The primordial southern crop, grapes, is increasingly taking a firm position among the fruit and berry crops grown in the gardens of the Middle Zone and the Moscow region. Technical unpretentious varieties with small and sour berries are being replaced by varieties of table and dessert grapes. This article provides information about the domestic variety: Ilya Muromets grapes.
The Muromets grape was created in the 60s of the last century by crossing the Severny and Pobeda varieties. Selection work with plants was carried out by famous scientists Shtin and Filipenko. Their efforts were crowned with success; a frost-resistant variety was obtained, with early ripening and excellent berry taste. Until now, winegrowers in the middle zone willingly grow vinograd of this variety on their plots.
Description
The history of official recognition of the Muromets variety is very long, 26 years long. This variety was bred in 1962 at the Central Genetic Laboratory named after I.V. Michurin as a result of crossing the Pobeda and Severny varieties by breeders I.M. Filippenko and L.T. Shtin. The “northern” variety endowed its “child” with frost resistance and early ripening, and “Pobeda” with high yield and good taste characteristics. In 1977, state variety testing began, and only in 1988 “Muromets” was included in the register of breeding achievements of the Russian Federation. But this variety won people’s love almost immediately after its “birth”.
Parents of “Murom” – “Pobeda” and “Northern”
Reproduction methods
Muromets grapes are propagated vegetatively, that is, by cuttings or layering. This method of propagation allows you to obtain a plant with maternal characteristics. Cuttings are taken fresh, 10 centimeters long, with 2-3 eyes. They are rooted in cups and then transplanted to a permanent place.
To propagate by layering, take an annual vine and bend it to the ground. The procedure is carried out in the spring, and the soil is kept moist throughout the summer.
From prolonged contact with the soil, the shoot will develop its own root system. In the fall, the cuttings can be cut off from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.
Characteristics
The “Muromets” variety is a black table grape: it can be eaten fresh, as an ingredient in desserts and fruit salads, and in jam. Drinks (juices, compotes) and dried fruits go well with it. The bright color of the berries, light sourness and interesting flavor bouquet make it possible to produce exquisite table and dessert wines from the variety. Such varieties as “Victoria”, “transformation” and “kesha” also deserve attention.
Ripening period
The duration of the fruit ripening period from the start of budding is 105 – 110 days. This allows us to consider the variety to be very early: the harvest can begin to be harvested already in the first ten days of August. Although this period may shift depending on the growing region and prevailing weather conditions.
Bush
“Muromets” is a vigorous plant, the length of its branches reaches 2.5 – 3 meters. The shape of the bush can be any, as long as the vine is well ventilated. Most often, the variety is formed in the form of a double-sided horizontal cordon, and if it is necessary to insulate the lashes for the winter, a standard-free fan formation with 4 to 6 sleeves is used.
The flowers of the variety are bisexual, which ensures successful pollination of the inflorescences. The leaves are round in shape and light green or gray-green in color. Petioles are reddish in color.
bunches
The average weight of grape bunches is 500 g, but with proper care, the weight can increase to 1 kg. The average length is 25 – 30 cm, the shape is cylindrical-conical, the density is average or above average.
Important! Experienced winegrowers note an increase in the size of the bunches and berries of “Muromets” when growing vines on an arch, gazebo or canopy.
Berries
The grape berries also have an impressive size: the size of each grape is approximately 2.5 by 2 cm, weight - about 5 g, shape - elongated oval. Visually, each berry looks approximately like a five-ruble coin. But it is possible to have berries of different sizes in one bunch (the difference is 1 - 1.5 g). Large berries contain 1–3 dark-colored seeds, while small ones may not have them.
Winegrowers note that the size of the berries depends on the load: overload gives more grapes, but the size of the berries suffers.
The berries are dark purple, almost black, and covered with a thick waxy coating - pruin, which helps protect the fruit from pests and mechanical damage. You can increase the size of the berries (up to 6 - 8 g) by normalizing the load on the bush, as well as by thinning the berries in clusters.
The pulp is juicy, dense, crispy. The skin is thin, chewing it does not cause any difficulty.
The variety has high sugar content (18 - 20%) with an acidity of 8.5 g/l.
Taste
“Muromets” grapes have a pleasant, harmonious taste with a slight taste of black cherries and notes of “rose petals.”
Rules for caring for grapes
There will be no particular difficulties in caring for Muromets; the grapes are extremely undemanding and will produce a good harvest even without the owner’s increased attention.
