Due to its high palatability, large-fruited and decent appearance, the Lily of the Valley grape has been recognized by gardeners in a matter of years. We find out what this culture is interesting for, and is it suitable for cultivation in our climate?
grape variety "Lily of the valley"
“Lily of the valley” grapes forms quite large and lush bunches
sweet lily of the valley grapes have a very persistent and pleasant taste of nutmeg
Grade history
Famous Ukrainian amateur breeder V.V. Zagorulko worked on the creation of Lily of the valley grapes. Vine growers became aware of this hybrid form, created by crossing the varieties Kishmish radiant and Talisman, in 2012.
To obtain a new grape with unique qualities, the breeder used the following characteristics of the parental varieties:
- Mascot (carrier of female flowers) - large-fruited, resistance to low temperatures, diseases and pests.
- Radiant raisins (well-developed male flowers) - beautiful coloring of berries and wonderful taste, but the main thing is an excellent pollinator.
After conducting the first necessary tests and preliminary confirmation of the declared characteristics, the variety quickly gains popularity among gardeners. This is facilitated by both a positive growing experience and high grape characteristics.
Due to its novelty, the variety has not yet been fully studied, and at the moment it is being further tested in different climatic zones.
Description of grape lily of the valley
Brief botanical description of Lily of the valley grapes:
- Vine. Vine bushes are vigorous, with powerful shoots, the thickness of which is 10-12 mm, and the length can reach 3.5-4 m. They are characterized by the most complete ripening, which ensures high, stable crops. Already in the first year, bushes begin to form. The leaves are large, saturated green color.
- Berries A beautiful elongated oval, cylindrical shape, reach a very large size. On average, the diameter of the fruits is more than 2 cm, the length is 3.5 cm. The weight of the berry is 8-14 g, but giants weighing up to 19 g are found. The peel of ripened berries is bright yellow, yellow-lemon in color, does not crack and is not affected by wasps.
- The bunch Large, regular, slightly elongated conical shapes, weighing more than 500 g, can reach 1 kg or more. The clusters are of medium density, as a result of which the fruits are not compressed and do not crumple.
Variety Characteristics
Grapes Lily of the valley grows safely in small garden plots and in vast vineyards.
In the presented video, the gardener describes the Lily of the Valley grape variety:
Ripening time
Lily of the valley refers to mid-early varieties, but rather it can be reckoned as a medium-term ripening period. From the end of flowering to harvesting the first crop, 125-140 days pass.
In warm regions, and the variety is recommended primarily for the lands of Ukraine, Moldova and the south of Russia (Stavropol, Kuban), the crop is harvested in 2-3 decades of August. In colder areas - until mid-September.
The matured clusters of Lily of the valley can be on the vine for a long time without losing their presentation.
Grade stability
Lily of the valley grapes are appreciated for their excellent taste and appearance of the fruit, and not for resistance to adverse factors:
- Pest and disease resistance. Absolutely reliable data on the resistance of Lily of the valley to damage by fungal diseases, oidium and mildew have not yet been obtained. Research is underway.
According to the observations of winegrowers, the resistance of this hybrid form to pests and diseases characteristic of grapes is average. In order to prevent rot and fungal diseases, grapes are treated 3 times per season. - Frost resistance. Grapes can withstand temperatures well up to minus 20-21ºС, but if frosts in the growing region are stronger and temperatures are lower than these values, Lily of the valley needs to be sheltered for the winter.
- Drought tolerance. The effect of drought on the variety is still poorly understood. But some winegrowers note that with a prolonged absence of moisture (within a month), the leaves do not turn yellow, the clusters do not deteriorate, and the damaged fruits contain no more than 1-2%.
Productivity and fruiting
Those gardeners who have already managed to plant and grow Lily of the valley, note that even young bushes are able to produce up to 10 kg of grapes. In general, the variety produces stable and high yields. Full-fledged fruiting begins at 3-4 years.
The presence of bisexual flowers, which provides a high level of pollination, has an important effect on crop stability. The grape bush is pollinated independently, regardless of other varieties. An important role is also played by the fact that the bushes are vigorous, and the shoots have almost 100% ripening.
Long-term rains during flowering and spring frosts can affect fruiting negatively and significantly reduce productivity.
Taste Features
Berries have a harmonious and peculiar taste. The pulp is tender, sweet with a barely noticeable acidity, juicy, with a pleasant aroma of nutmeg and an unobtrusive, light note of flowers of lily of the valley or white acacia.
