Valentina grapes (43 photos): variety description, reviews, videos, characteristics, diseases, pests, care features

History of selection and region of breeding

Valentina's predecessors are Summer Muscat and Demeter. The breeders who developed this complex hybrid were S.I. Krasokhina, V.A. Ganich, L.A. Maistrenko. Demeter is already a hybrid obtained from the grape varieties Delight and Arcadia grapes.

Valentina grapes were developed by crossing the Arcadia and Vostorg varieties. Valentina grapes are suitable for growing in regions with long daylight hours and consistently warm temperatures, but still require protective shelter in cold weather.

Features and rules of landing

Certain rules should be followed when planting. If you follow them, the seedlings will quickly take root and take root.

The process of rooting a Valentina seedling

How to select and prepare a site

The area for planting grapes should be on the sunny side and not blown by draft winds.

ATTENTION! The variety grows strongly, so the area should be free.

Black soil is ideal for planting. If this is not possible, then grapes can be planted on sandstone and loam. If groundwater lies close, you need to take care of the drainage system.

Recommended period for disembarkation

Many people are interested in the period when grapes can be planted. This can be done both in spring and autumn, but there are some nuances:

In spring, branches are made, seedlings are planted, as well as grafted cuttings.
In autumn, it is permissible to plant only seedlings, but at a certain time. Early planting is fraught with intensive plant growth, and late planting is fraught with the death of seedlings.

Seedlings should be purchased from trusted suppliers or nurseries.

Selection of seedlings

A healthy grape seedling can be distinguished by the following characteristics:

the root system is developed;
the trunk is healthy, without damage;
the buds should not fall off or peel off.

Before planting, seedlings should be placed in clean water for a day so that they take root better in the soil. Shoots that have reached 1 year old should be shortened to the level of 3-4 eyes.

Planting algorithm

The Valentina grape variety is planted as follows:

Dig a hole 80 cm deep. The width should be 40-60 cm, the distance between adjacent holes should be at least 4 m.
Drainage in the form of sand, humus and small stones is placed at the bottom of the holes.
The roots of the seedling are straightened and carefully placed in the hole.
Next, the hole is filled with soil and compacted.
The seedling is watered (20 l).
After watering, the soil must be mulched.

Description and characteristics of the variety

Valentina, like Anyuta grapes, is suitable for cultivation in many regions and is famous for the fact that cultivation of this variety will be within the capabilities of a gardener even with little experience.

Valentina bushes are vigorous, characterized by intensive growth of shoots. The vine grows a lot in length and needs a lot of free space.

The popularity of the variety is associated with beautiful large berries of an elongated and slightly curved shape, which are collected in loose, loose clusters. The length of such a bunch can reach 40 cm, and the weight is approximately 1.5 kg. This hybrid belongs to the table varieties.

Features of agricultural technology

A powerful and vigorous hybrid needs a large area and open space, so you need to carefully select a place for planting.

Selecting a location

You can get a grape harvest only with good agricultural technology and the right choice of location. On the site, only sunny areas protected from winds and drafts are allocated for planting this crop.

The soil is nutritious, ideally chernozem, but loam and sandy loam are suitable. The grapes do not tolerate overly acidic soils or low-lying areas. If the groundwater is shallow, it is necessary to equip a reliable and efficient drainage system. Acidic soils are cultivated by adding lime and dolomite flour.

Landing dates

The hybrid is planted in spring or autumn, choosing a time that is convenient for you. For spring planting, seedlings, grafted cuttings are used, and branches are also made.

In the fall, only seedlings are planted, and it is important not to miss the optimal timing. Planting should not be early (otherwise the grapes will grow intensively), and not late (so that the bushes have time to take root).

Landing

Valentina grapes are planted freely, following a 4x6 meter pattern. This planting is due to the powerful growth of bushes and high yields.

The soil is dug up (about two weeks before planting); for spring planting, it is recommended to prepare the site in the fall. The planting holes have a diameter of 80-90 cm, a depth of 50-60 cm. Fill the bottom with drainage (small stones, coarse sand), then a special nutrient mixture (soil with black soil), and install a seedling. The roots are straightened, then the mixture is sprinkled with soil and lightly compacted. A peg is also installed in the hole, to which a young grape seedling is then tied.

1.5-2 buckets of water are poured into the grooves or gutter. After a slight subsidence of the soil in the hole, the soil is added and mulched (peat, humus, sawdust, straw).

ON A NOTE! To improve survival rate and stimulate the growth of the root system, it is recommended to treat grape roots with special growth preparations before planting.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Valentina variety has become popular due to its advantages, including:

excellent taste;
spicy appearance;
ease of care;
excellent marketability, storage and transportation;
high yield, which cannot be said about the Sicily grape variety;
resistance against fungal diseases.

The grapes have excellent taste, resistance to certain diseases and a lot of other advantages.
The disadvantages include the following cracking of the skin at high soil moisture, which cannot be said about the Rumba grape variety.

