Grapes Gift to Irina is a high-yielding and early-ripening new product, bred on the basis of the table varieties loved by winegrowers. Every year the variety is gaining popularity due to its high taste and external characteristics. In care, Gift to Irina requires compliance with basic rules of agricultural technology, but it produces a stable harvest only with proper care.
In most regions of Russia, the variety needs protection from frost
Description of the grape variety Gift to Irina
The pink fruit grape Podarok Irina is characterized by high growth energy, which is why its bushes require pruning to 8-10 buds to increase yield. They are characterized by open hibiscus, but the branches are well leafed. The leaf blades are medium in size, dense, smooth, and have a rich dark green color. The flowers of the variety are bisexual; pollinators are not required for the formation of ovaries.
Advice! To further stimulate the formation of brushes, the use of growth regulators is allowed.
Bunches
The bunches of Podarok Irina grapes have a clear conical shape and are able to remain attractive on the branch until frost. The berries fit together quite tightly and do not fall apart, which is why the harvest can be transported over long distances. The weight of the brushes is impressive, some specimens reach 1.5 kg, but on average their weight ranges from 0.6 to 0.8 kg.
Berries
The berries of the variety are large, each grows up to 15-22 g, and are not prone to peas. Their color is bright red, sometimes dark pink. The skin is elastic, without cracks, covered with a waxy coating on the outside. The shape of the fruits is oval-elongated, similar to the Lady Fingers variety.
Every year, the berries of the Gift to Irina grapes are approximately the same size and do not become smaller as the bushes age
Vine
The vines of the Podarok Irina grape variety are of medium diameter, the shoots are fast-growing, covered with smooth leaves. The branches are quite strong and can easily withstand heavy bunches. Under normal conditions, the vine does not ripen along its entire length.
How to cover grapes for the winter
Young shoots need the best protection from cold and wind, so you need to use only durable and high-quality materials. For such purposes, various containers, such as pots, buckets or glasses, are best suited. The structure is then covered with cloth, hay or straw; warm blankets or old clothes may also be suitable.
Before you begin covering, the vineyard needs to be prepared, for this you need:
- Trim all vines.
- Treat the plant with copper or iron sulfate.
- Good It is worth considering that the covered part of the soil will retain moisture for a long time and, accordingly, it will be easier for the root system to survive frosty weather.
- To avoid damage to the bush by rodents, you must first lay out pest bait.
- In regions with a cold or changeable climate, it is recommended to immediately plant grapes not in fields, but in trenches (the depression in the ground is no more than 40-50 centimeters).
Characteristic
The gift to Irina is characterized by early fruiting and fairly high yield. It has excellent taste. The commercial appearance of the variety allows the product to be successfully sold on the market. The grapes' tolerance to weather conditions and various ailments is average.
Grape ripening period Gift to Irina
The variety belongs to the early ripening varieties of grapes. Typically, the ripening period of berries takes approximately 3.5-4 months. Harvesting from it begins in mid-August, and in the southern regions from the second half of July.
Productivity
The gift to Irina, subject to the conditions of agricultural technology, brings a fairly large harvest. One bush produces from 12 to 15 kg of ripe berries. Due to their average size, brush plants have time to fully ripen even in the cities of the Central Russian region.
Taste qualities
The taste of the berries of this grape variety is quite harmonious, shaded with piquant sourness, and the aroma with notes of nutmeg. The pulp of the fruit is fleshy, sweet, juicy, protected by a dense, but at the same time thin skin, which is easily removed.
Growing regions
Since the Podarok Irina variety was bred by a Kharkov breeder, it is more common in Ukraine. It is also often cultivated by winegrowers of the Crimean Peninsula, Krasnodar Territory and other southern regions of Russia. The variety is popular in some CIS countries.
Frost resistance
The variety can withstand light short frosts down to -22 °C, but the vines do not freeze only when covered. They begin to prepare for winter around mid-autumn. Typically, roofing felt, agrofibre and other loose materials are used for this.
Comment! The gift to Irina tolerates negative weather conditions well, withstands strong gusts of wind and sudden increases in temperature.
Drought resistance
The hybrid has good resistance to drought and does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil. The soil should always be moist, but not soggy.
Advice! It is better to apply a drip irrigation system to the plant.
To irrigate Podarok Irina grapes, use only warm water
Resistance to diseases and pests
The variety has good resistance to the main crop diseases, but if the rules of agricultural technology are not followed, the bushes can be affected by fungal diseases. To avoid this, preventive maintenance should be performed. The bunches also need protection from birds and wasps, since the aroma and taste of the berries is of great interest to them.
Methods of application
The gift to Irina is most often consumed fresh, but some housewives also use the berries in cooking. Judging by the reviews, they make delicious compote, jam, juice, jam. Grapes are not suitable for making wine and liqueurs, since they are a table variety.
