Dixon grapes: characteristics and description of the variety, planting and care

The Dixon grape is one of the recently developed varieties. Despite its young age, it has already gained the attention of consumers. The berries have unrivaled taste, and even inexperienced gardeners can manage the plant's care.

Characteristics

The variety was brought to Russia in 2014, having been bred in Ukraine's Zaporizhia region. Dikson was developed through amateur selection by the renowned amateur breeder A. V. Burdak. The parent varieties were "Atlant" and "Anzhelika." This work resulted in the development of a new frost-resistant and high-yielding variety, which quickly gained popularity.

'Dixon' is an early-ripening variety, with the harvest ripening in just 105-120 days after bud break. In southern regions, ripe berries can be enjoyed as early as mid-August, and in the central zone, as early as September. The bushes are medium-sized, with a well-developed root system, strong and vigorous. Under favorable conditions, the shoots ripen well and reach a length of four meters. The leaves are emerald green and medium-sized. The flowers are bisexual, a welcome feature for many gardeners, as they eliminate the need to plant pollinators.

The clusters are large, elongated, weighing from 600 grams to one kilogram. With proper cultivation techniques, gardeners can grow larger clusters, weighing up to 1.5 kilograms. The berries are oval-shaped and large, each weighing from 16 to 21 grams. The skin is firm, yellow-pink. The pulp is crunchy when eaten, containing a large amount of juice. The grapes taste very sweet, with fruity notes.

A distinctive feature of the Dixon variety is its high yield; one mature plant, with proper care, produces approximately 20 kilograms of fruit. The bunches can hang on the vine for a long time without deteriorating in flavor or marketability. After picking, the bunches are stored in a cool, dry place for up to three months. The bunches are also highly transportable, allowing them to be shipped long distances without damage.

In southern regions, the vine can survive without winter protection. Dixon is a frost-hardy variety, withstanding temperatures as low as -24 degrees Celsius. The berries are versatile and can be eaten fresh or processed. Winemakers often use them to make dessert wines. The fruit also produces delicious juices.

Advantages and disadvantages

Over the years of Dixon's existence, gardeners have already identified the variety's strengths and weaknesses. The hybrid boasts numerous advantages. As for its weaknesses, the variety has not yet been well-studied, and no serious drawbacks have yet been observed.

Advantages:

• winter hardiness;
• possibility of transportation and long-term storage;
• rich berry flavor;
• attractive presentation;
• high yield rates;
• no need to plant a pollinator;
• universal application;
• high survival rate of planting material;
• excellent immunity;

Planting and care

Grapes are planted in spring or early fall, during dry, warm weather, in a pre-prepared planting hole. Drainage is placed at the bottom of the hole, and the rest of the space is filled with fertile soil mixed with sand and humus. At first, the young plant requires careful care, including regular watering, loosening the soil, and weed removal. Later, watering is reduced to only 3-4 times per season, depending on the weather. It's best to mulch the soil; this will prevent weed growth and retain moisture, eliminating the need for loosening the soil.

It is recommended to prune the vines annually to 7-8 buds, keeping in mind that the maximum load on a bush should be 35-40 buds. Like any crop, grapes prefer fertile soil rich in nutrients. Therefore, fertilizer should be applied three times per season; both mineral complexes and organic matter are suitable.

Throughout the season, gardeners recommend removing shading foliage and shoots. Large, heavy clusters should be tied up. When leaves begin to fall, they should be removed immediately. Before winter, grapes benefit from a moisture-replenishing irrigation; this procedure will help the plant recover from fruiting and prepare for winter. Despite frost resistance, it's best to cover the vines for the first few years, using non-woven covering materials, foliage, sawdust, and spruce branches.

Diseases

'Dixon' is a disease-resistant variety, almost immune to common infections. However, if the summer is rainy, preventative measures are necessary to protect the bushes from gray mold, bacterial blight, and moniliasis. Identifying the fungus is easy; if it's infected, a coating appears on the foliage, vines, and fruit, and the berries may begin to rot.

As for pests, they rarely attack plants, but precautions won't hurt. To repel birds, you can build a scarecrow or cover the vineyard with protective netting. If there are a large number of wasps in the area, the grape clusters can be hidden in special bags.

Harvesting and storage

Fully ripened bunches are cut for storage. Use garden shears, and the tools should be disinfected. It's best to avoid touching the berries; they are covered in a waxy coating that prevents them from spoiling. The bunches are sorted, discarding any damaged ones, and carefully placed in boxes. Store the grapes in a cool, dry place, sorting them periodically.

Conclusion

"Dixon" is a high-yielding variety bred in Ukraine. In just a few years, it has earned the recognition of not only gardeners but also farmers. Its low maintenance, disease resistance, and excellent yields make it suitable for both home and commercial cultivation.

Reviews

Stanislava

"Dixon" is one of the newest varieties in my garden, but I've already grown to love it. The berries are delicious and sweet, and the kids love them. I hope to make grape juice next year, as the entire harvest is quickly consumed. My bushes haven't been affected by any diseases, and they're not bothered by pests. In the spring and summer, I carry out standard preventative treatments with Bordeaux mixture and copper sulfate.

Valeria

My sister brought me a Dixon grape seedling from Ukraine, and she raved about it. We harvested our first crop this year, just two bunches, but they were incredibly tasty. I didn't prune it the first year, but I plan to do so this year. I covered it for the winter, even though I live in the Krasnodar region; I've heard that young plants are very sensitive to even light frosts. I sprayed the vines with an antifungal agent in the fall and with Bordeaux mixture in the spring. So far, I haven't had any problems.