In the southern lands of modern Ukraine and Russia, viticulture is considered one of the most ancient agricultural crops.
Probably thanks to this, today this plant of the Gods has become so affordable in growing to everyone.
Indeed, it is difficult to find a private plot, not decorated with a grape bush.
One of the grape varieties, which can most often be found at the dachas and the will of amateur houses, is the "Cardinal" grape.
This variety has been in the top of the most common grapes for many years than it owes to its high and unusually tasty crops.
It is about its characteristics, features of planting and cultivation that will be discussed below.
How to distinguish the grape "Cardinal" from other varieties? Descriptive characteristics of the variety
A very widespread grape variety, known in the southern countries of Europe, in Ukraine, Russia and the countries of Central Asia. The origin of the variety "Cardinal" is American, where scientists have been varieties of "Queen of Vineyards" with grapes of "Alfons Lavalle". As a result of this experience, fine table grapes were obtained with unusually large berries of attractive appearance.
Features of a bunch of grapes "Cardinal"
The size of a bunch of grapes "Cardinal" is very large. Average, the length of one bunch is from 19 to 28 centimeters, and the width is from 13 to 19 centimeters. Although, at the same time, the average mass of the cluster is relatively small - only 342-510 grams. Sometimes there are clusters weighing 900 grams.
Also, the clusters of this variety differ in cylindric conical shape, significantly elongated at the bottom. The structure of the cluster is very loose. The leg of such a cluster is usually long, with a green comb, which is able to break off very easily.
As already mentioned, the berries of this variety are very large. The length of one berry can vary from 2.1 to 2.9 centimeters, while its length is from 1.8 to 2.3 centimeters. At the same time, the mass of one grape "Cardinal" is about 7-9 grams. In appearance, they also differ in oval or oval-oblong shape.
Sometimes there are berries with a sloping tip, which is characterized by a small groove. Grapes are painted in purple-red color. The peel is covered on top of a thin layer of wax that is smoky. Despite the relative density of the skin of the grape "Cardinal", it is very easily able to break.
The grape pulp "Cardinal" has a very fleshy, juicy and crispy structure. The color of the pulp of the berries of this variety is greenish-white, a bit like jelly. In the center are also seeds. Their number is about 2-4, but they are large in size. The berries have an unusually delicate flavor, which is combined with a pleasant, but not clear, flavor of nutmeg.
The berry contains a large amount of sugars, equal to 15-18 grams per 100 milliliters of grape juice. Accordingly, the acidity of the variety usually does not exceed 7–9 grams in one liter of juice.
The main purpose of the grape "Cardinal" is mainly table. Compotes and jams made from it, which have an excellent both appearance and taste, are particularly highly valued. All products produced are well stored when the necessary standards for their preparation. Many growers, this variety is grown either just for eating fresh, or for sale.
Features of the ripening time of grapes and indicators of its yield
As for the time of ripening the grape "Cardinal", the variety is one of the earliest. The maturity of the berries of this grape comes already on day 121 after blooming eyes, thus, in fact, completing the vegetative period of the bush. Grape berries get their natural color, which indicates maturity, by the middle or beginning of the second half of August. It is important to note that this variety is characterized by a bisexual flower, due to which yields occur annually and at a high level.
The yield of this grape variety is considered potentially high, although it is not always possible to obtain high results. The reason for this is the presence of a number of deficiencies in the "Cardinal" grapes, which very often cause unstable yields, weaken them, or completely deprive the shrubs cluster. But more on that below.
And the advantages of the yield of the described variety include the fact that, on average, about 67 shoots are formed on one bush, which potentially can give a very high yield. After all, only one such the frisky escape mainly concentrates 0.9 clusters, whereas for the fruit bearing this figure is 1.3.
The growth power of the Cardinal grape bush is comparatively average, although it is noted that with good agricultural technology, both the bush and the crops can significantly improve their performance. Since here we suggest average values of all indicators of a grape variety, combining the results of both industrial and household vineyards.
Advantages of grapes "Cardinal" - the main secrets of the variety
When choosing this grape variety for planting on their own plot, the winegrowers first of all pay attention to the large size of the berries, as well as their excellent appearance and taste. It is also worth noting that:
- Grape "Cardinal" has a relatively long periods of storage of the harvest, which is about 3 months.
- The taste qualities of the grape berries "Cardinal" are rated by professional tasters by 8-9 points.
- Grape bunches of this variety tolerate very long transportation, at the same time, without being damaged and without losing attractiveness.
- High quality made from grapes preservation.
- Variety "Cardinal" is able to please high yields while ensuring optimal conditions of agriculture
The disadvantages of the grape "Cardinal" - we arm ourselves with knowledge in order to avoid negative consequences
To achieve a truly high and tasty yields of grapes "Cardinal" is actually not very easy, because it is considered one of the most capricious and not particularly sustainable. But if it is premature to be aware of all the difficulties that may be encountered, it is possible to provide the grape bush with all the necessary care and to protect it from damage and loss of harvest.
- The variety has an average resistance to such common vineyard diseases as flour dew, mildew and bacterial cancer.
- There are very frequent cases of defeat of the grapes of the "Cardinal" grays with gray rot. The grape-wrapping moth poses a great danger to the grape bush of this variety.
- Under bad weather conditions, the future harvest suffers greatly: flowers and ovaries on grapes are showered; grape berries may be peeled. Thus, the trade dress of grapes falls, clusters become smaller.
- Resistance to low temperatures of the winter period in the described variety is also low. Also, very often it can be affected by spring frosts, as the grapes begin to bloom early.