Sometimes a distinctive feature of the Valentina variety, freckling, is considered a disadvantage, as this confuses uninformed buyers.

Positive and negative traits of the variety

The following advantages will help to better describe the Valentina grape variety:

stable fruiting and high yield;
the Valentina variety is rarely affected by mildew, gray rot and has moderate resistance to oidium;
plucked bunches retain their presentation for a long time and are amenable to storage and transportation;

One of the disadvantages is the weak frost resistance of the Valentina variety. Juicy large berries burst when exposed to excess moisture, and the sweet juice quickly attracts insects. Brown tan skins of berries with freckles do not always attract buyers.

The video shows detailed characteristics of the Valentina grape variety:

Optimal growing conditions

The optimal conditions for growing grapes are compliance with the temperature regime, an interval between bushes of 4 meters, and proper care of the plant.

At a steady temperature of +10 ℃ - + 12 ℃, the grapes begin to bud, bloom at temperatures above +22 ℃, at temperatures above 27 ℃ fruit growth and ripening occurs. If temperature changes occur and it drops below +15, then the growth of berries stops.

Grape buds begin to bloom after the air temperature reaches +10 °C – +12 °C

Pros and cons of the Valentina grape variety

Hybrid Valentina is a new product for most gardeners, but despite this, some have already managed to appreciate its qualities. In addition to studying the descriptions of the Valentina grape variety and photos, it is worth paying attention to the advantages and disadvantages.

Among the advantages it is worth noting:

excellent taste is the most important indicator of this variety;
ease of care;
since the hybrid has flowers of both sexes, this significantly increases the percentage of pollination;
versatility. Ripe fruits are used for making wines, juices, and also consumed fresh;
good transportability. Transportation over long distances takes place without loss of presentation;
long-term storage under optimal conditions;
average frost resistance. Shoots can withstand temperatures down to –25 °C, buds up to –22 °C;
clusters are large;
Valentina grapes are resistant to most diseases;
The yield is stable with proper care.

The disadvantages include:

the need for covering work. The buds are not able to withstand harsh winters, so the vines must be covered;
ripe fruits have spots that spoil the presentation, while few people know that inclusions are a feature of the variety;
if watering is carried out frequently or rarely, the berries may burst;
presence of seeds in grapes.

It is recommended to purchase planting material after all the pros and cons of a particular grape variety have been taken into account.

Important! The harvest is harvested two years after the grapes are planted in open ground.

Selection of planting material

Gardeners with extensive experience recommend stocking up on planting material only from those who harvest it from their vines themselves.

Grapes need long daylight hours, professionally drained soil, cleared of weeds and a selection of high-quality planting material.

Cuttings

It is worth remembering that one of the main advantages of a cutting is safety, since it has a minimal chance of contracting a fungal disease and infecting other plants.

In addition, the advantages of the cutting include low cost and compactness.

Care instructions

This grape variety certainly requires some investment in terms of care. This process is not too complicated, however, you need to know about some rules of agricultural technology.

Throughout the growing season, Valentina grapes need fertilizers based on organic matter and mineral elements. It is imperative to water the plants. You cannot overdo it with moisture when the berries are ripe, otherwise they will begin to crack. After watering the plant, it is necessary to loosen the soil near the grapes. It would be a good idea to lay a mulch layer around the plantings. Peat or sawdust are often used for these purposes. Don't forget to weed the area to remove weeds. The shoots of this grape must be periodically pruned. In the autumn, after pruning has been done, your grapes need to be covered. As for regions with warm climates, this measure is optional. From the onset of spring until late autumn, it is necessary to carry out preventive work against harmful insects and major diseases of grapes.

Features of seasonal care

Features of seasonal care include watering, pruning, planting seedlings, and shelter for wintering.

Irrigation schemes

To get a tasty and beautiful grape harvest, you need to water and feed it properly.

After planting in the ground, young seedlings are watered with warm water once every two weeks until July.

Young grape seedlings are watered every 14 days

Along with watering, fertilizing is used, consisting of organic and mineral fertilizers.

Adult bushes are watered 3-4 times per season (before flowering, before berries form, after harvesting)

Frequent watering

Frequent watering is done once every two weeks. You can increase the intervals by mulching with straw.

Rare watering

With infrequent watering, water the soil generously three times per season: before flowering, immediately after flowering and with the beginning of berry growth.

In the presence of abundant moisture, flowers may fall off and berries may crack.

Top dressing

Both young and mature bushes need feeding. As a rule, fertilizers are applied simultaneously with watering the bushes. Compost, ash and complex preparations are used as fertilizers.

It is recommended to use organic matter and mineral fertilizers as top dressing.

Support and garter of shoots

The shoots are tied up from the first year of growth. If these are not single bushes, but a large planting of grapes, then you can form supports and gradually tie up the grapes. This way it will be more convenient to care for the bushes, prune, and harvest.

