Gala grapes

Gala is a hybrid form of dark colored table grapes. The variety is in great demand among consumers and gardeners, but the variety cannot be classified as undemanding to care - its cultivation requires special rules of agricultural technology.

The variety was bred by the Ukrainian breeder V.V. Zagorulko. Gala is the result of crossing of the Podarok Zaporozhye and Kodryanka varieties. Initially, new grapes were sold at a high price, since the bred bushes were distinguished by valuable qualities, but later other competitive varieties appeared, and the cost of seedlings was reduced.

The vine is distinguished by strong growth, it has large leaves that create a shadow on the site, so the bush can be used to decorate landscape design. The variety is characterized by good ripening, but it can be delayed when overloaded, which contributes to a deterioration in the quality of the crop.

Gala belongs to the early varieties, usually the ripening period is 110-115 days.

In structure, the bunches are similar to the Black Delight variety, their weight is 500-900 g, and some specimens reach a mass of 2 kg. The density is medium.

The fruits are blue in color and oval in shape. The weight of the berries is 12-14 g.

The berries are characterized by a harmonious pleasant taste. Gala is a table variety that is more often consumed fresh. However, it is allowed to use the fruits for making wine or juice - such a drink will receive a sweet and sour soft taste and a pleasant aroma. It is possible to make raisins.

The productivity of the variety is determined by the hard work of the owner of the site. If all the rules of agricultural technology are observed, then the yield can reach 15-18 kg of berries per bush.

One of the basic rules concerns watering and feeding the plant. Overflow can destroy the culture, so the soil is moistened as it dries. Moisturizing is especially important during the growing season, and during the flowering phase and when the berries ripen, watering must be stopped.

Young bushes can grow well without additional fertilizing, and from the age of three they need to be fertilized three times a season - after winter, before and after flowering.

The variety responds well to mulching. The procedure is performed during the entire growing season. Sawdust, straw, hay, peat can be used as mulch. It is recommended to lay the material in a layer of 10 cm in the pits around the crop.

Planting a plant consists of several stages.

1. Dig a hole 80x80x80 cm.

2. Lay drainage at the bottom, pour fertile soil at a level of 30 cm.

3. Add 10-20 liters of organic matter and superphosphates.

4. Plant the shoot on a slight slope.

5. Sprinkle with fertilized soil, put regular soil on top. No need to press down.

6. Leave 5-10 cm of watering space in the hole.

7. Dig a trench 15 cm away from the bush. It is filled with mulch and watered.

8. When planting multiple seedlings, keep a distance of at least 2.5 m between them.

Gala has bisexual flowers, which means that insects and pollinating varieties are not required for pollination.

In the early years, a young plant needs careful pruning. It is enough to leave 35-45 buds on each tree. The vine is shortened by 6-8 eyes.

And also gardeners should take into account the fruiting coefficient of the variety, it is 1.3. And this means that the load of the vine must not be allowed, otherwise the quality of the crop will not only decrease, but also the period of its ripening will be delayed.

The bush of this variety is able to withstand temperatures down to –21 degrees. It is better to use a shelter for the winter. All branches can be tied, folded onto a litter and fixed. Pull polyethylene on top of the prepared arcs and sprinkle the structure with earth.

If the temperature in the planting area does not drop below -15 degrees, then you can skip the stage of stretching the film, and immediately cover the connected branches with a large layer of soil.

The variety is quite resistant to fungal diseases and tolerant to mildew and powdery mildew. For prophylaxis, it is recommended to treat the plant with a fungicide or Bordeaux liquid. Additional spraying will be required during the rainy season or, conversely, during the hot and dry season. Visual inspection of the crop is also the best preventive measure.

The bunches have good transportability and keeping quality. The storage period for fruits is average, but for this you need to maintain a certain microclimate. If the crop will be stored in a cellar, then place the bunches with the comb up in the boxes so that the berries do not protrude above the container level.