Marquette grapes

The Marquette variety has gained popularity among gardeners due to its unpretentiousness, as well as a number of positive characteristics. Berries are highly valued in the wine beverage industry.

This variety was bred by employees of the US University, located in the state of Minnesota. The variety appeared in 1994. To obtain the Marquette grapes, experts crossed several different varieties, each of which has special characteristics. The new fruit culture was successfully tested in 2005, after which it was officially patented.

The main characteristic of the bushes is fast growth. The crowns of the young vine are closed, with a slight depression. The foliage is medium in size. The shape is round. Leaves with three or five lobes are decorated with teeth, with a weak dissection. The color is dark, rich green. Light veins are visible against its background. The surface is flat and smooth.

Another distinctive feature is vertical growth, due to which sunlight heats the vine evenly along its entire length.

The plant belongs to crops with an average ripening period. The growing season lasts from 125 to 130 days from the moment the first leaves bloom and until the fruit is picked. As a rule, the berries ripen by the second half of August or early autumn.

On one shoot - 2 clusters (in rare cases, there are 3). The size is medium. The shape is cylindrical-conical or conical. Weight ranges from 200 to 400 grams. The length is about 10 centimeters. The structure of the fruit is loose or moderately dense.

The color is deep blue. In some cases, the color can be almost black, with a blue tint. Sugar content - 260 g / dm³. The acidity level is 2.9 g / dm³. The berries are small and round. Dimensions - 12-14 millimeters in diameter. Weight is about 1 gram. Although the skin is thin, it is quite tough. There is a waxy coating. The pulp is colored in a light pink shade. There are several small bones inside.

The flavor of this variety is described as mild, harmonious and sweet. Pronounced varietal characteristics. Due to its gastronomic qualities, the fruits are used for making wine.

If you properly and regularly take care of the horticultural crop, the yield indicator will be from 80 to 100 c / ha.

The first thing you need to know about the Marquette variety when growing it is that the variety has high resistance to frost.Thanks to this characteristic, the variety can be cultivated in northern regions with long and harsh winters.

You can plant seedlings in autumn or spring. The exact time should be chosen depending on the age of the plant. Annual seedlings that were rooted last season are recommended to be planted in spring. The best time is the end of April or the end of May. In the period from late spring to late June, you need to plant green seedlings. If you plan to plant in the fall, choose between late September and early October.

Marquette grapes grow remarkably in light and warm areas. Therefore, it is preferable to plant a plant on a plot on the south side. So it will receive the required amount of sunlight. Elevated plots are best suited. This arrangement minimizes the likelihood of excess fluid stagnation.

And you also need to take into account the presence of groundwater. Their minimum depth should be 2.5 meters. Otherwise, you need to lay the drainage. This variety grows remarkably well on loose soil. And also the earth should be moisture permeable and let air pass through without problems. The ideal soil for grapes is sandstone and loam.

During the flowering period, the plant is covered with buds of both sexes. Thanks to this feature, the grapes can self-pollinate. No additional measures are required.

Pruning is performed only for bushes that are already 3 years old. Such a procedure will significantly increase aeration and illumination, which will have a positive effect on the quality of the crop.

With the arrival of spring, it is recommended to carry out a dry garter. Last year's shoots are tied to a trellis. So they will not be afraid of early spring frosts. The best time to get the job done depends on the growing region. On the territory of the Moscow region it is June. In the southern lane, the garter is carried out in April.

It will be helpful to remove excess vines. From 35 to 40 eyes are left on one bush. To prevent the plant from stretching too much, pinch the top of the shoots. If you find sterile shoots, they must be removed immediately. Such branches will take nutrients from the berries.

Bushes of this variety do not need to be watered often. Excessive moisture is detrimental to the plant. Irrigation can be carried out only once a month, if there is sufficient rainfall in the region. Do not water the grapes during flowering. Use only warm water (temperature 15 to 20 degrees Celsius with a plus sign). It is imperative to irrigate three times: before budding, before flowering and after the foliage has completely disappeared.

To obtain a rich and stable harvest, you need to use fertilizers. Experienced gardeners recommend using mineral formulations that are rich in nitrogen and phosphorus.And you can also use organic matter, for example, manure solution. Compositions with potassium and phosphorus are introduced during the formation of ovaries and ripening of berries. The soil should be covered with compost twice a year. Organics are laid out under the bushes.

The Marquette variety is not afraid of severe frosts. Garden culture can withstand up to -38 degrees Celsius. In addition, the plant is resistant to sudden temperature fluctuations. Due to this characteristic, the grapes do not need to be covered for the winter.

The technical variety has an innate resistance to powdery and downy mildew. And also the plant is practically not affected by gray rot or black leg. The grapes retain this stability even under capricious weather conditions (sudden temperature changes, heavy rains). Sometimes phylloxera infect grapes. To make the plant feel comfortable, it will be useful to carry out preventive treatment with chemical compounds.

Harvesting must be done with a pruner or sharpened scissors. The bunches should be stored in wooden boxes. The optimum temperature is from 3 to 10 degrees Celsius. Another option for storing the crop is hanging it on a wire. The berries should not be in contact with each other. So the fruits will retain their presentation for several months.