Soil care

Valentina requires nutritious chernozem soil; sometimes planting options in loam and sandstone are acceptable.
But it is necessary to properly prepare the place for planting shoots. Grapes will not grow on acidified soils and in lowlands. If groundwater is nearby, then great attention should be paid to the drainage system.

When planting, a mixture of crushed stone, humus and sand must be placed at the bottom of the hole in a layer of 30 cm.

Trimming

When caring for Valentina grapes, two types of pruning are used: short and medium. Plants are treated in the fall two weeks after the leaves fall.

Valentina has her own pruning features:

shoots are cut off only on one side of the eye;
pruning is carried out before the buds begin to swell;
damaged parts of the plant are removed in the spring.

For uniform ripening of all fruits, rationing is required.

Rationing of inflorescences allows you to regulate grape yield

With short pruning, at least 4 buds are left on the plant. If the first eye is located inside, then 3 buds are left after it. The shoot from the first eye is removed, and the remaining ones will form a bush.

Medium pruning allows you to survive the cold season. To do this, up to 8 eyes are left on each shoot, and at least 40 eyes on the shoots.

Cold protection

The grapes can withstand temperatures down to -22 ℃ − 24 ℃, but the buds are less resistant to low temperatures, so the plant should be covered for the winter. Before this, it is worth processing, watering at the root, mulching, covering, bending down, and filling with soil.

Sheltering bushes for the winter is an effective way to protect grapes from frost damage

Characteristics

The variety produces high and stable yields every year. It begins to bear fruit in the second year of life. The berries ripen approximately 140 days from the start of bud break or a little earlier. The first fruiting is not so abundant, but next year you can expect an increase in the harvest by 1.5, or even 2 times. The grape fruiting rate is good - from 60 to 75%. Three quarters of the shoots ripen. When pruning, 8 to 12 buds are left on the vine.

The flowers of “Valentina” are bisexual, so this wonderful grape does not need pollinating varieties.

Amethyst Novocherkassk, Angelica and Aladdin also have bisexual flowers.

The variety is able to withstand air temperatures not lower than -22 °C. In severe frosts, some of the buds may freeze, which threatens a significant reduction in the future harvest. Therefore, it is recommended to insulate grapes for the winter.

To do this, diseased and weak branches are pruned in the fall, and then the bush is watered and mulched abundantly. Before the onset of frost, the bush is wrapped in covering material, bent down and sprinkled with earth.

Varieties such as Isabella, Crystal and Marcelo also require shelter.

The variety does not like excessive moisture.

It needs to be watered only in the spring and at a time when the berries are just beginning to fill with juice. The skin of the Valentina fruit is very thin, so it tends to burst when watered or during heavy rains. As a result, the quality, transportability and shelf life of the crop are reduced.

Since the Valentina grape bushes have strong growth, they need a lot of space for normal development. The optimal planting pattern for bushes is 4 by 6 meters. The depth of groundwater in the area must be at least 3 meters from the surface of the earth, since the roots of the grapes go deep.

It is recommended to plant the “Valentina” variety in the spring. Caring for grapes is the same as for other varieties: watering, pruning, fertilizing and tying. Among fertilizers, grapes prefer mineral (superphosphate, potassium salt) and organic (wood ash, manure).

Diseases and pests

When caring for grapes, it is very important to know what diseases can affect them. If the plant has been attacked by insects or infected with any disease, this is reflected in its appearance.

If a plant is affected by leaf-eating parasites such as cutworms, cutworms and mower beetles, the buds are first damaged. If holes with raised edges are visible on a plant with damaged buds, then you need to look for and destroy stem crickets.

Leaf-gnawing pests often damage grape buds

Leaves are most often affected, and the cause can be determined by the appearance of the signs of damage. The most common parasites are:

The presence of phylloxera can be determined by the thickening of the bottom of the leaf blades (galls).
Grape mite can be suspected by its flat, small galls.
Spider mites are visible by yellow and orange spots.
Chlorosis can be suspected by yellow spots with green streaks.
The edging of yellow or red plants indicates the presence of jaundice (rubella).
A gray coating indicates infection with oidium.
Oily formations with a white coating - mildew.
Black rot appears as dark red spots with black spots.
Anthracnose appears as gray-violet spots.
Viral lesions are manifested by underdevelopment and deformation of leaves.

Leaf phylloxera

Grape mite

Spider mite

Infectious chlorosis of grapes

Grapes affected by rubella fungus
Damage to inflorescences is less common, but if a white felt coating appears, then it can be assumed that it is infected with a grape mite, and if a powdery coating appears, it can be assumed to be mildew.

Berries are affected mainly by fungal diseases. You should pay attention to cracking of the skin, the appearance of a gray coating (oidium), wrinkling of berries and the appearance of black spots (black rot), mold on still green berries (gray rot), ulcers (anthracnose).