- The berries of this grape variety can often not ripen evenly.
Also interesting to read about the autumn grape transplant
All necessary instructions to the correct planting of grapes "Cardinal" on the site
The main question that arises before planting grapes: how and what to plant. In the case of the Cardinal variety, a more rational option would be to choose a planting method for grape cutting. The advantage of this option is that it is much more likely to produce a high-yielding vine when it is harvested. grafting to perennial wood. Of course, it is possible to grow this variety from a sapling, but this process will be much longer and this bush will be less resistant to diseases.
The right choice of climatic conditions, time of year and soil for the variety "Cardinal"
As already mentioned, this variety is considered quite capricious, therefore, when planting it, the following should be considered:
- This grapes unusually demanding to heat. Therefore, it is better to plant it in warm climatic conditions with very mild winters. However, it can give quite good results even when planted in relatively cool regions and while providing the grape bush with the necessary care.
- The preferred time for planting the Cardinal is of course spring, since this variety has a very low resistance to low temperatures. It is necessary to choose the time before the blooming of green crops, but under weather conditions at + 15ºС and at soil temperature not lower than +10 ºС.
- The grape variety best described is able to bear fruit on soils such as loam and sandstone. The best option is black soil, which is considered the most fertile soil with all the necessary characteristics for planting grapes.
- It is recommended to plant grapes on your plot only on the south side of buildings or other supports that would protect it from cold winds. The relief of the grapes best suited southern or south-western slopes.
Plant grapes "Cardinal" to the stock
Before proceeding directly to the grape grafting process, it is very important to prepare the cutting.
- A good stalk should have 2-3 eyes.
- The lower part of the cutting must be cut a few millimeters below the peephole only from two sides, in order to get a kind of wedge.
- The upper part of the cutting is waxed in order to keep it moist. To do this, the cutting very quickly sinks into the hot melted paraffin and immediately goes into the water for cooling.
- The cut part of the cutting should be in water for some time before inoculation, which will favorably affect rooting. Also, you can dip it in the humate stimulating solution (10 drops of the drug per liter of water).
The stock must also be given the necessary training. Most often, for grapes "Cardinal" it is recommended to use old grape bushes "Berlandieri X Riparia" or "Shasla X Berlandieri". After removing the old bush, a small stump is left, the surface of which needs to be cleaned to perfect smoothness.
Exactly in the middle, the stock splits so that there is an opportunity to put a grape stalk into the split. Splitting the stock must be very carefully, using a small hatchet and a hammer. We start vaccination:
- The cutting is carefully placed in the split with its trimmed part so that its shoulders remain in the gap between the split.
- The stock is very strongly tightened and tied in order to press it as tightly as possible to the handle. For tying, it is best to use a cotton fabric, which is both strong enough and capable of decomposing after some time.
- The vaccination site can be smeared with clay., which will retain the necessary moisture in the rootstock.
- After vaccination, it is very important to pour plentifully on the stock, saturating it with the necessary moisture. To do this, optimally use at least 3 buckets of water.
- The mulching of the soil around only the grafted grape bush has a positive effect on sticking the stalk.
Caring for the grape variety "Cardinal" - a way to save the harvest
The imbalance in the fruiting of the Cardinal grapes is still possible to prevent and to win. To do this, it is very important to take into account all its shortcomings and possible diseases in order to come to grips with them in time.
Proper watering varieties "Cardinal: what is important to know about grapes?
Grapes belong to crops that love moisture. However, its oversupply often becomes the cause of cracking even in mature berries. Therefore, it is optimal to conduct watering of the vine about two times per season: before it enters the flowering and upon completion of this process. However, during droughts, watering increases significantly. In the same case, if there is a very large amount of precipitation, it is recommended to create special drainage systems on the site.
Top dressing and mulching of the vineyard soil
Due to such procedures, the grapes are optimally saturated with the necessary amount of nutrients and at a higher level they are able to resist diseases. Mulching grape soil is best in spring and autumn, using for this about 3 centimeters of stubborn humus. Additionally, you can feed the grape bush and mineral fertilizers, among which the best potash-phosphorus.
Preparing the Cardinal Vine for Cold
This variety is very afraid of frost, so even in regions with warm winters, it is recommended to cover it.
For shelter, you can use hay and straw, which, together with mulch, is spread on a near-barrel circle, trying to cover the grape shtamb as high as possible. If there is a risk of frostbite of the vine - it is best to lay it on the ground and shelter well, as well as the trunk.
Only planted vines should be covered more carefully. For this, a large vessel (preferably wooden) is often used, which has no bottom. It is set above the grapes and completely covered with soil.
Pruning grape vines "Cardinal": what is important to consider?
When pruning is very important to form the vine itself. For the "Cardinal" variety, a fan-shaped form is best suited, or it can be formulated using the Huyo method In any case, it is important to keep in mind that for good fruiting the load on one bush should not exceed 25-30 holesSince the bush of this variety is of medium size. The number of shoots, which will not overload the bush, is 13-16.
Pruning is done in most cases in the fall. If you decide to carry out this procedure in the spring - this should be done before the start of the opening of the grape eyes. For the "Cardinal" grapes, pruning should be short, leaving up to 6 eyes on each shoot.
How to deal with diseases and pests of grapes "Cardinal"?
Preventive spraying of the bush of grapes "Cardinal" must be carried outwithout waiting for signs of disease. It is best to spray grapes with fungicides during the period before the flowering of the bush and after the completion of this process. In case of occurrence of diseases repeated spraying is carried out. As drugs, you can pick up universal ones that do not harm crops.
