Ruslan grapes

Ruslan grapes are one of the worthy representatives of hybrid table varieties. The variety is characterized by stable fruiting, high organoleptic qualities, resistance to diseases, excellent transportability, ability to long-term storage, high decorative effect.

Ruslan appeared in Ukraine in Zaporozhye thanks to the enthusiasm of the talented amateur breeder Vitaly Vladimirovich Zagorulko. For crossing, they chose the varieties Kuban and Podarok Zaporozhye. As a result, a new hybrid was born, which earned prizes at numerous exhibitions in the near and far abroad. Oddly enough, but the descendant of the southerners received extraordinary frost resistance - up to -25 ° C.

The variety is zoned for the southern regions and the black earth of the Russian Federation. Ruslan is a favorite of the gardeners of Kazakhstan and Moldova. He perfectly took root in regions with a temperate climate in the middle zone, in the Urals and in Siberia.

Vigorous bushes with well-ripening (up to 72, 6%) vines of a chocolate shade are covered with large rounded leaves of bright green color. The fruiting factor is 1.2–1.4. For long shoots, support is required. The variety successfully resists diseases and pests, is unpretentious in care. Designed for fresh consumption and preservation: juices, preserves, jams, jellies, marmalade, raisins. Use a hybrid in the preparation of red wine and liqueurs. The fruits contain a large amount of vitamins and minerals, which allows them to be used in medicine.

Ruslan belongs to early maturing hybrids. The approximate time to reach technical ripeness is 105–110 days. Ripening occurs at the beginning of August, and under more negative conditions, in its third decade.

Large, tapered, medium-friable brushes weigh on average 693 grams, but with ideal agricultural technology and favorable conditions, they reach 1.5 kg. The fruits are not prone to shedding and calmly tolerate a delay in harvesting.

Large (from 14 to 16 grams) oval deep blue berries with seeds are covered with a bloom of pruin. Sugar content - 174 g / dm³, acidity - 6.5 g / dm³. The dense juicy pulp is covered with a thin skin that is not felt when eating.

The balanced harmonious taste is distinguished by sweetness, light sourness and a noticeable fruity-plum aftertaste.

Ruslan is characterized by a high yield. The variety tends to form two clusters on each shoot, with a maturity rate of 75%.

Ruslan's unpretentiousness allows you to plant it on any soil, the main thing is that the site is sunny and well protected from drafts.

For planting seedlings, prepare standard pits 80x80x80 cm, arrange drainage, and pre-install a peg for support. The distance between the holes is 1.5 meters, between the rows - 3 m. This planting method helps to ventilate the rows, accelerates the evaporation of moisture, and initiates a faster ripening of the crop. Ruslan reacts negatively to waterlogging, which threatens with cracking of the berry.

The pit is prepared two weeks before planting - this time is needed for the soil to settle. The seedling must have strong roots and at least 2 eyes. Before planting, soil is poured into the pit, enriched with mineral and organic fertilizers. The seedling is lowered into the hole, the roots are straightened and covered with earth, leaving the root collar free.

After planting, the hole is well spilled, after a few days the earth is loosened and mulched with sawdust or peat. The vine can be propagated by layering if there is already a Ruslan bush on the site. To do this, it is enough to press the long shoot to the ground and sprinkle it with soil. By the fall, it will take root, and the next year it can be separated as a full-fledged self-rooted bush.

The plant blooms with bisexual flowers and does not need additional pollination.

Powerful bushes need regular short pruning, keeping 3 inflorescences and no more than 2 clusters per shoot. The maximum number of shoots is up to 35 per bush, 6 eyes are left on each, cutting off up to 10 buds from each shoot. Before manipulation, you need to remove dried berries, branches, leaves.

Ruslan does not need frequent watering. The only exception can be dry summers. Mandatory watering of the grapes is carried out before flowering and during the ripening of the bunches. After absorbing water, the soil around the trunk is loosened, and mulch is sprinkled on top.

Ruslan grapes have vigorous bushes with powerful roots, actively absorbing nutrients and quickly depleting the soil around them. For top dressing, organic and mineral complex fertilizers are used. For root feeding, the trunks are dug up from one and a half buckets of humus to an adult bush. Foliar dressing in the form of spraying is carried out in calm cloudy weather, protecting the foliage from sunburn.

Despite the resistance to negative temperatures, the autumn period is the time to protect the thermophilic plant from fierce (for him) frosts in cold areas with real winters. The grape shoots are removed from the support and bent to the ground. Top covered with spruce branches, reeds, foil or agrotextile, as well as a 10-centimeter layer of earth. After snowfalls, cover the vine with an additional layer of snow.

Ruslan is well known for his strong health, he is well resistant to fungal diseases and is tolerant to mildew and oidium. However, preventive measures are as mandatory for him as for other varieties. Better to be on the safe side than then to carry out exhausting measures to combat the "infection". Fungicides or copper sulfate are used as preventive measures. Insecticides will help in the fight against pests. In addition to small and harmful insects, Ruslan attracts birds, in this case it is most reasonable to use a special net.

The hybrid not only has good marketability, it has an almost phenomenal keeping quality. In special refrigerating chambers with a set temperature and humidity regime, the berry remains safe for up to 130 days. At the same time, it does not lose its organoleptic and decorative properties.