Professional growers and amateurs who have planted two bushes on a personal plot - all these people are more or less interested in choosing the grape variety that suits them. Breeders from all over the world come to their aid, who are constantly working to increase the yield, taste, and disease resistance of this ancient garden culture.
The table grapes of the Augustine variety can undoubtedly be considered the pride of the Bulgarian breeders. Sometimes it can be found under the names "Pleven Stable", "V25 / 20" or "Phenomenon". One of the parents is the improved Pleven variety, and the other is Vilar Blanc, which has significantly improved the frost resistance of the new grapes.
Augustine belongs to table varieties, which means that usually its fruits are consumed without processing.
Breeding history
"Augustin" was bred in the early 80s of the last century by specialists of the Bulgarian Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking (Pleven) by interspecific hybridization: crossing the "Pleven" variety with the hybrid Villar Blanc (Save-Villar 12-375).
The hybrid form Save-Villar 12-375 is a direct producer with complex disease resistance, leaf phylloxera, and is used for breeding purposes.
In Russia, the resulting hybrid from 1984 to 1999 passed state tests, and in 2002 it was officially registered with the State Register of the Russian Federation as recommended for cultivation in the North Caucasus region.
"Pleven" (pictured) is a grape variety used as one of the parental forms
At present, the prospects for growing this type of crop are being assessed on experimental plots in typical soil and climatic conditions of the steppe zone of the southern Urals, southern and central regions of Belarus, in private agricultural land in the Krasnodar Territory, as well as in Ukraine.
You can learn more about the peculiarities of "Augustine" from a video filmed by an amateur winegrower from the Nizhny Novgorod region:
Subtleties of agricultural technology
Subject to the rules of planting and care, the Augustine bush is able to grow and bear fruit for more than 50 years in one place, without transplanting.
Landing rules
It is possible to plant seedlings of the "Augustine" variety from the first days of May or in the fall, a month before the expected onset of frost. Grape vines provide a sunny and wind-protected place. The plant will grow most comfortably near the southern wall of the house and other structure. In this case, the grapes will be in the sun most of the day.
The variety is not whimsical to the composition of the soil and can grow in any area. The exception is waterlogged and saline soils. Fertile and loose soil is ideal for grapes. Such qualities can be achieved by introducing various materials, for example, sand or humus.
The planting pit is dug two months before planting. It should be about 90 cm wide and about one meter deep. A drainage layer (broken brick, crushed stone) must be laid out at the bottom of the pit. Then a watering pipe is installed. For this, a plastic cut with a length of about 1.5 meters is suitable. One end of the pipe should stand on the drainage layer, and the other should remain protruding above the ground.
The pit is filled with nutritious soil and left for a while so that the earth settles naturally. After the expiration of time, start planting grapes.Already well-rooted and buried to the required level seedlings with a large clod of earth are on sale. Therefore, when planting, you just need to maintain the correct location of the bush relative to the level of the soil surface.
The final stage of planting is soil compaction and watering of the seedling (1 bucket of water).
Important information! When planting several bushes of "Augustine", the distance between them should be at least one and a half meters, and the same amount should recede from the buildings. If several rows of grapes are planned, then an interval of at least three meters is maintained between them.
Description of the plant and the specifics of growing
Vine of great vigor, with well-ripening shoots. The perennial parts of the bush are covered with reddish, coarse-fibrous bark. Leaves are simple, large, five-lobed, weakly or moderately dissected, dark green, smooth, shiny, slightly wavy. The flowers are greenish, small (3-5 mm in diameter), bisexual. There is no need to select additional pollinators for Augustine, the variety itself is an excellent pollinator for same-sex crop varieties such as Talisman and others.
Bushes are fast-growing, densely leafy
Fruitful shoots from 70 to 85%, on average, the load on each is 1.2-1.6 bunches. For fruiting, shoots that are too thin and grown from the head of the bush are not left. The yield of the plant and the quality of the fruit to a certain extent depend on the length of the pruning of fruit arrows. "Augustine" experts recommend cutting 8-12 eyes.
In a covering culture, experienced growers advise to lead the bushes in a multi-arm (4-6) fan formation with a free hanging of the growth, with pruning of vines by 6-8 eyes and a load of shoots in the amount of 35-40 pieces per bush (on average, this is 40-50 healthy eyes ), with a feeding area of 3x1.5-1.75 m.
