Grapes Zest

Table grapes Zest is not a variety for beginners, since it is difficult to grow. The capricious woman is thermophilic and whimsical, both to weather conditions and to agricultural technology. Those who prefer versatile, hardy, high-yielding varieties should not waste time on Zest - even the name exudes delicacy.

The young variety was bred by the Yalta breeders VNIIViV "Magarach". The highlight is the result of crossing the Chaush and Cardinal varieties. The generally accepted name was obtained by the variety for its ability to "raisin" directly on the vine, the scientific name of the variety is XVII-241.

With modern technologies, it is difficult to speak unequivocally about the regions in which this or that grape variety can grow. The zest is zoned for the Black Sea coast, the North Caucasus, Ukraine, Kuban, Crimea, Moldova. Nevertheless, it can be grown in the Arctic, if you use a greenhouse and create an appropriate microclimate.

The young variety is a typical representative of the Eastern European Vitis vinifera, which defines it as a vine prone to attack by various diseases. The plant is tall, vigorous, with vines in need of pruning. Shoots are covered with large light green foliage with discolored veins. The hybrid is distinguished by excellent external data and excellent organoleptic characteristics, good transportability. Provides excellent quality raisins when dried.

Hybrid Zest belongs to very early varieties - its ripening period is kept in the region of 100-110 days.

The average density of cylindrical brushes has a standard weight of 450-500 grams, but the variety is young and, judging by the reviews of winegrowers, is capable of more. Some people mention getting 800-gram bunches, provided that the growing season was accompanied by ideal weather conditions and agricultural technology.

Large, elongated berries of dark pink color, at the time of reaching physiological ripeness - purple. Fleshy-juicy dense pulp with a pleasant crunch is surrounded by a thin but dense skin, absolutely not felt when eating. The size of the fruit is confidently keeping the parameters 34 by 17 mm, with a weight of 8-9 grams. Sugar content of grapes reaches 170-180 g / dm³ in technical ripeness, acidity 4-5 g / dm³.

The berry has a harmonious taste, accompanied by notes of nutmeg and a long aftertaste. The tasting score on a ten-point scale is close to ideal - 8.1–8.4 points.

The productivity of the bushes is low - in the first years it is 2-3 kilograms per bush, in an adult form the vine can give up to 8 kg. The fruiting factor is 0.9–1.2.

Before opting for a whimsical variety, you need to compare your own capabilities and weather conditions.

The zest makes increased demands on the soil - it must be loose, breathable, nutritious, without the proximity of stagnant and ground waters. The place must be protected, covered by a slope or a wall from drafts and cold winds. Planting is carried out in spring and autumn. Saplings are planted in pits, cuttings in trenches.

At the bottom, a drainage expanded clay, pebble or other layer is necessarily poured. Then the soil enriched with superphosphate and humus is poured, the root system is treated with the drug "Kornevin" before planting. After planting, abundant watering is carried out. After about a week, the soil is loosened and mulched with compost or peat to prevent cracking.

With this, the hybrid has a problem. In Raisin, the type of flower is functionally female, so there should be grapes with male flowers nearby, and with the same flowering time. If these conditions are met, pollination goes well.

The formation of a Zest is not an easy task, it requires the necessary knowledge. Bushes need control over the load - in the first year the vine is not pruned, then this process is carried out annually, sometimes twice a season. The sleeves are formed closer to the ground. The total load on the bush is 40–45 eyes. 10-12 buds are left on the fruit shoot. Lack of control leads to a thickening and redistribution of vitality, when energy is spent on growing vegetative mass, instead of strengthening the root system and the yield.

The whimsical and capricious vine requires regular foliar and root dressing several times during the growing season. Preference is given to both complex fertilizers and highly specialized preparations. The variety responds well to:

• "Argumin";
• "Solution";
• "Aquarin".

In addition to mineral fertilizers, the plant needs organic matter - humus, bird droppings, compost, wood ash.

In this regard, Zest also cannot boast of records - its frost resistance is low, the maximum it is capable of is to withstand sub-zero temperatures down to -18. The vine must be carefully covered for the winter. Young shoots are sheltered in any climate, as in the subtropics there can be sub-zero temperatures.

A delicate one-year-old vine may not survive freezing in high humidity. Adult and young shoots are collected together, bandaged, covered with a thick layer of mulch, reeds, spruce branches, hay. Burlap, agrotextile are laid on top and sprinkled with earth. Tunnels made of roofing material, slate, and film have proven themselves excellently.

The whimsicality of the Crimean is expressed in his high susceptibility to various diseases:

• oidium;
• mildew;
• escoriasis;
• anthracnose;
• gray rot;
• bacterial cancer.

Against the listed diseases, preventive spraying with fungicides, a solution of copper sulfate is used.

In addition, the vine is defenseless against pests - spider and grape mites, phylloxera (aphids). For them, there are insecticides, for example, Bordeaux liquid. Some growers use folk remedies - in the fight against spider mites, they successfully use infusions of garlic and dandelion.

The harvest is well preserved due to the medium friability of the bunches and dense skin. The maximum storage temperature is 7ºC, the ideal is 2-3 degrees above zero. This requires ventilation and compliance with humidity standards.