Characteristics of the “super extra” grape variety: description, photos and reviews about it

Advantages and disadvantages

When deciding to start growing “super extra” grapes, you should familiarize yourself in advance with the list of its positive and negative characteristics.

The main advantages of the variety for gardeners and winegrowers include:

• Large fruit.
• Resistant to frost and other adverse weather conditions.
• Good transportability and keeping quality.
• Abundant yield.
• Immunity to diseases characteristic of the culture.

Also, the indisputable advantage of the variety is that the berries on the bushes ripen evenly and have a pleasant taste.

The “super extra” has few disadvantages, but there are still some disadvantages:

• The probability of the formation of berries of different sizes on a bunch.
• Dense and tough skin.
• Tendency to phylloxera.

In addition, the bushes need timely pruning, aimed primarily at normalizing the yield. Otherwise, not only the quality of the berries deteriorates, but also their ripening period increases.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Super Extra is distinguished by early ripening and the ability to adapt to various climatic conditions, as well as high yield.

• In addition, the positive qualities of the variety include:
• uniform ripening of the bunch along the entire length;
• ability to withstand frosts down to –24°C;
• possibility of transportation over long distances without loss of presentation;
• high (up to 18%) sugar content in berries;
• immunity to such common grape diseases as oidium and mildew.

Did you know? The grape is the only one of all the plants on our planet that has been honored with the creation of an entire science in its honor - ampelography.

• The few disadvantages of the variety usually include:
• susceptibility to phylloxera disease;
• variety of sizes of berries on the cluster, which are smaller the lower they are located;
• hardness of the skin of the berries

Origin

“Super Extra” grapes are the result of breeding work by amateur gardener E. G. Pavlovsky, obtained by crossing the varieties “Talisman”, “Cardinal” and a mixture of pollen of other species. Originator: Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Kuban State Agrarian University named after. I. T. Trubilina."

Parents of “super extra” - “talisman” and “cardinal”

Reference! The variety was included in the State Register of Agricultural Achievements in 2015 under the name “citrine”.

Disease Prevention

As already noted, while resistant to oidium and mildew, Super Extra grapes are defenseless against phylloxera. Therefore, for preventive purposes, bushes must be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture before flowering.

To prevent the invasion of dangerous phylloxera, it is best to use insecticides “Aktellik” or “Fozalon” that are not washed off by rain and are safe for bees.

This variety is also not afraid of tick invasion, but with excessive watering or in rainy summers, the berries bursting from excess moisture can be attacked by flies and wasps. Therefore, to prevent such attacks, it is necessary to cover the ripening bunches with a net.

The Super Extra grape variety lives up to its name with its super-early ripening and extra-ability to produce high yields in various climatic conditions, for which it is highly valued by winegrowers both in summer cottages and on agricultural plantations.

Main characteristics

“Super Extra” is a table grape variety whose appearance is very similar to the “Arcadia” variety. It is also worth noting such super-early varieties as “transformation”, “Veles” and “rumba”.

Maturation period and class

This is a very early ripening variety that requires only 95-105 days to fully ripen the fruit. The exact time when the crop is ready for harvest depends on the climate and weather conditions of the growing region. As a rule, the harvest time falls on the last days of July or the beginning of August.

Bush

The “super extra” grape bushes are powerful, vigorous, young shoots are light green, old shoots are light brown.

The leaves are rich green in color, medium in size, round in shape, five- or three-lobed with weak dissection, jagged edges and light cobwebby pubescence on the underside, the surface is smooth or reticulate-wrinkled. The flowers are bisexual, the degree of pollination is average.

Bunches and berries

The brushes are large, loose, cylindrical-conical in shape, weighing on average 500-800 g , but larger specimens are found, weighing up to 1.6 kg.

The berries are large, ovoid, slightly elongated, grow up to 3.5 cm in length and 2.5 cm in width and weigh on average from 7 to 12 g. The fruits are covered with a durable and rather hard green-yellow skin, which by the time of ripening takes on an amber hue.