Mildew

This mycosis affects all parts of the plant. High humidity and high temperatures contribute to the rapid spread of the disease.

It manifests itself as yellow or rusty spots on the leaves, drying of the inflorescences, and wrinkling of the berries.

Mildew often affects grapes growing in humid regions

For treatment, it is necessary to remove and destroy all damaged parts of plants. Before flowering, treatment with Acrobat, Ridomil Gold is required, after flowering - Topaz, Vectra. During the last treatment in August, it is recommended to use Quadris.

Ditan Neotec is considered one of the best drugs. In autumn, after the leaves have fallen, the plant should be treated with 1% Bordeaux mixture.

Oidium

The most pressing issue for Valentina is the incidence of oidium. In this case, all parts of the plant are affected.

Gray-green spots with a matte surface, powdery coating, cracking of berries indicate damage.

When grapes are infected with oidium, a gray-white coating appears on the leaves

For treatment, fungicidal preparations Strobi and Topaz are used.

Fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium, containing colloidal sulfur are preventative.

The drug DNOC is used once every three years, diluted 100 grams per 10 liters.

Anthracnose

Symptoms: gray spots with a brown border. As a rule, this disease affects berries and green parts of the plant. Holes form in place of the stains.

Treatment is carried out with strong fungicides. Remove and destroy the affected parts.

Anthracnose on grape leaves appears as dark spots

Valentina grapes: description of the variety, full characteristics

Valentina grapes: photo of variety

According to its purpose, the Valentina variety belongs to the table variety. In terms of ripening, it is classified as mid-season. Ripens at the same time as the famous varieties Podarok Zaporozhye and Pervozvanny. The brushes are very large, the berries are of high quality. The Valentina variety makes excellent juices and wines.

The berries are amber in color with a yellowish tint. There is also a grape variety called Valentin, however, there is nothing in common between them; Valentin has blue fruits.

The vine of this grape variety deserves special attention. The bush grows quite rapidly, shoots form quickly. If the plant receives a sufficient amount of nutrients, then the stems stretch quite actively, thus, such grapes take up quite a lot of space on the site.

As we said above, the plant’s brushes grow quite large, they have a cylindrical shape, the lower part is elongated. The fruits are not arranged too tightly in the bunch. In its length, one brush can reach about forty centimeters. Weighs approximately one and a half kilograms. The berries are quite large; one specimen can weigh about sixteen grams. As for the size of the berry, it is about forty-three millimeters long and twenty-five millimeters wide. The shape of the berry is similar to a cylinder, it is slightly elongated, slightly curved.

After the bunches of grapes reach full maturity, they become very beautiful in terms of appearance. Small dots can be observed on the skin of the fruit. In the sunlight, a light brown barrel appears on the sides. The clusters of Valentina grapes are ripening quite amicably. The fruits do not have the ability to pea.

Inside, the berry has amazing taste. The pulp has a very delicate texture, the peel is so thin that you can hardly feel it while eating. Inside the berry contains from one to two seeds. In terms of taste, a nutmeg shade is clearly felt. The berries have a fairly high sugar content, about nineteen percent.

The Valentina variety is a complex hybrid that was bred by Novocherkassk breeders. It was obtained by crossing a variety such as Summer Muscat with a hybrid (obtained on the basis of Arcadia and Delight). Valentina is a grape that has gained popularity in different regions of our country. If the winter in the growing area of this grape is quite severe, then additional insulation of the plantings will be required.

In terms of yield, this variety shows very good results; the plants produce fruit consistently. The first berries can be collected the very next year after planting. However, it is better to remove such clusters. This is necessary in order to give the necessary shape to the bush. After the buds awaken, about one hundred and forty days must pass before the grape clusters ripen. If you remove the brushes from a two-year-old plant, the yield of the next year will be twice as rich. As a rule, during the summer period more than half of the length of the shoot is ripened. And in the autumn it is necessary to carry out pruning, in which it is necessary to leave the vines with eight to twelve buds.

This grape variety has flowers of both sexes; the plants can pollinate on their own; pollinating insects are not required for this. Valentina vines can withstand fairly low temperatures, about -22 degrees. However, this is the maximum that such grapes can survive, and there is a risk that the fruit buds will begin to freeze. If you do not want to put your future harvest at risk, then it is better to use additional insulation. First you need to remove weakened and woody shoots, form a plant, and then water thoroughly. Place a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant. Then tie the vine with a rope, wrap it with covering material, place it in the prepared furrow and lay the soil on top.

History of selection and region of breeding

The “Valentina” grapes are the result of the work of breeders at VNIIViV named after. ME AND. Potapenko of the city of Novocherkassk.

The variety was bred by complex crossing of the Summer Muscat variety and a hybrid obtained from Arcadia and Delight. "Valentina" refers to covering or semi-covering grape varieties. It is grown in many regions of Russia, stretching from the Moscow region to Astrakhan, but with obligatory shelter for the winter.