The presence of a floral shade may alarm the lovers of this berry, but not even all tasters catch these notes. But they recognize the high taste qualities of Lily of the valley, including sweetness. Ripe berries have a sugar content of at least 18-19% with an acidity of 5-7 g / l.
The peel is quite dense, medium thickness, but does not spoil the taste and is almost invisible when eating berries.
Application
Grapes Lily of the valley refers to table varieties, and it is best to use it fresh. It is suitable for making juice, making homemade preserves, jams, compotes, as well as for adding to baked goods.
Advantages and disadvantages of grapes Lily of the valley
This is a promising variety that has many advantages, but do not forget that it was bred recently, and so far not enough data has been collected on its cultivation.
The following advantages of this grape can be distinguished:
- good resistance to diseases and pests (3 points out of 5);
- unpretentiousness: weather conditions and soil fertility do not affect the taste and marketability of the fruit;
- resistance to low temperatures to -21ºС;
- unique fruit taste and pleasant aroma;
- it simply multiplies, which is facilitated by good rooting and survival of both cuttings and seedlings, and branches;
- high and stable yield due to the presence of bisexual flowers;
- ripened fruits are stored on bushes for a long time without loss of quality;
- grapes have a long shelf life in cool - until the end of winter;
- excellent presentation;
- tolerates transportation well.
Disadvantages:
- predisposition to shedding flowers under the influence of rains;
- with excessively long aging of berries on the bush, the consistency of the pulp of the fruit worsens;
- insufficient data on how to more efficiently form bushes to increase productivity.
Breeding
Lily of the valley grapes are propagated in several ways:
- Cuttings. Cuttings are grafted onto stocks of other grape varieties. Thanks to a healthy adult stock, fruit bush begins at an earlier date. But this method is able to change the varietal qualities of the cuttings.
- Seedlings. The most popular and easy to implement option, optimal for the first planting of grapes. Rooting, the plant will give a stable moderate growth. The first clusters from the grape bush when planting a two-year-old seedling can be removed in the third year, in extreme cases - in the fourth.
- Seeds (seeds). Too long breeding option, in which the berries appear no earlier than a couple of years after rooting in a permanent place. The instructions for growing grapes from seed are here.
- Layering. Annual shoots of the lower part of the vine bush are bent to the ground, deepened and sprinkled with soil. In comfortable weather and good watering, the shoot will certainly take root, and after a while a full-fledged grape bush will form from it.
According to the experience of people cultivating this variety, the best ways are planting seedlings or layering.
How to plant a lily of the valley?
The main condition for the successful cultivation of Lily of the valley grapes is a healthy and high-quality planting material. Seedlings are best purchased in specialized nurseries.
Optimal timing and climate
This hybrid form can be planted both in early spring and late autumn, there are no specific dates. At the most extreme of the indicated periods, plant cuttings and seedlings that are at rest.
The period from the onset of the first spring heat to the beginning of June is a favorable moment for planting blossoming seedlings with leaves. This is the time when you can tap.
When autumn planting, it is important to determine the right time. The best option is mid-October. The plant has time to take root, but has not yet entered a time of growth. If you plant seedlings too early, they will grow for the winter and die. And late planting will not allow plants to take root before stable frosts.
As mentioned, Lily of the Valley grapes show excellent results in the warm climate of the southern regions of the Russian Federation. It is not yet known how this hybrid form will behave in the central or northern climatic zone of Russia.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
The landing site is chosen by well-lit, sunny, warm and calm. It is good to grow grapes from the south side of the plot, behind the wall of a house or other building that protects the plantings from the north winds.
The soil for the full development of the bush should be light, fertile, water-permeable, ideally black earth. If the place chosen for planting is flooded during rains or meltwater, you need to make a small hill, an earthen mound.
The level of groundwater should not be higher than 2.5 m from the surface of the earth. If this is not the case, it is necessary to arrange a drainage system to drain excess water.
It must be borne in mind that the variety is overgrown, and determine the area sufficient for comfortable development. If several grape bushes are to be planted, the distance between them should be at least 3 m, and between the rows - 5 m.
Preparing the pit for landing:
- Dig a hole the width and depth of which are the same - 80 by 80 cm.
- Fill large quantities of fertilizer at the bottom of the pit. Compost and humus, potassium salt, superphosphate, nitrogen and fertile soil are needed. On heavy soils, first of all, put a drainage layer (10 cm) in the pit, consisting of fine gravel or gravel mixed with sand.
- Lay a layer of fertile soil on top of the fertilizer. He will share the roots of the seedling and fertilizer.
- Do not get to the very top, filling the hole with soil, there should be a hole for watering.
