Kishmish is a popular dessert and table grape with seedless sweet berries. The variety, subject to agricultural technology, is safely cultivated in Russia. We learn what varieties of raisins are, how to plant and grow them in a temperate climate.
Origin and history of cultivation
The word "kishmish" comes from Persia. The literal translation is “dried grapes”. The birthplace of the variety is considered to be Central Asia, and the first mention of Kishmish is found in an ancient Uzbek fairy tale of the 13th century.
In Kishmish, unlike other types of grapes, the seeds are very small, or not at all. Such grapes owe their appearance to a natural mutation. Vinogradar, noting the results of natural "selection", continued the experiments. As a result, many varieties and varieties of Kishmish were obtained - white, pink, dark.
Botanical Description
Kishmish combines a group of varieties with similar botanical features and characteristics:
- The bunch Dense or slightly loose. The berries are medium. The color of the fruit depends on the variety.
- Berries With a dense structure, lightweight. Seed free. There are hybrid varieties in which the bones are very small and not developed, and are practically not felt.
- Pulp. Very sweet, contains a lot of sugars - 18-25%.
Kishmish is a grape ideal for raisins. Seedless sweet berries are what you need for this popular and valuable product.
Varieties of Kishmish and their characteristics
Thanks to selection, many southern cultures, previously not available for most regions of the Russian Federation, today grow safely in temperate climates, in Siberia and the Urals. Consider the most popular varieties of raisins that endure Russian frosts.
Radiant
This is the only variety of kishmish introduced today in the State Register. "Radiant" is recommended for the Lower Volga and North Caucasus regions. The variety is mid-ripening, ripens in 125-130 days. The cone-shaped brushes, medium in size, weigh about 400 g. Individual specimens reach a weight of 1 kg and a length of 40 cm. The berries are elongated in ovoid shape, with a dense pink skin. The weight of the berries is 2.5-4 g. There is a taste of nutmeg.
Pros:
- very tasty berries, tasting rating - 9 out of 10;
- high productivity - more than 120 centners per 1 ha;
- resistance to gray rot, mildew and oidium;
- berries are well tolerated.
Minuses:
- low frost resistance;
- high productivity turns into a disadvantage - under the weight of bunches of grapes often break branches;
- because of the high yield, fading of berries can also be observed, a decrease in their sugar content.
Moldavian
Kishmish of medium maturity. 155 days pass from the moment the buds open to ripen. Bushes are vigorous, with large tassels. The weight of the clusters is 600 g. The fruits are round or oval, light purple with a waxy coating. The weight of berries is 4-6 g.
Pros:
- pleasant, harmonious taste;
- winter storage - 180 days;
- well transported.
Minuses:
- low resistance to mildew, gray rot and leafwort;
- frost resistance is satisfactory - the variety withstands frosts up to minus 18 ° С.
See the review of the Moldavian sultanas in the video below:
White
It takes 160-175 days to fully ripen the fruit. This medium-late variety can be grown in the middle lane. Bunches of medium size, cylindrical. Weight - up to 250 g. The fruits are small. Color - lemon or amber yellow. The skin is transparent, thin. Sweet and sour berries.
Pros:
- average frost resistance;
- tasty berries;
- no bones.
Minuses:
- low yields;
- low resistance to diseases and pests;
- poorly transported.
Due to the poor transportability of White raisins, it is more often used for drying than for making wines and juices.
Rusball
Grapes ripen in 115-125 days. He has large, conical-shaped clusters, reaching a weight of 1 kg. The berries are oval, white. Very large. Weight - 8-10 g. The taste is pleasant. The pulp contains rudimentary seeds.
Pros:
- high frost resistance - up to minus 25 ° C;
- consistently high productivity;
- resistance to fungal infections;
- obtaining high-quality raisins;
- attractive presentation;
- tolerates transportation well;
- suitable for table use and for drying.
Minuses:
- branches under the load of the crop can be overloaded and broken - normalization is needed;
- seeds are found in berries;
- in rainy weather, cracking occurs.
