Levokumsky grape

Grapes of the Levokumsky variety are usually classified as technical ones, bred by non-professional selection. It is especially popular in the southern regions of Russia, easily tolerates difficult climatic conditions, and is not too demanding to care for. The variety has become widespread in winemaking circles as a raw material for the production of drinks.

The Levokumsky grape variety got its name from the place of origin - this is the name of the village located in the Stavropol Territory. It does not apply to professional selection products. It was obtained by amateur winegrowers, presumably by crossing Vitilis Labrusca with local varieties.

The variety is early-medium, ripens in an average of 130 days. The berries ripen at the same time, evenly, without delay. In central Russia, fruit collection begins in September. In the south, this process starts in August.

During the fruiting period, clusters of medium density are formed on the bush. They are characterized by a cylindrical-conical shape. The mass varies between 90-120 g. During the period of fruiting and ripening, the bush looks very impressive.

This variety is characterized by a small size of berries, a round shape. The mass does not exceed 1.3 g, there are 2-4 bones inside. The shade of the berry is intense, inky black. There is a white coating on the surface. The frame of the peduncle is massive, the separation is heavy.

The Levokumsky grape does not differ in its particular delicacy of taste. It is a simple variety with a juicy, slightly colored pulp, used exclusively for winemaking purposes. The variety is characterized by a high sugar content - up to 22%.

Levokumsky technical grape variety is classified as high-yielding. When picking berries, you can get up to 130 c / ha. It is characterized by a fruiting coefficient of 1.9, rather high, with a ripening rate of 80-85%. From a bush, you can collect from 4 to 7.5 kg of berries with proper agricultural technology.

The Levokumsky grape variety is capable of gaining height above average. He needs a significant daylight hours, direct contact with the sun's rays. In the shade, the berries do not collect enough sugar, and the vine loses in growth, reduces its winter hardiness. Plants require reliable protection from the wind; planting is possible 2-3 meters from the foundations of buildings.

Levokumsky grapes grows well on loamy and sandy loam soils. When choosing a place for planting, it is worth giving preference to hills without signs of excessive soil moisture. The optimum acidity is neutral. Acidic substrates are preliminarily alkalized 4-6 days before the transfer and rooting of seedlings.

When landing, the scheme of 3 × 1.5 meters is observed.The variety belongs to rooted crops, grown without grafting on other plants. The pit is formed to a depth of about 0.5 meters, the bottom is drained, a layer of peat or humus with the addition of sand is laid on top. The support for the bush is installed at the time of planting.

In the south, Levokumsky is planted on the hills. A hilly embankment of 30-35 cm is enough. In the northern latitudes and the middle lane, planting is carried out in a hole that serves as a natural shelter for the sprout.

The flowering of the Levokumsky variety occurs with the formation of bisexual buds. This type of grape is considered to be self-pollinated; peas practically do not occur in it.

Since this technical variety is most often grown as part of an industrial planting, it is usually formed on a trunk with a height of 1 m. In this case, a two-armed cordon is used. In amateur gardening, the fan form is more common. 40-50 eyes are left on the bush, no more than 3-5 on the vine.

The variety does not need frequent watering. During the period of peduncle formation, the supply of moisture is carried out weekly. 10 liters of water are poured under each bush. During periods of drought, humidification is carried out, regardless of the stage of the plant's vegetation. Excessive watering for no reason is unacceptable, leads to cracking of the berries.

Levokumsky grapes are fertilized annually, in the spring, with the deepening of humus and manure at a distance of about 50 cm from the base of the bush. You need to bury the top dressing 0.4-0.6 m underground. These measures are absolutely necessary within the first 3 years after the transfer of seedlings to the ground.

The variety can withstand a drop in atmospheric temperatures down to -27 degrees. In the southern regions, there is no need for shelter. In temperate climates in cold winters, the vines are hidden under the snow. In this case, the Levokumsky grape can easily withstand even a drop in temperatures down to -40 degrees. In the first 3 years, seedlings must be covered even in the south.

Levokumsky grapes have a very high resistance to most common diseases - from 2 to 2.5 points. It is practically not affected by mildew, gray rot, phylloxera. To increase and maintain their own protective properties, the bushes are subjected to preventive treatment with fungicidal preparations 1-2 times per season.

The variety is not so resistant to damage by other fungi. He may suffer from black spot, anthracnose. It is attacked by parasites - spider mites, grape itch. Birds and wasps show the greatest interest in berries during their ripening period.

The berries of the Levokum grape variety are not subject to long-term storage. After collecting them, they are sent for processing.

According to amateur winegrowers, the variety is well suited for cultivation for technical purposes. Levokumsky is praised for abundant fruiting and amicable ripening of the crop. But many bush owners note that lignification of the vines takes 3-4 years, during which the size of the bunches and the ripening time of berries noticeably differ from the norm for the worse.

According to experienced winegrowers, the best combinations of the Levokumsky grape variety are created with Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, and other subspecies with similar characteristics. In a monovariant, it does not impress with a particular brightness of taste. But it sets off well the more sour varieties.