The pulp is fleshy, crispy, the juice is colorless, there are 2-3 medium-sized seeds inside . Sugar content when fully ripened is 17.4%, acidity is 6.1 g/l.

Reference! The berries on the clusters have different sizes: the lower they are located, the smaller.

Taste

The taste of the fruit is simple, pleasant, moderately sweet, but they do not have a bright and refined aroma.

Productivity

The bushes begin to bear fruit from the second year after planting. With proper care, up to 25 kg of grapes can be harvested from 1 bush , and the yield from 1 hectare of land reaches 169 centners.

Productivity and ripening time

The plant produces its first signal harvest in the 2nd year after planting, marketable fruiting begins in the 4th - on average about 25-30 kg per bush.

The opinion of an experienced Ukrainian gardener about the yield potential can be found in the following video:

According to the results of field tests in the natural conditions of Kuban (when bushes were placed according to a pattern of 3.0 x 1.5-2.0 m, formed like a horizontal cordon or a standardless fan, and growth was carried out on a vertical trellis), five-year-old plantings showed a yield of 8.9-11 .0 kg per plant or 14.6-18.1 t/ha. Moreover, during the growing season, care consisted of standard agrotechnical measures.

Removable maturity occurs 90-105 days after bud break. The clusters can remain on the bushes for a long time, without losing the taste of the berries.

The harvest of the Citrine grape variety in the Central zone of Kuban amounted to 18 t/ha

The berries are firmly held on the stalks, without falling off even when harvesting is late. The taste and aroma develop in mid or late July. Properly picked fruits are stored well in the refrigerator for more than 2 months. The juicy pulp is reliably protected from damage by a thick skin, which is practically not injured during transportation.

Comparison with analogues

“Super Extra” is far from the only table grape variety with early ripening. However, thanks to its characteristics, it can compete with other varieties.

Description of the Super Extra grape variety

The weight of the brush is small - from 500 to 700 grams. Manicure Finger and Kishmish Nakhodka compete in the same weight category. The density of the brush is loose. They consist of grapes of different sizes - from small fruits to very large ones.

The weight of the berry reaches 7-9 grams. The shape of the fruit is round-oval, elongated, 25x35 millimeters.

The skin of the grapes is dense, you can feel it when eating. Much rougher than Arcadia grapes.

The berry is elegant, sunny, glowing from the inside. The color of the fruit is yellow. Sugar content 10 g/100 cm3. At full maturity, 18% Brix was observed. Acidity 5 g/dm3.

Belongs to the largest very early varieties

Drip irrigation is not recommended. At the same time, the taste of the berries becomes watery and herbal.

The pulp of the own root bush is very juicy with a pleasant sweet taste. Has a delicate nutmeg aroma.

When grafting Super Extra onto shoots of other varieties, the taste of the berries on different bunches will be different - different and varied. The varieties Moldova, Krasen and Blestyaschiy are well suited for grafting.

Observed:

• yellow berries with firm flesh and a citron flavor;
• unripe green-cream fruits with a viscous consistency and simple taste;
• white berries of a creamy color with dense pulp and the aroma of nutmeg.

Muscat is not very noticeable. It is compared with the Sofia and Livia varieties, which are significantly superior to Super Extra in their pronounced nutmeg aroma. Muscat can disappear when the bush is heavily overloaded with crops.

Features of cultivation

In general, the requirements for planting and caring for “super extra” grapes almost completely coincide with the requirements of other super early varieties. However, some nuances should still be taken into account.

Landing

A favorable period for planting grapes is considered to be spring or autumn , and in both cases there are pros and cons.

In the case of spring planting, young plants do not have to immediately winter in the open ground and they have time to take root and stock up on nutrients. In this case, it is necessary to strictly observe the planting date - by planting seedlings earlier or later than the optimal time, you can slow down their development.