- Pour plenty of water to seal.
- Leave the pit for a few weeks, and in case you cook it in the fall, until spring.
Step-by-step landing instructions
The root system of a seedling fit for planting is white, and the cut at the top is green.
A grape seedling purchased immediately before planting should not be immediately planted in a pit. Its roots are dipped in water so that the plant is properly saturated with moisture.
Follow the simple rules when planting grapes:
- Make a hole in the center of the pit corresponding to the size of the root system of the seedling.
- Deepen the seedling no more than to the root neck, this is a very important point.
- Fill the hole carefully, trying not to damage the roots, but lay the soil tightly, without leaving voids in it.
- Drive in the support, which is higher than the planted plant, and tie the seedling to it.
- Pour plenty of water (2-3 buckets).
- When moisture is absorbed, mulch the soil in the hole with rotted sawdust or peat.
The first 2-3 weeks it is recommended to cover the seedling with a non-woven fabric, so that adverse weather conditions do not interfere with its rooting. Then the shelter is removed.
Care
Grape care consists in the implementation of basic agricultural activities.
Watering
Bushes need abundant and regular watering. In dry periods and time of tying the kidneys, you need to do this more often. To preserve moisture in the soil - planting mulch.
Top dressing
Not needed in the first 2-3 years, the plant lacks the fertilizers that are laid in the pit when planting. In the spring, the introduction of organic matter is recommended, and in the fall, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Once every three years, they are fed with kalimagnesia for sugar accumulation in fruits and increase yield.
Pruning
It is carried out twice a year:
- in spring - cut off old, poorly overwintered shoots (read more about spring pruning of grapes here);
- in the fall - after the grapes are harvested, shoots are cut, leaving up to 8-10 eyes on each, the unripe part of the vine is cut.
Winter preparations
If winter temperatures fall below -21 ° C in the region, the grapes need shelter. Warming plants should not be until a stable frosty weather -2 ... -5ºС. If you do this ahead of schedule, without waiting for the cold, the vine under the "fur coat" will vypryvat.
Experienced growers use this method of shelter for the winter:
- the shoots are bent to the ground, small wooden blocks are laid under them, and pinned;
- close with a sugar bag cut on the sides (the material is breathable, unlike the film);
- a layer of soil is poured on top (up to 10 cm), which is taken along the laid and fixed vines. Grooves form where water will flow in the event of a thaw.
Diseases and Pests
Given the average resistance of Lily of the Valley to diseases and pests, conduct mandatory preventive treatments three times a season:
- before flowering;
- at the end of flowering;
- when the fruits are the size of a pea.
Use fungicides and other protective drugs, following the instructions attached to them.
The main danger is fungal diseases. Consider the most common:
Disease | Symptoms | How to fight? |
Mildew | Gray coating and yellow spots on the leaves. | Spraying grape bushes with drugs:
|
Oidium | Gray coating on berries and leaves, later - cracking of berries. | The use of fungicides:
|
Gray rot | It affects any aerial parts of the bush, which are covered with a gray fluffy coating. Clusters of grapes hanging down close to the ground are more often infected. | It is difficult to treat. Apply drugs:
Prevention measures: tying, thinning, pruning. |
Protection against birds and insects
Ripe fruits attract birds and insects, which are capable of causing noticeable damage to the crop. To protect the vineyard from wasps, the bushes are sprayed with a solution of Chlorophos, as well as the wasp nests are identified and destroyed.
To protect against birds, apply:
- Repellers. Sound, visual and integrated.
- Isolation of ripening fruit. As the material used:
- tulle;
- nylon stockings;
- fishing nets;
- double nets for packaging vegetables.
Grape Reviews
Alexander, 56 years old, summer resident, Rostov RegionI like Lily of the Valley more and more. What is surprising is that it throws out good inflorescences, it crumbles a lot, they thought there would be no berries, and they grow very slowly. But from the second half of summer, they quickly gain weight and color, and then sugar and taste! And the clusters are decent. We are satisfied with the harvest.
Anna, 37 years old, amateur gardener, Anapa.There was a signal crop that was already eaten. The taste is excellent, and now the clusters on the stepsons are ripening, I am sure they will collect sugar before the cold.Recently, the hurricane passed, then it rained for more than a day. I look, all the clusters are intact, the berries did not burst. This is my grape, I will propagate it.
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Observing the simple rules of planting Lily of the valley and caring for it, you can get rich harvests of stunningly delicious and beautiful berries. In general, the variety is promising for growing in gardens, cottages (for their own consumption), and for commercial purposes too.