Viticulture has firmly entered the life of summer residents and gardeners: each of them has at least one bush of these berries on his plot. Those of them who have only recently acquired their plot or decided to do garden work cannot yet decide which variety to give preference to. Druzhba grapes, which are truly universal, can be a real find for them: they can be grown both in the south and in the northern regions, as well as in the climatic conditions of the middle zone.
Variety description
This variety is usually referred to as table-technical grapes. This is due to the versatility of use: the berries are suitable not only for fresh consumption, but also for making compote, wine, pie filling. It is interesting to note that the wine made from these berries has an excellent taste. The Druzhba grape variety is a hybrid of three varieties at once: Misket Kailyshki, Villard Blanc, Hamburg Muscat.
The variety has significant advantages over others with similar characteristics:has increased resistance to diseases and frost resistance, has an early ripening period, can be grown throughout Russia, has a pleasant nutmeg taste, is distinguished by good yield and ripeness.
Description of Druzhba grapes, given in various sources, allows us to say with confidence that it needs good care and proper pruning to increase the yield. Timely feeding and pest prevention is good.
Disadvantages of the variety
Despite the obvious advantages, Friendship grapes also have their drawbacks. The vine is very strong and can withstand a lot of weight of berries, however, one should not allow the formation of too many brushes. Gartering grapes can partially solve the problem of extra bunches, but this can affect the quality and size of the fruit.
This grape is not suitable for trade because it has a very unattractive appearance. The weight of the clusters is small, and the berries are small and not very beautiful in appearance. In addition, in a cold northern climate, the variety needs mandatory shelter.
Taste characteristics and description of berries
Druzhba grapes are an extra-early variety, the berries ripen within 115 days. The harvest period is approximately at the end of August, however, depending on the region, these dates may vary. The brush has a weight of up to 300 grams, its shape is cylindrical. The berries are round and white in color, have a sweet taste with a slight nutmeg flavor. Their flesh is very fleshy. Attasting grapes Friendship received 9.4 points out of a possible 10.
The berries are suitable for making wine, which has very high tasting scores. For example, a dry wine made from grapes of the specified variety deserves 8.6 points, and experts rated its sparkling as much as 9.4 points. ordinary. Perhaps the only thing that catches your eye is the somewhat larger size of the berries. Otherwise, the fruits are completely identical.
Outdoor and greenhouse cultivation
It may seem strange to many, but in regions with constant temperature changes it is impossible to grow seedlings in open ground. In this case, greenhouses come to the rescue. Nevertheless, the cultivation of seedlings in the open field and in the greenhouse method has some features. First of all, the greenhouse must be well lit and have drip irrigation. Daytime temperatures should not be below 10°C, and night temperatures should not be below 8°C.
The way Druzhba grapes are grown does not in any way affect the quality of the berries. However, this variety is tall and requires significant areas, so growing it in a greenhouse is very problematic. In addition, growing such a crop in a greenhouse is very laborious. If possible, it is better, of course, to do it in the open field.
Planting seedlings
When planting seedlings, the main thing to consider isit is that the bushes are tall. The distance between the rows should be about 3 meters, and between the bushes leave 2 meters. When preparing the planting pit, fertilizer must be applied to it.
Immediately before planting, one strongest shoot is left on the vine, the rest must be removed. The roots are cut a little to renew them, after which they are planted in a hole to a depth of 60 centimeters. After planting, the plant should be well watered and sprinkled with earth on top. After rain or the next watering, it is necessary to loosen the earth. Otherwise, the seedling may die from lack of air.
Seedling care
During growth and fruiting, seedlings need care. This includes both the garter of grapes and its top dressing. For the latter, both organic and mineral fertilizers can be used. The first dressing should be carried out before flowering, and the second - after two weeks. The third time you can feed before the berries begin to ripen.
Druzhba grapes are one of those varieties that need to be pruned regularly. Dry and old branches should be removed immediately. The vine that will bear fruit should be cut into 6-8 eyes, there should be no more than 35 of them on the bush. When the bush reaches the age of three years, it can begin to form and give the shape that will correspond to this particular variety.
Pest prevention and frost protection
Despite the fact that Friendship grapes are a frost-resistant variety, it is bettertake measures to protect it from freezing. This can be done by the method of full shelter or hilling. Young seedlings, which are about a year old, are best spudded. To do this, the vine is covered with a layer of earth. With full shelter, the vine is cut, laid on the ground and covered with insulation.
Early sheltering of grapes is not welcome, as eyes may begin to appear. The most optimal period will be considered the period when the first frost hits. Prevention from pests and diseases is recommended to be carried out in April, when the active growth of the bush has not yet begun. In the process of growth, it is recommended to repeat the treatment several times per season. Before picking berries and during flowering, all chemical treatments are stopped.