Autumn planting takes longer; seedlings quickly grow in spring without wasting time on adaptation, and during autumn and winter days with above-zero temperatures, the root mass of plants increases. However, there is a risk of losing seedlings at sub-zero temperatures if covering material is not used.

“Super Extra” is unpretentious in soil composition, but prefers light, moist, nutritious soil with good aeration. You can learn about the ideal soil for grapes from a separate article.

Reference! If clay soil predominates in the area, you need to add sand and humus to it at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 square meter. m.

The place should be bright. Despite the fact that the bushes of this grape can develop and bear fruit in shaded areas, the abundance of sunlight still has a more favorable effect on their development and the quality and abundance of the harvest. also need to ensure that the place is protected from wind and drafts, the distance between bushes is at least 1.5 m, and between rows - 3 m .

Watering and fertilizing

Grapes need moderate watering - prolonged drought negatively affects the yield and quality of the fruit, and excessive soil moisture leads to cracking of the berries and provokes rotting of the root system.

In the absence of rain, you need to water the plants once every 2 weeks, pouring 15-20 liters of water under each bush. To retain moisture in the soil after watering, mulch it with sawdust or moss.

Reference! Fertilizers are necessary, without them the bushes slow down their development, and the yield is significantly reduced.

In the spring, during the growth of green mass, it is necessary to feed the grapes with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, for example, humus or compost. It is also useful in the spring to place wood ash containing potassium and phosphorus in holes dug near the bushes.

Before the flowering period and at the beginning of the growth and formation of berries, the bushes need potassium, phosphorus and calcium, which are contained in mineral fertilizers. In this case, foliar feeding is appropriate.

Trimming

“Super extra” grape bushes are prone to strong growth and the formation of many stepsons on the shoots , which reduces yield. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly carry out pinching so that the nodes of the vine remain with 2 stepsons and 1 main leaf.

Pruning is carried out in spring and autumn. In the spring, frozen, pest-damaged and diseased shoots are removed, and in the autumn the main pruning is carried out, leaving no more than 8 eyes on the shoots.

Reference! The optimal load per bush is 20–25 buds, per shoot – 1-2 clusters.

Diseases and pests

The variety is resistant to oidium and mildew, but occasionally it can be affected by gray rot. The bushes are also prone to phylloxera attacks.

It is recommended to preventively treat bushes with copper-containing preparations before the flowering period begins.

Frost resistance

The variety tolerates air temperatures down to -25 °C well and, when grown in the southern regions, does not require shelter. If we are talking about cultivating “super extra” in the north and in the middle zone, in late autumn the vines need to be removed from the trellis and covered.

Harvest storage

The harvest should be stored in a dark, cool and well-ventilated area with moderate humidity. In suitable conditions, the berries retain their taste and commercial quality for several months.

Cultivation regions

The “super extra” grape variety is suitable for cultivation in all regions, regardless of climatic conditions.

Description of the plant and specifics of cultivation

The vine has great vigor, with well-ripening shoots. The perennial parts of the bush are covered with reddish, coarse-fibrous bark. The leaves are simple, medium-sized, five-lobed, slightly or moderately dissected, dark or light green, smooth, without pubescence. The flowers are greenish, small (3-5 mm in diameter), bisexual. Like most grape plants, “Super-Extra” does not need joint planting with specially selected pollinator varieties.

Bushes are fast-growing, densely leafy

Fruitful shoots range from 75 to 95%, on average the load on each is 1.4-1.5 bunches. Shoots that are too thin and grow from the head of the bush are not allowed to bear fruit. The length of pruning fruit shoots significantly affects the plant's yield and fruit quality. Experienced winegrowers advise cutting the fruit shoots to an average of 6-8 buds when using a multi-arm fan formation.

If the bushes are led along a multi-armed fan (from 4 to system, without boles), then two important advantages will become obvious: it is convenient to cover the vine for the winter, since due to the elasticity the medium and long arms easily bend to the ground, and it is also possible to leave a large load on the bush eyes. For “Super-extra” they recommend approximately 40-50 healthy eyes per bush.

