Description of the variety and characteristics of the grape variety Citronny Magaracha, cultivation
Gardeners who want to grow grapes, first of all, must determine what they are doing it for. This is due to the fact that the culture is divided into two types - technical and dessert. Technical varieties are used in winemaking and conservation, dessert varieties are used fresh. There are varieties that can hardly be attributed to both types at once. These include grapes of the Citronny Magaracha variety. Let's see what its advantages are, and how it is grown.
Breeding history of the variety
For the first time, the variety was born at the Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking Magarach, by crossing three varieties: Ukrainian early, Madeleine Angevins and a hybrid of Magarach. Later it was registered as a grape used for cultivation for industrial purposes. Loved by gardeners and winemakers for good taste and a stable harvest.
Pros and cons
The plant gained its fame thanks to its worthy characteristics, among which the following are distinguished:
- high productivity;
- nice smell;
- rich taste;
- not only wine is made from Citronny Magarach, its berries are quite suitable for fresh food;
- reacts calmly to subzero temperatures;
- weakly susceptible to attacks of fungal diseases and pests.
No pronounced shortcomings have been identified. With proper care, the grapes will delight gardeners with a tasty and bountiful harvest.
Note! The variety belongs to the self-pollinated category and does not require planting additional varieties on the same plot to obtain a harvest.
External parameters
The variety description is divided into two stages:
- a description of the appearance of the bush and its shoots;
- description of leaves and fruits.
Let's take a closer look at them.
Bush and shoots
The Citron Bush of Magaracha, with intensive care and favorable conditions, grows above average. The young vine has a delicate, pale green color, while mature plants change color, and the vine becomes a rich, red color.
Leaves and fruits
The leaves have three rounded lobes and are colored green. The bunch is conical in shape, its average weight reaches 300 grams. The berries are round, medium in size. Their skin is thin, but strong. The color of the berries is yellow with a greenish tint. The pulp is juicy, and each berry contains 3-4 seeds.
Specifications
Among the technical characteristics of the bush, an important role is played by:
- resistance to fungal diseases and parasite attacks;
- yield;
- resistance to cold climates, which is especially important for Russia.
The breeders who bred the Citronny Magaracha variety did their best, and all three characteristics are at a high level.
Yield
The yield is admirable, because the gardener will collect about 9 kilograms of grapes from one bush. Accordingly, about 10-11 tons of grapes are harvested from a 1 hectare plot. Not every variety can boast of such indicators, and together with its versatility and excellent taste, such an abundance only causes a joyful smile.
Disease resistance
A good, strong immunity grafted into the Citron Magarach bush allows gardeners not to worry about such common diseases for the culture as:
- gray rot;
- oidium;
- mildew.
The dangers threatening the variety and its yield include the defeat of the grape phylloxera. To combat this pest, the seedlings are wrapped in polyethylene, after which they are planted on the site. They remain in this form until the bush gets stronger. As a preventive measure, it is enough to conduct periodic inspections of plantings and remove damaged leaves.
Once every few seasons, it is allowed to process plantings with special antifungal drugs.
Frost resistance
In theory, the bush is able to withstand frosts with a drop in air temperature to -25 about... In practice, things are a little worse, and experienced gardeners advise covering the grapes every winter, no matter how severe the winter in your area of residence.
Catarovka serves as an effective method for increasing resistance to negative temperatures. The meaning of the method is as follows:
- with pruning shears, the upper roots of the bush are cut, lying at a depth of up to 5 centimeters;
- the plant begins to respond to such actions and strengthen the lower part of the root system, so that the freezing of the soil does not have a strong negative effect.
Note! Remember to mulch the soil around the bush as you prepare for the winter season.
Planting and growing grapes
Citron Maharach grapes are not considered a capricious variety, which requires a lot of time and effort to grow. However, it is not recommended to plant and care for the bush illiterately. Follow the basic requirements when planting and caring for the plant, and it will reciprocate you, bringing a stable harvest.