Disease Prevention
Let's take a closer look at ways to combat the main diseases of grapes.
Mildew and oidium
Mildew is a disease that must be combated before the first signs appear. Preventive treatment of bushes with solutions of copper-based fungicides helps with this. According to reviews from gardeners, the drugs “Ridomil” and “Ordana” are especially popular, but it is better to contact the manager of a garden store for advice. The industry produces new, effective drugs every season, so it is necessary to choose the best option to combat the disease.
For treatments against oidium, sulfur-based compounds are used, among them “Quadris” and “Tilt”.
Phylloxera
This variety is susceptible to microscopic pest damage. Failure to provide assistance leads to the complete destruction of the bushes on the site. Pests attack all parts of the plant, sucking out the life-giving sap and limiting the nutrition of the bush. For preventive treatments, contact insecticides “Zolon”, “Konfidor”, “Marshal” are used.
Wasps
Against these striped aggressors, you will need to cover each hand in a cloth or mesh bag or treat them with a soda solution. The wasp will not suck out such berries. Wasps get away from the smell of smoke, so it is recommended to treat the brushes with Sochva or another solution of liquid smoke.
Inexperienced gardeners recommend destroying insect nests, but such treatment will not bring much benefit, but more harm. The wasp is a natural enemy of many garden pests, which significantly reduces their numbers in the garden. Therefore, it is better to scare away wasps or protect the berries with a bag than to destroy a beneficial insect.
Birds
The same situation is with birds. Birds love the sweet juice and pulp of berries, but actively fight insects. To eliminate the problem, all kinds of repellers, tied ribbons or scarecrows help.
Advantages and disadvantages
Gift to Irina is a variety that has a large number of positive qualities; it is successfully grown by gardeners living even in central Russia.
The variety has many more strengths than weaknesses
Advantages:
- early ripeness;
- high taste qualities;
- excellent presentation;
- large berry size;
- crack resistance;
- strong immunity;
- transportability;
- keeping quality;
- resistance to adverse weather conditions.
Flaws:
- attracts birds and wasps;
- not resistant to phylloxera;
- requires shelter for the winter;
- the need for regular pruning.
What is good and what are the disadvantages
Among the advantages, according to gardeners, there are several qualities of the hybrid:
- the variety is resistant to cracking of berries if watering rules are followed;
- not subject to crushing, peas;
- the berries in the cluster grow to approximately the same size;
- bushes can withstand low temperatures, but to protect the vine it is better to cover it with shields for the winter;
- resistant to gray rot, rarely affected by mildew;
- is able to preserve the taste and beauty of the brush during long-term transportation and storage.
The disadvantages, but very controversial, of this grape include:
- when growing grapes in harsh winter conditions, you will need to cover the bushes according to the full scheme;
- the variety is susceptible to phylloxera;
- susceptible to attacks by wasps and birds.
Planting grapes Gift to Irina
The key to good growth and fruiting of the grapes Gift to Irina will be their correct planting. The variety prefers to grow in sunny, open, but windless areas. Planting is carried out in pre-prepared holes. During spring work, the holes are prepared in the fall, and during autumn work, which can only be carried out in areas with a warm climate, in the spring. They are filled with rotted horse manure, peat, chicken manure, compost and granulated mineral fertilizers.
Attention! Preparatory work is carried out no later than half a month before planting.
The seedlings are cultivated by slightly deepening the root system. If it is open, then the procedure is performed before the buds open; with closed roots, you can plant at any time, but before the onset of heat.
The growth of grapes Gift to Irina and the size of the berries depends on the properly prepared area
What to pay attention to when landing
Like many varieties, the hybrid Gift to Irina is best planted in an area with loamy or chernozem soil. The acidity level should not exceed the 3% threshold. The plant is demanding of sunlight, so choose an open place for planting, but without constant drafts. The maximum height of a seedling is up to 700 mm.
When purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the obligatory condition of grafting the crop onto a rootstock; such a plant has the best characteristics of resistance to pests and diseases. In advance of planting seedlings, holes are dug in marked areas, the depth of which is up to 600 mm and the width from 500 mm.
The top fertile layer of soil is mixed with 3-5 kg of manure, 200 g of superphosphate and 300 g of ash are added. The bottom of the pit is filled with a 100 mm layer of broken brick or expanded clay for drainage, then a layer of nutritious soil is filled in, pouring it into a slide. A seedling is placed on the mountain, each root is carefully and carefully straightened and the roots are gradually covered with prepared soil.
In advance of planting seedlings, holes are dug in marked areas, the depth of which is up to 600 mm and the width from 500 mm. The top fertile layer of soil is mixed with 3-5 kg of manure, 200 g of superphosphate and 300 g of ash are added. The bottom of the pit is filled with a 100 mm layer of broken brick or expanded clay for drainage, then a layer of nutritious soil is filled in, pouring it into a slide. A seedling is placed on the mountain, each root is carefully and carefully straightened and the roots are gradually covered with prepared soil.
