Ilya grapes

The most suitable grape varieties for fresh consumption are commercial-table grapes. Bunches of such grapes have an attractive appearance and pleasant taste, they are well stored and do not lose their qualities during transportation. Among the variety of varieties of this species, the Ilya grape, recently bred by breeders, can also be distinguished.

Breeders of the FGBNU VNIIViV named after Ya. I. Potapenko, Novocherkassk, received it as a result of crossing the form of Wax (Delight) and seedless grapes Kishmish Radiant. Today, tests for the cultivation of this grape are being carried out not only in the territory of the Russian Federation, but also in the southern regions of Belarus.

Breeders have developed a grape variety that is suitable for growing not only in the southern regions of Russia, but also in temperate latitudes with colder climates.

Ilya belongs to the early ripening table grape varieties. High yield, large juicy berries with a harmonious sweet taste distinguish it from other varieties of this type of grape. Ilya is quite unpretentious in care, the seedlings easily take root, even a beginner can cope with its cultivation. Suitable for distribution throughout Russia, frost-resistant.

In terms of ripening, Ilya belongs to very early grape varieties. The production period is 90-95 days. In the conditions of the Lower Don region, it is possible to get a harvest by the end of July. On the territory of more northern latitudes, the harvest is obtained a little later - in August.

However, do not rush to harvest the vine immediately after it ripens. In order for the berries to become sweeter and tastier, they need to remain on the branches for several more weeks. This will be especially useful in excellent weather conditions: the sun's rays are needed for the grapes to ripen.

Bunches are formed with medium filling density. The shape is cylindro-conical, sometimes it has 1 wing. The weight of a ripe bunch of grapes averages 400 grams, and sometimes it reaches 1 kilogram.

Large berries measuring 21.9x16.6 mm, ovoid. The weight of each berry is 6-10 grams, with good care and appropriate climatic conditions, sometimes it can reach 20 grams. The fleshy-juicy flesh is covered with a white thin skin. There are seeds inside the berries - 1-2 pcs. Juicy berries are distinguished by moderate sugar accumulation 170-200 g / dm3 and acidity 6.8-7.2 g / dm3.

The fruit of the grapes is moderately sweet on the palate, with a slight, barely noticeable sourness. Overall, a very harmonious taste with a neutral aroma. The thin skin of the berries is easy to bite and is practically not felt.

In terms of taste, the Ilya variety received a fairly high score from the tasters - 8.9 out of a possible 10.

Vigorous bushes have a high yield, the number of fruitful shoots reaches 85%. Grapes begin to bear fruit in the third year after planting.

One of the important factors in the cultivation of this grape variety is the availability of good support, which can be a fence, a house wall or specially adapted structures. The soil should be slightly acidic. The place where the grapes will grow should be well lit by the sun's rays and at the same time be closed from the winds.

During the flowering period and the formation of the ovary, regular feeding of the bushes should be carried out. Ilya's grapes need a large amount of moisture, for this it needs to be watered regularly and abundantly, especially if it grows near the walls of a house or a fence. It is necessary to carry out regular pruning of the vine.

It should be noted that this variety is perfectly compatible with rootstocks and other varieties.

Despite the unpretentiousness of this variety, this plant will delight its owner with a plentiful and tasty harvest every year only with proper care.

In southern regions with a milder climate, it is recommended to plant plants either in spring (mid-March) or in autumn (in September). In those regions where the climate is harsh and cold, the best planting dates are April and early October, respectively. In the case of an autumn planting of a vine, it must be covered for the winter so that the weak root system does not die from the cold.

Before planting a young plant, it is necessary to prepare a hole 90-100 cm deep and approximately 60x60 cm in size. For drainage, fill the bottom with small pebbles or broken brick. It is necessary to add compost or rotted manure to the ground. This is especially important if the Ilya variety is planted in the fall, because otherwise it will not have enough nutrients, and it will not live until spring.

Taking into account the peculiarities of the root system, in the case of planting several bushes, the distance between them should be at least 130 cm. Saplings of the Ilya variety root well and quickly.

The plant is bisexual, so that even one bush can bear fruit.

One of the most important elements of grape care is vine pruning. Thanks to correctly carried out pruning, the correct shape and size of the bushes is formed, the yield of the plant increases.

The time for pruning vines is chosen either in the spring or in the fall. However, it must be borne in mind that in the first case, pruning can lead to abundant juice production. Spring pruning is carried out for the purpose of reinsurance after winter, since parts of the vines of this variety that have frozen and rotted during the winter can infect healthy twigs with rot. Autumn pruning, on the contrary, reduces the likelihood of freezing of the vine. Seals form at the cut sites, which prevent the vine from losing too much liquid.

In order not to overload the vine with the harvest, 30-40 buds are left on the plant, and annual shoots are cut off to 6-8 eyes.

The bush is watered regularly, making sure that the root hole is moist. If it grows near the wall of the house, it is recommended to increase the amount of liquid by 1.5 times.

In order for the vine to be strong and strong, and the harvest abundant, it is necessary to apply mineral and organic fertilizers to the soil where the Ilya grapes grow. This must be done during planting of young animals, as well as during periods of flowering and ripening of fruits.

Ilya grape is a frost-resistant variety, it tolerates winter frosts down to -27 degrees.

Unfortunately, neither people nor plants are immune from disease. Ilya grapes have a fairly high resistance to some diseases. So, resistance to mildew - 2 points, to mildew - 3.5, least of all it is resistant to gray rot - only 1.5 points. And, of course, it is not complete without pests, they damage the root system, and the vine itself, and the crop. All this must be regularly dealt with by treating the bushes with insecticidal preparations.

The grapes are well stored and transported, they do not crumple during transportation.