Loosening the soil
It is recommended to loosen the soil frequently, without fresh air; despite regular watering and the addition of nutrients, the roots of Muromets can die. At the same time as loosening, remove weeds, which take away some of the substances necessary for the grapes.
Top dressing
The introduction of nutrients is a prerequisite for the successful cultivation of Muromets grapes. During the growing season, fertilizing will have to be done at least twice. It is recommended to use mineral compounds.
In spring, it is allowed to use organic matter, mixing the top layer of soil with rotted manure. Do not go too deep - there is a risk of burning the roots.
Trimming
The pruning process is no different from caring for other grape varieties. The main rules that will have to be followed:
- monitor the number of eyes left - there should not be more than twelve;
- Avoid damage to shoots when pruning;
- handle young lashes carefully, remove only damaged and dry ones;
- choose shoots with a diameter of at least 6 cm for further cultivation.
The process should be carried out in the fall or spring, although experienced gardeners often begin removing excess vines even in the summer.
Prevention of infections and pests
Preventive measures against infectious diseases and pest damage - timely use of chemicals. Folk remedies often do not give the desired effect, especially if colonies of insects have already settled in the garden, or the summer was too rainy and favorable for the spread of infection.
For prevention it is recommended to use:
- "Avixil";
- "Amistar";
- Bordeaux mixture.
It is recommended to use “Aktara”, “Talsar”, “Sunmite” against insects. Partially reducing the number of pests will be possible through the timely removal of fallen leaves, among which many larvae manage to hide.
Preparing for winter
In regions with a warm climate, Muromets grapes do not need to be covered. Despite its high hardiness, in cool areas it is better to play it safe and add a layer of mulch to protect the roots. Use compost, peat, or rotted humus as a mulch layer. Lapnik will also do the job perfectly.
Comparison with analogues
Let’s compare “Muromets” with similar large-fruited varieties.
| Sign | Variety | |||
| Muromets | Furor | Laurent | Attica | |
| Ripening period | 100-110 | 105-110 days | 110-115 days | 115-120 days |
| Frost resistance | Up to -26 °C | Up to -25 °C | Up to -23C | Up to -23C |
| Yield per bush | 15 kg | 15-30 kg | up to 50 kg | 15 – 20 kg |
| Bunches | 500-1000 g | 900 g | 500 g - 2 kg | From 700 g to 2 kg |
| Taste | Harmonious, with a slight taste of black cherry and notes of “rose petals” | Nutmeg-fruity aftertaste | Fruity notes | Fruity notes |
| Color | Dark blue | Dark purple, almost black | Dark blue | Deep purple |
| Disease resistance | High | High | Above average | Average |
| Shelf life | 1-2 months | A few months | 1 – 2 months | Up to 2 months |
| Sugar content | 18-20% | 21-23% | 18-19% | 16 – 19% |
| Acidity | 6-9 g/l | 5-7 g/l | 6-6.5 g/l | 5 g/l |
Advantages and disadvantages
A comparison of the characteristics of the Muromets variety with other varieties of table grapes indicates a clear advantage of this variety:
- high winter hardiness (tolerates frosts down to -25 degrees without shelter);
- early ripeness (ripens in early August);
- ease of care;
- rapid growth of shoots;
- resistance to mildew;
- The berries are juicy, the skin is thin and tender, the seeds are small.
We cannot remain silent about some of the disadvantages of this grape variety:
- tendency to peas when tying a large number of tassels;
- drying out of berries in a bunch during drought and cracking in rainy summers;
- susceptibility to the disease gray rot.
The Ilya Muromets grape variety has been grown in the gardens of our country for more than 50 years. Its unpretentiousness and high yield make it possible to recommend the crop for cultivation to gardeners taking their first steps in viticulture.
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Features of cultivation
A standard set of agrotechnical measures will ensure a high yield of the variety: planting on neutral soil, regular loosening of the soil, 2 feedings per season with mineral fertilizers, moderate watering.
Trimming
The maximum permissible load on a bush is 40 – 45 shoots. The vine is pruned to 8 - 10 buds. Particular attention must be paid to normalizing the load: it happens that heavy branches simply break under the weight of the bunches. Therefore, it is recommended to leave 1 inflorescence per shoot.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The register of breeding achievements contains information about the high resistance of “Muromets” to mildew and vulnerability to gray rot. However, experienced winegrowers have doubts about the first fact: the fungus successfully mutates and can quite realistically “populate” this variety.