Care features
To achieve the correct development of the vine and obtain stable yields, it is necessary to apply the following agrotechnical techniques:
- periodic watering, the frequency and volume of which depend on weather conditions;
- mulching the soil around the vines in order to preserve soil moisture;
- top dressing using compost or humus, supplemented with phosphate-potassium fertilizers;
- carrying out annual pruning with shortening of shoots by 6-12 eyes, which depends on the type of formation of grape bushes;
- preference should be given to multi-arm fan-shaped grapes of this variety.
Despite the declared stability, it is recommended to carry out timely preventive spraying. The optimal period for carrying out protective measures is represented by the flowering phase.
The load on each bush can vary from 35 to 40 eyes. It is advisable to carry out rationing of green shoots and grape clusters. Weak shoots must be removed.
We also invite you to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the grape variety "Nizina".
Productivity and ripening time
The plant gives the first signal harvest in the 2nd year after planting, marketable fruiting begins from the 4th - one bush brings on average 25-30 kg.
In industrial plantings "Augustin" demonstrates high productivity and is able to yield yields of about 18 t / ha
Removable maturity occurs 130-140 days after bud break... The bunches remain on the bush for 2-3 weeks without deteriorating the quality of the fruit, that is, you can confidently carry out an extended grape harvest. The berries are firmly adhered to the stalks and do not crumble.
In the southern regions, the harvest reaches its highest condition in the second decade of August, and in cooler regions - in the first decade of September. Competently harvested fruits practically do not deteriorate and are well stored in the refrigerator for more than 2 months.The juicy pulp is perfectly protected from damage by the dense skin, which is not injured during transportation, therefore the variety is recommended primarily for industrial cultivation for commercial purposes.
The opinion of an experienced Ukrainian gardener about the yield potential can be found in the following video:
Preparing for winter
Without this procedure, you can get a huge number of shoots and a meager harvest. To prevent this from happening, you need to follow the rules of formation at all stages of the growing season of grapes.
In the summer, the formation is reduced to pinching the stepsons. Since the Phenomenon grapes are rich in harvest, 5-6 leaves should be left over each brush. It is better to remove stepchildren of the second order so as not to thicken the bush. At the end of summer, the shoots are chased, that is, their tops are pinched for better ripening of the vine.
Augustine grapes are an excellent choice for those who are just starting to engage in such an exciting activity as viticulture, because experienced winegrowers already have at least one bush of this wonderful variety.
Augustine grapes can be grown in regions where the winter temperature does not drop below 24 degrees of cold, without additional insulation and shelter. In other cases, the bush must be prepared for the winter. For this, preliminary pruning is carried out in the autumn.
Before the onset of cold weather, after the first frost, the branches are bent on opposite sides of the bush and laid in pre-prepared grooves.
All branches are neatly attached to the ground with staples and covered with a film so that the branches do not touch it. Top can be covered with straw or spruce branches and covered with earth.
Read more: Planting grapes with a chubuk in the fall in spring in bottles or in the ground
In the spring, the grapes open when all the snow has melted. It is recommended to carry out the procedure on a cloudy day or in the evening so that the branches do not get sunburn.
To obtain a good harvest during the growing season, at all its stages, it is necessary to carry out the formation of a bush. Without this procedure, a large number of shoots are formed to the detriment of the amount of harvest and the size of the fruits.
On a note! The formation of the bush is not carried out in the first year after planting the seedling.
Pruning a long vine is recommended in the fall, leaving 6 to 12 eyes. The same number of vines should be left on each side of the trunk - in the spring it may be necessary to remove branches that have died during the winter.
During spring pruning, the vine loses a large amount of sap (there is a very intensive sap flow during this period), which can lead to the death of the plant.
- pinching stepsons;
- remove leaves, leaving 5-6 above each brush;
- at the end of August, pinch the tops of the shoots so that the vine ripens better.
Fruit characteristics
The bunches are large, conical, of medium density, weighing about 400-500 g, maximum - more than 1 kg. Berries are leveled: large, do not crack and do not "pea", weighing 6-10 g. In the main harvest, the fruits are round in shape. The color of the skin is light green or amber white. The skin is firm but easy to eat.
The pulp is juicy, fleshy, firm, crunchy, simple sweet taste. Each berry has only 2 seeds, which are easily separated from the pulp. Professional tasting assessments of taste - 8.3 points (out of 10), most summer residents find the taste "classic" without floral notes and call it "sweet", pleasant grape.
