Key characteristics of the Grace grape and the main rules of cultivation

The Blagodat grape is the ideal choice for cultivar lovers. This variety impresses not only with its exquisite taste and aroma, but also with its high frost tolerance and disease resistance. Its productivity, versatility, and early ripening are also impressive.

History of selection

Blagodat is a unique grape variety developed by A.I. Potapenko by crossing the Odin and Amursky Proryv varieties.

Appearance of the plant

Grace bushes are characterized by moderate vigor and dense branching. The leaves are quite large, five-lobed, and a rich dark green. The flowers are small, whitish, and form inflorescences of 20-30.

The height of the bushes can reach 200 cm, which is typical for grapes, but this can vary depending on climate conditions and the quality of care. In ideal climate zones and with sufficient nutrients, the bushes can grow even taller.

Fruits and their taste characteristics

This grape variety is distinguished by its large berries. They have a rich purple hue and a round shape. Each berry weighs between 10 and 20 grams, indicating its coarse grain. Each bunch weighs between 400 and 600 grams.

But the distinctive feature of the Grace grape is its aroma and taste:

• The berries of this variety impress with a sweet aroma with unobtrusive notes of rose and blackthorn.
• Sugar content reaches 250 g/dm3, which gives the berries a special sweetness.
• The acidity is about 6.5 g/dm3, providing an ideal balance between sweetness and sourness.

Grace has numerous healing properties for the body:

• Rich in antioxidants, which protect against the negative effects of free radicals and help slow down aging.
• It contains vitamins C, E, B and folic acid, which have a beneficial effect on the skin, hair, nails and strengthen the immune system.
• Antioxidants present in berries prolong the youth of our body.
• Regular consumption of grapes helps reduce blood cholesterol levels, strengthens blood vessels and prevents the formation of blood clots.
• Grapes are rich in soluble fiber, which regulates digestion and prevents constipation.
• Polyphenols promote improved blood circulation in the brain, which has a positive effect on memory and attention. They also have anti-cancer properties and reduce the risk of cancer.
• Potassium from grapes helps maintain normal blood pressure and prevent it from rising.

In light of these benefits, it is recommended to include grapes in your daily diet to maintain health and well-being.

Characteristics

The Blagodat grape is a true treasure for wine connoisseurs and healthy eaters. Its unique flavor and rich nutritional content make it an indispensable wine variety. It boasts the following characteristics:

• Blagodat is an early-mid-season variety. This means that it takes approximately 120-130 days from the emergence of green shoots to the ripening of the berries. This allows the fruit to be harvested as early as early August.
• Characterized by frost resistance, the bush can withstand temperatures down to -40°C without adversely affecting the plant itself.
• Grace is resistant to common grape diseases such as mildew (2 points), oidium (2 points) and gray rot (2 points), which facilitates the cultivation process.
• To achieve success in growing this variety, you should choose soils with a rich nutrient composition and stable moisture levels.
• Grace prefers bright sunny areas, but can also grow well in partial shade.
• Careful attention must be paid to pruning to ensure the formation of an effective crown and the removal of excess shoots.

Landing rules

The Blagodat variety has climatic versatility, but to achieve good results it requires nutritious soil enriched with microelements.

Time and place of landing

The optimal time for planting Grace grape seedlings in the beds is spring, but autumn planting is also possible, provided that healthy planting material is used.

Selecting a seedling

Select own-root cuttings, layering, and seedlings. Planting material should be healthy in appearance, with green leaves, free of white patches, growths, peeling, spots, and other signs of fungal diseases, and have a well-developed root system.

Planting in a permanent location

To successfully plant young shoots of the 'Grace' variety, follow these steps:

1. Thoroughly dig the cleared planting area. The minimum tilling depth is 1.5-2 spade depths.
2. Dig a trench or hole 50 to 80 cm deep.
3. Add organic fertilizer (10-20 kg of humus or compost) and mineral components (30-50 g each of superphosphate and potassium salt) to the soil. The exact dosage depends on the fertility of the soil where the seedling will be planted.
4. Place the young bush in the hole, fill it halfway with soil, pour in a full bucket of water and wait until it is completely absorbed, then fill the hole to the top.
5. Mulch the trunk area using, for example, peat.

Care methods

To obtain abundant harvests from a vineyard, it is necessary to give it the attention and care it deserves. This can be easily accomplished by following standard procedures.

Watering

The amount depends on the amount of precipitation during the summer. It's important to ensure the soil under the vine doesn't dry out, but overwatering should also be avoided to prevent damage to the root system from rotting.

To moisten the plant, create a mound of soil around the bush and pour water into this area. It's best to use a watering can with a sprinkler attachment, otherwise the water pressure may wash away the soil and expose the roots.