There is an improved version of Rusbol - Rusbol improved, also known as 13-3-6-2 Elf. It is characterized by earlier ripening.
Century
Grapes "Century" represents the American group of raisins. He was bred in 1966, but he is still very popular. Ripens on 120-125 days, therefore, refers to mid-ripening varieties. The plant is vigorous, with conical, medium dense, clusters. The weight of the clusters is 700-1200 g. The color of the berries is yellow-green. Weight - 6-9 g.
Pros:
- large clusters;
- sweet, uniform, slightly crunchy flesh;
- balanced taste with the aroma of nutmeg;
- resistance to cracking berries;
- a large number of clusters on the vine;
- berries are suitable for raisins;
- good frost resistance - up to minus 25 ° С.
Minus - not good good keeping quality. During storage, the berries quickly acquire a brown tint, lose their visual appeal.
The “Century” variety is best known to gardeners as “Centeniel sidlis,” which means “seedless century”.
Jupiter
This is one of the youngest varieties of raisins. It was bred in the USA. Berries ripen in 105-125 days. Bushes are medium-sized, frost-resistant, self-pollinating. The clusters are cylindrical, with a “wing” converging into a cone. The berries are large, oval, dark blue, with the scent of nutmeg. The weight of bunches is 200-500 g, berries 4-7 g. The variety is used for drying and fresh food.
Pros:
- dense peel does not allow wasps to damage berries;
- stable yield;
- withstands 30 degree frosts;
- good transportability.
Minuses:
- berries crumble if you do not pick the clusters on time;
- sometimes rudiments of seeds are found.
About the rape “Jupiter”, see the video below:
Zaporizhzhya
The variety was named after the city where it was bred. The clusters are conical, large, reaching a weight of up to 1.5 kg. The weight of the berries is 2-2.5 g. The shape is oval, the color is dark purple. Matures very quickly - in 110-120 days.
Pros:
- consistently plentiful fruiting;
- unpretentious to care;
- beautiful and tasty fruits;
- self-pollinating, is a good pollinator for other varieties;
- not afraid of mildew, rot and oidium;
- withstands frosts down to minus 26 ° C.
Minuses:
- small berries;
- branches can break off due to overload - you need to trim large stepsons;
- the berries are somewhat watery;
- the fruits gain sugar content late;
- enhanced stepchildren education;
- berries are poorly stored;
- the fruits are attacked by wasps - for some reason these insects love Zaporizhzhya raisins more than other varieties.
Hungarian 342
This is one of the most popular dessert varieties of raisins. It belongs to the early ripening category, it takes 110 to 115 days to ripen the fruit. Plants are vigorous with large clusters. The weight of the hands is 300-500 g. The flesh is of delicate consistency, the taste of nutmeg is felt. The color of the berries is light green with a golden sheen. Weight - 2-3.5 g. The shape of the fruit is ovoid.
Pros:
- frost resistance - up to minus 26 ° С;
- fruits are ideal for drying;
- increased resistance to fungal diseases;
- the skin is thin, the fruits are easily absorbed, including by the children's body.
Minuses:
- clusters not broken in time lose marketable properties;
- berries can have a rudimentary sign - seeds;
- small clusters.
Veles
A variety of early ripening. The ripening period is 95-105 days. Self-pollinating variety, but in the presence of pollinating varieties, productivity increases by 20%. The clusters are very large - weighing up to 3 kg. The form of clusters is cylindrical or conical. The fruits are large, oval, light pink, with an amber hue. The berries seem transparent. Weight - 5 g. In the aroma - musky notes.
Pros:
- very thin skin;
- no bones;
- high productivity;
- ripened clusters, remaining on the vine, do not lose taste until 45 days;
- pleasant taste, with a muscat shade;
- berries ripen, do not crumble.
Minuses:
- frost resistance is average - up to 21 ° C, the variety needs shelter;
- clusters are attacked by bees;
- in rain and dampness the berries' marketable appearance deteriorates.