Optimal growing conditions

Any grape variety begins to bloom after the air temperature reaches +10 °C, +12 °C; with the onset of heat, shoots begin to grow. For flowering, a temperature of +22 °C to +25 °C is required, fruits ripen at +27 °C. If the air temperature drops sharply to +15 °C, the berry ripening process will stop.

How do Valentina grapes ripen and when can you start harvesting them?

Of course, one cannot expect any negative feedback about fruiting from such a beautiful hybrid form of grapes.

Indeed, in fact, “Valentina” is considered high-yielding, and is also valued for its stability of fruiting.

It is even more important to draw your attention to the fact that the bush of the described grapes very quickly enters the fruiting period.

This is also greatly facilitated by its characteristic growth intensity and ability to grow very widely.

At the first fruiting, the yield will not be very high, but with each subsequent growing season it will increase by 1.5-2 times.

With regard to fruiting, it should be noted that the shoots are well ripened (by ¾ or even the entire length). Also, most of all shoots of the bush are fruitful, since the indicator of this characteristic is 60-75%.

One shoot usually produces 1-2 clusters, the bush’s fruiting coefficient is 1.1-1.2. Also, a very small part of the crop can be formed on the stepsons.

Harvesting of the described form of grapes begins in the middle period, around the end of August, the first days of September.

On average, the growing season of a bush fully passes in 130-140 days, during which the berries fully ripen, even despite the large size of the bunches. Thanks to this, the crop is fully capable of ripening even when growing bushes in central Russia.

Fruit characteristics

The highlight of the variety is its beautiful berries, the average weight of which is about 16 grams. The width of the berry is 2.5 cm and the length is 4.5 cm. The berries have an elongated shape, slightly curved.
At the stage of technical maturity, the fruits acquire a bright yellow color with an amber tint. In the sun you can see small dots of light brown color that distinguish this variety from all others.
The fruits ripen at the same time, which makes harvesting easier. There is practically no peeling of the berries.
The berries are juicy and soft. The skin is thin and easily eaten. In addition, there are not many seeds - a maximum of 1 - 2, which makes it convenient to grow when there are children.
The taste characteristics are very good, the taste is sweet, with light notes of sage. At the ripe stage, a subtle taste of nutmeg and its aroma are felt.
Taste characteristics: acidity - 5 - 6 g/l, amount of sugar - 16 - 19%. The variety received a tasting score of 8.6.

Advantages of "Valentina": what characteristics of grapes are the most valuable?

This grape has many advantages. Let's try to summarize them and also indicate factors not yet mentioned:

Large sizes of both bunches and berries, as well as the unusual shape and exclusive taste of the latter.
There is no harvesting of berries into clusters, as well as complete pollination of the bush, which is achieved thanks to the bisexual flower.
The bunches have very good commercial qualities, as well as their good suitability for long-term transportation.
Despite the large size and elongation of the bunch, its berries ripen along the entire length. Many people believe that the lower part of the bunch needs to be cut off, but in the case of the described variety, this will be to your own detriment.
Berries are a good option for those with a sweet tooth, as they are a table variety.
It is distinguished by complex resistance, which is especially evident in the ability to resist mildew, oidium and gray rot.
The vine's resistance to frost is very high, up to -24ºС. However, at this temperature, the kidneys, which can only tolerate temperatures of -22ºC, can suffer significantly.
It is a very popular grape, which encourages those who like to grow “Valentina” not only for themselves, but also for sale.

Are there any disadvantages to this variety: what is important to pay attention to when growing “Valentina” bushes?

The berries of the described grape form contain a large amount of juice. In very rainy years, this factor plays a cruel joke on them, as they can crack. Unfortunately, humanity has not yet learned to deal with natural factors, so you need to be prepared for the possibility of losing a small part of the grape harvest for this reason.

Overly sophisticated winegrowers sometimes consider the presence of 2-3 seeds in the berries as a disadvantage, which in general do not affect the overall impression of the taste of the berries.

Also, not everyone appreciates the “freckiness” of these berries, sometimes perceiving it as some kind of unknown disease. But we think that we have introduced you to these grapes in sufficient detail and the last two factors will not mislead you.

Propagation by cuttings

To propagate grapes by cuttings, harvesting is done during autumn pruning.

Prepared cuttings can be kept in the refrigerator or cellar, periodically sprinkling them with water.

At the end of December, the cuttings are inspected, dried branches are removed, and disinfected with a weak solution of manganese and running water.

An oblique cut is made on each cutting above the lower bud. Notches are made on the bark for better root growth and placed in a jar with Kornevin solution.

For better rooting, grape cuttings are placed in Kornevin solution

After two days, take it out, wrap the roots with moss or a damp cloth (or place them in cups with a damp substrate). After the buds open, they are placed in a glass with a nutrient substrate.

Germination of cuttings can be done on a windowsill. When the temperature is consistently warm, you can plant it outside.

