Galahad grapes

There are many varieties and hybrids of grapes with decent taste that you can grow on your own plot. One of them is Galahad, a grape adapted to temperate climates and capable of producing a good harvest with proper care. It has good marketability and transportability.

Galahad was bred in 2007 in Russia thanks to the breeders of the FGBNU VNIIViV them. Ya. I. Potapenko, who crossed several varieties. There were 2 stages of hatching. Variety Talisman was pollinated with the pollen of Delight Muscat, after which the obtained sample was crossed with the variety Vostorg.

Subsequently, the breeders received a vigorous table grape variety with high yields, large fruits and excellent taste. Currently, it is extremely popular among both amateurs and professionals.

The variety was planned to be grown in the temperate climate of Russia. It is frost-resistant, thanks to which it can be used in the region of the Krasnodar Territory, as well as in the Moscow region, in the Urals and even in Siberia.

The grapes do not need to be covered when grown in the southern regions, sometimes they are grown on arches and gazebos. In the north, the variety is grown in a covering way, otherwise it dies due to changeable and cold weather conditions.

Galahad appeared relatively recently, but has already earned many positive reviews due to its high technical characteristics.

The grapes are very early. From how the buds bloom, it takes 95-100 days to ripen the berries. In southern Russia, the crop can be harvested at the end of July, in the middle lane - at the beginning of August. In more northern regions, the variety ripens 10-15 days later.

They have a cylindro-conical shape and an average weight of 600-1100 g. The brushes are well-built, of moderate density. The bunches do not have peas.

The fruits are weakly attached to the ridge, therefore it is not recommended to overexpose them on the bushes, it is necessary to collect the berries in a timely manner.

They are large (27.5 x 21.5 mm), oval-ovoid and weigh about 10-12 g. The color of unripe fruits is milky green, ripe berries have an amber-yellow hue. The skin is of moderate density, the flesh is fleshy. Sugar content - 180-210 g / dm³, acidity - 5-6 g / dm³.

The simple and harmonious taste of the variety has earned the recognition of many gardeners. It is moderately sweet and has a tasting score of 8.9 points. The berries become sweeter in the last 7 days of ripening. When consumed, the skin is practically not felt.

The grapes are fruitful, with the proper level of agricultural technology, you can get 15-20 kg of berries from one adult bush. The percentage of fruitful shoots of grapes is 60-75, the fruiting coefficient is 1.3-1.5.

The variety is quite unpretentious in cultivation, but in order to get a large and healthy harvest, you need to remember about the basic agricultural techniques and specific features of Galahad itself.

The planting time for seedlings should be chosen taking into account the climate of the region in which the variety is planted. In the north, you need to plant grapes in late April or early May. In this case, the cuttings root efficiently and accumulate nutrients necessary for wintering.

In the south, grapes are planted in late September or early October. Spring and autumn planting is carried out in the same way, there are no fundamental differences in the process.

Peduncles are universal (the type of flower is bisexual), due to which the pollination is of high quality.

For the first four years, pruning Galahad is necessary only in order to properly form the bushes. 6-8 buds should be left on one vine.

There are 2 cropping options:

• short - 3-4;
• long - 10-12 eyes.

In summer, the vine is pinched in order to adjust its length. Damaged shoots and foliage that can shade the bunches are also removed.

Autumn pruning is done after the foliage has fallen. If you do not do it, the vine can grow too much, as a result of which it will release all its forces into the green mass. Due to the lack of substances, the fruits will be small.

In order to understand how often and how much to water a variety, you should take into account the weather conditions. If the summer is rainy, the watering is reduced, but if it is dry, it is increased. Under normal conditions, the grapes are watered once every one and a half to two weeks. Tall bushes need 30-40 liters of water per bush.

After removing the winter shelter, you do not need to immediately water the grapes too much, you should use 5 liters of water at a warm temperature (25-30 degrees).

Stages and technology of irrigation during the growing season:

• after removing the shelter;
• 5-7 days before flowering;
• during the flowering process, it is not necessary to water the variety, since otherwise the buds may crumble;
• irrigation after flowering;
• watering is not needed during the ripening period;
• if autumn is dry, the grapes are watered 14 days before the shelter.

It is necessary to carry out several dressings at different times:

1. spring - after the soil warms up after winter, complex fertilizers need to be applied;
2. 7 days before the flowering period - organic (compost, bird droppings and manure), potash and phosphorus fertilizers are introduced;
3. 7 days after flowering - the variety is treated with an aqueous solution of potassium sulfate or superphosphate, you can also add fertilizer to the soil before loosening.

Galahad is able to withstand fairly severe frosts - down to -25 ° C. Its frost resistance is good, therefore, in the southern regions, grapes do not require shelter. When grown in colder climates with harsh winters, the vine needs protection.

The plant takes refuge in the fall, after the foliage has fallen. To cover it, you need to remove the vine from the support and carefully fix it on the ground. The land under the vine is mulched. The bushes are covered with burlap, you can also fill them with needles or create a wooden box around. After the snow falls, a snowdrift should be built on top.

Before laying the vines, it is important to remove weeds, fallen leaves and other debris, as insect larvae or fungal spores can be located in it, which can also overwinter in a shelter.

The variety is resistant to mildew by 2.5 points, to mildew - by 3 points, to gray rot - by 2 points. Virtually not damaged by wasps. If the plant nevertheless becomes ill with fungal diseases, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment 3 times per season using Bordeaux liquid, copper sulfate or any other fungicide.

The first time the grapes are sprayed 7 days after removing the shelter, the second - after the leaves open. The third treatment is carried out after the flowering period. It is not recommended to use chemicals during flowering and 20-25 days before fruit ripening.

Crop damage can be caused by birds pecking fruits. To protect the grapes from them, it is necessary to put on a net on each bunch (the cells should be small) or completely cover the vine with this material.

The most dangerous and widespread pest is the grape aphid. To get rid of it, you need to treat the plant with a 7% solution of urea or Nitrafen.

The fruits on the bushes do not last too long. If the harvest is left on them for a couple of weeks, the berries crumble. Cut bunches do not shrink, do not deteriorate during transportation and storage. In a cool and dry place, berries can be stored for up to 2 months.