Where is it growing?
Kishmish has long left the borders of Central Asia - today this grape is grown in a very different climate. There are varieties - early ripe and frost-resistant, which grow safely in regions with harsh winters and short summers. But most of all, this grape loves sandy soils rich in potassium and phosphorus, and a light breeze.
Ideal conditions for the growth of raisins - in the Crimea. The northern border of distribution stretches along the Kiev-Saratov-Barnaul line. But it does not stop experienced gardeners - they manage to grow frost-resistant varieties of kishmish far north. Of course, for the winter, raisins in regions with frosty winters must be covered.
The main condition for fruiting raisins is at least 180 frost-free days per year.
Advantages and disadvantages of raisins in general
Kishmish is a popular group of varieties that wine growers and ordinary amateur gardeners value for:
- lack of seeds - berries are convenient for fresh food and for processing;
- universality - fruits are used for making raisins, wines, juices;
- sweetness and excellent taste;
- relatively high frost resistance - up to minus 25 ° C;
- good pollination ability - excellent pollinators are obtained from all varieties of raisins;
- nutritional value and medicinal properties of berries - they support the heart muscle, normalize blood pressure;
- high productivity - 200-250 centners per 1 ha;
- early maturity;
- good rooting of cuttings and high-quality ripening of fruits even in the northern regions;
- preservation of presentation and taste during long-term transportation;
- resistance of fruits to cracking at changes in temperature and humidity;
- the external attractiveness of the plant - raisins can be used for decorative purposes.
Disadvantages:
- In some varieties, the fruits, overripe, are prone to shedding - you have to carefully monitor their ripening in order to harvest on time.
- Satisfactory resistance to gray rot, oidium and mildew - bushes need regular processing.
Landing Features
If you want to grow sweet raisins in your area - choose a variety suitable for your region. Then select and prepare the site, prepare everything you need for planting.
The timing
You can plant Kishmish in autumn and spring. In the homeland of the variety, and in the southern regions of Russia, grapes are usually planted in the fall - in October or November. A month and a half before frost, the root system of grapes has time to get used to new conditions, and the seedling to get stronger and take root.
In regions with frosty winters, it is preferable to plant Kishmish in the spring - so that the seedlings do not suffer during sudden frosts. Spring planting is carried out before the onset of sap flow, when the plant is still sleeping.
The optimum soil temperature is + 10 ° C. Grapes are not planted in colder soil - the roots may freeze. Typically, such conditions are created in April-May.
In the fall, seedlings are planted; for planting cuttings, the best time is spring.
Site selection
Recommendations for choosing a site for planting Kishmish:
- Good sunshine is needed - this grape will not grow in dense shade.
- There should be no trees nearby - competition for water and nutrients will begin.
- Drafts and gusty winds are excluded, grapes need peace and comfort.
- The best option is a sunny area, looking south or southwest, flat or with a slight slope.
- A good solution is to land at a structure that covers the north. Usually grapes are planted near the stone walls of sheds, garages, etc. But this is not worth doing near the walls of a residential building - because of abundant watering, the foundation may settle.
- Kishmish is able to grow on any soil, but it bears fruit best on loose and nutritious soils - they quickly warm up and contribute to the penetration of moisture and oxygen to the roots.
Similar properties are typical for loamy and light loamy soils, as well as for chernozems on calcareous and chalky rocks. Sandstones are a good option, but keep in mind that they quickly lose water and nutrients. - Kishmish should not be planted on soils located closer than 1 m to rocky rocks, as well as in wetland and saline areas.
The sweetness of Kishmish depends on the amount of sun. Slight shading is allowed only in the first years of growth. This grape is distinguished by vigorous bushes, so they can easily be brought to the zone of maximum illumination.
Soil preparation
Soil preparation is done in advance. If grapes have to be planted in spring, then the plot is prepared in the fall. Proceed in the following order:
- Clean the area of everything superfluous - remove stones, weeds and their roots, smooth the surface.