Planting grapes

The “Valentina” grape is a very stable and unpretentious hybrid form that can be easily cultivated by both experienced, professional winegrowers and novice gardeners. To obtain abundantly fruiting grape bushes, it is recommended to take into account the following requirements when planting seedlings in a permanent place:

strong growth of the grape bush requires a significant feeding area, as well as a distance between plants according to a 4x6 meter pattern;
it is preferable to plant bushes in areas with fertile and light soils with a significant amount of black soil;
It is most convenient to plant purchased seedlings in the autumn, in mid-October;
The planting pit must contain, in addition to the lower drainage layer of crushed stone or gravel, a layer of fertile soil, on the elevation of which the root system of the seedling is installed;
The roots of the plant sprinkled with soil should be generously shed with a couple of buckets of water with the addition of a growth stimulator.

After watering, the soil may sag slightly, so it is necessary to top up the soil, as well as mulch with humus, which will provide nutrition to the grape bush for the first three years.

Reviews

The Valentina variety attracts gardeners not only with its huge, beautiful and tasty berries, high yield and uniqueness in use, but also because caring for grapes is quite simple if you follow the recommendations. This variety will decorate any area.

Why did the “freckled” grape variety Valentina seem attractive? Share your opinions about it in the comments.

Reviews about Valentina grapes

Stanislav Kostin, 40 years old, Ulyanovsk

I have been growing grapes for a long time. There are 6 different varieties on the site, but the most favorite and best is the Valentina grape. On average, the weight of each bunch is 1 kg, the fruits are quite large and tasty. Used the berries to make wine. The finished product turned out much tastier than purchased grapes. The variety needs quality care and proper attention, but the harvest is worth all the effort.

Tatyana Semenova, 36 years old, Moscow

In the process of growing grapes, Valentina discovered one drawback - if they are poorly covered for the winter, the vines can freeze. In all other respects, I like this variety. In order to get a good and large harvest, I thoroughly monitor my vineyard: I apply fertilizers on time, water, prune, spray for pests, and tie them up when necessary. I noticed that if you don’t add organic matter as a top dressing, the clusters will be small.

Useful video

When choosing grapes for your plot, pay attention to the Valentina variety. With good care, this variety is capable of producing a rich harvest of delicious amber berries every year.

If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl+Enter.

The amber bunches of Valentina grapes are so huge and beautiful that they fascinate any gardener. The crop is famous for its high yield and good commercial qualities. Many amateurs and owners of professional vineyards are looking for descriptions of the variety, photos, reviews, videos about Valentina grapes, in the hope of growing a handsome one on their plot.

American Seneca grape

The first variety from the American selection that we will talk about is a variety called Seneca. It is one of the most popular and, perhaps, the best varieties. Does not require shelter for the winter, produces a high level of abundant harvest. This requires an arched formation of the plant.

The bunches have an average size and the same average density. The berries are not too large, round. They have a pleasant greenish-golden hue. The taste of the berries is very pleasant and harmonious. Great for making various jams, preserves and, of course, drinks.

At the same time, the variety is quite frost-resistant. As a rule, it is not affected by mildew. And to preserve the harvest, it is enough to spray the plant twice a season for preventive purposes.

Possible diseases

Resistance to diseases and pests of Victor grapes has not yet been sufficiently studied. With poor care and neglect of preventive measures, grapes can develop mildew, oidium or phylloxera.

Mildew, or downy mildew, can affect the entire bush: leaves, tendrils, flowers, shoots, ovaries. The disease is caused by a fungus called peronospora.

First, yellowish oily spots appear between the veins of the leaves. Then gray fluff sprouts from the underside of the leaf blade. The berries can also become covered with a fluffy bluish coating, which makes them unsuitable for consumption and processing. But if you use such fruits for wine, it will inevitably acquire the taste and smell of mold.

The disease can be brought into the vineyard with infected seedlings, and the fungus is also carried by wind and raindrops

The parasite overwinters in fallen leaves, so it is important to maintain cleanliness in the vineyard and promptly remove litter

To combat mildew, preventive spraying is carried out with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. This measure will help prevent the disease, but if spots have already appeared, it will be ineffective. In total, during the growing season it is necessary to carry out at least three treatments of the vineyard with copper-containing preparations:

When the shoots have grown to 10-20 cm.
As soon as flowering began.
When did the ovaries begin to form?

In rainy summers, the number of sprays can be increased. Grapes should not be processed while the berries are ripening.

Oidium or powdery mildew is also a fungal disease. The distribution routes are the same as for mildew. The shoots of a diseased plant are stunted, the leaves are deformed, and a whitish-gray coating appears on them. Flowers and clusters look as if they were sprinkled with ash. The fungus most often affects weakened plants. To combat powdery mildew, the vineyard is pollinated with sulfur powder.

Forming a tall trunk, removing shoots and fallen leaves, destroying affected parts of the plant, helps prevent the development and spread of fungal infections.

