Lyubava grapes

Table grape varieties are more and more confidently taking pride of place in the gardens of Russia, moving further and further to the north and east of the country. One of them, Lyubava, reached the Far East and showed himself to be unpretentious, hardy and fruitful.

Lyubava is an early grape variety of Russian selection, obtained from crossing Madeleine Anzhevin and Pineapple varieties on the basis of TSKhA in Moscow, included in the State Register of Russian Grape Varieties.

Lyubava is a vigorous variety, the bark of the mature vine is brown, covered with small reddish spots. The peculiarity of the variety is that the shoots ripen simultaneously with the ripening of the berries. A rich green, large leaf blade with lobes slightly curved towards the bottom, with a slight dissection. The surface is wrinkled, pubescence is pronounced, dense. The petiole notch is open, narrowly lined.

The variety was bred and zoned in the conditions of the central and southern regions of Russia. A mature vine successfully hibernates under an earthen shelter. Late opening of the eyes protects them from the effects of spring frosts. Cuttings of the variety root well. Specifications:

• frost resistance up to –24 ° C;

• defeat by mildew - 2.5 points;

• early ripening;

• pleasant nutmeg taste;

• is not affected by wasps, berries can remain on the bushes for a long time without losing taste and quality;

• recommended for home gardening.

Lyubava is a table grape, good fresh, wine lovers get decent quality wine from it. For industrial winemaking, this variety is almost never used.

The beginning of the ripening of Lyubava is very early, falls on mid-August in the Central Black Earth Region, the timing of the harvest may vary depending on the region of growth. In the northern regions of the country, fruiting stretches until mid-September. The growing season is 115 days.

The shape of the bunch is conical or cylindrical, brushes with a wing are found, the structure is loose. The average weight of one brush is 200 g, can reach a mass of 300 g.

The grapes are yellow, medium in size, lined over the entire cluster, round or oval in shape with a transparent, medium density skin, easy to eat. The pulp is juicy and fleshy. Contains an average of 2.4 seeds, medium to small in size. The average berry weight is 4.5 g. According to gardeners, the fruits can remain on the bushes until frost, their taste only improves over time, the berries do not crack and are not affected by wasps. The juice is colorless.

The grape has a pleasant, sweet nutmeg flavor, reminiscent of fruit marmalade and a specific honey aroma. The pulp is slimy. Tasting score 7.5 out of 10. Grapes contain:

• sugar - 18.7-21%;

• acid - 7.7 g / l.

With intensive industrial cultivation, up to 122 c / ha are obtained.

Chernozem and loamy soils are considered suitable for the Lyubava variety. The variety is unpretentious to growing conditions, but does not tolerate waterlogging at all, choosing a place for a vineyard, you should pay attention to the relief of the site - lowlands in which rain or melt water stagnates are not suitable. It is undesirable to plant Lyubava on the northern slopes. Lack of sunlight and lack of wind protection will not interfere with the growth of grapes, it is quite resistant to these factors, but it can reduce yields and increase the risk of freezing and fungal diseases.

The variety does not require the use of special agrotechnical techniques, rationing of the number and size of brushes. No crop overload is observed. Matures in difficult conditions without the use of heat accumulation techniques.

Lyubava is grown using a horizontal cordon, a long-sleeved form on a horizontal trellis, in a wall culture, where a frame covered with polyethylene or polycarbonate can play the role of a wall.

In a pre-designated place (sunny and protected from the winds), 2-3 weeks before planting, planting pits 80x80x80 cm are prepared. A drainage layer is arranged at the bottom. The pit is filled with a mixture of soil and mature compost with the addition of ash and complex mineral fertilizers. The distance between the Lyubava bushes should be at least 2 m.

The best time is considered April - mid-May for planting seedlings with lignified shoots; mid-May-June - for planting plants with green shoots. Autumn planting is possible only until mid-October, followed by warming of the young vineyard.

In the first year after planting grape seedlings, you should regularly:

• watering young plants;

• loosen the soil;

• form a bush;

• carry out preventive treatment for diseases.

These techniques will help the grapes take root faster and bring the harvest time closer.

The flowers of the Lyubava variety are bisexual; the grapes do not need pollinators.

Forming and sanitary pruning of grape bushes is mandatory every year.

The variety has medium frost resistance and can withstand temperatures as low as –26 ° C. Throughout the territory of central Russia, it requires shelter for the winter. Experienced gardeners use a dry shelter, consisting of wooden boxes with a vine laid inside, covered with sawdust and covered with a wooden lid with roofing felt.

The Lyubava variety, which is moderately resistant to diseases, can be affected by mildew and powdery mildew, therefore, two preventive fungicide treatments are carried out: before and after flowering. Experienced growers recommend getting rid of fallen leaves from the vineyard in the fall. This procedure is carried out in the morning, until the leaves killed by the frost have crumbled into dust.

Lyubava cannot be stored for a long time, in a cool place in a cardboard or wooden container, laid in one layer, it can be stored for up to 2 weeks.