Useful properties and applications

Grapes are a source of vitamins, macro- and microelements necessary for the human body. The berries contain vitamins: PP, C, A, E, B1, B2, B5, B6, 9, H, K, malic, citric, tartaric and succinic acids, pectin, flavonoids, potassium, phosphorus, silicon, boron, iron, vanadium, iodine, cobalt, copper, manganese, lithium.

Like the fruits of other table varieties, “super extra” berries are primarily consumed fresh. However, due to their fairly high sugar content, they can be used to make high-quality juices, compotes and wines.

How to plant correctly

The correct choice of place for grape seedlings is the key to obtaining a high-quality and abundant harvest of berries in the future.

Site selection and preparation

At the genetic level, grapes are a southern, light-loving crop. Therefore, even in the northern regions, bushes are planted on the southern or southwestern side of the plot.

Site preparation rules:

1. Choose a plot of land that is dry, well-lit, protected from gusty winds and strong drafts.
2. Groundwater is allowed no higher than 2 m from the ground surface.
3. The fruit crop prefers soil that is loose, light and fertile, with a neutral acid and moisture content.
4. The area is carefully dug up, cleared of weeds and loosened.
5. The soil is mixed with humus, organic and mineral fertilizers.
6. 4-6 weeks before planting the seedlings, dig planting holes 60-70 centimeters deep and wide.
7. The distance between plantings is maintained within 1.5-2 meters, between rows up to 3 meters.
8. I lay out drainage from broken stones at the bottom of the holes, and add a mound of fertile soil.
9. The prepared planting site is watered abundantly, and a support peg is driven into the hole.

Important! Large grape bushes require additional support and support, which can be trellises or arches.

How to select and prepare a seedling

The growth and development of the grape bush depends on the quality and origin of the planting material.

It is recommended to purchase seedlings only from trusted nurseries, taking into account the following rules:

1. The plant is inspected for damage and lesions.
2. The roots are developed, without broken parts, well moistened.
3. The conductor must have buds or green leaves.
4. In grafted seedlings, a trace of the grafting will always remain in the lower part of the trunk.

Advice! Before planting in open ground, seedlings are placed in a container with warm, settled water, and then the roots are treated with antibacterial agents and a growth stimulant.

Recommendations for choosing deadlines

The timing of planting seedlings depends on the weather and climatic characteristics of the grape growing region. In southern latitudes, it is recommended to plant fruit crops in the autumn, 4-6 weeks before the first frost.

In temperate and northern climates, seedlings are planted in the spring, before the start of the growing season.



Planting scheme

On the day the plants are transferred to open ground, the rhizomes of the seedlings are cut off, leaving only long and developed branches.

Boarding order:

1. The seedling is placed in the planting hole.
2. The roots are evenly distributed throughout the hole and covered with a fertile mixture.
3. The soil under the bush is compacted and watered abundantly.
4. After planting, the plant is tied to a support, the soil around the tree trunk is mulched with a layer of humus or compost.

As soon as the seedlings take root and grow, they are tied to the constructed support structures.

Reviews

Perhaps only for this year. The brush does not have the most luxurious look, but it is quite decent. The berry is round. Everyone liked the taste, much better than Arcadia. Gennady, Krasnodar region, Kropotkin

The ripening period in our conditions is very early, on August 1 it was already possible to eat, the berry is large, in shape - like Arcadia, in color approximately like Arcadia (but still closer in color to the ripened Laura), the clusters are somewhat smaller than Arcadia (with an average weight of 514 g), the berry is larger - with an average weight of 11.7 g. Yes, the skin is somewhat dense, but this is not particularly a drawback. Svetlana, Novocherkassk

On my site, Super-Extra has proven itself to be very good. In the first year of fruiting, four full bunches of 500-700 g each were obtained, the berry weighed up to 10 g, which is not bad, the Arcadia type of berry. Vigorous, well resistant to diseases. In addition, the vine ripens well, and cuttings take root easily. Alexey Yurievich, Volgograd

Reproduction of the variety

The variety is propagated using standard methods.

