Pleven is a common Bulgarian grape variety. Among its positive characteristics, summer residents include exceptional cold resistance, large fruit, and good taste of berries. Meanwhile, many winegrowers note that the variety is susceptible to diseases and pests, and is extremely demanding on growing conditions. Pleven includes two more advanced varieties - Muscat and Sustainable. They are the ones chosen by winegrowers to plant on their plots.
Pleven grapes - what kind of variety it is, properties
Bulgarian breeders crossed Yantar and Italy grapes. The result was a beautiful, early-ripening, low-temperature-resistant and productive Pleven variety. Based on this grape, three more subspecies were bred, which have better performance.
Important! The variety is self-pollinating, and for high yields you need to regulate the number of inflorescences.
Description and characteristics, what it looks like
The description of the variety says that Pleven grapes are classified as table varieties. It is one of the fastest ripening - in the south it ripens in 90 days, in more northern regions in 4 months. A large amount of harvest is harvested from one bush.
Pleven grapes
The clusters are large, up to 600 g, cylindrical in shape. The variety does not tend to become smaller, even with insufficient regulation of the number of bunches on the bush. The berries are ovoid, amber, reaching 9 g in weight. Tastes with the aroma of nutmeg. The pulp is quite juicy, fleshy, and the skin is dense.
Sugar in berries reaches 22%, and acidity 7 g/l. From one hectare you can harvest about 14 tons of grapes. The variety can withstand frosts down to -23 °C.
Canopy for grapes
Interesting! Due to its strong growth, it is used to decorate arches and arbors.
Advantages and disadvantages
The Pleven grape variety has a number of advantages over other crops, which should definitely be mentioned:
- easily takes root;
- the productivity is very high;
- tolerates transportation well;
- frost-resistant, and in more northern regions it can easily overwinter under good shelter;
- easy to care for, undemanding;
- resistance to diseases and pest attacks is above average;
- ripens early;
- practically not attacked by wasps;
- After ripening, the bunches can hang on the bush for up to 20 days without deteriorating in quality.
In addition, grapes are self-pollinating and help pollinate other varieties. It is also not subject to peas and tolerates rainy weather well.
Interesting! Seedlings take root in 90% of cases - according to this indicator, it is one of the leaders.
From the Pleven bush you can harvest about 60 kg of grapes. Moreover, rainy weather does not affect the amount of sugar in the berries; they will still gain their 20%.
Of course, despite the large number of positive qualities, there are also some disadvantages:
- in the northern regions you will need to make a shelter for the bushes;
- despite the absence of a tendency to disease, it is necessary to carry out preventive measures;
- the presence of seeds, which is a rather conditional disadvantage.
High-yielding grape variety
Despite so many shortcomings, the variety is quite successful and will decorate any garden plot.
Care plan
Pleven grapes are provided with good care, which consists of fertilizing, pruning and watering. To prevent diseases, it is recommended to carry out preventive spraying.
Watering
Only young bushes under 3 years old need regular watering. They are watered using a drainage pipe several times a season:
- after removing the winter shelter;
- during the formation of buds;
- during the flowering period;
- late autumn.
Pre-winter watering is necessary for every Pleven grape variety. Moisture is added in late autumn while preparing plants for winter. Wet soil freezes slowly, and grapes withstand winter better.
Feeding
In early spring, Pleven grapes are fed with fertilizer containing nitrogen. Chicken droppings or manure are added to the soil. Instead of organic matter, you can use minerals: 40 g of urea and superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfate.
The treatment is repeated until flowering begins. When the fruits ripen, only phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied. Nitrogen activates the growth of shoots, while in summer it is better to direct the forces of the grapes to the formation of berries.
Advice! During the flowering period, the vineyard is sprayed with boric acid to increase the number of ovaries. The optimal concentration is 2 g per 2 liters of water.
Grapes respond positively to foliar treatments. Plantings are sprayed with complex preparations Kemira or Aquarin. After harvesting, the plants are fed with wood ash. Fertilizer is incorporated into the soil.
Trimming
By pruning the grapes, high fruiting is ensured. Pleven varieties are pruned in the fall after harvesting.
For each bush, 4-5 of the most powerful shoots are left. Fruit branches are shortened by 6-8 buds. The permissible load on the plant is from 35 to 45 eyes.
