Sofia grapes

A variety called Sofia is perfect for successful cultivation in private vineyards. Through the efforts of breeders, an unpretentious grape has turned out that can please with a stable and tasty harvest.

This garden culture was developed in the 90s of the twentieth century. The works were carried out by Ukrainian amateur breeders. Arcadia and Radiant Kishmish were chosen as parent varieties. As a result of the work, the new variety received the best characteristics of the above varieties, such as large fruit size, rich harvest and high gastronomic qualities.

Universal table grapes can be identified by several characteristics.

• Large and actively developing root system.

• A strong and vigorous vine with a deep brown color. With the onset of autumn, the color darkens.

• The leaves are large. The shape is rounded. There is slight dissection and waviness at the edges.

• Young leaves are painted in a rich green color, which takes on a yellow tint with the arrival of autumn.

During flowering, the plant is covered with small white flowers, which are collected in compact carpal inflorescences. The flowering period is long.

The Sofia variety belongs to the early maturing. The ripening period is only 100 to 115 days. It all depends on the weather conditions and the care of the garden culture. The harvest ripens by the first half of August. In the southern regions, fruits are harvested earlier than in the northern regions.

With proper and regular care, the clusters will be large. Average weight ranges from 800 to 900 grams, sometimes it is about 1.2 kilograms. Some specimens can reach 3 kilograms. To obtain such a rich harvest, it is necessary to regularly fertilize. And also the plant needs a sufficient amount of sunlight. There is a tendency to peas. The shape is cylindrical-conical.

Ripe berries are tightly pressed against each other, and in order to avoid decay, it is recommended to thin them periodically.

The color of the fruit is pink. There are streaks. There are 1-2 bones inside. The skin is firm, but thin, which does not cause trouble when eating fresh berries. The shape is ovoid, elongated. Weight is about 10 grams. The sizes are large. They range from 20x28 to 21x36 millimeters. Ripe pulp is very juicy and moderately dense, while tender.

The percentage of sugar content is 20%. The berries are sweet with pronounced musky notes.

Young bushes begin to bear fruit as early as the second year after planting. Up to 10 kilograms of fruit can be harvested from one young plant. Mature bushes come in from 50 to 70 kilograms. 10 to 15 tons of berries are harvested from one hectare of vineyard.

Before growing this variety, you need to know about its specific characteristics. It is important to water the plant on time and apply top dressing. The frost resistance of the plant is -21 degrees Celsius. Vigorous grapes need regular pruning and shaping.

It is necessary to carry out the planting procedure in the spring, after the soil has warmed up sufficiently after winter frosts. The best time is the end of March. You can also plant seedlings in the fall, at the beginning of October. Experts recommend making a choice in favor of spring planting, since the plant will have time to fully adapt to new conditions and prepare for wintering.

An area on a hill, on the south side, is great. Choose a spacious and well-lit location for your vineyard. It is best to plant plants away from tall plants and buildings. The optimum depth of groundwater is no more than one and a half to two meters. Otherwise, you cannot do without a drainage system.

The grape grows on any soil, but prefers fertile loam. If the composition of the soil cannot boast of high fertility, it must be prepared before planting. Clay, sand and humus are added to the ground. When working with sandstones, you need to cover the area with organic fertilizers and clay. Slaked lime is used to reduce acidity.

During flowering, the vine is covered only with female flowers. To achieve successful pollination, it is imperative to plant pollinator varieties nearby.

The process of caring for vigorous grapes must necessarily include pruning. It is essential for a rich and sweet harvest. The procedure should be carried out in the fall or spring. Sick and damaged branches are necessarily removed. The young vine is also shortened, leaving from 4 to 8 eyes, no more. Experienced gardeners recommend fan-shaped bushes for this variety. The number of main shoots is from 3 to 4, with a large number of lateral shoots.

Another procedure is the rationing of bunches. It aims to improve the quality of the fruit. And also rationing will save young shoots from overload. The maximum number of clusters on one shoot is 3, but it is recommended to leave 1-2 pieces.

Excessively moistened soil is detrimental to this variety, as well as prolonged drought. Irrigate the plant regularly, but in moderation.

Experts recommend watering the plant only 5 times throughout the season:

• during the period of the opening of the kidneys;

• at the start of flowering;

• during the growth of the ovaries;

• after the harvest is fully harvested;

• before the beginning of winter (at the end of November).

One bush uses 60 liters of water (standard watering). In autumn, the dosage is doubled to 120 liters.

In order for top dressing to be as effective as possible, they must be combined with watering. The Sofia grape does not tolerate nitrogen fertilizers well. It is recommended to opt for formulations rich in phosphorus and potassium. Organic compounds are also used 2-3 times a year. Ordinary humus or diluted manure will do. A layer of mulch is laid out from them.

This variety is not afraid of frosts down to –21 degrees Celsius. If the grapes grow in the southern strip, it is not necessary to cover it for the winter. However, if severe frosts are possible, it is better to remove the vine and protect it from frost. Otherwise, the plant may die.

When cultivating plants in the northern strip, the bushes need to be covered for the winter. In the fall, after the pruning procedure, you should remove the vine and press it to the ground. Cover the grapes with shields of wood or dense, woven material. Sprinkle with soil or snow.

Sofia cannot boast of high resistance to many diseases, especially the variety is susceptible to mildew and oidium - 5 points. Therefore, such diseases must be fought with strong drugs. In this case, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment. Such work is mandatory if other varieties of grapes grow on the site. As prophylactic agents, you can use both ready-made preparations and their household counterparts (Bordeaux liquid or "Karbofos").

The sweet and juicy Sofia berries attract the attention of birds and wasps that hunt for the harvest. To protect the fruits from pests, special dense bags are used, in which the bunches are hidden.

It is not recommended to leave the bunches on the vine after they have ripened. Otherwise, the berries may start to rot or crumble. As a rule, the harvest is stored for no more than 3 weeks. The storage time can be increased if the room temperature is from 0 to +5 degrees Celsius.