Grapes Riddle Sharov

Grapes Zagadka Sharova has been holding one of the leading positions among frost-resistant varieties for more than 40 years. With its appearance, he marked a new era in the cultivation of this thermophilic plant in the harsh conditions of Siberia and Altai. Despite its popularity among winegrowers, Sharov's Riddle did not receive wide support from the Research Institute of Horticulture in the region. Saplings of the variety are still purchased mainly through private hands; it is rather difficult to find them in official nurseries.

A new hybrid was introduced in 1972 by R.F.Sharov, an amateur breeder from Biysk. To obtain the variety, the parent plants Far Eastern No. 60 and a mixture of pollen of early subspecies (Magarach No. 352, Tukai and others) were used. The Altai breeder is considered the unofficial founder of the northern viticulture traditions. Sharov worked independently, not under the auspices of the regional research institute of gardening, so his hybrids from the very beginning were distributed among amateurs, bypassing nurseries.

It is interesting that one of the parents of this variety - Far Eastern No. 60 - himself belongs to the category of hybrids. It was obtained by breeding Amur grapes, known for their record frost resistance.

Sharov's riddle is successfully cultivated throughout Siberia. The sum of temperatures optimal for its full ripening varies in the range of 1800-2500 degrees Celsius. This indicator is consistent not only with the climate of Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk, Biysk. The variety is successfully cultivated on the territory of central Russia, in the Moscow region it easily winters without additional shelter. Suitable for growing in regions with not too long warm periods and long winters.

Sharov's Riddle is an early variety that ripens in the climatic zone of Altai by the beginning of August. The typical growing season is 100 to 110 days. With greenhouse maturation, this figure is reduced by 20-30%. Similarly, the harvest ripens 3-4 weeks earlier in regions with a warmer climate.

The variety Zagadka Sharova has small clusters, winged or branched, loose, weighing 100-500 g. In favorable climatic conditions, the mass increases. In this case, on a 5-year-old bush, you can find clusters of 300-600 g.

The Zagadka Sharova variety is characterized by dark blue spherical berries with 2-3 seeds inside. The sugar content in fruits reaches 210-220 g / dm3, their weight varies from 2.2 to 3 grams. The berries are medium in size, have a dense, but rather thin skin. Their ripe pulp is juicy and refreshing. As the berries ripen, they acquire a black-blue tone with a pronounced white bloom of wax.

The variety is characterized by a bright, harmonious taste with pronounced raspberry-strawberry berry notes, replacing each other as they become ripe. The variety is appreciated for its refinement and sophistication. Fruit and berry flavors and sweetness make Sharov's Riddle an excellent option for dessert grapes that can favorably set off the taste of dishes.

The variety is low and medium yielding. In cold climatic zones, no more than 10 kg of berries per season can be harvested from a bush.

The cultivation of grapes of the Zagadka Sharova variety does not cause much trouble. The only thing to consider is that it cannot be grown in areas with high groundwater levels. Where they lie close to the soil surface, the vine, with a high degree of probability, will simply die. Choose well-lit areas that are sheltered from the wind. Since the vine grows up to 3 meters in height, you should take care of creating reliable supports in advance.

The peculiarities of cultivating the variety include the possibility of using it as a rootstock, propagation by simple cuttings. Cultivation with a stem and a bush is possible. The grapes bear fruit even with short pruning of the vine, which is characteristic of this particular hybrid.

The best conditions for growing this variety are considered to be planting in a wall culture, next to buildings, on their southern side. Any soil is suitable, but fairly dry, well-drained. The variety is successfully cultivated in sand, rocky areas. It is recommended to land in a trench manner, while maintaining a covering ditch 30 cm deep and up to 0.5 meters wide.

The planting trench itself is divided into segments. A hole is made under each seedling with a depth of 75-90 cm. When planting, the stock is left above the ground at a level of at least 70 mm. The root system of this hybrid grows to a depth of 10 mm for 5 years and is able to receive nutrition even in the most unfavorable conditions.

The seedling is prepared before planting. The roots are cut to a length of 100 mm, leaving 1 shoot 3-5 cm long with 2 buds. By winter, the seedling will become lignified, the next year after planting it will yield a harvest.

The variety is self-pollinated. On the vines are bisexual flowers, 2-3 on each shoot. In addition to the buds, antennae are formed that braid the support.

The Riddle Sharova variety needs regular preventive pruning. On a plant of the first year of life, it is carried out in the fall, leaving a single shoot, the most well-developed and strongest. It can be identified by the presence of a brown outer cover with no signs of greenery.

Standard autumn pruning of an adult plant involves shortening the shoots to 5-6 eyes. In the spring, reorganization is carried out. No more than 2-4 eyes are left on the lash. In the summer, the bush is stepchild in order to direct its vitality to the formation and ripening of berries. Excess leaves are also removed.

On adult bushes, the load is adjusted. The optimal number of brushes in this case is set individually. It is not recommended to leave more than 3 to escape.

Sharov's riddle belongs to frost-resistant hybrids. Plants can withstand temperatures down to -32 degrees. Additional shelter is not required in snowy winters. In the absence of heavy rainfall, the vines need to be covered with earth or needles, while bending the shoots to the ground. The Zagadka Sharova variety is well protected from root freezing; even with a significant drop in atmospheric temperatures, it does not lose its viability.

The hybrid is not highly resistant to disease. He is susceptible to defeat by mildew, suffers from oidium. Preventive treatment with antifungal agents must be carried out before the start of the season and during the growing season. Among the pests infecting grapes, the Sharov's Riddle, stands out a load-bearing leaflet. And also the plant suffers from itching, phylloxera.

Do not forget about other sources of danger. Sweet and juicy berries attract wasps and birds. It is imperative to take care of ensuring the safety of the crop.

Shelf life of grapes Riddle Sharov reaches 3 months. It tolerates transportation well, due to its dense skin it avoids damage during transportation. Collected bunches are usually placed in wooden boxes. During storage, it is important to keep the room cool, not to disturb the white wax coating on the brushes.