Platovsky grapes

The Platovsky grape variety belongs to the early ripening technical varieties, but it can also be used as a table one. It can be used to prepare dry and dessert wines, aromatic juice and even raisins, as well as serve fresh. Technologies for distillation of Platovsky into cognac distillate are under development.

This modern high-yielding variety was created in the Novocherkassk VNIIViV im. Ya.I. Potapenko. Its authors are scientists-breeders I. A. Kostrikin, A. N. Maistrenko, S. I. Krasokhina, L. A. Lycheva. The Platovsky variety was obtained by crossing the Hungarian Zalandend and the Ukrainian Podarok Magarach varieties. Was officially registered in the Russian State Register in 2003 and allowed for breeding. For early maturity, the variety acquired another name - Early Dawn.

The bush is medium-sized, the leaves are light green on a long petiole, with pubescence on the underside. In the fall, the leaves turn yellow. The growth of the current year ripens well, at the end of the season the vine acquires a rich brown color.

The special value of this grape variety is the ecological purity of the products made from it. When growing, chemical treatment of plants is practically not used, since the variety is resistant to pests and diseases.

Platovsky begins to bear fruit the next year after planting. The growing season is about 3 months (110-117 days), it can fluctuate depending on weather conditions and the climatic zone of cultivation. It belongs to a group of very early ripening varieties, it is one of the first to ripen in the vineyard. With favorable weather and proper care, the crop is ready for harvest in early August, not only in the southern latitudes, but even in central Russia and in the Moscow region.

At Platovsky, cylindro-conical clusters of average density weighing about 217 g with a dense arrangement of berries are formed.

Small rounded berries, 2 mm in size, yellow-white (in the sun with a pinkish tinge) have a slightly dense, moderately juicy pulp, 2-3 seeds inside. The share of juice in the total mass of fruits is about 70%, which is important in winemaking. The skin of the berries is thin, but strong enough, which allows the fruit to be well preserved during transportation. Sugar content 21.3%, acidity - 8.6 g / dm³

Experts-tasters rate the taste of Platovsky grapes at 8.4 points (out of 10). The taste is sweet with a slight sourness, with spicy notes, harmonious.

The average yield of Platovsky is 5-6 kg of berries per plant, in industrial vineyards on average 300 centners per 1 hectare of land. Fruiting is stable. The bushes have up to 85% of fruitful shoots, each of which has an average of 1.3 clusters. Plants are able, without signs of overload and lengthening of the growing season, to ensure the full ripening of the harvest of the planned load, given during the spring pruning of bushes.

For the cultivation of this variety, clay-calcareous soils are the best, but good yields can be obtained on loams and chernozems. Swampy soils and salt marshes are completely unsuitable. It is preferable to plant grapes on the south side of the site, where there is a lot of sunlight.

Platovskiy is best planted in spring (late April) in well-warmed soil. Grape growers note the excellent survival rate of seedlings. The planting scheme is common for grapes of any variety. It is imperative to take into account the occurrence of groundwater; at a high level, lay a drainage layer in the planting pit. If there is a need for an autumn planting, then this should be done at the end of September.

Platovsky blooms with bisexual flowers that are perfectly pollinated in any weather. Can serve as a pollinator for other varieties.

When pruning a bush in spring, 3-4 eyes should be left on fruit shoots so that the load on the grape bush is within 60-80 eyes. Dried and frozen branches, weak and non-fruiting shoots are removed. In the summer, it is necessary to remove large leaves that block the access of sunlight to the bunches, so that the sugar content of the berries accumulates faster. Autumn pruning is carried out after the first frost.

Platovsky does not require regular watering, seasonal rains are enough for him to fully ripen the berries. However, depending on weather conditions, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil and, if necessary, water it in a timely manner. A good option is to mulch the soil under the plantings to retain moisture and to protect against weeds.

To obtain a bountiful harvest, the bushes of Platovsky grapes must be fed 2-3 times per season with complex fertilizers, and during the flowering period it is advisable to add organic compost under the bushes.

Platovsky has high frost resistance and is able to survive the winter cold down to -28-29? With no shelter. This allows in many areas of the cover zone to abandon this time-consuming procedure or to significantly simplify it in comparison with other varieties. In more northern latitudes, plantings should be covered for the winter.

Platovsky's cold resistance is used in landscape design to decorate arches, gazebos, and fences.

The variety has an increased immunity to grape diseases:

• mildew - 2 points (stability);
• oidium - 2.5 points (stability);
• gray rot - 2 points (resistance);
• root and leaf phylloxera (grape aphid) - 3 points (tolerance).

These properties of Platovsky make it possible to completely exclude the use of chemicals during its cultivation, and in a rainy summer to do with minimal processing of the vineyard. For prophylaxis, it is recommended to carry out light treatments with solutions of copper sulfate or Bordeaux liquid, and if, nevertheless, it was not possible to avoid the "misfortune", then immediately start treating the affected bushes in accordance with the recommendations of specialists.

Ripe bunches can not be removed from the bush for up to 30 days. The berries practically do not crumble and completely retain their taste properties, and the sugar content continues to accumulate. The bunches do not lose their presentation and are perfectly transported.

Gardeners-summer residents note the high yield of Platovsky, unpretentious care, good survival of seedlings, endurance in winter, the ability to ripen in conditions of natural precipitation without regular watering. Of the minuses, a light nightshade flavor is named, which does not disappear even in overripe berries, and the fact that the berries are small in size.