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Seedless grapes have always been popular with consumers. Breeders do not stop working and get new varieties and hybrids that ripen quickly and at the same time have an attractive presentation. In 2009, a new grape variety Veles appeared, thanks to the work of the viticulturist Zagorulko V.V. The variety was bred on the basis of Rusbol and Sofia grapes, has large, early ripening clusters. The variety is named after the Slavic god of fertility Veles.
Description of Veles grapes
Veles grapes – a hybrid variety of early ripening. From the appearance of the first leaves to the ripening of fruits, about 100 days pass. Veles grape vine grows and matures quickly. One fruiting shoot forms 2-4 flower brushes. Flowers are bisexual. The plant does not need additional pollination, however, if you want to increase the yield, you can resort to artificial pollination.
In the process of crop maturation, stepchildren are formed on the vine, which can produce an additional crop by mid-September.
In the description of the Veles grape variety, the mass of a bunch of grapes is indicated from 600 g to 2 kg, according to reviews and photos of growers, the brush can ripen up to 3 kg. The shape of the bunch of Veles grapes is cone-shaped, very voluminous, not very dense or loose.
The berries are oval in shape, weighing up to 5 g, the skin is thin, but rather dense, it does not allow the berries to crack, the color of the berries is pink when the fruits are technically ripe, only rudiments remained from the seeds – the rudiments of seeds that are not felt when eating.
Thanks to the thin skin of the Veles variety, the berries shine through in the sun, which makes them aesthetically attractive to the buyer. The pulp of the berries is dense, jelly-like, with a pleasant taste with a nutmeg tint.
Veles kishmish grapes are a frost-resistant variety that can withstand temperatures as low as -23°C. Suitable for central Our Country, if the plant is covered for the winter. In the southern regions, it is possible to obtain 2 crops.
Watch a video about Veles vineyards:
Features of growing grapes
Planting of the Veles variety is carried out either by cuttings harvested in the fall, or by ready-made seedlings. Young plants take root well in any case and already in the second year they can give the first signal fruits. It is recommended to remove the appeared inflorescences so as not to delay the forces of the seedling for the development and ripening of fruits, but to direct them to the ripening of shoots.
Veles grapes do not make high demands on the quality of the soil. It can grow on sandstone, loam or clay soils. Regardless of the soil, humus, peat or compost is placed in the planting pit, mixed with the soil. A broken brick is placed at the bottom of the pit, expanded clay for drainage, if the soil is dense clay. Despite the fact that the seedling is still small, the dimensions of the planting pit should be at least 0,8×0,8 m.
When planting the Veles variety, consider the direction of the rows from north to south and the distance between seedlings of at least 1,5 m. The planting pit should be filled with organic matter as well as possible, as this is food for grapes in the next 3-4 years. You can add superphosphate (300 g), ash (500 g), potassium salt (100 g).
While the plant is young, it will require more careful care. Loosen and water regularly, remove weeds. If you cover the top layer of soil under the grapes with mulch, maintenance can be reduced, as the mulch prevents the growth of weeds and reduces the evaporation of moisture. Peat can be used as mulch.
An adult plant of the Veles variety does not require frequent watering, especially when the fruit ripens, excess moisture can cause the berries to crack and rot in Veles grapes. Watering is carried out no more than 4 times per season, at the most crucial moments in the development of the plant.
When planting, be sure to arrange a support. It can be a simple trellis from a dug-in base – pillars and a wire stretched between them in several rows. The wire must be strong enough and tightly stretched, as it will have to withstand the considerable weight of the grapes and their ripening fruits.
A sufficient amount of space is left between the trellises, convenient for care, organization of shelter, it is important that the Veles grape bushes do not shade each other, and they have enough sunlight and heat. The minimum distance between rows of trellises is at least 3 m.
How to tie and stepson grapes
During the growing season, Veles grape shoots will need to be repeatedly tied to several rows of trellises. Why is tying shoots done?
- The crowding of leaves and shoots is negated when the green mass obscures each other without receiving enough sunlight;
- Facilitates the work of caring for the vineyard. It is much easier to carry out foliar fertilization, pinching and removing shoots from Veles;
- Shoots in a tied position grow strong, mature faster;
- Tying up grapes is the prevention of diseases, the ventilation of shoots and leaves improves.
When the shoots reach a size of 30-40 cm, they are tied up in the lower trellis, then, as they grow, they are fixed to the next rows of wire.
The garter material can be twine, twine, scraps of textile or knitted fabric. It is required to fix it securely, but with some margin, so that the growing shoot in the future does not turn out to be overtightened. Manufacturers offer growers special plastic clips that are very convenient to use and designed for repeated use.
A feature of the Veles grape variety is its ability to numerous second-order shoots. In the southern regions, a second crop may well grow on them. But in the middle lane, a large number of shoots will only draw the forces of the bush onto itself, preventing the crop from ripening quickly and shading the bush, which is a negative factor in the development of diseases. Therefore, stepchildren should be removed completely, and in the southern regions, pinch the upper part.
Preparation of protective structures for grapes
Variety Veles tolerates the cold of the middle lane well. However, the organization of shelter is required. To do this, in the fall, the grapes are removed from the trellis, cut off, preventive treatment is done against diseases, covered with a film or agrofiber.
Pruning Veles grapes is an obligatory stage of plant care, which not only facilitates the wintering of plants, but also shapes the future harvest. For the Veles variety, pruning is recommended for 6-8 buds of each shoot. Usually in the middle lane, pruning occurs at the end of October – the beginning of November.
For more information about protecting grapes for the winter, see the video:
Shelter should not be organized immediately. Until the temperature reaches -10°C-12°C. The first frosts are useful for Veles grapes, as they harden it and prepare it for lower temperatures.
Old bushes of the Veles variety tolerate winter frosts much more easily, a sharp drop in temperature is most detrimental to young plants. They need to be covered as carefully as possible. Grape shoots removed from the trellis should not lie on bare ground. Between them use a substrate. For example, sheets of slate or boards.
Further, from above, the grapes are covered with spruce branches, straw, or simply covered with earth, taking it from the aisles. Combined protective structures for grapes are more effective. Example: having covered the plants with spruce branches, a film or agrofiber is pulled from above, fixing them around the perimeter with bricks. Fallen snow will additionally insulate the structure.
Another example of a protective structure: wooden or plywood shields covered with agrofibre or polyethylene film. They are placed over the stacked lashes of Veles grapes at an angle, in the form of a hut. Plus such shelters – repeated use for several years.
Another way to shelter Veles grapes for the winter. Special trenches are dug under grape lashes. Grapes removed from the trellis are placed in them, fixed with metal hooks. Arcs are installed from above with a frequency of 0,5 m. A covering material is pulled over the arcs, which is fixed on the sides with bricks or pegs. While the weather is positive or with a slight minus, the ends of the shelter are not closed. But as soon as the weather sets in with an air temperature of -8 ° C-10 ° C, the ends are securely closed.
Conclusion
The positive characteristics of the Veles grape variety: frost resistance, early ripening of the crop, good taste, attractive appearance, make the variety attractive for growing not only in the south of the country, but also in the middle lane with rather cold winters. The basics of agricultural technology should be observed, then there will be no problems when growing Veles grapes.