The hole is filled with 20-30 liters of water, the seedling is slightly raised and completely filled with soil. You need to leave a 50 mm distance at the top and cover it with a layer of mulch. The minimum gap between plants is 4 m.
Caring for grapes Gift to Irina
In order for the bushes to be healthy and strong, they need to be properly cared for. It consists of the following manipulations:
- Watering. The gift to Irina begins to be moistened from the moment the buds begin to bloom on its vines. In areas with hot summers, watering is carried out twice a week; in other regions, three times a month is enough.
- Feeding. They begin to fertilize the crop in the spring, as soon as the leaves begin to bloom. During this period, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium compounds are added in amounts of 50, 40 and 30 g, respectively; it is also useful to feed the bushes with organic matter. The preparations are applied at the root, alternating with spraying on the leaves. At the stage of flowering and fruit filling, Podarok Irina needs phosphorus-potassium supplements.
- Formation. Grapes are pruned regularly. Diseased and old shoots are removed completely, and young shoots are shortened by several buds. The vines of this variety also need staking. This is usually done at a right angle or 45 degrees.
- Prevention of diseases and pests. Podarok Irina grapes must be sprayed with fungicides, and pests must be repelled from the berries with various traps and biological products. The harvest is saved from birds by putting nets on the bunches.
- Preparing for winter. Starting in October (the exact time depends on the weather conditions in the region where the crop is grown), the grapes are prepared for frost. After the first negative temperatures, the vines are pruned, treated with fungicides, bent to the soil and covered with burlap, tarpaulin or agrofibre. Spruce branches are laid out on top of the material.
Agricultural technology of grapes
There are no special features in planting and propagating berry crops. The plant is unpretentious in care, but its varietal characteristics must be taken into account:
- The soil. Grapes must be grown on black soil or loamy soil. The plant loves acidic or neutral soil.
- Place and time of planting. The area where the berry seedling will be placed should be sunny and windless. If possible, plant grapes with protection from northern winds. That is, so that it grows near the wall of a house or fence. Start planting grapes in the spring. Over the summer and autumn it will take root and survive the winter more easily.
- High-quality planting material. In order for the plant to grow strong, select a seedling that is at least 50 centimeters in height; there should be no diseases or wounds on the shoot.
- Growth zone. Berry crops require a lot of space during growth. Plant other plants at a distance of no closer than 2-2.5 meters.
- Watering. Irrigate plants as needed. The frequency of watering is not fixed. Focus on the climatic conditions of the region where you live. In the South you need to irrigate more often, in the middle zone less often. The consumption per bush is 20 liters of settled tap or well water.
- Mulching. To reduce the process of moisture evaporation and protect the root system from direct sunlight, mulch the soil. Use sawdust or straw.
- Fertilizer application. The plant responds well to fertilizing. At the beginning of the growing season, apply liquid fertilizer based on potassium and nitrogen under the bushes. Take 10 liters of water, dissolve 30 grams of potassium nitrate and 20 grams of urea. Apply the resulting solution evenly throughout the root space under the bush.
Useful!
Before setting fruit, fertilize the plants with superphosphate and potassium. Dissolve 40 grams of superphosphate and 20 grams of potassium nitrate in a bucket of water. Timely application of mineral fertilizers gives the grapes the strength to grow and set large clusters and berries. In the fall, feed the berry crop with humus. Take 2 buckets of organic matter and distribute it in an even layer under the bush.
- Forming and sanitary pruning. Remove diseased, dry shoots in early spring, when the process of sap flow has not yet begun. Form the bush so that there are no more than 35 eyes left on it. With such a load on the plant, the fruits will grow large.
- Preventive treatments for diseases. The grapes have average resistance to diseases. To minimize the risk of illnesses, in the spring before the buds fully bloom, spray the bushes with a solution based on copper sulfate. Dissolve 100 grams of the substance in 10 liters of water. Treat the plant with a sprayer.
- Preparing for winter. At the end of October, carry out moisture-charging irrigation. Water consumption per bush is 100 liters. In mid-November, remove the vine from the arches and cover it with film and agrofibre so that the plant can survive the drop in temperature.
Brief history of the variety
The hybrid form “Gift to Irina” inherited all the strengths of its parents.
The “parents” of the hybrid Gift to Irina were the white table grape Kesha and the early ripening table grape Elegant.
They passed on the best qualities to their brainchild. Since both Kesha and Elegant are table grapes, the variety under review also belongs to table varieties , that is, it is not suitable for making wine.
But it makes wonderful jam, preserves, juice, and simply served fresh, these grapes will become a family’s favorite delicacy.