After the snow melts, only frozen and dry branches are removed. In spring, the number of bunches is normalized. 1-2 inflorescences are left on the shoot, the rest are cut off.
In summer, it is enough to remove the leaves so that the berries gain sugar content. Extra stepsons are also eliminated.
Protection from diseases
Muscat and resistant varieties of Pleven grapes rarely get sick if agricultural practices are followed. For preventive purposes, plantings are sprayed with antifungal drugs. Treatments are carried out in early spring and late autumn.
Advice! Copper-based products prevent the proliferation of fungus: Horus, Ridomil, Kuproxat.
The drugs are diluted with water in the concentration specified in the instructions. During the growing season, the last treatment should take place 3 weeks before harvesting.
The vineyard attracts mites, borers, cicadas, caterpillars and other pests. If insects are detected, the plantings are sprayed with special preparations. To protect the crop from wasps and birds, the bunches are covered with fabric bags.
Shelter for the winter
It is recommended to cover Pleven grapes for the winter, especially if a cold, snowless winter is expected. In autumn, the vine is removed from the support, placed on the ground and hilled. Dry leaves are sprinkled on top.
Metal or plastic arcs are installed above the plant, and agrofibre is fixed on top. To prevent the grapes from rotting, when the temperature rises in the spring, the shelter is removed. If there is still a chance of frost, the covering material is opened slightly.
Variety varieties
Thanks to the Pleven grapes, several more tasty and strong varieties of sweet berries have appeared. Their description differs little from the parent variety, but they no less deserve attention and a place of honor on the gardener’s plot.
Grapes Pleven resistant or Augustine
This variety is also known as Phenomenon, and its parents are the classic Pleven and Vilar Blanc. The variety is recommended for growing in the North Caucasus region, but given its high ability to tolerate frost, it can be found in more northern regions.
Augustine
Important! It tolerates transportation well and practically does not get sick, which is why it is widely grown on an industrial scale. It is easy to care for and ripens early.
Pleven muscat grapes
The Muscat subspecies was obtained by crossing Druzhba and Strashensky. The most wine-producing of all varieties, it has a very high yield and ripens in three months. The clusters are dense, the berries are able to collect 21% sugar.
Reviews from gardeners
Pleven Muscat is grown.
The variety has proven itself well in that it rarely gets sick and is not affected by pests. It makes amazing homemade wine. There are two bushes growing in the garden. Each one produces 15-17 clusters. Their weight is approximately 700 grams. The bunches can hang for a long time when ripe and do not fall off. They retain their taste and presentation for a long time.
Denis
Pleven grapes have virtually no disadvantages. It requires virtually no maintenance; I feed it once a year, in the spring. Never gets sick, winters well, albeit under cover. The grapes ripen towards the end of summer. It takes a long time to mature, but it's worth it. The taste of the berries is excellent. Do not sour, sugar in moderation. You can easily make wine or compotes. I tried to reproduce it once, and it worked. All cuttings have taken root. They grew quickly, there was no waste. In general, a very worthy variety.
Growing areas and features
Initially, the Pleven variety was bred for Bulgaria, and accordingly, the conditions for growing there will be the best. Despite this, it takes root well in the Moscow region, and in general, central Russia is excellent for growing, but winter insulation needs to be done.
In the south of the country, there is no need to remove the vine from strengthening and insulate it, but you should take into account the specifics of planting, perform regular pruning and shaping of the bush, and also do regular spraying against possible diseases.
Area of application of fruits
Pleven grape varieties for table use. Fresh berries are very tasty. Preparations for the winter are no worse. Jam, marmalade, and jam are made from grapes. Grape compote and juice are very tasty. Masters use the variety to produce table and dessert wines.
Fresh Pleven grapes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 60 days. The berries do not wrinkle, do not crumble during transportation, and retain not only their presentation, but also their beneficial properties.
Some gardeners use grapevines in landscape design. It will age well throughout the growing season.
Features of planting and growing grapes
That unique grape variety that can be grown in partial shade. Pleven is unpretentious, but, if possible, it is still better to plant the bush in the sun. Another positive quality of this variety is its tolerance to drafts. But Pleven most likely will not tolerate drought, and therefore it is necessary to water it abundantly, especially in extreme heat and in the absence of precipitation.
Landing dates
Pleven grape seedlings can be planted in spring or autumn. But it should be taken into account that the further north the region is, the better it is to give preference to spring planting. This will give the plant time to grow stronger and gain strength before frost sets in.
