Viking grape

Viking variety belongs to table grape varieties with early fruit ripening. Spectacular bunches of dark blue berries decorate the garden and enrich the diet with valuable vitamins. Pleasant taste and long-term preservation of fruits on the bushes are the obvious advantages of the described variety.

The Viking hybrid form is the result of successful selection of the Ukrainian wine grower V.V. Zagorulko. Thanks to him, the world has already been able to enjoy 25 crossed grape varieties. The main direction of his work is large-fruited varieties of early ripening. Crops are obtained as frost-resistant as possible and are less susceptible to diseases. All these properties are endowed with the Viking, which appeared from the "donors" of Codryanka and ZOS-1.

Ukrainian and Russian gardeners and farmers have known the Viking table variety for more than one year. The amazing gustatory and visual characteristics draw increased attention to this hybrid form. The most favorable weather conditions for the Viking are the homeland of his growth - Zaporozhye. The plant thrives on a fairly high temperature (+ 20 ... 25 ° C), low humidity and moderate winds.

Viking grape bushes are distinguished by strong growth. A lot of shoots with large five-lobed leaves of an open petiole are formed on them. The powerful vine reaches 2.5 m in length, almost fully ripening. Due to its strong growth, the vine of this hybrid is an excellent option for arched or arbor molding.

A very early variety. It takes about 105-115 days to fully ripen the berries.

Dense, loose conical clusters gain weight up to 600 g. With good agricultural technology and suitable weather conditions, mature clusters can reach a weight of 1000 g each. It also has the advantage of being less prone to peas.

Dark blue nipple-shaped fruits. They have a rather large size and average weight - about 10 g. Ripe fruits can be stored on the liana throughout September.

The pulp is dense on the palate, the taste buds reveal a whole bouquet of taste with hints of prunes and a cherry aftertaste. The Viking variety is much sweeter than the parent varieties.

The variety has average yield indicators. From 1 bush of grapes, you can remove up to 8-10 kg of berries. More scrupulous care can help to obtain a yield of up to 20 kg from 1 bush.

The success of growing a hybrid Viking variety depends on how the crop is cared for.The purchase of planting material is required to be approached with all responsibility. One-year and two-year seedlings are considered suitable for planting.

Viking seedlings are planted in the ground in the spring, as soon as the air temperature is at least + 16 ° C. The optimum temperature for planting is considered to be up to + 24 ° C. Some growers choose to plant hybrid grapes in the fall. The main thing is to have time to cope before mid-September, so that the seedlings have time to take root and accumulate nutrients before the cold weather arrives.

For planting, it is optimal to choose a flat place with good illumination. The plant expects good water permeability and fertility from the soil. The Viking variety is allowed to grow on light loam. But it is important to take into account that cultivation on soils with a poor composition does not affect the taste of berries for the better. Seedlings and cuttings are suitable as planting material. It is necessary to maintain a distance of 1.5-3.5 m between rows and retreat from 1 to 3 m between seedlings and cuttings.

After planting, care consists in loosening the soil and watering when drying out, timely mulching. Peat, compost and more can serve as mulch. Each planted seedling should be tied to a support post.

Viking blooms with small bisexual flowers, decorated in dense green inflorescences. Flowers exude a delicate pleasant aroma.

Vine needs chasing. It is planned for the second half of the summer. For all growing shoots, it is necessary to cut off the green tops above 12-15 buds. After pruning, the vine must be sprayed with copper sulfate in 1% concentration.

Spring pruning is done after the snow melts. All frozen and damaged shoots are removed.

In the summer, it is worth carrying out green pruning, which forms a bush of a certain density. In this case, young stepsons are removed (up to 5 cm).

In order for the seedlings to develop well after planting, they need regular watering. Young plants are watered, observing a periodicity of 1.5-2 weeks. Adult plants require infrequent watering. Usually, the early Viking variety is irrigated 3 times per season: in June, the next month and immediately before being sent for wintering. If necessary, in a particularly dry year, the frequency of watering can be increased. It is recommended to mulch the soil under the bushes.

During the season, fertilizers are applied at least 3 times, with breaks of 1 month between each feeding. The first two times are fed in parallel with watering, and the third feeding is shown after harvest to prepare the vine for winter dormancy. For this purpose, compost, ash and complex types of fertilizers are used, including ready-made ones (Florovit, Novofert).

Average winter hardiness when grown in the south (it tolerates a cold snap to -21 ° C), in the regions of the middle lane, the early variety must be covered or placed in a greenhouse.In this case, trimming is desirable to be carried out by forming a fan or cordon type.

The variety is distinguished by resistance to mildew, estimated at 4 points. And a point lower than his tolerance to powdery mildew. It is better to pre-protect grapes from fungal diseases than to try to save the affected plantings. For prevention, the destruction of the affected foliage is carried out, the digging of the earth in the fall, good ventilation of the plants, timely pruning. Treatment of the vineyard with special compounds is carried out before bud break.

The grapes perfectly tolerate transportation over any distance without losing their quality. The low sugar content does not allow the berries of this variety to be stored for a long time. Cut bunches are stored in a dry and cool room for no more than two months.

This hybrid has its own characteristics. It is hardly used commercially. But it is incredibly popular with winegrowers. Experienced gardeners appreciate it for its rich taste and appearance.

Viking is popular as an ornamental culture among the owners of private lands due to the color and splendor of the foliage and the unusual appearance of the bunches.

The dark grape pulp contains a high concentration of nutrients, prevailing in it to a greater extent than in white grapes.

The antioxidant effect of berries slows down the start of aging processes in the body, prevents the development of cardiovascular and oncological diseases, and supports the immune system.

Viking table grapes are consumed fresh, as well as juices and homemade wines are prepared from it.