endure harsh winters without shelter.
Characteristic of the variety
Saperavi grapes are an old Georgian variety, known since the XNUMXth century. The grapes got their name due to the increased concentration of coloring substances in the fruits. The variety was used to color wine from white and red grapes.
In garden plots, a northern variety of Saperavi is grown, which has increased winter hardiness. The variety has been approved for cultivation since 1958 in the North Caucasus and the Volga region.
According to the description of the variety, photos and reviews, Saperavi Northern grapes have a number of features:
- technical grade;
- mid-late ripening;
- vegetation period 140-145 days;
- rounded leaves of medium size;
- bisexual flowers;
- bunch weight from 100 to 200 g;
- conical bunch shape.
Characteristics of Saperavi berries:
- weight from 0,7 to 1,2 g;
- oval shape;
- dark blue strong skin;
- wax coating;
- juicy pulp;
- dark pink juice;
- number of seeds from 2 to 5;
- simple harmonious taste.
The resistance of the variety to drought is estimated as average. Flowers rarely fall off, berries are not subject to pea.
Harvested at the end of September. Fruiting is high and stable. When harvesting late, the berries fall off.
The Saperavi Severny variety is used for the preparation of table and blended juices. Saperavi wine is characterized by increased astringency.
Saperavi grapes in the photo:
Planting of grapes
Saperavi grapes are planted in the autumn, so that the plants have time to take root and prepare for winter. Seedlings are purchased from trusted suppliers. Pre-prepare a place for growing crops. Be sure to take into account the illumination, the presence of protection from the wind and the quality of the soil.
Preparatory stage
Work on planting grapes is carried out from the beginning of October. The latest date for planting the Saperavi variety is 10 days before the onset of frost. Autumn planting is preferable to spring planting, as the root system develops. If it is necessary to plant grapes in the spring, then choose the period from mid-May to early June.
Saperavi seedlings are purchased from nurseries or trusted manufacturers. It is best to choose an annual shoot up to 0,5 m high and 8 cm in diameter. Healthy seedlings have green branches and white roots. Ripe buds should be on the shoots.
Plants are planted on the south, southwest or west side of the site. If the beds are located on a slope, then the landing pits are prepared in the central part. When located in a lowland, the grapes freeze and are exposed to moisture. Permissible distance to trees – 5 m.
Order of work
Saperavi Northern grapes are planted in prepared pits. When carrying out planting work, fertilizers must be applied to the soil.
Grape seedlings also need preparation. Their roots are placed for a day in clean water. The shoots are shortened and 4 eyes are left, the root system is slightly pruned.
Photo of Saperavi grapes after planting:
The sequence of planting Saperavi grapes:
- First, they dig a hole with a diameter of up to 1 m.
- A layer of crushed stone 10 cm thick is placed at the bottom.
- At a distance of 10 cm from the edge of the landing pit, a pipe with a diameter of 5 cm is placed. 15 cm of the pipe should remain above the soil surface.
- A layer of chernozem soil 15 cm thick is poured onto the crushed stone.
- From fertilizers, 150 g of potassium salt and 200 g of superphosphate are used. You can replace minerals with wood ash.
- Fertilizers are covered with fertile soil, then mineral substances are poured again.
- Soil is poured into the pit, which is rammed. Then pour 5 buckets of water.
- The landing pit is left for 1-2 months, after which a small mound is poured from the ground.
- A seedling of Saperavi grapes is placed on top, its roots are straightened and covered with soil.
- After tamping the soil, water the plant abundantly and cover the soil with plastic wrap, after cutting out a hole for the pipe and the seedling.
- The grapes are covered with a cut plastic bottle.
The plant is watered through the left pipe. When the grapes take root, the film and bottle are removed.
Variety care
The Saperavi Northern grape variety gives a good harvest with regular care. Plantings are fed during the season, periodically watered. Be sure to perform preventive pruning of shoots. To protect against diseases, special means are used. In cold regions, the Saperavi variety is covered for the winter.
The variety Saperavi is characterized by medium resistance to diseases. The variety is not very susceptible to gray rot and mildew. When using high-quality planting material and following the rules for growing plants rarely get sick.
Watering
Saperavi grapes begin to be watered after the snow melts and the covering material is removed. Plants under 3 years old are watered with dug pipes.
In the future, moisture is applied twice – a week before the opening of the buds and after the end of flowering. When the berries of the Saperavi variety begin to acquire a blue tint, watering is stopped.
In late autumn, before sheltering for the winter, the grapes are watered abundantly. The introduction of moisture helps plants to better endure the winter. If the Saperavi variety is grown for winemaking, then one winter watering per season is enough for the plants.
Additional fertilizing
Saperavi grapes respond positively to the introduction of minerals and organics. When using fertilizers during planting, plants do not feed for 3-4 years. During this period, the bush is formed and fruiting begins.
The first treatment is carried out after removing the shelter in the spring. Each plant needs 50 g of urea, 40 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfate. Substances are introduced into the furrows made around the bushes and covered with earth.
A week before flowering, the grapes are fed with chicken droppings. For 1 bucket of fertilizer add 2 buckets of water. The product is left to infuse for 10 days, then diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5. 20 g of potash and phosphorus fertilizers are added to the solution.
Nitrogen supplements, including chicken manure, are used until mid-summer. Nitrogen stimulates the formation of shoots, which negatively affects the yield.
When the berries ripen, the plants are watered with a solution, which includes 45 g of phosphorus and 15 g of potassium. Fertilizers can be embedded in the ground in a dry form.
Saperavi Northern grapes are processed by spraying. For processing, take Kemira or Aquarin preparations containing a complex of nutrients.
Trimming
Saperavi grapes are pruned in the fall, when the growing season is over. Pruning allows you to rejuvenate the bush, increase its lifespan and yield. In the spring, only sanitary pruning is performed if there are diseased or frozen shoots.
On young plants leave 3-8 sleeves. In adult bushes, young shoots up to 50 cm long are eliminated. On branches more than 80 cm long, side stepchildren are removed and the tops are shortened by 10%.
In summer, it is enough to eliminate excess shoots and leaves that cover the clusters from the sun. The procedure allows the plant to evenly receive light and nutrition.
Shelter for the winter
The Saperavi Severny variety is resistant to winter frosts. In the absence of snow cover, plants need additional shelter.
The grapes are removed from the lashes and covered with spruce branches. Arcs are placed on top, on which agrofiber is pulled. The edges of the covering material are pressed down with stones. The cover should not be too tight. Grapes provide fresh air.
Reviews of gardeners
Conclusion
Saperavi Northern grape is a technical variety used for making wine. The plant is characterized by increased resistance to winter frosts, high and stable yields. The culture is grown in prepared areas, watered and fed. In the fall, preventive pruning is performed. The Saperavi variety is unpretentious and rarely suffers from diseases.