Before purchasing seeds or seedlings of Magarach, pay attention to the following points:
- favorable growing regions;
- landing dates;
- site selection and preparation;
- care of grape bushes.
In which regions it is possible to grow
Growing bushes is possible in many regions of Russia, the temperature of which in winter does not drop below -25 about... The following are considered favorable for breeding:
- North Caucasus;
- Crimea;
- Volgograd region;
- Rostov region;
- Middle Asia;
- Far East.
In the Moscow region and other regions located closer to the north, conditions are not so rosy, so when planting, choose a sunny place, preferably on the south side of the summer cottage.
How to choose a healthy and strong seedling
When buying seedlings, pay attention to:
- The root system. Choose seedlings with a lot of roots. They must be whole and well formed.
- The bark of the seedling must be intact, without traces of damage.
- Pay attention to whether the seedling is grafted or not. A grafted seedling is much better.
- The kidneys, when pressed lightly, should not fall off or flake off.
Important! Saplings on which leaves have formed should be avoided.Plants whose root system is in the open air, without any shelter, are also not the best purchase.
Landing time and scheme
When planting bushes, use one of the following patterns:
- the distance between the bushes is 3 meters, the distance between the beds is 1.5 meters;
- the distance between the bushes is 3 meters, the distance between the beds is 2 meters.
Seedlings are planted in mid-spring and early summer. It all depends on the region of residence and the method of landing.
Soil preparation
The preparation process is as follows:
- At the landing site, a hole is dug 50-60 centimeters wide and the same depth.
- A thin layer of gravel is poured onto the bottom.
- The next layer is a mixture of the earth dug out of the hole, with manure, sand and peat.
- The earth needs to be tamped every 20-30 centimeters.
- The bush is planted at a slight slope.
Seat selection
The place for grapes must meet the following conditions:
- good illumination;
- wind protection;
- do not plant bushes in places where water stagnates. This will lead to root rot;
- the soil on the site should be with neutral acidity. For this, loamy or sandy loam areas are suitable.
Fertilizer
The plant should be fed with fertilizers in the spring. Fertilizers can be both organic and inorganic. Horse manure is the best option for organic feeding. For a young plant, the dosage for one bush is 4 liters of manure, for an adult plant - 8-9 liters.
Watering mode
The bushes are watered no more than 1 time per week. A couple of buckets of water are poured onto the bush. Most of all, the plant needs watering during the budding period and during the formation of berries on the bunch.
Note! Before and during flowering, it is required to stop artificial irrigation of grapes. Otherwise, the flowers from the bush will begin to fall off quickly, and you can not expect a good harvest.
Do not water the grapes with ice water, this will adversely affect its condition. The bush itself should not be watered either.
Treatment of vines from pathogens
Thanks to the strong immune system, Citron Magaracha does not need special treatment with chemicals. For prevention, you can spray the bush no more than 1 time in 2-3 years.
Pruning
This variety is cut for 3-4 buds, which stimulates growth and the formation of a bountiful harvest. It is required to leave up to 30 eyes on the vine, this number will help to form full-fledged bunches of grapes, and the bush will not be overloaded.
Preparing for winter
When planting in the southern regions, you do not need to bother with special preparation for the winter season. The plant will cope with bad weather on its own. For the Moscow region and the regions in the neighborhood, the plant does not have enough own strength, and it needs to be covered with a special cloth for the winter.
Fruiting period and harvest
The ripening period of grapes is of two types:
- middle;
- mid-late.
With a medium term, grapes are suitable for the production of table wine, and a medium late harvest is used for dessert wines. Harvesting should be done carefully, without damaging the vine on which the bunches grow.
Where are berries used?
The main area of use of Citron Maharach is winemaking. Great for making dry and dessert wines. Can be eaten fresh, as the variety is versatile and its flavor is rich and full.
