Cardinal grape

The Cardinal grape is one of the popular table varieties that have become widespread in Western and Eastern Europe and the United States. In Russia, they also appreciated its high yield, exquisite taste, excellent presentation. The variety cannot be called new, it has already established itself as one of the best in its category.

Cardinal grapes were bred by breeders from the United States E. Snyder and F. Harmon in California. To obtain a new form, the popular varieties Alphonse Lavalle and Queen of the Vineyards were taken. Initially, Flame Tokai was mentioned among the parental species. A later genetic analysis showed that the Queen of the Vineyards was used instead.

The variety was obtained at the experimental station in Fresno in 1939. Today, popular hybrids Cardinal AZOS, K-80, K-87 and others have been created on its basis. The original variety was brought to the USSR in 1958 from the territory of France. Included in the state register 16 years later.

The variety is very early. The required sum of temperatures to the state of technological maturity is 2308 degrees Celsius. The average aging time is 121 days. In the south of Russia, this period can be reduced to 105 days.

The variety is characterized by a loose brush structure. The shape of the bunches is cylindrical or conical, with a long green stem. The mass reaches 342-510 g. The size of the bunch reaches 130-190 mm in width and up to 280 mm in length.

For the Cardinal grape variety, a rich purple-red color is characteristic, the surface of the peel is dense, has a waxy bloom. Inside there are bones in the amount of 2 to 4 pieces. The shape ranges from spherical to oval. The size of the berry is large. Weight up to 7-9 g.

The balanced flavor range of Cardinal grapes is distinguished by a light nutmeg hue, and a honey aftertaste can be traced. The sugar content of this variety reaches 156-180 g / dm3 with an acidity of 7-8.4 g / dm3. The flesh is crispy, rich in juice. According to the tasting assessment, the variety gets 8-9 points.

According to this indicator, Cardinal has high potential, but insufficient stability. On young bushes, it does not exceed 1 kg per bunch and 15 kg per bush. As the vines become lignified, these indicators increase. They can reach 20-25 kg from 1 bush.

The Cardinal variety belongs to the thermophilic grape subspecies. It was originally cultivated in the mild California climate. On an industrial scale, cultivation is recommended exclusively in areas with a predominance of warm weather, an abundance of sunny days. It is possible to plant bushes on the slopes from the southern and southwestern sides of the site. The optimal choice of soils is light sandy loam and loam, black soil.

The optimal solution for the Cardinal variety is cordon planting. It is important to choose an area well warmed by the sun, without strong winds, with sufficient cover. Reproduction is carried out most often on an adult rootstock of more cold-resistant varieties. When grafting, the material is harvested in the fall, grafting is performed in the 3rd decade of April.

Landing in the ground is carried out when the soil warms up to indicators not lower than +10 degrees. Otherwise, the planting material simply will not take root. The cuttings should have roots formed. The planting substrate is flavored with organic matter, potassium and phosphorus. This will allow not to fertilize the soil additionally during the first 3-4 years of the formation of the bush.

The plant forms bisexual flowers. Belongs to the category of self-pollinated. In unfavorable weather and climatic conditions, flowers and ovaries crumble. Additional pollination using puffs is recommended.

Cardinal grapes need rationing the number of bunches per shoot. Vines are pruned to 5-6 eyes. They are left on the bush in the amount of 25-30 pieces. The formation is carried out both as a two-armed Guyot, and fan-shaped. Growing on a tall stem is possible in a suitable climate.

For the winter, a short pruning of 3 buds is recommended. No replacement vines are left.

Cardinal grapes are drought-resistant varieties. It is important for him to moderately maintain soil moisture, without overflow, leading to cracking. If stagnant water is detected, it is necessary to take care of drainage. Watering in the amount of 10-20 liters of warm water per bush is carried out 3-4 times during the season. Bushes are also shown mulching the near-stem zone.

The Cardinal variety needs regular feeding. In spring and autumn, a layer of compost is added to the soil at the base of the bush, sprinkling it to a height of 60-80 mm. And also it is necessary to ensure the supply of a complex of minerals within 3-4 times per season. It is usually carried out when the first leaves emerge and after harvest, as well as before the opening of the buds and at the end of flowering.

The variety is not frost-resistant. Withstands a drop in atmospheric temperatures within -18 degrees. Needs shelter for the winter. Long-term preservation of the bush is significantly complicated by its low frost resistance. At the end of the harvest, the vine must be bundled, tied and bent to the ground. Shelter is done with a thick layer of straw, greenhouse sheeting or directly with earth.

The Cardinal variety belongs to the grape varieties susceptible to the development of a variety of fungal diseases.He needs regular inspection, fungicidal treatment of the bush from mildew, gray rot, oidium, bacterial cancer with a solution of colloidal sulfur. The composition is applied by spraying to leaves and shoots. Among the pests dangerous for him, one can single out the bunchy leafworm, wasps and birds that attack plants during the ripening period of the crop.

For grapes of the Cardinal variety, high indicators of marketability and transportability are characteristic. It belongs to the early maturing, can be stored under favorable conditions for up to 3 months. When transporting, a tight packing of the brushes is recommended.