- Dig a section 65-70 cm deep. Under digging, add humus - 3-4 kg per 1 sq. m, and superphosphate - 100 g per 1 sq. km. m
- When digging, do not try to break up large lumps - during the winter they will accumulate a lot of moisture and fall apart in the spring.
- If necessary, adjust the composition of the soil - if it is acidic, add 1-1.5 kg of phosphate rock. If the soil is heavy, clay - add coarse sand, humus and crushed stones. Loose sandy soils need peat, manure or chernozem.
Seedling Selection
The subsequent development of the grape and its productivity depends on the health of the planting material. How to choose seedlings for planting:
- The best transplant carries young planting material - aged 1-2 years.
- The root system must be powerful, strong, without defects and traces of disease. Let the seller cut a piece of the root so that you look at the cut - if it is light, then the roots are alive.
- The stamp should be flat, without any signs of infection. If there are spots, inflows and thickenings on the stem, such a seedling is not suitable for planting.
- A seedling must have at least one annual growth, and it is thick enough, and it must have buds.
Landing methods and instructions for them
Before planting, the roots of the seedling are put in water for several days - so that it absorbs the required amount of moisture. For 2-3 weeks, no later, prepare the pit.
Planting of rape seedlings:
- Dig a hole with a depth of 70-80 cm. Approximately the same diameter should be - 80-100 cm. This value is necessary for comfortable placement of the root system - it will develop well only in loose soil saturated with oxygen.
- Mix the fertile soil when digging a hole with rotted manure (2-3 buckets), superphosphate (200-300 g) and potassium salt (100-200 g).
- Drive a support into the bottom of the pit and lay down the drain - beaten brick or coarse gravel will do. The support is placed on the north side.
- Pour the soil mixture into the pit, and fill it with water to settle.
- When the time of planting approaches, in a loose soil mixture, poured into a pit, make a deepening. Select its depth so that the planted seedling above the ground remains only 2 eyes.
- Place the seedling so that its roots are lowered vertically.
- Fill the roots with fertile soil and tamp with your hands.
- Pour the seedling with warm water.
- When the water is absorbed, sprinkle the soil around the seedling with mulch. You can read more about soil mulching here.
Between neighboring seedlings of Kishmish there should be a distance of 2.5-3 m, and the same between rows.
The planting depth is affected by the climatic conditions of the region and soil composition:
- In the south, seedlings are placed so that their heel is at a distance of 50-55 cm from the surface of the earth.
- In colder regions and on sandstones - at a distance of 60-65 cm.
Care Features
Care for Kishmish involves a sequence of agricultural activities. The grapes are cut, regularly watered, fertilized, and prepared in the fall for winter.
Kishmish Care Schedule:
Month, period | Work |
May | The overgrown vine is tied up and pruned. |
June | Pinch the plant on 2 sheets, remove the shoots and make top dressing. |
July | Carry out the following work:
|
Beginning of august | Produce:
|
End of August or beginning of September | Harvesting. |
The whole growing season | Loosening, weeding - every 2-3 weeks. |
During harvesting, irrigation and top dressing is stopped.
When and how to water?
Kishmish loves moisture, and if it lacks water, its roots will begin to grow deeper - up to 2-2.5 m. The vine will wither away, the clusters will not gain weight, and the berries will be juicy. If there is no rain, then Kishmish is watered at least once a week.
Kishmish should be watered during such periods:
- beginning of vegetation;
- a week before flowering;
- after flowering;
- during fruit loading.
2 weeks before harvesting, the irrigation rate is reduced by half - so that the berries do not crack.
In summer, on especially hot days, grapes are watered more often than usual - every 3-4 days. The irrigation rate is calculated taking into account the properties of the soil, on average 2-3 buckets of water are poured under one bush.
To absorb moisture evenly, it is recommended to give the plant water in two stages - in the morning and in the evening.
Top dressing and fertilizer table
Principles of feeding Kishmish:
- Feeding is moderate, combining organics with complex fertilizers.
- In the spring and at the beginning of summer, nitrogen is added - to activate shoot growth, and organic matter.