Interesting! In central Russia, grape seedlings are planted in April, and in the North and Urals this should be done in May.
In the fall, be sure to plant no later than October; even in the south in November, the weather can deteriorate sharply, and if the roots of the seedling freeze, it will die.
Pleven seedling
Site selection and soil preparation
Since Pleven is not a very demanding plant, you can plant it in partial shade and even in an open area, but always with a low groundwater content. You should first dig a hole for the seedling and let it settle for some time.
Interesting! When planting in spring, it is better to dig a hole in the fall. This will contribute to better survival of the grape seedling and its rapid growth.
It is better to put humus in the hole in advance, after mixing it with soil in equal proportions. It should be filled to about a third of the total volume. When planting several shrubs, maintain a distance of at least 2 meters between them.
How to choose the right seedling
When choosing a seedling, you should pay attention to the general condition of the cutting, its root system and blossoming leaves. All parts of the plant should look healthy, without signs of disease. Light green foliage and beige roots indicate a healthy specimen.
Important! The roots should be free of rot, mold and dead parts.
Planting process step by step
After a healthy, strong seedling has been acquired, it must be planted in a prepared area. But some activities are best done in advance:
- dig a hole 1 meter deep and 1 meter in diameter;
- pour 15 cm of drainage onto the bottom - crushed stone or expanded clay will do;
- cover a third with organic matter.
Be sure to add a mineral complex before planting; a phosphorus or potassium mixture is best. You can buy it ready-made in a specialized store.
After that:
- add 250 g of wood ash;
- make a mound of garden soil in the center and place a seedling on it;
- straighten the roots carefully;
- sprinkle soil on top;
- compact.
Abundant watering
On the day of planting, you need to pour up to 40 liters of water onto one bush and cover the tree trunk circle with mulch on top. After this, the young shoot will need to be given special attention until it takes root.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of the plant:
- The berries are stored for a long time in comparison with other early ripening grape varieties.
- Low productivity has a beneficial effect on the health of grapes. Its shoots and clusters do not lag behind in terms of ripening. The gardener does not need to regulate the load of the plant with fruits, and the branches are not overloaded with berries.
- After ripening, grapes remain on the vine for a long time without loss of quality. The presentation of the berries does not deteriorate. They have no tendency to crack. Even in the most unfavorable weather conditions, with heavy rainfall and high soil moisture, the integrity of the fruit is maintained. Wasps are not afraid of grapes. They cannot bite through the skin, so the flesh remains intact.
- There is resistance to gray rot.
- The variety is suitable for the production of still wines and cognac spirits.
Flaws:
- Weak resistance to frost. The above-ground part of the plant will be damaged at air temperatures of -20...-21°C. After such injuries, the plant will take a long time to recover. If the temperature continues to drop, the vine dies completely.
- Low immunity to fungal diseases.
- The need for shelter in winter.
- Frequent applications with fungicides during care.
The variety requires delicate care in compliance with agricultural technology. Not all manipulations are easy to carry out in cold regions. Because of this, the popularity of the variety among amateur gardeners is low.
Reproduction of the variety, how and when to do it
During pruning, many healthy and strong branches remain. It is enough to put them in a bucket of water, and they will give strong, healthy roots. The main thing is to choose seedlings with at least five buds.
After white roots have appeared on the branches and have grown a little, the grapes are planted in a pot with a nutrient mixture. It is best to use organic fertilizers and garden soil mixed 1:1.
Now the seedling will overwinter well indoors. If planting is done for the summer, then the grapes should still grow indoors until next spring. When warming occurs, you can plant the plant in your garden plot.
Growing regions
According to the State Register, this grape variety can be grown in the North Caucasus region.
The following territories are suitable:
- Republic of Adygea.
- Kabardino-Balkaria.
- Chechnya.
- Crimea.
- Dagestan.
- Krasnodar region.
- Rostov region.
- North Ossetia.
- Karachay-Cherkess Republic.
- Ingushetia.
- Stavropol region.
It is worth considering that the variety does not tolerate negative temperatures above -23°C.
Pest control and disease prevention
Pleven is quite resistant to various diseases, but it is still necessary to perform preventive treatments:
- Bordeaux mixture will prevent mildew, treat 3 times per season, and Profit Gold will help cope with the disease;
- against gray rot they are treated with preparations with a high copper content, and if the plant is damaged, Fitosporin will help;
- a lime-sulfur mixture in the form of a solution will help the plant become more resistant to grape itch, and Actellik will cure if the disease has manifested itself.