Fertilizer

Fertilize the vineyard every two to three years using organic mixtures such as slurry, compost, liquid bird droppings, and humus.

Mineral preparations, including superphosphate, potassium salt and nitrogen, should be applied every year - in spring and autumn, in two doses and according to the instructions.

Trimming

The Grace grape variety is characterized by vigorous growth, so mixed pruning is suitable for it:

• long (7-8 eyes);
• very long (9-12 eyes).

It is formed into a fan-shaped, multi-arm system, placing the arms on a two-plane trellis. When pruning, remove old vines and weak shoots, preserving only the strong and mature ones.

Preparing for winter

The "Gladity" grape variety is distinguished by its competitive frost resistance. In regions with mild winters, vineyards can be left unprotected, but covering measures are recommended for young vines.

In harsh winter conditions, it is necessary to provide protection for grape vines using cardboard, soil, straw or mulch.

Diseases and pests

Grace easily resists fungal pathogens, making preventative fungicide treatments unnecessary. The variety is also resistant to phylloxera. However, there are some problems that are difficult to avoid:

• The main threat to Blagoda is cicadas—winged insects. Their larvae feed on the sap of young trunks, leaves, and branches of grapevines, which is especially dangerous for seedlings.
  Light yellow spots may be visible on the leaves, which subsequently cause them to wilt and fall off. To protect against cicadas, it is recommended to treat the bushes with Karate 050 or Fastak insecticides.
• Anthracnose of grapes is caused by the fungus Heliosporium. Dark brown spots with a reddish border can be seen on the leaves, which later lead to yellowing and leaf drop. Affected grapes develop a whitish, dirty coating with a purple-black border, which contributes to their premature wilting. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to spray grape bushes with a 10% ferrous sulfate solution at the beginning of the growing season.
• The May beetle is a pest in the form of a beetle, especially dangerous in the form of the cockchafer. This beetle is active at dusk and feeds on grape leaves. The larvae are large white insects that live in the soil and damage young grape roots.
  One of the control methods is the careful selective removal of larvae during preventive digging of the soil in the fall and spring.

When to harvest and how to store the crop?

Blagodat grapes are harvested in late August and early September. This variety is distinguished by its excellent shelf life, lasting from 2 to 4-4.5 months.

In a room with moderate temperature, low humidity and adequate air exchange, such as an attic, unheated room, pantry or basement, the bunches can be suspended from wooden sticks or poles.

Grapes can be stored on shelves in ventilated wooden or cardboard boxes, first covered with straw. To extend their shelf life, they can be placed in the refrigerator.

How to use this variety:

• In the culinary arts, Blagodat grapes are often used in salads. Their juicy berries pair perfectly with various vegetables, herbs, and cheeses, creating delicious combinations. A dish made with fresh salad, grape slices, caramelized nuts, and pears, dressed with a lemon-honey sauce, is particularly successful.
• It's used to make sauces that pair beautifully with meat and fish dishes. Adding this sweet grape to the sauce adds a unique flavor and aroma (with hints of sloe, etc.).
• Grapes make a wonderful addition to desserts. They can be used in baked cakes and pies, or in making grape jelly or grape mousse, giving each dessert a unique and inimitable flavor.
• Consumers also report unusual uses for Blagodat grapes, including marinades. Grapes are an ideal complement to meat, especially poultry and pork. You can make a marinade by mixing grape juice with lemon juice, honey, and spices, adding whole bunches of grapes. Meat soaked in this brine will become tender, juicy, and richly flavored.

Positive and negative qualities

"Grace" is distinguished by its good quality and virtually no flaws, offering a combination of advantages. This variety is ideal for growing in areas with a wide range of climatic conditions.

Key benefits:

• A rich harvest. The vineyards promise abundant and annual fruiting, making them profitable for cultivation both in a garden corner and on large plantations.
• Absence of many diseases. This variety has good resistance to fungal diseases, including mildew and oidium, which makes vineyard maintenance easier and helps increase yields.
• Excellent transportability. Blagodat berries are distinguished by their long-lasting flavor and freshness during transportation, making them attractive to retailers and producers.
• Taste and aroma. Sweet and juicy with additional notes.
• Ability to adapt to different climatic conditions. Vineyards can be successfully cultivated in a wide variety of regions and exposed to a variety of climatic conditions, withstanding both hot and cold periods.

Flaws:

• The variety is susceptible to attacks by some pests and bird attacks,
• Vines can become overloaded with bunches, which can lead to them breaking off and the berries becoming smaller, so it is necessary to thin the bunches regularly to reduce the load on the bushes.

Reviews

The "Gladity" grape variety boasts positive characteristics, ranging from its flavor and berry size to its ease of cultivation and abundant productivity. Its adaptability to any climate makes it popular throughout the country.

Frequently Asked Questions