- In the second half of summer, phosphorus and potassium are added - they are necessary for the formation of large and sweet berries. Nitrogen is not introduced from the second half of summer.
- It is advisable to apply liquid dressings during watering.
Norms and periods of fertilizer application:
Period | Fertilizer application rates (dosage is calculated for 10 l of water) |
Early spring | For one bush make a solution:
Instead of mineral top dressing, you can make organic - manure solution. |
Before flowering (about a week) |
Or they add organic matter - 2 kg of manure to a bucket of water. |
Mid July |
|
Mid october | Potash and phosphorus fertilizers - 25 g each |
Foliar treatment
Foliar top dressing - spraying nutrients on top of leaves. This method is used if there is no effect from root dressing, or to achieve maximum yield. This method requires caution - it is important not to burn the leaves and not spoil the berries.
The first foliar top dressing is carried out a week before flowering. It is used regardless of whether root dressing has been performed. To save time, foliar top dressing is mixed with fungicide and insecticide.
Composition No. 1 of foliar top dressing:
- 40 g of urea;
- 20 g of citric acid;
- 15 g of boric acid;
- 1 g of iron sulfate.
Composition number 2:
- 0.2% ammonium sulfate;
- 0.05% potassium permanganate;
- 0.6% potassium sulfate;
- 0.5% urea.
If you do not want to deal with the preparation of solutions, buy ready-made - "Clean Sheet", "Novofert", "Ovary" and others. It is also recommended to use the growth stimulator of brushes and berries - “Gibberellin” for spraying.
Grapes are sprayed on a cloudy day or in the evening. In the solution, you can add glycerin or vegetable oil - 30 g. This will slow down the evaporation of the solution.
The second top dressing is carried out after flowering, when the grapes are sprayed from pests. Since August, foliar feeding is stopped so that the growth of young shoots is not activated.
Pruning
For the first 3-4 years, the grape bush is shaped - this is necessary for easy care and high productivity. Pruning Kishmish, regardless of the timing of planting, begins in the spring. Usually use a cordon form with one or two sleeves, looking, as a rule, in one direction. Read about spring pruning here.
Kishmish pruning principles:
- So that the bush does not experience overloads, no more than 10-12 vines are left for each meter of height.
- Kishmish has vigorous bushes, therefore a long pruning is used for it - about 8-12 eyes are left on the vine. The first 4-5 buds on the vine are barren - this is a feature of Kishmish and other grape varieties from Central Asia.
- Excess and weak shoots cut off.
- On each shoot no more than two brushes are left.
Winter preparations
In the southern regions of the Kishmish landing, there is no need to shelter, but, starting from central Russia, warming for the winter is a must.
The order of preparation of Kishmish for winter:
- Aisle weeding - for better preservation of moisture and the destruction of weeds.
- The latter is pre-winter top dressing (phosphate-potassium fertilizers are added).
- Shelter shoots. Having untied, they are laid on the ground, pinned with brackets. Non-woven material is placed on top of the shoots and then sprinkled with a layer of earth. Sometimes they even build plywood boxes on top.
Diseases and Pests
Due to diseases and pests, yield is lost. To prevent losses, timely prevention is needed.
