Grapes in Memory of Negrul: characteristics and description of the variety, planting and care

Among the novelties of breeding collections over the course of several years, the black grape “Negrul memory” has invariably taken the leading position. Appetizing appearance, unpretentiousness, excellent taste qualities - this is not the whole list of advantages, time-tested varieties. He came to taste not only amateur gardeners, but also “sharks” in the vineyard business for growing on an industrial scale.

Grade description

The birthplace of the variety is the Republic of Moldova. In 1975, a team of scientists from the Moldavian Institute for Viticulture and Winemaking was engaged in grape breeding. As a result of the crossing of two varieties “Koarne Nyagre” and “Pierrell”, a new table variety of black grapes was bred. The name of the variety was dedicated to the memory of the great scientist Alexander Negrul. Striking in its popularity and prevalence throughout the Russian Federation, grapes are still not included in the domestic register of selection achievements. At home, after state testing, the variety was adopted and registered in 2015.

Ripening rate and cultivation regions

From the period of opening of flower buds to removable maturity, an average of 150 days passes. Ripening time varies slightly depending on the region of growth. According to the reviews of winegrowers, berries gain the maximum amount of sugars by September 10-15. Regardless of the geographical location of the garden plots, these readings converge. Only in the south of the country the ripening time is reduced to 135-140 days.

An unpretentious grape tree grows well and bears fruit in all regions. The roots located in the upper part of the soil and shoots withstand frost up to -25 degrees. The frost-resistant variety is suitable for cultivation even in the northern regions, subject to additional shelter.

Description of grape bushes

From the original varieties, the plant inherited a powerful, tall vine. Erect shoots with proper care sometimes reach a height of two meters. Ripening per season is ¾ of the length of the stems. The leaf plate is five-lobed, juicy green, rounded, with branching venation. The surface of the leaves is smooth on the outside, the reverse side is slightly pubescent. A strong, hardy plant is not afraid of a large load of bunches.

Plants are endowed with strong immunity to the most insidious diseases of the culture. Grape growers note that the bushes are rarely affected by rot of a different nature, mildew, oidium. Grape tick bypasses planting side. Such qualities are very attractive for farmers, since in the conditions of industrial plantings there is no way to carefully treat every bush.

Another positive feature of the variety is self-pollination. Grapes do not require planting additional bushes and perfectly fruit alone. In addition, the variety itself is a good pollinator for grapes with similar flowering times.

Fruit characterization

The berries of Negrul grapes have the following characteristics:

• finger-shaped form with a pointed tip;
• large (8-11 grams);
• the color is deep purple, almost black;
• the skin is dense, with a tart aftertaste and pronounced wax coating;
• the pulp is juicy, crispy, with 2-3 seeds;
• the taste is sweet, with subtle acidity.

Berries are so attractive that sometimes they are mistaken for a dummy. Bunches of larger than average size often have a conical shape, sometimes the shape of a cylinder. The average weight of the fruit brush is 1-1.5 kg.

Productivity

The variety is high-yielding. The plant gives the first signal cluster for 2-3 years of life. The yield peak is 8–9 years after planting. At an amateur level, 10-12 kg can be collected from one square meter of bush nutrition. When cultivated over large areas, fertility averages about 200 kg per hectare of land.

The purpose of the variety

The scope of berries is wide. As a sweet treat, they are suitable for consumption from the bush. Home-made wine, juices, compotes, confiture - all this and not only can be prepared from the fruits of the Negrul memory variety. By planting several bushes on the site, you can get a crop not only for your needs, but also for sale. Problems with the implementation of the crop will not arise. Presentation berries quickly go to agricultural fairs.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

Given the characteristics of the variety and the reviews of winegrowers, the positive characteristics of Negrul grapes include:

• frost resistant;
• unpretentious;
• easily adapts to various climatic conditions;
• drought tolerant;
• high yielding;
• self-pollinated;
• possesses strong immunity;
• presentation of berries;
• good taste.

Of the negative features, only the presence of seeds in the berries can be noted, which in fact is not a significant drawback.

Features of cultivation and care

Grapes are an unpretentious vine, which in natural conditions grows and bears fruit without human help. Cultivated grape varieties in the mid-continental climate minimal care is still required. It consists of simple and familiar procedures for any gardener.

Landing

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Plant grape seedlings best in autumn. The choice of planting material in the fall is better, and the seedlings themselves are much stronger than spring ones. Planting time is determined based on the climate of the region. But in any case, this must be done no later than a month before the first frosts. In the spring, these periods depend on the rate of soil warming up and the time when the return frosts recede.

