Grape Academic

Grapes have long been in wide demand and ubiquitous distribution. Unfortunately, not all varieties and types of grapes take root in northern European regions. Therefore, every year breeders are working on the development of new grape varieties suitable for any climatic conditions. And the Akademik grape became such a popular variety.

Academician is considered a table variety. His homeland is Crimea, the Magarach Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking. Breeders crossed two hybrid varieties: Richelieu and Gift of Zaporozhye. It is considered one of the new species that appeared in the early 2000s.

The variety was entered in the State Register in 2014. Shows good yield in the regions of the North Caucasus.

Grape leaves are large or more often medium. The surface is strongly dissected with 5 triangular denticles along the edges, smooth. The denticles are large. The notch at the petiole is open, with a lyre-shaped lumen. There is a slight bristly pubescence on the back of the leaf.

The academician has a very early ripening period, namely: 110-115 days in a temperate climate. The temperature sum is 2100 ° C. On the plantations of the Donetsk region, the technological ripening of fruits occurs in early August.

The bunches are large, the shape is a conical cylinder. Medium density cavity. The average weight of a bunch is 700-1200 g.

Elongated oval berries. The skin is thin, blue-black, with a strong prune bloom. Inside is juicy crunchy pulp, each berry has 2-3 seeds. The approximate size of the fruit is 33x20 mm, 8-12 g each.

The taste is sweet, harmonious and not sugary. According to reviews, it has a nutmeg hue with a chocolate aftertaste. The sugar content is quite high - 20-22%, the acidity is low, about 6.5 g / dm3. Tasting indicators of the variety reached high marks - 9.8 out of 10.

In conditions of good care, it has an average yield. The amount of the harvested crop reaches 20-25 t / ha. Fruit-bearing shoots, each with about 3 inflorescences.

Academician takes root only in subtropical and temperate climates. In other conditions, the growth and quality of grapes depends on the characteristics of planting and crop care.

The geography of distribution of the variety is still small. The academician is on probation, and mainly grows in a temperate subtropical climate in the south of Ukraine, as well as in the Crimea and the North Caucasus.

This variety is recommended to be planted on the southern and southwestern side of the site. It is necessary to protect the culture from the north and northwest winds. When planting in the northern regions, it is worth planting grapes on the sunny side.

The bushes are vigorous, so you need to retreat from the buildings about 3 m.

The variety does not like excessive moisture.Before planting, it is necessary to drain the soil (grind brick or crushed stone and add 8-11 cm during planting), this will protect the root system.

The variety loves slightly alkaline, breathable soils. With increased acidity, it is necessary to dilute the soil with lime (1 l / m).

The variety is planted in spring or mid-autumn. In any case, the plant takes root perfectly. For planting, you need to use a piece of vine with 3-4 eyes.

Has bisexual pollination. This allows you not to plant other grape varieties nearby.

Pruning is done in the fall. In the spring, they are pruned before the juice appears, since if you cut it while the juice is moving, the culture will die. During the pruning of the vines, 6-8 eyes are left.

The variety is dessert, therefore it requires frequent watering.

• The first time the bushes are watered after winter. Use warm water with wood ash diluted in it.

• The second time the culture is watered before flowering in 7 days.

• Watered for the third time after the bushes have faded.

• And the last time they watered in front of the shelter.

During flowering, it is forbidden to water, otherwise the grapes may fall off (the berries simply will not ripen).

Top dressing

The Academician responds well to both root and foliar feeding.

• The first feeding should be carried out immediately after removing the shelter. The culture is watered with a solution containing potassium salt, ammonium nitrate and superphosphate.

• The second feeding is carried out 14 days before the first flowers appear.

• Before the fruits begin to ripen, a solution of potassium salt is added.

• Before covering the grapes for the winter, it is recommended to apply potash fertilizers for good preservation of the culture.

The variety has average frost resistance and tolerates temperatures down to -24 ° C. At the same time, in the main regions of planting, it requires shelter for the winter.

The variety is considered moderately resistant to fungal diseases with mildew and oidium - resistance in points 2.5. For the safety of the crop, the culture requires constant care and attention.

For the prevention of oidium, the bushes are treated with a sulfur solution.

The variety tolerates transportation well and has a presentation. During transportation, the fruits do not crack or mold for a long time. Can be used as a dessert variety or for making homemade wines.

The variety is young, but already competitive. Excellent taste and good crop preservation attract many gardeners.In the future, the variety is planned to be grown on an industrial scale.

Many gardeners report good yields as early as the third year after planting. But the variety requires constant care and fertile soil.