Grape Kishmish Radiant

The Kishmish Radiant variety is a popular grape, unpretentious, self-pollinated, high-yielding, with large clusters and excellent berry taste. Differs in rapid growth, average level of cold resistance. The table variety with excellent taste is suitable for making juices, wines, raisins.

It appeared in 1985, bred by breeders of the Moldavian Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking NPO "Vierul" when crossing the American Cardinal and the Armenian Kishmish pink.

Cultivated in Moldova, Belarus, Ukraine. On the territory of Russia, it is recommended for cultivation in the Lower Volga region, in the North Caucasus, on the Black Sea coast. In temperate climates, it is recommended to create a reliable shelter for the winter.

Bushes are medium-sized or vigorous with strong vines, reddish coarse-fiber bark. Leaves are medium, five-lobed, strongly dissected. The leaf plate is light green with a shiny surface, smooth below. Flowers are small in diameter 3-5 mm. Radiant kishmish is distinguished by good maturity of the vine. It grows very quickly, it needs constant pruning. Shoots do not lignify at all, even after getting stronger, they remain flexible.

Refers to mid-season varieties - the ripening period is approximately 130 days. Harvesting begins in late August in a southern climate, in early September in a temperate climate. With a significant overload (very large brushes, or too many of them), the ripening time increases to 20 days.

Clusters are large in size, in the form of a cone or cylinder, branched, with lateral lobes, of medium density or slightly friable. Usually they weigh about 200-350 g, but often they are up to 400-600 g.

Large berries, not peas, do not crack, weighing 2.5-4 g. They have an oval, slightly elongated shape. The skin is thick, dense, when ripe, it becomes golden-pink or with a delicate reddish tint, covered with a matte bloom. The pulp is juicy, fleshy, dense, not slippery. Seeds are absent, sometimes underdeveloped rudiments are found.

Pleasant sweet taste, with subtle sourness, nutmeg notes and delicate aroma. Sugar content 17-22%, acid - 6-7 g / l. Tasting taste assessment of 9 points out of 10 possible, non-experts characterize the taste as fruity, very grape.

The first harvest of Kishmish Radiant gives already 2 years after planting, begins to bear fruit fully for 4 years. Up to 12-15 kg are harvested from one bush. The crop can remain unharvested for a long time, the quality of the fruit only improves from this.

The strongest shoots are left for fruiting. The grapes are considered very fruitful - 70% of the shoots bear fruit. Bushes require support and tying. Experienced growers recommend growing the variety on arched supports, so the plants get plenty of light and fresh air.

During the flowering period, excess clusters should be cut off, an overloaded bush may not bring a harvest for the next season. Maximum load for an adult plant: 2 bunches are left on 1 shoot, this is about 35 brushes. Very long brushes are often trimmed, about 1/3. It is a good pollinator for other varieties. With careful care, the grapes bear fruit abundantly

The variety is planted in an open area, well warmed by the sun, on the south side. The procedure is carried out in the spring, from late April to May, on days when the soil is already warmed up enough: air temperature +15, soil temperature +10. In autumn - in October, before the cold snaps begin. An interval of 2 m is left between the seedlings. Pits of a standard size are prepared, which are filled with drainage. Then a mixture of black soil, ash, humus and phosphate fertilizers is poured with a mound, watered. A seedling is placed on top of the embankment, carefully distributing the roots. From the southern part of the pit, you can install a meter-long pipe for drainage irrigation.

It blooms with male and female flowers, is self-pollinated, no additional pollinators are required.

For annual fruiting and high quality harvest, it is recommended to regularly prune the shoots. It is optimal to do medium pruning of bushes for 6-8 buds. On an adult plant, 35-40 shoots are left, a total of 50-70 strong eyes. Youngsters are formed according to a fan multi-arm system - from 4 to 8 arms on each. The first pruning of a young vine is done for 2-3 eyes, an adult is cut off to 14 eyes.

The choice of methods and regularity of irrigation depends on the type of soil on the site and the climatic characteristics of the region. For example, sandy ones should be watered abundantly, and chernozem ones - 2 times less. Requires moderate watering.

Traditionally, in the summer, irrigation is carried out every 4 days. Then loosen and mulch. Stop watering during flowering and 20 days before harvest. To humidify the air during these periods, the soil between the rows is slightly moistened. Grapes respond well to drip or drainage irrigation. The drought tolerance of Radiant Kishmish is average. In the heat, watered every other day, 10 liters per plant.

In the spring, nitrogen fertilizers are used, an excess of nitrogen provokes fungal diseases.Before flowering, they are fed with magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate or monophosphate, the same top dressing is applied during the period of setting berries. Acidic soils are additionally fertilized with phosphorus and sodium, alkaline soils - with potassium.

In the fall, they are fed with potash compounds, ash. Organic fertilizers are used once every two years. Excess fertilizing has a negative effect on fruiting. Top dressing is applied in liquid form during watering.

Withstands temperatures up to -22 degrees. It is recommended in the harsh winter in the south, and in temperate climates to make a shelter every year. The vines are removed from the supports, bent to the soil, laid on boards, covered with straw, geotextile on top, or huts are built from slate, boards. Shelter at the end of October - early November.

The variety is resistant to gray rot disease, can be affected by powdery mildew. In cool climates, it is more susceptible to fungal diseases than in hot regions. It is advised to regularly do preventive treatment. In spring and autumn they are sprayed with Nitrofen fungicide with a 3% or 3% solution of ferrous sulfate from mildew. From oidium - colloidal sulfur. It is recommended to add a solution of potassium permanganate to mineral fertilizers.

Not all insects can cope with the thick berry skin; special bags are put on the bunches from large pests.

Properly picked berries are stored in a cool, dry place for more than 2 months. The fruits are tightly attached to the stalk, the skin is not damaged during transportation. Recommended for industrial cultivation.

In general, Kishmish Radiant caused positive comments from gardeners. Delicious and beautiful, with very large tassels, the sizes of which are delightful - it is a pity that the clusters have to be shortened during flowering. Someone has been growing this grape since the 1990s: the bushes are tall, under a double film they can withstand frosts down to -35 degrees, and the next year they bloom profusely. In the southern regions it copes well with rainy summer, but there are remarks - the variety blooms late in spring and can freeze in winter.