All about girlish grapes

Knowing everything about maiden grapes is useful for residents of various localities. The correct planting of decorative wild grapes and accurate care of them allow you to achieve an amazing result. However, it is necessary to carefully study how to properly plant this plant in autumn by cuttings in open ground for a hedge - and other subtleties of handling it.

A common girlish grape looks like a tree-like vine. But unlike tropical vines, this is a typical deciduous plant. This grape grows fast and its root system is quite powerful. If only not to interfere, but to create at least the minimum suitable conditions, you can achieve sizes from 15 to 30 m in length. The methods of attachment to surfaces may differ for different subspecies.

The leaves of wild grapes have a complex structure. They have 3 or 5 pointed leaves in a deep green color. The lower edge of the leaf has a pronounced edge. With the onset of autumn, the leaf plates illuminated by the sun will change their color - they will already have a burgundy or orange color. Those leaves that are in the shade take on a pale yellow color, but the degree of this pallor also varies.

When a girl's climbing grape is in bloom, it forms small flowers of white or pale green color. They are grouped into “panicle” inflorescences. Opinions differ as to the toxicity of the fruit. It is clear that they can be dangerous in large numbers and mainly for children.

There are sharply opposite reviews regarding girlish grapes. Some people complain that he does not want to grow and develop. Others complain that the loach grows without any measure and it turns out to be almost impossible to remove it. The reason for the apparent discrepancy is the difference in growing conditions. In the northern regions, especially on the soil poor in nutrients, the plant can indeed hardly develop for a long time.

And if it has already reached maturity and is located in the Black Earth Region and more southern regions, where "stick a stick and it will bloom," the uncontrollability of wild grapes causes a lot of inconvenience. He will continuously form his elongated whips, expanding in all directions. Weak growth often occurs if the seedling is simply stuck into the soil formed by loam or sandy loam. For success, you need not be lazy to prepare the excavations and saturate them with fertile soil.

Leaves are released relatively late. Therefore, maiden grapes during most of the spring do not look too expressive, and even bewilderment may arise, "what is beautiful in it in general." Sometimes this problem persists in early summer. This is especially likely in northern areas, despite the Canadian origin of the grapes. Also, as mentioned, adult bushes can suppress other cultivated plants with their shoots and entangle everything.

They are also characterized by a very developed root system. For the plant itself, it is a plus, which cannot be said about neighboring bushes, flower plantings. Even strong stone foundations sometimes suffer.

However, girlish grapes are still promising as an ornamental plant, only you must be able to use it. This option is very resistant to adverse environmental conditions. It almost does not need to be watered and fed, like many other decorative crops. Therefore, caring for it is very simple for gardeners, who already have to take care of a variety of plantings. More wild grapes:

• perfectly tolerates cold (even on open balconies, and not in the ground);

• develops excellently in the shade;

• allows you to do without specially mounted supports (the only exceptions are young specimens growing near a smooth surface);

• under good conditions, the lashes can grow by 3 m during the year;

• looks very good, especially by the middle of summer, when it develops in full force;

• allows you to save a lot on planting material;

• suitable for self-breeding;

• does not require large land plots;

• undemanding to soils;

• resistant to pathologies and pests;

• can protect the walls of the house from rain and wind, excessive heat.

Ivy-shaped (otherwise called triangular) maiden grapes mainly inhabit the vastness of the PRC and Japan. In our country, you can see such a vine only in the southern regions of Primorye. Already in the north of this region, it cannot grow by itself. Therefore, in our country, this type has limited prospects. Characteristic nuances:

• length - from 15 to 20 m;

• mustache, supplemented with suction cups;

• an impressive variety of foliage types;

• seasonal changes in leaf color: from reddish in spring to dark green in summer and red or yellow as the cold season approaches.

The ivy plant is divided into 3 subspecies:

• Viche grapes (characterized by medium-sized glossy foliage, which in autumn acquires an orange color);

• golden type (has green leaves containing yellow veins);

• purple grapes (in the fall, the foliage will be painted in different tones of red and burgundy, the placement of the leaves on top of each other - in the manner of roofing tiles).

Key Features:

• weaker growth than other types (the liana will stretch for a maximum of 10 m);

• 1 sheet contains from 5 to 9 leaves;

• the leaves have a row of white veins;

• a unique overall appearance - you cannot confuse Henry grapes with something.

In terms of decorative effect, these types of maiden grapes are not inferior to their Asian counterparts. The five-leaf view is recognized as a good option. In the wild, it populates the middle of the United States, and is found in Mexico and Canada. Such a culture is in demand as an ornamental plant all over the planet. Characteristics:

• young shoots are painted in expressive red tones; as they mature, they acquire a green color;

• the youngest leaves are divided into 3 leaves, and the mature, developed ones are divided into 5;

• the top of the leaf is green, bluish notes are noted below;

• with the onset of autumn weather, the leaves are cast crimson;

• antennae are distinguished by intense branching, at the end of the branches there is a 5 mm sucker;

• using such suction cups, 5-leaf grapes can climb any smooth support.