For grapes, it is best to highlight a high, sunny place, sheltered from the winds. Not bad grapes in memory of Negrul grows in partial shade. Tall bushes require space, so the distance between plants should be at least 2 meters. When planting, it is important to organize a good drainage system. At the bottom of the landing pit, lay a broken brick or large expanded clay layer with a layer of 20-30 cm. Seedlings should be placed with a slight slope to the side where the support will be installed.

Fertilizing during planting is necessary only on poor, depleted soils. If the soil is regularly fertilized or cultivated plants have not grown on the site for a long time, you can do without them.

Watering

A powerful root system goes deep into the ground, so the plant can independently provide itself with moisture. Of course this does not apply to young bushes, the first 3-4 years of life. They need timely watering, especially in dry years. Consumption per plant 1-2 buckets, depending on age and weather conditions. To preserve moisture, it is best to mulch the soil in the vineyard with straw or mowed, dried grass.

Top dressing

In spring, as soon as the snow melts by the root method, it is recommended to introduce a complex mineral fertilizer, for example, Kemira or Mortar. Before flowering, organic dressing is appropriate.

For one square meter of the near-stem circle, the consumption is 1 bucket of humus or rotted manure. To improve the formation of ovaries, the grape tree can be treated with a solution of boric acid.

At the time of flowering and filling berries top dressing should be discontinued. Experienced growers are advised to introduce a new portion of nutrients only in the fall, according to the following scheme:

• in September organic matter is added for digging - liquid chicken droppings diluted in a proportion of 1:10; rotted mullein 2 buckets per 1 square meter, under digging.
• at the end of October, mineral fertilizers - phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, for example, dilute 30 g into ten liters of water. superphosphate, 30 gr. potassium sulfate.

Bush formation

If neglected work on pruned, thin and frail branches will grow on a grape tree. You will not have to wait for fruit brush ovaries from such bushes. You can not be limited to removing only damaged and dried branches. Negrul grape bushes have great growth power. Therefore, this approach will lead to severe plant thickening, poor ripening of the vine and weakening of the immune system.

Form a bush annually in two stages: in spring and autumn. After leaf fall, all mustaches, excess lateral shoots, unripened part of the vine are cut off on the grapes. For the variety, shortening of shoots to an average length is suitable, that is, 6-8 eyes should remain on one shoot. You can start work after the first small frosts.

In order not to cause an abundant flow of the apiary, spring pruning is gentle. It is enough to remove the shoots at the very base of the bush and poorly developed branches.

Support Garter

Already in the second year of life, the bushes of the Negrul memory reach a height of more than 1.5 meters. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to establish a support and tie up the plant. In addition, the correct garter provides:

• better ventilation;
• decorative look;
• more sunlight coming in;
• better pollination;
• easy care.

In early spring, they carry out a “dry” garter for the shoots that have not yet blossomed. In summer, as the vine grows, they tie up at least 4 more times. The trellis can be made of wood or metal. The height of the structure must be at least 3 meters. For fastening use soft twine.

Pest and Disease Control

The Negrul memory variety has a unique resistance to diseases and pests inherent in culture. But errors in care can weaken even such a strong immunity. As a preventive measure against parasite attacks and pathogenic pathogens, the vineyard must be kept well-groomed. Work that must be performed regularly:

• comply with the landing pattern;
• remove weed grass (can be replaced by mulching);
• Prevent waterlogging of the soil;
• engage in bush formation;
• timely fertilizer;
• Harvest on time.

Preparing for the winter season

Cover grapes It is required only in regions where temperatures drop and keep for a long time below 35 degrees. In areas with snowy winters, it is also better to hedge and build a simple shelter. To do this, you can use a fallen needle, agrofibre or burlap. It is best to install arches or wooden supports above the vine, and throw cover material on top of them.

Reviews

Natalya, Leningrad region

Among all my Negrul varieties, the most unpretentious of black ones. For 13 years I have been getting great yields. From one bush, which has grown greatly and occupies about two square meters, I collect about 20 kg. By the tenth year of life, yield began to decline slightly, but anti-aging pruning managed to solve this problem. The taste of berries without any frills is simple, grape, sweet. Of the shortcomings, I would note the presence of seeds in the berries.

Nina Mikhailovna, Yoshkar-Ola

Minimal care, high yields, environmentally friendly berries, good taste - all this I can say about the grape variety in memory of Negrul. Of all the possible agricultural activities, I spend only autumn and spring pruning. In the autumn, I cut the length of the vine to 10 eyes, and in the spring I remove the extra or damaged shoots. Winters are very snowy, so I do not shelter bushes. Under good snowdrifts, freezing is not observed.

Conclusion

For those who just decided to seriously engage in viticulture or just try to grow one bush of grapes in their garden plot, a variety of memory of Negrul is a real find. Grapes that do not require any special conditions and complicated techniques of agricultural technology will be a good start.