Pleven grapes are one of the strong and unpretentious varieties. Even an inexperienced gardener can grow it. Simple steps will help you get a rich harvest and decorate your yard and garden.
Characteristics of bunches and berries:
The “Plevna” bunches are commercially sized, with an average weight of 500-800 grams, conical to cylindrical in shape, moderately loose.
The shape of the grape seeds is ovoid and elongated. The grains are large, with an average weight of 5-8 grams. The sizes of the berries are as follows: length 20-30 mm and width 10-15 mm. The skin covering the medium-thick berry is crispy. The inside of the grapes is crispy.
Advantages and disadvantages
Wines made from Muscat grapes have an excellent, rich and pronounced taste. Muscat berries have a beneficial effect on the human body. The fruits contain phytoncides, which have a beneficial effect on the intestines. The Muscat grape variety is endowed with other advantages - the bushes consistently produce a bountiful harvest and look beautiful.
The plant is also endowed with some disadvantages that are associated with its cultivation.
There are nutmeg varieties that prefer only warm climates and do not tolerate very low temperatures. Such grapes must be protected with the help of special means before the onset of winter.
Also, some varieties are not resistant to various infectious and fungal diseases. If not treated in a timely manner, this may affect the yield.
Landing rules
Seedlings of the Pleven variety should be planted in accordance with the basic requirements:
- planting at higher elevations;
- in case of high groundwater levels, carrying out measures to arrange drainage;
- preliminary digging of the site for planting with the application of organic fertilizers;
- preparing holes for planting in advance and filling them one-third with humus and fertile soil;
- the distance between bushes must be at least 2 m;
- When planting, the root collar of the seedling must not be buried;
- After planting, the soil is covered with a layer of high-quality mulch, and the seedling is tied to a support.
In the first ten days, the process of survival of young plants should be monitored and timely watering should be carried out, followed by loosening the soil.
How to feed Augustine grapes
In the first season after planting, young plants do not need to be fed - the fertilizers that were applied during planting are quite enough for them.
In the following seasons, the Augustine grape variety needs to be fertilized three times per season:
- the first fertilizing is carried out in the spring, introducing nitrogen-containing fertilizers into the tree trunk circles;
- The next fertilizing is applied 12-14 days before flowering. Phosphorus compounds should predominate in its composition;
- The last time a complex mineral compound is added to Augustine grapes is during the ripening period. During this period, grapes need potassium salts and superphosphate.
When applying fertilizers, you must adhere to the dosages specified in the instructions for the preparations. The amount of fertilizer applied must not be exceeded.
You can also foliar feed Augustine vines once or twice a season with a solution of mineral fertilizers.
Comparative characteristics
To choose a Muscat grape variety, you will need to determine which type is more to your taste and which is suitable for the site. Only after familiarizing yourself with each variety in detail can you make the right choice. For example, if you need grapes for wine production, Amber, Odessa, and Super Early Red are suitable.
Each Muscat grape variety has its own merits. Such as Pridonsky, Golodrigi and Noble are resistant to various diseases and pests. Varieties Alexandrinsky, Black and Yantarny do not tolerate low temperatures. They should be grown in warm regions. And Pridonsky, Novoshakhtinsky and Far Eastern, on the contrary, tolerate sub-zero temperatures well.
Augustine grapes: how to prune correctly
Since this variety grows a large number of young shoots per season, it is impossible to do without annual formative pruning of Augustine grapes. Without it, the vines will become thickened, the berries will become smaller, and as a result, the yield will sharply decrease.
In the first season after planting, seedlings do not form - they must grow a sufficient number of shoots.
In the following years, Augustine bushes are formed according to the chosen pattern. In the fall, all shoots are cut off, leaving 7 to 12 eyes on each.
In the spring, such a procedure is not recommended unless absolutely necessary - juice begins to move in the vines, and juice may flow out of the cuts.
In the summer, you only need to pinch the stepsons to regulate the number of shoots formed. The yield of this variety is high, so up to 6 leaves should be left above each brush.
To prevent thickening of the bush, all second-order stepsons are removed.
At the end of August, the tops of the shoots are pinched so that they ripen better.