Dessert fruits (universal) are great for fresh consumption, they are used for making jams, confitures, compotes, juices, raisins and other processing methods
Biochemical studies carried out by specialists from the Orenburg Experimental Station of Horticulture and Viticulture to determine the nutritive value of fruits revealed that in the steppe zone of the southern Urals, the sugar content of Augustin was 19.3% with an acidity of 7.9 g / l. The ratio of sugar and acid is harmonious, the taste is simple, very pleasant and sweet.
Berries
Description of the variety in various sources indicates that the grapes are sweet, sunny, excellent in taste. Large, shiny clusters of medium density and regular conical shape. Weight sometimes reaches 1000 g.The size of the bunch reaches 28x17 cm. Rounded berries with a slight blush on one side, look like little suns. The pulp is tender, juicy, pleasant to the taste, with bones separated from it and a skin that is not felt at all and is easily eaten with the berry. The berries are not subject to peas, the weight of one berry is 7-10 grams, the size is 2.7x1.8 cm, the taste is noble, pleasant, refreshing.
The berries of the Phenomenon shine a little in the sun
Regardless of weather conditions, the accumulation of sugar in berries is consistently high and equals 21 g / 100 cubic cm, acidity 7 g / dm cubic.
Due to its high sugar content and juiciness, the grape variety is ideal for the production of juice and wine. The wine is light, with a greenish tint and natural sugar. Good dry wines have a fresh fruity aroma, while sweet wines are well matched with pronounced sweetness.
The color attracts attention, rounded, white berries, with a pale light green tint, when fully ripe with a tan and noticeable white veins, visible through the thin skin.
Advantages and disadvantages
TO merits This variety includes: high productivity, large fruits with a pleasant taste, early or mid-early ripening, the possibility of an extended harvest and its transportability. In addition, according to the results obtained during field tests in the natural conditions of the Anapa Zonal Experimental Station, this type of culture is slightly affected by mildew, oidium and is highly resistant to gray rot and anthracnose.
The main advantages are considered to be the high yield and the regenerative ability of the vegetative organs of the plant.
The variety is positioned as well adapted for the northern regions: moderately hardy, capable of wintering without additional shelter in frosts down to -21 ... -24 degrees. By this he fully justifies one of his names - "Stable Pleven".
The main trouble that amateur winegrowers face when growing "Augustine" is the susceptibility to the leaf form of phylloxera. You can learn in detail about the causes and signs of phylloxera damage, as well as ways to combat this pest insect from the following video:
Grapes Augustine: description of the variety, photo
Grape Augustine - early ripening, belongs to the table varieties. Even under unfavorable conditions, it develops well and bears fruit. The variety is resistant to frosts up to minus 25 degrees Celsius, and the most dangerous fungal diseases of grapes (oidium, anthracnose, mildew).
The Augustine grape variety has a vigorous bush - which allows the plant to be used not only for harvesting, but also for decorating gazebos, arches and other decorative buildings. The variety is distinguished by its high yield - up to 60 kg of berries per bush, or 120-130 centners per hectare of vineyard.
The leaves of the Augustine grape have a spreading, almost round shape, with a slight dissection, a dark green color and 3 lobes. The vine is colored red and brown.
Augustine grapes can be recognized by the rounded shape of the leaves.
Gardeners reviews
Margarita, 46 years old, Saratov
"Pleven Resistant" is the very first variety that we planted in the vineyard ten years ago. We do not overload the bushes, leave one brush on the vine. Under any weather conditions, it is well pollinated and ripens regularly in the second half of August. Berries are oval, with dense juicy pulp, simple grape flavor. They become richly sweet when they are overripe, but the wasps do not eat them, in contrast to the "Arch" and "Victoria". The vine is completely unpretentious in care, it ripens perfectly, it gets sick very rarely. Periodically, for the purpose of prophylaxis, we process the leaves with Mikal, the first time - in the spring (in May), and the second time - at the “pea” stage. For the winter, we do not bury it, we cover it on top with fiberglass or burlap.For us, this variety is "on duty" - with it we are constantly harvesting, without any special worries.
Innokenty, 40 years old, Lugansk
We have 5 Phenomenon bushes growing: three grafted, two self-rooted. We leave 40-50 bunches on each. It is generally impossible to overload it with a crop, such a varietal feature is really a phenomenon! Each brush has an average of 800 g. Draws out the full load, without losing the quality of the fruit. It can hang on the bush until the end of September, becoming even sweeter. In this case, the berries acquire a golden-amber color. After harvesting, the crop is perfectly stored in the refrigerator for about a month. Unfortunately, in a suspended state in a cellar it can withstand no more than two weeks, after which the fruits begin to rot en masse, unlike Rusmol, which does not deteriorate until November. Transportability is good. We like the variety, it is simply amazing, it is worth doing!
