Description and characteristics of the grape variety Friendship, growing rules and care
For every gardener who grows grapes in the garden, it is important to choose the right variety that is most suitable for the region. Hardiness, yield and resistance to climatic conditions are the traits that are usually paid attention to. You should take a closer look at the Druzhba grape, which has the necessary characteristics and is distinguished by its taste. It will be useful to familiarize yourself with the rules of cultivation - proper care will have a positive effect on the fruiting of grapes.
Friendship grapes: description
Friendship is a versatile grape variety. Outwardly, the culture differs little from other varieties, although there are features that, upon close examination, make it possible to accurately determine this particular variety.
External parameters
Friendship bushes are not too large, although the shoots are powerful and can easily support the weight of the bunches. Fruits often reach 5 g. Bunches of medium size, exceeding 400 g, subject to the rules of care.
The color of the fruit is green-yellow, often fluctuating to a light amber hue. The bunches are cylindrical, dense.
Positive and negative sides
Druzhba grapes have many advantages. Among the advantages over other varieties are noted:
- resistance to infections;
- excellent taste;
- frost resistance;
- persistent nutmeg smell;
- early ripening;
- versatility of use.
In addition to the advantages, the Druzhba variety has several disadvantages. Among them - the need to ration the harvest - the weight of the bunches can damage the lashes. It is recommended to remove unripe ovaries, being careful not to damage the vines.
Specifications
Familiarity with the characteristics of the variety is a prerequisite before growing a crop. Susceptibility to frost, ripening terms, the use of Friendship grapes - knowledge of these features will simplify care and prevent mistakes.
Table universal grade
A feature of the Druzhba variety is its versatility. It is recommended to use grapes for making wine, preserving, using in the preparation of desserts.
Ripening period and amount of harvest
Friendship grape is one of the earliest hybrids. The first wave of the harvest is being harvested in August.In cooler regions, ripening occurs in early September. Greenhouse conditions allow harvesting in early August.
Unpretentiousness, resistance to low temperatures
There will be no particular difficulties with the cultivation of Druzhba grapes - the variety is extremely undemanding and feels great with minimal attention from the owners. Differs in culture and endurance - without covering it is capable of wintering at 25 degrees of frost, but it is better not to risk it and use a shelter.
Potential diseases and pests
Friendship has strong immunity and is rarely affected by disease. Of the diseases, only gray rot and mildew are capable of infecting grapes, against which it is recommended to use chemical preparations.Pests rarely settle on the bushes, but it is better to carry out preventive treatment with chemicals.
Berry properties
Druzhba grapes are a combination of taste and persistent muscat aroma. In terms of the content of nutrients, berries are leading among the vast grape family.
Tasting characteristics
The taste of the fruits of Friendship is a combination of pleasant sourness and sweetness. Grapes are deservedly considered an analogue of nutmeg. Sugar content of ripe berries is more than 20%.
Vitamin content
Due to the increased content of vitamins, Friendship is boldly ranked among the leaders. The saturation with useful elements significantly exceeds the useful qualities of other table varieties.
Planting seedlings
Much of the successful cultivation of a variety depends on strict adherence to planting rules. Before decorating the garden with a fruiting crop, it is recommended to study the basic requirements for planting seedlings.
Planting seasonality
It is recommended to plant young Druzhba grape bushes in early autumn - the plants will have time to take root, put down new roots, and prepare for wintering. If for some reason it did not work out to plant the variety, keep the seedlings in the cellar until spring and plant them in a suitable place, the bush will start growing a little later than after the autumn planting.
In open ground
Seedlings are usually planted in open ground in the fall - this guarantees a high survival rate. With a spring planting, it will take a lot of time to adapt.
In greenhouses
Growing in greenhouses is practiced only in regions with harsh climatic conditions. Planting is recommended in autumn or spring, but often gardeners experiment and carry out planting even in summer or winter (especially if the greenhouse is heated).
Growing and care
The requirements for the care and cultivation of Friendship are no different from the recommendations associated with other unpretentious grape varieties. Correct, timely watering, nutrient application, pruning are part of the rules that will have to be followed.
Pruning a bush
It is recommended to form a plant already in the second year of life. Usually the main shoot is cut, leaving a height of about a meter.
One of the disadvantages of Friendship is the formation of too many young shoots. To avoid thickening, excess vines will have to be removed annually, otherwise the number of bunches will significantly decrease, the fruits will be small.
Watering and fertilizing
It is recommended to irrigate the soil from the very spring until the first fruits appear. During the ripening period, watering is scarce, with an excess of liquid, the sugar content of the grapes will decrease.For fertilization, use mineral or complex fertilizing. Use organics only in autumn as mulch.
Prevention and protection against diseases and pests
Preventive treatments against insects and infectious diseases are a prerequisite for successful crop cultivation. Irrigation on leaves from diseases is carried out up to 2 times a season.Insecticides are used against pests; for preventive purposes, treatment is carried out up to 3 times per summer. During the ripening period of berries, the use of chemicals is prohibited - use sparing home remedies.
Preparatory work before the winter cold
Despite the frost resistance, it is recommended to take care of protecting the bushes from frost. Annuals pre-huddle, after which they use geotextiles or simply cover them with a thick layer of spruce branches.
Remove the adult grapes from the support, place them on a spruce branch. The shelter is constructed from straw, spruce branches, and special material.
Collection and application of fruits
Druzhba grapes are harvested at the end of August (in cool regions - in September). Shelf life is about a month, but only in cool conditions (up to 8 degrees). Fruits are processed into wine, preserves, juices are prepared, and sent to the freezer. Desserts, pastries, berry marmalade are also very popular with housewives.
Friendship is a variety that has been tested by many gardeners and has received excellent recommendations. The unpretentiousness of the bushes, high yield, excellent taste have long become the hallmark of grapes. Despite the abundance of varieties, this species continues to be preferred by beginner and experienced gardeners.