Description of the Transfiguration grapes.

Very early ripening period, 105-115 days, ripens in early to mid-August.

Frost resistance up to -21 degrees.

Originator: Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Rostov Agrarian Research Center".

Patent holder: Federal State Budgetary Institution "Federal Rostov Agrarian Research Center".

Patent expiration date: 12/31/2049.

Author of the variety: Krainov V.N.

Parents: Talisman x Kishmish Radiant.

The leaf is medium-sized, five-lobed, sometimes three-lobed, medium-dissected, without pubescence, glossy.

The flower is bisexual. Pollinated well. Not prone to peas.

The clusters are very large, cylindrical or shapeless, weighing up to 1.5-2 kg, loose.

The berries are very large, up to 15 g, elongated-oval, the color intensity depends on the lighting and varies from white-pink in the shade to bright pink for berries in the sun. The taste is harmonious, the flesh is juicy, fleshy, the skin is medium thick. There are 2-3 seeds.

Sugar accumulation up to 19%. Acidity 6-7 g/l.

Resistance to major fungal diseases of grapes is average. Preventative treatments are required.

The bushes are very powerful and vigorous.

The vine ripens well.

Included in the State Register of the Russian Federation for all regions in crop cultivation zones in 2014.

How to plant Valentina grapes correctly

Many lovers of growing grapes say that this variety is quite capable of taking root in a variety of conditions. This is not a very difficult matter, so even an inexperienced gardener can grow Valentina grapes on his plot. There are some points to consider when planting.

The grape bush is a fairly vigorous crop and has a spreading shape; for this reason, quite a lot of space needs to be allocated for planting. It is best to stick to a four by six meter pattern.

The Valentina grape variety feels very good on light chernozem soils; the soil should have a fairly large amount of nutrients. For this purpose, the soil is usually fed with organic fertilizers. This must be done if you want to get large grapes. Young plants are planted in spring and autumn. Plants take root best if planted in October. Planting holes for grapes are prepared in advance. It is necessary to dig them to a depth of eighty centimeters. The diameter of each should be from forty to sixty centimeters. A layer of drainage must be placed in each hole. For this you can use expanded clay and crushed stone. Be sure to add about three buckets of fertile mixture. Many gardeners use humus and black soil for these purposes. If the soil is too heavy, you can add sand to the soil. After you have filled the hole with apples, the depth should be approximately fifty centimeters.

From the nutritious soil mixture you need to form the second bottom of the hole, which will be shaped like a small hill. At the top of this mound you need to install the root system of a young plant, then you need to tilt it slightly and cover it with light soil. After the plant is planted, it needs to be watered. To do this, use two buckets of water. To ensure that the plant takes root well, you can use a growth stimulator for the root system.

After the moisture is completely absorbed, the soil in the pits should settle. Then you need to add the missing part of the soil and lay a mulch layer. For this you can use peat or sawdust. Drive in pegs near each hole. Tie down your plant so there is no risk of the wind breaking it.

We propagate a grape variety by cuttings

This grape variety is excellently propagated by cuttings. There is a certain algorithm of actions for this:

Cuttings of this grape variety are harvested in the fall, when scheduled pruning of plants is carried out. A mature vine at the age of one year is well suited for these purposes. Make sure it is not damaged.
The cuttings must be cut so that each of them has at least two well-developed buds.
Then you need to wrap the cuttings with a damp cloth. Future seedlings are stored in a cool place. A cellar, basement or refrigerator is good for this. Spray the cuttings with a spray bottle from time to time.
In the last days of December, you need to carefully examine your cuttings and remove branches that have dried out. After this, it is necessary to disinfect your future seedlings. A manganese solution is usually used for this. After this, rinse the cuttings with water.
Where the lower bud is located on the cutting, a cut needs to be made directly above it. It is desirable that it be oblique. Make shallow cuts along the surface of the bark; they should be about one to two centimeters long. This way, roots will appear faster. After this, the cuttings should be left for two days in a container with water. It wouldn’t hurt to add a drug that stimulates plant growth.
Each gardener chooses for himself how to germinate the root system. For these purposes, damp cloth and moss are often used. They wrap the bottom of the cutting. The upper part is in turn wrapped with film. You need to place the cuttings in a warm place. Some grape lovers plant cuttings immediately in small containers with moist soil. There future plants begin to take root and form a root system.
If you chose the first option, using wet cloth or moss, then after the buds bloom, the plants must be planted in separate containers, which will be filled with well-fertilized soil.

As a rule, cuttings are germinated at home, near a window. When stable warm weather sets in, plants can be placed on the site.

Appearance of grapes

The Valentina grapes are famous for their vigorous bushes and wide-growing vines.
The shape of the grape bunches is slightly loose, cylindrical, elongated at the bottom. The variety is distinguished by its huge cluster sizes. Some specimens can reach 40 cm in length and 1.5 kg in weight. Large clusters are also characteristic of the Original, Delight and Merlot varieties.

