- Authors: Pavlovsky Evgeny Georgievich
- Appointment: dining room
- Berry color: dark red
- Taste: nutmeg
- With bones: Yes
- Ripening period: early middle
- Ripening period, days: 125-135
- Frost resistance, ° C: -23
- Bunch weight, g: 724
- Flower type: bisexual
Each grape variety has certain properties and characteristics that must be taken into account during the cultivation process. Through the efforts of breeders, many varieties have been bred that give a tasty and healthy harvest. This includes the Senator.
Breeding history
The Senator grape is considered a relatively new hybrid variety. It was bred in the city of Novoshakhtinsk by a specialist E.G. Pavlovsky. However, there are sources indicating that this species was bred in Moldova, but these data are considered erroneous. The breeder used two varieties - Chocolate (PG-12) and Gift to Zaporozhye.
Description
A distinctive characteristic of the species is a vigorous bush. The color of large foliage is juicy green. The vine grows and ripens remarkably. Experts note the resistance of this species to some diseases.
Ripening period
Ripe fruits can be harvested in the second decade of the last summer month. The whole process takes approximately 125 to 135 days. The timing may vary depending on different conditions: climate, weather, care, as well as the use of agricultural machinery and fertilizers. This type of grape belongs to the early-middle.
Bunches
With proper care, large clusters ripen, the weight of which can reach one and a half kilograms. The average weight is over 700 grams. The shape is conical. Medium to high density is noted. Wet weather conditions can negatively affect the berries, causing them to rot or crack.
Berries
Ripe berries turn dark red. Each berry contains 2-3 large seeds. The skin is firm and thin. The shape is oval. The weight of one berry is more than 11 grams. The pulp is juicy and fleshy, with a pleasant nutmeg flavor.
Note: Despite the special taste, the fruit rarely infects wasps and bees. With proper care of the bush, the grapes can boast a bountiful and tasty harvest over the years. The fruits tolerate transportation remarkably well.
Taste
The fruits have a pleasant and delicate nutmeg taste, which is emphasized by a mild aftertaste. After ripening, the bunches can be left on the vine for a long time, while their taste remains unchanged, as well as the presentation.
Yield
Gardeners note the high yield of the Senator variety. From one square meter of planting, you can collect from 8 to 10 kilograms.
Growing features
The garden culture easily tolerates frosts down to -23 degrees Celsius. This characteristic allows you to grow the variety in northern latitudes. Despite this, the bushes need to be covered with the arrival of winter.On the territory of the southern regions, Senator grapes also feel great. It is a vigorous variety that is resistant to fungal infections.
Landing
Rooting of the cuttings is carried out in February (second half) and continues until March (first half). Only healthy cuttings are suitable for planting, without traces of diseases and other defects. The color of the cut should be green, and the first bud should be at a height of about 2 centimeters from the bottom.
After that, you need to make an incision in the form of a cross on the base. The root system will grow from there. For germination, you will need a jar or other container, on the bottom of which moistened cotton wool is spread. You need to add water as needed, avoiding drying out. The cuttings treated with wax are placed in a jar and left to grow on the sunny side. At least 2 weeks must pass before rooting.
As soon as the roots reach 0.5 centimeters long, you can transplant the plant into the ground. The necessary soil mixture can be prepared with your own hands. To do this, the humus must be mixed with sand in a ratio of 2 to 1. The resulting soil is distributed in previously prepared containers, at the base of which you need to make holes for draining excess water. A drainage layer is laid out at the bottom, fine gravel is great. After transplanting, the cuttings need to be watered.
Pollination
This grape variety has bisexual flowers, as a result of which it is able to pollinate itself.
Pruning
The Senator grape is considered a vigorous plant, so it needs to be pruned. Experts advise to do a long cut, which will remove 8 to 20 eyes, or medium - from 5 to 6 eyes. Removal of excess branches is performed in the spring, but only after bud break.
It is also recommended to chase the vines at the end of summer, this contributes to better ripening of the shoots. Cut the vine from above by about 20-30 centimeters. Two full vines will be enough to form a bush. All other shoots are removed. And also pruning of branches is performed at the end of autumn, before the shelter of the bushes.
Watering
To get a tasty and rich harvest, you need to regularly irrigate the bushes of the grapes. The optimal frequency of watering is once a week. If the weather is hot and dry outside, you need to moisten the soil 2 times a week. It is important to keep the soil moist, preventing the soil from drying out and cracking. Water the grapes under the root so that the liquid does not fall on the foliage. Otherwise, the leaves may become covered with sunburn.
Top dressing
Regular feeding of grapes is necessary. Experts advise using organic matter such as chicken manure or rotted manure. Fertilizer can be combined with watering. Fertilizers are applied 2 times a year. The grapes must be fed in the spring, after the winter shelter has been removed. The next time feeding is needed before flowering. The third time is fertilized at the initial stage of the formation of bunches. Mineral compounds are also used. The composition of the dressings is the same as for other varieties.And also, in addition to folk remedies and organics, experienced gardeners recommend the Master or Novofert preparations.
Frost resistance and the need for shelter
The variety has a high resistance to frost, up to -24 degrees, but it is necessary to cover the plant for the winter.
Diseases and pests
The variety can be attacked by various kinds of pests and diseases. During the ripening process, the berries attract the attention of wasps and birds. If you do not save the grapes in time, you can lose your harvest. For protection, dense nylon bags are used, in which brushes are placed. This material does not interfere with sunlight, while it will protect the fruit from pests.
It is also recommended to carefully examine the plant for the presence of various defects - spots, cracks and other signs of disease. Various formulations are available on the market to protect, treat, and prevent disease.
If a grape is exposed to any disease or insect, this always affects its appearance.
Storage
Fruits of the Senator variety have the ability to be stored for a long time. Due to their density, they retain their presentation for a long time.