In addition to table varieties, winegrowers pay great attention to technical ones. An ideal gardener and pollinator of the plots is the Alpha grape variety, which is widespread in many regions.
The main place of its cultivation in Russia is the Primorsky Territory. Since 1937, the culture in the region has taken one of the first places in the cultivation of industrial grapes; more than 800 hectares of area are occupied for its cultivation. Bred Alpha in North America using the parent species Riparia and Labrusca. The grape first attracted the attention of breeders among wild plant varieties. What characteristics of the technical variety were able to win the favor of winegrowers? The answer to this question is easy to get by reading the description of the variety, photos and reviews of the "Alpha" grapes.
Main characteristics
The variety is not new for winegrowers. For decades, it has been cultivated by experienced and novice gardeners. It attracts attention by the fact that it perfectly tolerates the cold season and preserves the splendor of the bush. It is difficult to find the best gardener for gazebos, balconies, buildings and the entire plot. In addition, Alfa grapes have a pleasant taste and good juiciness of berries. For gardeners, the following parameters are important:
The ripening period of the crop. According to the description of the variety, "Alpha" grapes belong to the middle ripening period. The berries are ready for picking 110-145 after the start of the growing season. Usually the collection takes place in late September.
The yield of grapes of the "Alpha" variety, according to gardeners, is 10-14 kg per plant and 150-180 c / ha.
The bush is vigorous and powerful. Differs in the presence of a large number of stepsons. This leads to thickening of the vine. Therefore, you have to remove stepchildren at least 2 times per season. If this is not done, then the density and size of the grows will decrease.
Lianas grow up to 9 meters, large leaves are located on them (up to 25 cm in length). The leaves have sharp teeth at the edges, characteristic of the "Alpha" variety.
Alpha bunches are medium-sized, cylindrical, the weight of one varies between 150-180 g. In some cases, gardeners note the formation of larger specimens on the vine up to 250 g. For a technical grape variety, this is a good indicator. Grones of medium density.
The Alpha variety blooms in mid-June. There are 2-3 bisexual inflorescences on the shoot. It is often used by winegrowers as a pollinator for other varieties.
The grapes of the "Alpha" grape are round, dark blue, weighing 2-3 g each. A weak waxy coating forms on the skin.
The berries have a very pleasant taste, nutmeg, but with sourness. Therefore, "Alpha" is used for the preparation of wines and juices.
But after all, it does not apply to table types. The flesh of the berries is juicy and slimy, with a slight strawberry flavor.
Frost resistance is the most worthy characteristic of grapes. The root system perfectly withstands soil temperatures of -12 ° С, and air temperatures up to -35 ° С. For this quality, the "Alpha" variety is very fond of gardeners. It does not require additional shelter, which significantly saves energy and time during the busy autumn period. Also serves as a quality stock for varieties with low frost resistance.
Resistance to fungal infections. The variety does not require a large number of preventive treatments for infections and constant attention. But chlorosis is often affected.
Be sure to trim for 8-10 eyes.Otherwise, the grapes of the "Alpha" variety will significantly reduce the yield indicators.
In the photo grapes "Alpha":
Landing algorithm
The main activities that will ensure the good development and fruiting of Alpha grapes are planting and care. The final result depends on how well they are performed.
In addition to high frost resistance, Alpha grapes show the same degree of survival. Therefore, the variety is planted in the spring (end of March-June) and in the fall (October-November).
First, they choose a place. It must be well lit and protected from the wind. The groundwater level is not higher than 2 meters. Otherwise, drainage is indispensable. The southwest side of the building is perfect.
Planting material is prepared. Most often, gardeners propagate Alpha grapes by rooting cuttings. The variety has a good characteristic - problem-free adhesion to the rootstock. The seedlings must be hardened and follow all the procedures recommended for growing cuttings.
For grafting, choose the vines that are closest to the ground. Before planting, the seedling is soaked in water for better rooting and development of the root system.
The soil for planting is suitable with any composition, but fertilized. Be sure to add sand to the soil. It is not worth moistening the soil too much before planting a seedling, therefore the event is not appointed after the rain.
Landing pits are being prepared. For fertile soils, a cube of 80 cm is enough, for sand you need to go deep to 1 m.Leave a distance between the holes of at least 1.5 m, in row spacing 2 m.
A peg is placed in the center of the pit - a support, the seedling is lowered to the root collar, covered with soil.
A grape seedling must be watered and mulched. A young plant is sheltered for the winter, it still does not have the strength to withstand frost. Do not expect a harvest in the first year after planting. At this time, there is still a residual rooting, hardening and strengthening of seedlings. Despite the fact that "Alpha" grapes, according to the description of the variety and reviews, are unpretentious, you need to take care of them. Especially in the first stage of development. Therefore, the next step for the gardener is to provide the grapes with decent care.
Grape care
To keep the grapes "Alpha" in good condition and get the result stated in the description, it is required to fulfill the requirements of agricultural technology of the variety:
Water. For the first time, abundant water-charging watering is carried out after removing the spring shelter. This is important especially in those years when there was little snow in winter and rain in spring. In the following months, the bushes are watered in the early morning or evening once a week. One plant needs 1-2 buckets of settled warm water. Sprinklers or sprayers are not used for these purposes; water must be supplied to the roots. For adult plants, the dose of watering is increased, 2-4 buckets are consumed per bush.
Feed. Saplings of grapes "Alpha" are distinguished by intensive growth. Without applying a group of fertilizers, it is difficult for a plant to withstand the initial critical period. Until the natural process of symbiotic nutrition is normalized, the grapes are fed with nitrogen, carbon and potassium. Organic additives are also suitable:
- infusion of bird droppings (in good dilution);
- infusion of herbs;
- infusion of wood ash.
Also used drugs "Biovit", "Gummi-Plus", Vermistim "," Optim-Humus ". They are brought in according to the instructions and not earlier than 7 days after the main ones.
Trim and remove stepchildren.
Vine bushes are thinned throughout the summer. Pruning is done competently for 8-10 eyes. It is not recommended to skip events, otherwise the bushes will overgrow.
Protect against diseases and pests.Fungal lesions are not terrible for the variety. But other diseases and pests are found as often as in other species.
The main pests attacking Alpha grapes:
- Grape flea. You can destroy a flea with the help of Karbofos and Fufanon insecticides.
- The mosquito is grape. For grapes, its larvae are dangerous, at the place of introduction of which galls are formed. They use the same insecticides as against fleas.
- The cushion is grape. It is problematic to destroy adults of the pest, therefore, the spring treatment of the vine with "Preparation 30" or "Nitrafen" is carried out. In order not to process the grapes again, the cushion can be removed manually. Only you will have to do it regularly.
- Wasps. They love ripe grapes. The danger lies in the fact that in places where wasps are damaged, fruit flies multiply and the fruits rot. The fight is carried out using scented traps or insecticides.
Among the diseases on the grapes of the "Alpha" variety there are:
- Chlorosis, powdery mildew, rot varieties. It is difficult to deal with such problems, so regular preventive measures are needed.
- Anthracnose. Rescue spraying "Ridomil", "Anthracnol", Bordeaux mixture.
Preparation for the winter of grapes "Alpha" is to cover the vine. Despite its high frost resistance, the vine near the ground can freeze out.
Testimonials
Gardeners' reviews of the variety are different. It depends on the region and growing conditions. But most of them are positive. Together with a description of the variety and a photo of the grapes "Alpha".
Useful video for winegrowers:
