White Miracle Grapes: Characteristics and Description of the Variety, Planting and Care

Among the varieties bred in the new millennium, the early White Miracle grape stands out. Gardeners value it for the excellent taste of berries, high frost resistance, and good shelf life.

History of appearance

This variety with an original name was developed by Russian breeders. For many years, staff at the Potapenko Research Institute of Viticulture worked to create an early, storable grape hybrid. The parent pair is Original, renowned for its juicy, delicious berries, and the winter-hardy Vostorg.

The result was the White Miracle grape, introduced in 2002 and popularly known as "Song." Catalogs also list a second name: OV-6-pk.

Description of the variety

The bushes are medium-sized, with dark burgundy shoots. The leaves are small and bright green. By growing season variety Early, berries begin to harvest in approximately 107-110 days. Large, bisexual flower stalks. Pollinators are not required. White Miracle is suitable as a pollinator for other varieties.

It produces numerous fruiting buds and requires regular pruning of excess buds. If the stems are not pruned, there is a risk of overload, causing smaller berries and reduced yield.

The vines exhibit high frost resistance, withstanding temperatures as low as -25°C to -27°C. White Miracle was bred specifically for harsh climates and adapts well to the Urals and several regions of Siberia. It is also grown in the northwest (Leningrad Oblast, Karelia) and throughout Belarus. The hybrid produces excellent yields in the south of the country.

Characteristics of berries

By the beginning of August, large, cylindrical fruits ripen on the bushes. bunchesThe density is average, with a maturity rate of 80%. On mature bushes, the clusters reach a weight of 800-1000 grams.

The grapes are large, weighing 5-6 grams, with thin skins. They are a soft green when ripe, later developing a yellowish tint. With proper cultivation and care, White Miracle produces clusters weighing up to 1.3-1.5 kg.

The pulp is juicy and sweet, with a subtle tartness. Acidity is 7 g/l, and sugar content is 19%. Experts gave the variety an 8-point taste rating (the highest score on the scale is 10).

The berries are used for dessert. When fully ripe, the fruits do not fall from the bushes and remain on the vine for a long time (2-3 weeks).

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

White Miracle requires little care, is unpretentious, and isn't fussy. Seedlings have only recently appeared in nurseries, but the variety has already gained popularity among winegrowers.

Advantages:

• early stages of vegetation;
• excellent berry taste;
• large brushes;
• good rootstock survival rate;
• high commercial quality of ripe grapes;
• shelf life.

White Miracle grapes tolerate cold winters, in the middle zone it can to be grown Without shelter. The hybrid is resistant to most diseases. With the necessary preventative maintenance, it does not cause problems for gardeners.

Flaws:

• juicy ripe berries attract wasps;
• shoots on first-year bushes are very fragile;
• The variety is not suitable for transportation.

Gardeners need to think about measures to protect their bushes and carefully care for young shoots.

Resistance to diseases and pests

This Russian-bred grape variety is highly resistant to mildew, powdery mildew, anthracnose, and various rots. To prevent fungal infections, the bushes are treated with Bordeaux mixture in early spring and later sprayed with Arcerid, Strobi, and Horus.

During the berry ripening period, wasp traps (sticky tape, plastic bottles) are set up and the plantings are covered with nets. A solution of vinegar and water (wasps dislike the strong smell) and baking soda is effective in repelling insects. Chemical repellents are only used if the berry harvest is planned for 20-25 days later.

Features of agricultural technology

For early grapes They select a good location on the plot and follow basic agricultural practices.

Landing

It's best to plant the bushes in the spring, eliminating the risk of freezing the young vines. The best soils are:

• loam;
• sandy loam;
• black soil.

Poor soil is enriched with organic matter. Sunny, draft-free locations are ideal for grapes. Waterlogged, low-lying, or excessively saline areas will not yield a harvest.

Planting time in the temperate zone is early May, while in regions with harsher climates, it's the last week of May and early June. In temperate zones, the soils are cold at depth, so grapes typically develop their roots in the warm upper horizon (30-40 cm). Deep planting is not suitable in these regions.

Post-planting care

Main agricultural practices:

• watering;
• weeding and loosening;
• mulching;
• balanced feeding;
• pruning and shaping bushes.

Just follow the basic recommendations and you will definitely not be left without a harvest.

Watering

Young bushes are watered frequently, but weather conditions and the condition of the plants are taken into account. White Miracle requires moderate watering, and watering is stopped completely during berry ripening.

The average watering rate is 2-3 buckets per bush, twice a week. These recommendations are conditional, as the watering schedule depends on the weather and soil type. During inclement and rainy seasons, the watering schedule is adjusted, reducing the amount. During the fruit formation stage, the watering rate is increased. When the berries ripen and become sweet, watering is reduced or eliminated altogether.

Top dressing

In well-fertilized soils, young bushes do not require additional feeding. Starting in the third season, nitrogen fertilizer (diluted mullein) is added to the soil in the spring, then, after about 3-4 weeks, additional feeding is added. landings complex fertilizer.

After the berries are harvested, the vines require additional nutrition. Any fertilizer containing phosphorus and potassium can be applied. Nitrogen fertilizers are not used for grapes in the fall.

Formation of bushes

This variety requires pruning of young and excess shoots and shaping the bush. If the plant becomes overgrown and lacks pruning, yields drop sharply, and there is a risk of infection.

White Miracle is pruned in the fall, shaping the bush over the course of 3-4 years. During this period, the plant acquires its proper shape; subsequently, only pruning of diseased or frozen branches is required. Five to eight buds are left on each branch, for a total of 35-40 buds on the bush. In the spring, some branches are pruned before the sap begins to flow and the buds swell.

Pruning in the first year

In the fall, White Miracle shoots are cut back to 2-4 buds. If the seedling has two shoots, then 2-3 buds are left on each.

Pruning in the second year

With proper care, by the fall of the second year, the bush will have formed 5-6 shoots. Of these, four strong, long shoots are left, while the rest are removed. Pruning should be done at 3-4 buds.

Pruning in the third year

Typically, the first signal berries are harvested from the White Miracle bush in the third year. The bush develops four trunks with young branches, which will bear the berries.

In the fall, pruning is done on weak shoots, leaving two branches on each branch. One of the two is shortened (by three buds); this will serve as a replacement shoot. The second shoot is left with 8-10 buds.

Starting in the fourth year, vines that produced fruit this season are removed and the one-year-olds are pruned. The fruiting stem will produce clusters the following season. The lower vine is left as a replacement shoot.

Preparing for winter

Variety The vines are covered for the winter, having first prepared them for the cold season. After the berries are harvested, the plantings are watered, trying to saturate the soil with moisture but avoiding overwatering. Watering increases the frost resistance of the bushes.

The soil is watered with a solution of potassium and phosphorus fertilizers, soaking it to a depth of 20-30 cm. Excess shoots, dried and diseased branches, and immature vines are trimmed.

Reserve buds are left on the shoots (in case the vines freeze). Next, the shoots are removed from the supports, placed on wooden stands, and covered with spruce branches or non-woven fabric and wooden boards. It is recommended to first install small wire arches, then cover them with fabric or spruce branches. The ends of the shelters are left open, and only fully insulated during severe frosts. In winter, snow provides additional cover for the vines.

Storage conditions

The White Miracle hybrid boasts long-lasting berries. Under optimal conditions, the harvest lasts for 1.5–2 months.

Brush storage options:

• on supports in a suspended state;
• in boxes or containers, sprinkled with sawdust or layered with paper.

In the first case, a warm, dry basement or attic is required. The clusters are hung at a distance from each other, preventing them from touching. A sheet of plastic or burlap is laid underneath to catch any fallen berries. When planning this storage method, the clusters are cut off along with a portion of the vine, leaving at least 9-10 cm of shoot. When harvesting, it is advisable to wear gloves and handle the berries as little as possible.

Grapes are well preserved in boxes, protected from sunlight. Experience has shown that the berries retain their flavor and juiciness for two months. Temperature: +1ºC…+8ºC.

White Miracle fruits can be stored for up to 2-3 months in special refrigerator compartments. The berries are stored loosely, and the supply is regularly checked, removing any spoiled ones.

Grapes don't like being near other fruits and vegetables. When storing berries, avoid potatoes, zucchini, and carrots.

Even novice gardeners can grow the White Miracle grape variety. It's suitable for temperate climates and thrives in harsh climates, producing an early, abundant harvest.

Reviews

Nikolay, Istra district, Moscow region

I've been growing Crystal and White Miracle in my garden for five years now. The bushes grow well and emerge quickly from winter dormancy in the spring. During cold weather, I cover them with spunbond and then add snow. Last year, we had our first signal berries, large ones, and the White Miracle ones were especially tasty and sweet. I think I made the right choice by planting these two varieties.

Victor, Ryazan

Checking the set new varietiesI choose the best. I can confidently say that the Phenomenon variety, like the White Miracle, is among my favorites. They produce consistently throughout the seasons, survive winter well, and grow quickly. The White Miracle lives up to its name; the berries have a wonderful flavor. I wasn't particularly hopeful about these new varieties, as there's a lot of advertising and no results. But in this case, I'm pleased and plan to further expand my plantings.