Constantine, 71 years old, Belaya Tserkov
I think Augustine grapes are the best for the north of Ukraine, a real dream for a summer resident! Minimum effort - maximum impact. For seven years, not a single affected leaf, vigorous bushes, excellent rooting of the vine. Leaves from the beginning of the growing season to autumn remain clean, beautiful, not afraid of our constant winds. There are practically no stepsons. It is not damaged by a tick, wasps and ants are rare. The bunch is a reference, not less than 500-700 g. The berries are crispy, sweet, with an easily eaten skin. I grow these grapes on a 2.5 meter trellis, the lower wire is 30 cm from the ground. This season I left 40 bunches, 6 of them weighed 1.2 kg each. By the way, my brother's this variety grows well in the Moscow region, the berries are large and very sweet.
Breeding methods, planting, vine care
Like all grape varieties, Augustine propagates by cuttings or seedlings, both in spring and autumn. Seed propagation is not recommended because new plants lose their genetic properties.
Despite the fact that this variety is unpretentious, if you want to collect stable high yields, it is better to adhere to generally accepted rules. Saplings with roots should be planted in May, when the temperature is above zero, pegs should be driven in for support near each. Be sure to water until fully rooted. During the summer period, the plant fully adapts and can easily endure the winter cold. Choose a sunny, open place for landing. Distance between bushes - 1.5 m, between rows - 3 m.
Augustine grapes reproduce well by layering
The place for the plant should be prepared in advance: dig a deep hole - at least 0.8 m, fill it with 2 buckets of compost mixed with soil, sprinkle it on top with a layer of soil that will protect the roots from possible burns. Then you should leave the hole for a while so that the soil in it subsides, and the seedling should be dipped into water for 2-3 days before planting to saturate it with moisture. When planting, you need to make sure that the root collar does not end up underground.
In addition to the usual method, Augustine perfectly reproduces by cuttings or branches.
Adult bushes do not need special care; watering is enough in dry times. In the fall, it is recommended to apply complex fertilizers; rotted manure and ash are perfect. Each year, you need to prune young shoots, leaving 10-12 or 12-16 eyes.
How to plant
There are special rules for planting the Augustine variety:
- In a few weeks, a pit is prepared with a depth and width of up to 0.8 meters. A mixture of compost (2 or 3 buckets) and fertile soil is introduced into the pit (at the bottom). This mixture is covered with another layer of earth to avoid scalding the plant root system.
- The seedling is immersed in water for several days for its better adaptation to new conditions and saturation with moisture.
- The seedling is placed in the hole up to the bark collar. It is very important. The grapes are poured very carefully. You can pour out a bucket of water to help compact the soil. Then fill the pit with the remaining earth.
- A peg is driven in near the seedling.The soil is watered and mulched again.
Protection against diseases and pests
Despite the high immunity of grapes of the Augustine variety, with improper planting, care, selection of unsuitable seedlings, it is affected by the following diseases, pests:
- Mildew and powdery mildew (a variety of powdery mildew). The culture is protected from parasitic fungi by treatments with a 3% solution of copper sulfate before the beginning of the growing season and before the bushes are sheltered for the winter. For the purpose of prevention, the grapes are sprayed on the leaves with Horus. If diseases manifest themselves at the stage of fruit filling, Fitosporin, harmless to humans, is used.
- A bunch of leaf rollers. The loss of yield from the vital activity of caterpillars eating the ovary, fruits reaches 30%. To protect grapes from pests, insecticides Inta-vir, Koragen, Tanrek are used. The first spraying is carried out 3 weeks after the summer of the butterflies, the second after 2 weeks.
- Philoxera. The grape root aphid lives in the upper layers of the soil, affecting the root system of the grapes. Inflows, growths are formed on it. Leaf phyloxera parasitizes on the leaves of the culture, forming galls on the seamy side. Insects are capable of completely destroying a plant in a few years. They fight the leaf form by spraying with Aktellik, Fastak, Zolon at the time the larvae emerge from the galls. Treatments are carried out twice a year.
To avoid wasps attacks on the vineyard, ripening bunches are examined, berries with cracked skin damaged by pests are removed.