The seed method is not practiced in home viticulture. It is labor-intensive and does not pay off, because the plant loses the properties of the mother bush. This method is suitable for breeding work.

At home, grapes are propagated by cuttings, layering and grafting. These methods guarantee that the young plant will take on all the characteristics of the mother bush.

Note! The bush is rejuvenated by grafting. Super extra takes root well on other crop varieties.

Loza and normalization

The reverse sides of the grape leaves of the Super Extra variety have pubescence - a short whitish pile, reminiscent of filtered paper.
Flower functionality : bisexual. Not susceptible to bud shedding. Pollination is poor. Susceptible to peas.

When flowering in hot weather, it is necessary to spray the bushes with water at room temperature through a spray bottle.

This procedure will help moisten the inflorescences and purify the vine for good pollination. In case of heavy rains, pollination may be completely excluded.

During flowering, to prevent damage and depletion of the vine , it is necessary to pluck out some of the bunches.

The variety produces stepsons, on which small clusters may appear before the obligatory autumn pruning. On the stepchildren, the grapes are smaller in size than the main harvest.

Such clusters are medium in density, without peas, with excellent pollination. Buds with excellent active growth. Excellent ripening vine. Requires correct normalization of the load on the bushes.

To normalize fruiting , pinching and small pieces of green shoots are necessary. It is not recommended to heavily load replacement shoots. When the crop load on the bush increases, the ripening of the vine significantly worsens.

to form Super Extra grapes in the spring. During this period of time, it is necessary to perform sanitary pruning of the plant. The vines are tied to a gazebo or other supports.

To obtain a wonderful harvest , 5 or 7 eyes are left on the vine. To form large clusters , leave 3 or 5 eyes.

The vines of this variety produce a large number of ovaries.

Pest Control

Super Extra is quite tolerant of phylloxera. An important aspect when purchasing is to find out the region - there are areas that are especially susceptible to phylloxera attack.

The pest is identified by bulges on young leaves.

This is a parasitic insect that damages the root system, larch, petioles, and tendrils. It is found in two forms - wingless and winged form. The winged species affects the aerial part, the wingless species affects the root system. A phylloxera invasion is fraught with the death of the entire area , so fighting the parasite is a rather labor-intensive and costly task.

Prevention

One method of prevention is to add a small amount of sand to the roots.

After placing the seedling in the ground, you need to put a tube on the stem into which sand is poured. In such conditions, the insect will not approach the roots of the crop. The most effective method of prevention is grafting petioles from phylloxera-resistant varieties.

Features of grape care

Mulching grapes with wood chips.

We must not forget about systematic watering of plantings. This does not mean that you need to flood the plants - water only as needed

Pay special attention to watering during the growing season – flowering and berry formation.

To preserve moisture and also to eliminate the possibility of weeds germinating, the planted area can be mulched. As a rule, finely chopped straw, sawdust, and moss are used

It is recommended to apply a mulch layer no more than four centimeters thick. It is worth considering that many types of weeds are able to grow through mulch, so systematically pulling out weeds is a mandatory measure.

Despite the frost resistance described in the characteristics, the grapes need careful preparation for wintering. After sanitary pruning, the crop is covered, especially in the northern regions. In some cases, a thick layer of mulch will be sufficient, but in northern regions a frame shelter is used. The fiber is stretched onto the arc frame, and the film is laid on top. You can also use corrugated cardboard and wooden boards.

Insecticides

The use of insecticides is allowed.

It is recommended to spray the leaves, vines and soil of the grapes.

Processing is carried out taking into account the life and developing cycle of the insect. As a rule, the application is three times with an interval of two weeks . However, to prevent this phenomenon, it is necessary to carefully inspect the planting material when purchasing seedlings. Find out from the seller what means were used for preventive treatment of the crop.