Description and characteristics of the Carmenere grape variety, history, cultivation and care
Many summer residents grow grape bushes in order to make homemade wine after harvest. But not every variety is suitable for making wine. One of the popular varieties is the Carmenere grape.
Description of the Carmenere grape variety
Before purchasing a Carmenere vine, you should study all the characteristics of the variety so as not to make a mistake in choosing. First of all, they pay attention to the peculiarities of the bush, the characteristics of the vines and bunches.
Historical reference
For the first time in the 19th century, French winemakers began to grow Carmenere. But grapes were often affected by powdery mildew and phylloxera. Because of this, it was replaced by more resistant varieties. And after a few decades, Chilean winemakers began to grow the hybrid. In Chile, the plant has taken root well and is still very popular.
Features of the bush
A distinctive feature of the bush is the rapid growth of the vine. A few years after planting, if you do not cut the vine, the plant will fill the entire area. The leaves of the plant are light green. The shape is common, characteristic of most varieties, they are not pubescent, densely covering the entire vine.
Vine
As mentioned earlier, the vine grows rapidly. Bushes in height can reach 2 m. The shape of the plant is spreading. This variety requires regular pruning to prevent thickening of the plantings. The vine is dark brown and capable of creating powerful hedges. The inflorescences of the variety are bisexual and do not need additional pollination.
Bunch
The brushes are small or small in size. The shape is conical. There are many bunches on the vine. The weight of one bunch reaches 200 g.
The grapes are characterized by a rounded shape, the rind of a rich blue-black color.
The skin has a velvety texture. The grapes are juicy. The average weight of a berry is 7-12 g. The length of the grape grows up to 4 cm. The pulp is slimy and fleshy with a pleasant taste. At the end there is a herbal scent.
Specifications
Another important point that is paid attention to before buying a grape seedling is the study of the characteristics of the selected variety. First of all, you should pay attention to the yield, pollination, and the ripening time of the variety.
Yield
The yield of the Carmenere hybrid is always stable. Up to 21 kg are harvested from the bush annually. Brushes come in different weights. The minimum weight of a bunch is from 700 g. The maximum weight is about 2 kg.
Ripening terms
Carmenere belongs to the early maturing varieties. The first harvest is harvested 110-130 days after the ovaries appear on the vine. The harvest begins to ripen from the second decade of August to the last days of October. At the beginning of the ripening period, the clusters are red-burgundy. As they mature, they turn black and blue.
Berry properties
The study of taste is very important before purchasing a plant seedling. Attention is drawn to the taste of grapes, calorie content and acidity of the fruit. It is also important to study the health benefits and harms of berries.
Taste qualities
Grapes with a pleasant sweet taste. The pulp has a pleasant nightshade flavor with a high juice content. Sometimes there is a slight sourness.
Caloric content and acidity
The sugar index in fruits is high and amounts to 17-25%. The acidity level is 6-8 g / l. The calorie content of 100 g of the product is 75 kcal. Due to the high sugar content in berries, grapes are high-calorie foods.
The benefits and harms of use
Useful properties of grapes:
- It has a positive effect on the lungs.
- Normalizes metabolism due to its high fiber content.
- Saturates blood with nitrogen.
- Eliminates constipation.
- Helps lower blood pressure.
- It removes toxins and harmful substances from the body.
- Promotes an increase in the formation of red blood cells in the blood.
- Protects the body from radicals.
- Increases libido.
The use of grapes can harm the body if a person has an intolerance to the product. It is undesirable to include berries in food for those people who suffer from high acidity and diabetes. Children are not advised to give red varieties.
Planting a seedling
During the procedure, special attention is paid to the preparation of the site, the timing of planting and the technology of planting the seedling in the soil.
Preparing the landing site
The Carmenere variety should be planted in open, sunny areas. The more time the plant spends in the sun, the better it will affect the yield:
- The hole is dug to a depth of at least 80 cm. Drainage is poured into the bottom of the hole (pebbles, brick scrap or small gravel).
- Then the pit is covered with a mixture of gravel, gravel and fertile soil.
- To deoxidize the soil, 1 tbsp. l. dolomite flour or eggshell.
- The last layer is covered with black soil.
- You need to fill up the hole gradually, each layer is watered abundantly with water.
At the end of the preparation of the pit, two metal pipes are driven in next to them, then a strong wire is tied to them.
When to plant
You can plant grape seedlings at any time when it is warm. The vine is planted both in early spring and autumn. But among gardeners there is an opinion that spring is considered the most favorable time for planting. The seedlings planted in spring will have time to take root before the fall and will be able to overwinter.
Disembarkation: what for what
After the pit is ready, start planting a seedling. Stages of planting varieties Carmenere:
- Dig a small hole in the soil.
- Place the seedling and straighten the roots.
- Cover with soil.
- Lightly compact the soil near the stem.
At the end of planting, pour plenty of warm water over the vine. Subsequent watering is carried out once every two weeks.
Agricultural technology and care
It is impossible to get a good harvest without care. Grape care includes watering, fertilizing and pruning the vines.
Pruning bushes
Formative pruning is carried out in the spring. Two central shoots are left on the vine. As the bush grows, up to 3 stems are left on each of the shoots. The rest is cut off.Due to the fact that the Carmenere variety grows quickly, it often has to be pruned so as not to thicken the planting. The stems are removed with sharp garden shears so that no creases remain.
Watering and fertilizing
Watering and fertilizing are carried out at the same time. In the first half of the season, the bushes need nitrogen. In the second half of the season after fruiting - in phosphorus and potassium. They also make manure, ash, mullein. The first watering is carried out during the budding period, the second - during flowering. The third - after harvesting and the last time - before the onset of cold weather.
Preventive measures to prevent diseases
The bushes are regularly examined in order to notice the disease in time and take action. As a preventive procedure, plants are sprayed with fungicides, Bordeaux liquid, "Karbofos" or a solution of laundry soap.
Harvesting and storage
The bunches are cut with a sharp pruner so as not to damage the vine. The harvested crop is stored at a temperature of 0 ... + 2 degrees. Room humidity should be at least 80%. The bunches are stored in a darkened room, bright light contributes to the loss of sugar content.