“Valentina” berries are beautiful and very large, weighing up to 16 g, width up to 26 mm and length up to 44 mm. The shape of the fruit is elongated and slightly curved.

The color of the berries is golden yellow or amber yellow in the sun. There is a nice “freckle” on the skin, which is considered a varietal feature of “Valentina”. In intense sun, barrels of berries develop a light brown tan. The berries of the variety ripen at the same time. The bunches are practically not subject to peas.

The pulp of the fruit is very tender and seems to melt in your mouth. The skin is thin and easily eaten. There are 1 to 2 seeds in fruits. The taste of the berries is harmonious with a slight aftertaste of sage. Well-ripened berries develop a subtle nutmeg aroma. Fruit acidity is from 5 to 6 g/l, sugar content is from 16 to 19%. During professional tasting, the variety was rated 8.6 points.

Galahad, Kuban and Strashensky also have a high tasting rating.

Planting and propagation

The place for planting seedlings of this hybrid form should be spacious, with a feeding area of at least 4-6 m2. A sufficient amount of nutrients in the soil will be the key to future high yields. After entering fruiting, the plants need to be fertilized.

Valentina is propagated by rooting cuttings. The easiest way to do this is to take well-ripened parts of the shoots after autumn pruning and store them in the refrigerator or in storage until December. Then you can put them in water and wait for the roots to appear.

Some treat the lower cut with growth stimulants and phytohormones to speed up the process. Rooted cuttings are planted after preliminary hardening. When purchasing seedlings, you should be careful, because there is a variety with a very similar name - the technical white-berry Valentin of the Hungarian selection.

A couple of Valentina's bunches and comments on the video:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=eDMvylHnQs8

According to reviews, the Valentina variety is full of discreet charm and is very good both for personal garden cultivation and for thoughtful industrial cultivation with an eye to sale. In the middle zone, where not every grape grows successfully and gains sugar, gardeners are especially pleased with the rich taste of this hybrid form.

Description of the Century grapes

The Century grape was bred in 1980 in California by crossing the Emperor and Pirovano-75 varieties.

The Century grape is an early ripening variety; the vine produces its first harvest 3 years after planting. The plant forms a powerful bush with dark olive, five-legged, large leaves. In the year of ripening, the clusters appear on the dark brown vine 130 days after the leaves emerge.

To obtain a bountiful harvest, Century grapes do not need pollinators, since the flowers are bisexual, with excellent self-pollination. After pollination, large clusters weighing up to 1200 g appear on the vine. They are cone-shaped and have an average density, thanks to which the crop is well transported over long distances.

A bunch of grapes is formed by round-ovoid, emerald berries weighing up to 8 g. Dense, crispy pulp is surrounded by a thin peel. The berry has a delicate nutmeg aroma and a sweet, not cloying taste, despite the fact that the sugar content is 15%. Century grapes are seedless varieties, so they are universal in use. It is consumed fresh and prepared into compotes. When grown on an industrial scale, high-class raisins are prepared from Stoletie grapes.

The harvest can be enjoyed immediately after ripening or left on the vine for a while. The dense shell does not crack, and the berry does not crumble after full ripening and can last until the first frost, acquiring an amber color.

Important! After flowering, the Stoletie grape stops growing and does not form stepsons, due to which care for the variety is minimal.

Despite the fact that Century is a southern variety, the grapes can withstand frosts down to -23 °C without shelter.

Reviews from gardeners

The 'Valentina' grape is described as a decent form with nice large clusters and excellent flavour. Judging by the reviews, the hybrid ripens around mid-September, but you can absolutely easily keep the brushes on the bushes until the last ten days of this month. At this time, wasps are no longer so rampant, and the clusters acquire a unique aroma and excellent sweet taste. There are no problems with pollination and pea production on ripening bunches of grapes.

Many professional winegrowers practice pruning to 12-14 buds, which is optimal for this hybrid form. When performing even one treatment of grape bushes in the spring with Ridomil, it is possible to protect the plants from major diseases. Self-rooted seedlings are especially strong, which are recommended for beginning gardeners to plant.

Plant care

Valentina grapes need care, but the measures do not involve particularly complex actions. The standard procedure contains the following requirements:

During the entire growing season, Valentina grapes need organic and mineral supplements. Watering is required, but when the berries are ripening, you cannot overdo it with water. The fruit will begin to crack.
After each watering, the soil around the bush is loosened and covered with sawdust or peat mulch. Be sure to do additional weeding if there is abundant weed growth.
The Valentina grape vine is subjected to medium and short pruning.
In the fall, after pruning, the bushes are covered. Residents of the southern regions, where the thermometer does not fall below the critical minimum, can ignore the process.

From early spring until the moment of sheltering for the winter, the Valentina grape vine is sprayed with preventive drugs.