Symptoms and measures to combat diseases and pests of Kishmish:
Diseases / Pests | Symptoms / Harm | How to treat? | Prevention |
White rot | It affects the crests and stalks of the berries, then the berries themselves, then covers the entire brush. On the vine there are spots bordered with black. Provocateurs - sunburn, hail, mildew. | Spraying with Bordeaux liquid 4%, Kaptan's solution 5% or a suspension of TMTD 1%. | Proper pruning - the bushes should be well ventilated. |
Gray rot | There are brown spots on the berries. They crack, covered with a fluffy coating. | There is no effective treatment. | Breaking and garter shoots - so that there is access to sunlight. As soon as the first signs of defeat appear, the entire crop is immediately removed. |
Rubella | Brownish spots appear on the leaves. Leaves dry and fall prematurely. The disease begins in April-May. | If rubella appeared last season, then treatment begins next spring. Spray Bordeaux liquid. You can also use Tsineb 0.5%. | Spraying with 1% Bordeaux fluid. Timely top dressing and soil care. |
Leaflet | Ovaries and buds are damaged. Damaged berries spoil, rot. | To destroy the tracks, apply Wofatox (per 1 sq. M - 3 g). | They set traps for butterflies - containers, hang them at a distance of 0.7 m from the ground. They pour wine slurry diluted with water 1: 3. After removing the winter shelter, they immediately clean off the old bark - pupae hibernate in it and burn it. |
Wasps | Berries spoil - they become unsuitable for storage. | The whole range of possible measures is used - traps, poisoned baits, pesticides. | Planting plants that repel wasps near grapes - lemon balm, basil, mint are suitable. |
Useful grade information
Kishmish berries are tasty, healthy and versatile in application, but their use requires control. In order not to harm the body, take into account the specific properties of raisins.
Nutritional and energy value
Kishmish is rich in vitamins and minerals:
- It contains a lot of B vitamins - they are the key to the strength of the nervous system. The use of this grape helps to cope with stress and depression.
- Niacin - normalizes metabolism.
- Ascorbic acid - strengthens the immune system.
- Potassium - has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.
- Boron - reduces the risks of osteoporosis.
- Oleanolic acid - reduces the rate of development of bacteria in the oral cavity.
Caloric content of Kishmish berries - 69 kcal per 100 g. Energy value:
- proteins - 0.72 g;
- fats - 0.16 g;
- carbohydrates - 17.2 g.
Glycemic index
The glycemic index (GI) is a parameter that determines the rate of breakdown of carbohydrates, which displays the magnitude of the change in blood glucose level. So, the GI of the berries of raisins is 56. Grapes are often used in diets, but it is contraindicated for diabetics, like any product whose GI is above 50.
What vitamins are there?
Kishmish is rich in vitamins, especially appreciated for its high content of A and C vitamins. But they are present only in ripe and well-dried berries.
100 g of raisins contain:
- C-vitamin - 6 mg;
- A-vitamin - 5 mcg;
- vitamin PP - 0.3 mg;
- vitamin B9 - 2 mcg;
- beta-carotene - 0.03 mg;
- Vitamin H - 1.5 mcg;
- E-vitamin - 0.4 mg.
Application
Kishmish used:
- As a useful, even therapeutic product. Berries cheer up, relieve fatigue and have many more beneficial effects.
- In cooking. It is used in baking, confectionery, various dishes.
- For making homemade wine.
Harm from Kishmish
When using kishmish, one should take into account its high glycemic index, as well as the presence of organic acids. Kishmish is harmful when:
- obesity;
- diabetes mellitus;
- peptic ulcer of the stomach;
- pancreatitis;
- cholecystitis.
The maximum dose of raisins is 25 pieces per day. Exceeding the norm leads to flatulence, nausea and diarrhea - these symptoms can develop with overeating raptor even in very healthy people.
Berry marketability
Kishmish does not always have a good presentation. A possible drawback of its clusters is insufficient density. It all depends on the size of the clusters and their appearance - these parameters depend on the variety of Kishmish, its keeping quality and the ability of the clusters to maintain their presentation after ripening.
Reviews about Kishmish grapes
Vladimir P., Krasnodar Territory. Kishmish tried to plant everyone, more than others like Radiant and Veles. The latter is especially good for sale - it ripens early, the clusters look luxurious, and the berries are tasty. Seeds practically do not come across.
Victoria R., Moscow Region. Two-year-old seedlings of Radiant and Hungarian planted 342 in spring. They barely grew, only 342 there were a few grapes the next year, but Radiant did not leave after the winter, it was necessary to harvest.
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New varieties of Kishmish have sufficient frost resistance to grow in different regions of Russia. This unpretentious grape of universal application will not only enrich your table, but can also serve as a good source of income.
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