Separately, it should be said about the variety "Zvezdopad", or "Star Showers", which is noticeably different from the species form. The plant looks bright and colorful, it seems that it was painted with strokes of yellow-green paint. All leaves are significantly different from each other, and they cannot be confused with each other. When autumn comes and the cold days come, beautiful pink tones can be seen.

Attached grapes can be a pleasant alternative - in nature they live in the same place as the five-leafed plant. Therefore, it can be used under the same conditions. Green shoots in youth, as they develop, will envelop the gray bark. With the onset of autumn, the foliage is also distinguished by an expressive crimson. The tendrils of the attached maiden grapes look like a spiral; if there are suckers, they are not sufficiently developed.

You can plant maiden grapes in summer, spring and autumn. Therefore, gardeners have ample room to maneuver. For vines, it is imperative to prepare drainage. It is made from gravel, broken bricks, and so on. The seedlings are placed at a depth of 0.5 m.A gap of 0.7-0.8 m is made between them.

Landing in trenches is also allowed. However, in any case, it is unacceptable to deepen the root collar. 0.15 m of sand is poured over the drainage. Further, in order to plant a plant, it is necessary to pour out a mixture containing:

• 20 kg of compost (or humus);

• 20 kg of garden soil;

• 10 kg of washed river sand;

• 1 glass of wood ash.

Naturally, growing this culture in a dacha in a garden is better and easier than on a balcony in an apartment. But still the second option is quite possible. In this case, it is necessary to select those species and varieties that differ in the minimum growth rate. The best option, according to experts, is "Starfall". Seedlings are chosen as carefully as possible so that they have a good, developed root system.

The soil for the balcony planting includes the same quantities:

• peat;

• sand;

• universal planting soil from the store.

To increase air permeability, perlite must be added. It needs about 0.5 kg per plant. The strength of the roots of wild grapes forces the use of only large, durable containers. The seedlings are initially kept out of direct sunlight.

Growing girly grapes outdoors is not that difficult. Adult specimens do not need frequent watering. 3-4 irrigations are enough during the season. About 10 liters of water are spent on 1 liana. It is necessary to activate watering only when the heat is intense; at the same time, they ensure that the near-trunk circle does not dry out to the end.

The soil near the plant needs to be systematically loosened. This procedure is combined with weeding. Exposure of roots is not allowed. It is very important to remove excess young growth. Decorative grapes must be mulched; 6 cm is poured near the trunk:

• humus;

• peat;

• compost.

As soon as autumn comes, the old mulch must be buried in the ground. Further, a fresh addition is required. The support (trellis) is placed in advance. It is best to fix it on the walls of the house. An arch or pergola can also be a good support. A hedge is usually created using a chain-link mesh.

Recommendations:

• immediately as clearly as possible to form the "skeleton" of the culture, so that later on less suffering with shoots;

• a dense uniform crown is formed by cutting off the stems at a certain height to the ground and distributing it uniformly over the support (anticipating lignification of the shoots);

• the sections should be at a maximum height of 5 mm above the healthy kidneys;

• during the entire season of activity, restraining pruning is mandatory;

• at the end of the season, it is necessary to remove withered leaves and fruits.

When cultivated in a pot, the plant will have to be repotted periodically. They do this once every 2-3 years, focusing on the intensity of development. When transplanting, 1/3 of the earth clod around the roots is removed. The roots and crown of the vines are cut in a similar proportion.

The breeding procedure, like the initial planting, can be carried out in any season. But we must act correctly, avoiding, in particular, the maximum heat. If it nevertheless came suddenly, the grapes will have to be shaded and watered abundantly. The simplest method, including when working in the fall, is to plant grapes with cuttings. Instead, you can use side shoots and root layers.

Sowing seeds is possible, but then one cannot count on a quick result. It is best to get cuttings in the process of pruning the vines. It is recommended to give preference to lignified areas - they are easier to root, and the viability is higher. Until rooting, cuttings are often kept in water, but you can immediately put them in the ground, especially since the roots that have crawled out in the water will still die off, and this practice is justified only with a forced delay.

Two buds must be left above the ground. All young vines need to be shaded and watered more often. According to experienced people, the best time for cuttings is autumn. If you need to do this in the summer, you will have to take thicker areas that have already managed to give their lateral layers. This approach allows you to guarantee fast growth and active branching of the bush.

The plant itself looks beautiful, but it is even better perceived in the vicinity of other species. A particularly good companion is the golden Aureus. It is also recommended to combine parthenocissus with clematis vines. They not only visually combine, but also biologically help each other.

Maiden grapes can also be used:

• with vertical gardening;

• when decorating the facade of a house;

• for registration of other buildings and ancillary structures;

• in the form of arches braiding the support;

• along the stone walls.