Timely preventive treatment of the plant with fungicides will help prevent such troubles: Smilix, Switch, Sporobacterin, Thanos.
Of the pests, wasps pose the greatest danger to Muromets. It is important to prevent them from nesting in the vines. To prevent pests from damaging the crop, you can place sweet baits with poison near the bush.
Wintering
“Muromets” can tolerate temperatures down to -26ºС. Mature bushes do not need to be covered, but plants that are not yet 3 years old are recommended to be insulated. Some winegrowers simply remove the vines from the support and lay them on the ground, without sprinkling anything on top.
Harvest storage
Important! The variety’s performance is quite high: 14–15 kg per bush and 13–16 tons per hectare.
The Muromets variety can be stored for 1 – 2 months at a temperature of +3ºС – +8ºС (cellar, refrigerator). Grapes are well transported if they were harvested in dry weather.
Regions
“Muromets” is successfully cultivated in the North Caucasus, Lower Volga and Ural regions, as well as in the Moscow region, the North-West, Siberia and the Far East.
Selecting a site for planting
For the vineyard, sunny areas protected from strong winds are traditionally chosen. Bushes are often located near the walls of buildings on the east or south side. The wall, heating up during the day, in the evening and at night, radiates the heat that the grapes need so much.
Tomato Ilya Muromets
For planting grapes, soils with a neutral reaction, loose, and with low groundwater levels are chosen. Loams and sandy loams enriched with rotted manure and a complex of mineral fertilizers, enriched by the addition of sand and humus, are suitable. Approximate dosage of fertilizer application before planting grape seedlings per 1 sq. meter:
- rotted manure (horse, mullein) 10 kg;
- wood or grass ash 600 g;
- superphosphate 350 g.
Important! A layer of coarse crushed stone, 5 cm thick, must be poured onto the bottom of the planting holes for drainage. The roots of the plant are especially sensitive to stagnant moisture.
Reviews
The berries fully live up to their name. The bush never suffers from any misfortune. It ripened already at the beginning of September, and you yourself understand this is important for Siberia. Maria, Siberia
In fact, this is the earliest variety I have. The taste is not particularly different, but since the very first one comes, it is eaten in a moment) The bush gave its first fruits in the 3rd year with a total harvest of up to 6 kg. Nikolay, Perm
For a dacha gazebo, Muromets fits the article perfectly. I don’t visit the dacha very often, but in its 8 years this variety has never gotten sick, never frozen, and the harvest is always good. Ivan, Nizhny Novgorod
Muromets is a good option for a vineyard. Minimal maintenance, versatility in use and attractive appearance will be appreciated by households, guests and buyers.
Landing
Planting grapes in a hole
Grape seedlings are placed in the ground in spring, early May or August. Planting holes are dug in the prepared area, 45–55 cm deep. For the Muromets variety, taking into account the dimensions of the bush, the distance between the holes should be at least one and a half meters.
Grapes Nadezhda Aksayskaya
Immediately insert a piece of rubber hose or plastic pipe into the dug hole so that a part 20 cm long protrudes above the surface of the ground. Holes are made at the lower end of the hose. The pipe is necessary for further watering and fertilizing of the grapes; through it, moisture can penetrate directly into the root zone of the plant.
Trellis for grape shoots are installed in advance. The hole is filled with soil mixed with fertilizers. The seedling is placed in a hole so that the graft on the stem remains above ground level.
Important! After planting, the bushes are watered abundantly, spending at least 15 liters of water for each plant. The soil around the grapes is mulched with straw and wood shavings.
How to harvest
Harvesting is not an easy process, so it is better to arm yourself with the necessary knowledge in advance. Basic Rules:
- use only sharp garden shears, try not to damage the bunches;
- immediately sort through the grapes, sort out the large, beautiful bunches, and send the rest for processing;
- send to a cool place immediately, trying not to shift the bunches again - removing the bluish coating reduces the shelf life.
Another rule for harvesting Muromets grapes is to pick only ripe fruits.
Disease resistance
Grapes tolerate fungal diseases quite difficult.
The variety is relatively resistant to a fungal disease such as mildew, as the register describes . Winegrowers note that the microscopic fungus has mutated considerably over many decades and has gained sufficient virulence, which it is trying to demonstrate at Muromets.
Constant, regular and timely treatments are a necessary condition that will help protect the crop and vine from diseases.
Starting spraying from early spring until the harvest itself, with complex modern means it is quite possible to restrain the growth of fungi and prevent their migration to other varieties.
