Arcadia grapes (Nastya)

Arcadia (Nastya) has long established itself as an excellent variety of grapes for commercial purposes, and in recent years has become a popular delicacy in the gardens of summer residents.

Many winegrowers fell in love with the variety for its relative unpretentiousness, frost resistance and the ability to get a rich harvest in conditions of strong temperature fluctuations throughout the year.

Arcadia is a variety that, in the process of selection, received all those qualities that gardeners value so much. It was brought out more than 20 years ago by the Ukrainian breeders of IViV them. VE Tairova from dark blue Moldova and purple Cardinal grapes. Both parents have dark colored fruits, and the Arcadia berries are white.

Thanks to the Moldova Arcadia variety, it perfectly adapts to weather conditions. And the juicy, fleshy berries went to Arcadia from the Cardinal.

In the process of breeding, another crop variety was bred from these two varieties, but it had to be refined, since the quality characteristics turned out to be low. After revision, the variety was named Helios.

Arcadia successfully passed state tests, and in 1995 the variety was officially entered into the Register of Plant Varieties of Ukraine.

Arcadia got into the State Register of the Russian Federation only in 2009.

It is recommended to cultivate this type of culture, first of all, in the North Caucasus region. It is this geography, thanks to the excellent climate and soil characteristics, that allows you to harvest a rich harvest of Arcadia, revealing all the taste qualities of the variety.

However, over time, attempts at testing by amateur gardeners to grow Arcadia in the northern regions of the country have shown excellent results: for example, a good harvest can be achieved in the west of Crimea, in the central part of Russia and in the regions of black soil. The geography of cultivation in Ukraine has also been expanded, good yield is noted in Belarus.

The variety is table and is a high-yielding and early maturing variety. Due to its appetizing appearance and good transportability, Arcadia grapes are among the five most demanded when sold in chain supermarkets.

The ripening period depends on climatic conditions, geography of growth. According to the technical description, from the moment the buds bloom until the first bunches are ready, about 120 days should pass. In the middle lane, a ripe berry can be enjoyed in early August, in the south - a little earlier.

Bunches of grapes are large and very large, medium dense. The bunches branch, have a cylindrical, conical and winged shape, weighing an average of 500-700 grams. But there are also champions up to 2500 grams.

The berries are large, on average 28 * 23mm, with a weight of 7-15 grams, the shape is ovoid. The variety belongs to the white grape varieties. At technical maturity, the berries are white or yellow, in ripe state they acquire a honey or amber color with a whitish waxy bloom. The pulp is fleshy and juicy, the skin is of medium thickness.

Ripe fruits have a harmonious taste with hints of nutmeg. Sugar content is not high 15-16%, acidity is also not high - 4-6 g / dm3. These characteristics give moderately sweet berries.

The yield of the variety is considered high. One bush can produce an average of 30 kilograms of fragrant bunches. But under excellent climatic conditions, Arcadia produces 50 kg of berries. Fruitful vines 55-75% of the total.The fertility rate is high - 1.1 - 1.5, but depends on the region of cultivation.

Arcadia is a frost-resistant crop variety, easily winters at temperatures down to -21 degrees. For a good sugar accumulation process and a bountiful harvest, vines need timely normalization.

When choosing a place, it should be borne in mind that for the sugar content of the grapes, a lot of sun and minimal exposure to wind are required. It is best to plant along the walls of buildings on the sunny side.

The optimal time for planting may be the second half of spring - early summer or during October. The basic rule is that the soil temperature should be at least 10 degrees, the air temperature - 15 degrees. Arcadia grows in any soil - clay, sand, loam, black earth.

The process of planting and preparing for it takes place in several stages:

1. An 8-10 mm shoot is freed from leaves, stepchildren, antennae and cuttings 45-50 cm long with 3-4 eyes are formed from it.
2. For 24 hours the cuttings are kept in water, then treated with a weak solution of manganese (you can dip it) and dried.
3. Until the end of February - the beginning of March, planting material, wrapped in plastic wrap, is stored in a cool place at a temperature of 0-2 degrees (refrigerator or basement).
4. After the expiration of the period, the cuttings are again immersed in water for 1 - 2 days. The lower kidney should be removed, the upper one should be immersed in melted paraffin and immediately in cold water. This manipulation will help protect the future plant from diseases.
5. At the bottom, the bark of the cutting is cut in 4 places with lines 3 cm long to form roots in this place.
6. To prevent the opening of the eyes before the roots are formed (otherwise the stalk dries up), a kilchev procedure is carried out. The lower part with cuts is wrapped with a dampened cloth and polyethylene and placed so that it is warm (on the battery), and the upper part with kidneys is leaned against the cool glass of the window. The point of kilchevating is to provide a temperature difference between the top and bottom of the cuttings.
7. A pit is prepared with a width and depth of about 70 cm. At the bottom, drainage is organized - it is covered with rubble, pebbles or broken bricks. Further - a fertile layer of sand, humus, ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, nitrophosphate 20 cm thick.
8. A stalk is laid and covered with soil or rotted manure, forming a hole 25-30 cm in diameter at the root for high-quality watering and more convenient wintering. Fill the hole with 10 liters of warm water.

The flowers of Arcadia are bisexual. Artificial pollination is not required. Other varieties can be pollinated.

For the rejuvenation of the bush and its abundant fruiting, it needs timely pruning. In the spring, the procedure is performed before the start of sap flow, at an air temperature of 5 degrees. Frozen shoots are cut off.

In summer, the vines are freed from stepchildren to ventilate the bush. In the fall, pruning is done for 8-12 eyes, the procedure should be completed before the onset of frost.

Shelter is necessary, first of all, to preserve the vitality of the grapes and increase the yield. Cut off shoots should be laid on the ground, arcs should be installed, and covering material should be spread on top. Ground the free edges with weights.

Tolerant resistance of Arcadia to mildew (presence of local spots on the leaves up to 10 mm with varying degrees of necrosis) - 3.5 points.

Susceptibility to powdery mildew is 4 points, chemical protection is required throughout the summer.

Among the pests there may be phylloxera, a spider mite. If characteristic bulges, cobwebs are found on the leaves and stems, if the leaves turn yellow and the veins turn red, the bush must be urgently treated with drugs.

The bunches of Arcadia are perfectly stored due to the thickness of the skin and the fleshiness of the pulp at a temperature of 0-2 degrees, humidity 90-95%. Shelf life: 2-3 months.