Grape Mascot

The Talisman grape variety is considered one of the most famous. It has stood the test of time and is very popular.

The mascot was bred in the 1990s when the Frumoasa alba and Vostorg varieties were crossed by I.A.Kostrikin, L.A. Maistrenko, S.I. Krasokhina, A.S. Skripnikova. in VNIIViV them. Ya.I. Potapenko. The variety was entered in the state register in 2016.

Other names of the variety are Kesha 1, Super Kesha, FV-6-6. Due to its presentation and excellent taste, the Kesha 1 variety is often crossed with others to obtain new varieties.

The bush of the variety is distinguished by its vigorous growth. The vine reaches up to 4 m in height. In the middle of ripening, the growth of the vine stops, but after a while it resumes. Young shoots are erect, with a wide open crown of light bronze color.

The first leaves have a bronze tint, then they acquire a yellow-green color. On the reverse side of the leaf, tomentose, medium dense pubescence. The stalk has a wine-red hue.

The leaf is large and pentagonal, dark green in color. The upper part of the leaf is smooth, with a weak wrinkled mesh. At the bottom of the leaf, there is an average cobweb pubescence.

The final ripening of the grapes falls on the 125-135 day. The variety is considered to be early medium in terms of ripening.

They have a conical shape with an average density of berries. The weight of a bunch is usually an average of 475 grams, but individual bunches can reach 800-1100 grams.

The shape of the berries is elliptical. The berries are green at the beginning of growth, and at full ripeness they have a yellow-green tint with a strong prune bloom. As a rule, they weigh 12-16 grams and have a size of 35x31 mm, sometimes reach 20-25 grams and a size of 40x35 mm. Loose, juicy inside. They have several small bones. The skin of the berries is of medium thickness and firm.

The taste is harmonious, neutral. When overripe, it becomes sweet and sour. The sugar content is high - 170–230 g / dm³. Low acidity - 6–8 g / dm³.

The talisman gives high quality and a large amount of harvest. It will be possible to collect about 4-6 kg from the bush. About 75–90% of the shoots produce a crop. One shoot accounts for about 1.4–1.8 bunches. When more than 3 bunches appear, the extra ones are removed, since the bush may not bear the weight, as a result of which the stem will be damaged. Ideally, 35 to 40 eyes should be left on one plant.

The first crop is harvested about two years after planting the seedlings.

The geography of distribution is quite large, since the hybrid has high indicators of frost resistance, but at the same time it is necessary to comply with the requirements for the shelter of the culture and its protection during the cold winter. Saplings will take root in the hot regions of Russia, Ukraine and Moldova, and in the harsh climatic conditions of Novosibirsk.

Grapes are a thermophilic plant, so they should be planted in well-lit areas of the garden. It is also worth taking care of a hill or a small mound - grapes do not like flat areas.

The Talisman variety cannot be planted in a place where a strong wind blows. Better to choose a site behind the house or on a covered terrace.

The soil should not be excessively moist. The Talisman variety has an extensive branched root system, so the groundwater should not be higher than 2.6 meters.

Before planting grapes, you need to take care of feeding and enriching the soil with nutrients.

Since the bush is tall and wide, the seedlings should be planted at a distance of 3-4 meters.

The grape has a female type of flower stalks. In order for the berries to set, it is necessary to plant bushes with a male type of peduncles or bisexual nearby. Among the recommended varieties for planting are "Isabella", "Augustin", "Kishmish 342", Alshenkin ".

Pruning of the variety is carried out quite often.

The first pruning should be done in the spring after wintering. All frozen lashes must be removed.

The second pruning is carried out during the period of abundant growth. Extra shoots and stepsons are removed from the bush.

In the fall, carry out the third main pruning. Most of the eyes are removed, leaving 8-12 on each shoot. In total, there should be about 35-40 eyes on the bush.

During intensive growth, grapes of the Talisman variety require abundant watering.

Having fast growth and bulky bunches, grapes require regular and abundant feeding. For the entire growth period, they are most often fed 5 times:

• 1-2 weeks before flowering - nitrophobic;
• 2-3 days before flowering - with boric acid solution;
• 2 weeks after flowering - nitrophobic again;
• during the appearance of the first berries - with a mixture of chlorosis and paralysis of the ridges;
• before ripening for a good taste and to prevent rot, pour solutions with micronutrients.

After harvesting, it is advisable to apply mineral fertilizers with a high nitrogen content.

The variety is frost-resistant, but when the temperature drops to -25 ° C in winter, the plant must be covered in advance.

The Talisman grape is mildew resistant, highly susceptible to powdery mildew and gray mold tolerant.

To prevent diseases, the culture is sprayed with iron sulfate in early spring.

Wasps are among the worst pests of grapes. They can destroy most of the crop. You can dress each bunch in a mesh.

When phylloxera appears, the plants are treated with karbofos or confidor.

The variety can be stored for a long time in a refrigerator or in a room with a temperature not exceeding + 5 ° C. In this case, the berries retain their presentation and taste. The shelf life reaches 2-3 months.

During transportation, the bunches retain their structure and do not lose their presentation.

The opinions of the people who grow the grapes of this variety are divided. Some consider it a worthy variety for breeding in central Russia, while others have a poor harvest and did not give the expected results. Some admire the taste and sweetness, while others say that the grapes are delicious, but you won't eat a lot of them.

Many designate the main feature and advantage of this variety as its resistance to parasites and various diseases.