Witch's fingers grape
Content:
Grapes are considered the very culture in which the berries are always the same shape. But still, exotic specimens can be found even in such a traditional culture. The variety called Witch's Fingers surprises not only with its name, but also with its unusual appearance.
Witch's fingers grape: photo
For the first time, it was possible to cultivate the Witch's fingers grape variety in two thousand and one. At the moment, the plantations of this exotic variety are located in the state of California, in the San Joaquin Valley. This is only one place in the world where this hybrid variety is cultivated. It is very, very labor-intensive to buy seedlings of this variety in Russia. You can buy them only from breeders from the west. If suddenly you somewhere stumbled upon the grape seedlings of Witch's fingers, then be sure to ask where they were cultivated. But it will be fair to say that in the southern part of Russia, some are already growing this variety.
Witch's fingers grape: variety description
This variety attracts attention due to the fact that it has a very peculiar appearance. After all, it is his berries that give it exoticism and uniqueness.
About berries
The berries, with their appearance, resemble small peppers, so many breeders call it for an abbreviated form - chili. The berries of this variety look very impressive. Since they are elongated, they can even resemble a crystal in some way. Their color is dark purple, in some places they are covered with a whitish coating.
The name of this variety comes from the fact that many believe that its berries look like twisted fingers. Ripe berries, large enough. They have no seeds, or they are very small in size. That is why this species belongs to such a variety as raisins, they are also considered an elite variety. The size of one berry can be ten millimeters by thirty millimeters, and the weight will be about ten grams.
The inner flesh, rather fleshy, has a darker shade than the rind. It is also worth noting that this is a table grape variety, that is, you need to eat it immediately after you bought it, or plucked it from a menace. It is stored very poorly.
About taste
The taste is very high. The grape itself is very sweet, with a plum flavor. The skin itself is a little sour.
About the smell
The pulp of this grape smells like pear and apple, this is justified by the fact that breeders crossed European and American varieties when creating it.
About bunches
Bunches of this species ripen very impressively in weight and size. One bunch can weigh from seven hundred grams to fifteen hundred grams. A bunch of regular shape, narrowed towards the bottom. Quite dense.
Photo of the grape variety Witch's fingers
About the bush
The bushes are quite tall. Therefore, each grape will need a support two or three hundred centimeters high. Young shoots have a pale greenish tint, in adults they are light brown. This variety will need to take time to trim.
About flowering
Grape inflorescences are bisexual, that is, they do not need pollinating insects.
Maturation time
This variety belongs to the mid-early varieties.The crop can be harvested in one hundred fifteen to one hundred twenty days after the growing season begins. Basically, the witch's fingers are harvested on the twentieth of the second month of the summer period.
Frost resistant
Frost resistance in grapes is quite good. Bushes can not be covered at temperatures up to minus twenty-five degrees. If in winter in your region the temperature drops even lower, then the bush will need shelter. That is why experienced gardeners recommend growing this variety in the middle lane.
Disease resistance
Initially, when breeding this variety, a high-quality immune system with a high level of resistance was laid in it to ensure its resistance against diseases and insect pests. Bushes of this type are practically not affected by such a disease as:
- downy mildew;
- bacterial cancer.
It should also be noted that wasps and other insects will not pay attention to a given grape, but this will only apply to whole and undamaged berries. If the berry cracks and juice starts to stand out from it, then this will of course attract insects, and they will come to feast on them. As for the birds, protective barriers will have to be erected from the birds.
How to propagate and plant correctly.
If you still managed to get grapes of this variety, then you will have to devote enough time to it. The future harvest, as well as the growth and development of the bush, depends on the observance of correct agricultural technology. Experienced breeders recommend planting this species in winter or spring. The landing hole must be stratified in advance, about forty to forty-five days before the landing procedure. The size of the landing hole should be standard, that is, at least seventy centimeters. The soil should be fertile and rich in trace elements, macronutrients and nutrients.
In the dug hole, you need to add organic fertilizers and superphosphate. The development of this variety will be positively affected by wood ash, which will be introduced during the planting procedure. Ash should be of pure wood, that is, not painted, not glued, not varnished. Those seedlings that are planted in winter must be covered with sawdust, this is done so that the bush does not freeze. Planting in the spring must be carried out in accordance with all accepted standards of agricultural technology.
The site for planting grapes should be well lit and have a high percentage of fresh air circulation. This will allow the grape bush not to be affected by certain diseases. When planting a young seedling, you need to put a trellis next to it, on which you can then fix the covering material, as well as the necessary irrigation tube. Immediately after planting, the crop must be watered and a mulch layer must be added.
How to look after.
Witch's fingers does not belong to unpretentious and not requiring attention varieties. You have to take care of him and waste your time.
Watering rules
A suitable watering regime is very important for this variety. An adult specimen needs to be watered about once every twenty-five to thirty days. The water should be soft, clean, at room temperature. Watering is best at the end of the day, that is, in the evening. When the plants begin to bloom, watering should be postponed, because excessive moisture in the soil causes the risk of dropping the buds, and, accordingly, a decrease in the future yield. The last watering should be done about ten to fifteen days before the cold weather sets in. The last watering is very important for plants, because it is moisture-charging, it cannot be skipped. It will help ensure bountiful yields for the next year. It will also help increase frost resistance. If a specimen of grapes is young, then it needs to be watered once every ten to fifteen days.
About mulch
The trunk circle of the plant must be mulched. This will help retain moisture as well as protect the plant from weeds. When choosing a mulch layer, you need to pay special attention to sawdust or moss.
Fertilizers and feeding
The witch's fingers variety needs regular feeding and fertilization. In the spring, it is recommended to apply fertilizers with nitrogenous elements. In the summertime, it is recommended to make top dressing with phosphorite and potassium elements. For fertilizers in spring, for foliar dressing, you can use a universal complex mineral fertilizer for fruit and berry plants.
During the ripening of the berries, the bush needs to be fed with fertilizers with potash and phosphorus elements. Foliar feeding will also be useful for the berry grower. For example, you can do it like this:
- ten liters - clean water, room temperature;
- forty grams - superphosphate;
- twenty grams - potassium sulfate.
All these components must be thoroughly mixed and sprayed on the deciduous part of the plant. With the arrival of the autumn period, this feeding must be repeated. Organic fertilizers can be applied directly to the soil in the fall. This should be done about once every three years. The recommended time is when all the foliage has fallen off. Also, feeding should be carried out during watering so that the bush does not burn.
Preventive measures against diseases.
This is also an important part of growing plants. Although the variety is resistant to many diseases, preventive treatment with fungicidal preparations is still needed. The very first procedure must be carried out immediately after the leaves open. The second treatment is carried out when the berries are ripe.
Prevention against downy mildew.
Such drugs can help against this disease as:
- colloidal gray;
- soon;
- topaz;
- thiovit jet.
Prevention against bacterial cancer.
In the case of this disease, it is very important to monitor the soil moisture level. Prevention can be done by what means, like:
- phytoflavin;
- phytoplasmin;
- extrasol.
But it is still worth remembering that the variety is quite resistant to this disease, but it is still better to play it safe.
Prevention of birds and rodents.
This variety is easy money for a variety of birds and rodents. You can save yourself from them with wood ash, or peat soil with creolin. You need to scatter them near bushes and beds. Birds can be scared away using ultrasonic devices or special nets
The Witch's Fingers grape is very interesting for its appearance. But getting it is quite problematic. It also requires proper attention and care. But if you provide him with everything he requires, then the plant will give you a delicious and large harvest.
