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

A Russian variety with a steadily growing popularity. Having appeared on the market in 2007, Galahad is steadily expanding its range. Its admirers. The characteristics of the hybrid form are suitable for viticulture in temperate climates. Work on the hybrid was conducted at the All-Russian Research Institute of Viticulture and Winemaking (VNIIVV) under the direction of Ya. I. Potapenko, using Vostorg, Talisman, and Vostorg Muscat as genetic material.

Description and characteristics

This is a very promising, early-ripening variety. Berries (up to 70%) ripen within 100 days. Harvest timing depends on climatic conditions:

• southern regions – July (end of the month);
• central and more northern regions – August (1-2 ten-day period).

The bush is characterized as vigorous. In good conditions, the vine can reach 40 meters in length. Proper care guarantees a long life. Galahad is expected to have a productive life of 130 to 150 years.

The bunch is characterized by a regular conical shape, a slightly loose structure, and a weight from 500 g to 1200 g. The characteristics of the berries are summarized in the table.

This table grape variety is grown for sale and fresh consumption. The fruits can be juiced and used in home winemaking. Ripe berries are used to make jams for winter storage.

Advantages

The shoots are vigorous, growing up to 2 meters per season with proper care. There's no need for pollinators in the vineyard; Galahad produces bisexual flowers. The wood and buds can withstand temperatures as low as -25°C. The hybrid form offers clear advantages:

• early maturity;
• productivity;
• immunity.

Flaws

Preventative treatments against fungal infections and phylloxera are necessary. Light levels on the vines must be monitored to maintain the beautiful, light color of the berries. Soil composition can affect yield. Delays in harvesting can lead to partial loss of the harvest. Overripe berries are prone to drop.

Features of cultivation and care

Galahad is propagated by cuttings and seedlings. Cuttings have a high survival rate. Select one-year-old seedlings with light-brown wood and light-green shoots. The roots should be free of obvious damage and signs of mold.

Landing

Galahad is wind-resistant, but protection from a brick wall will be beneficial. The brick, heated during the day, releases heat at night, improving the microclimate. The structure should not shade the vine during the day. The hybrid ripens and develops color more quickly in sunny locations.

Before planting, assess the groundwater level. The lower the groundwater level, the better. Galahad seedlings are planted in raised beds if the water is close to the surface (<2 meters). Soil composition plays a minor role. The hybrid can grow in various soil types (peat, sandy, loamy). Galahad does not tolerate salinity.

Beginning winegrowers are better off planting Galahad in the spring (April, May). It takes up to 2.5 months for the seedlings to adapt. Without experience, timing autumn planting is difficult. Spring planting has more advantages. The seedlings fully adapt over the summer, develop a good root system, and are well-prepared for winter.

Galahad is planted in trenches and holes. These are prepared in the fall or two weeks before planting. The holes are 0.75 to 1 m deep. The lighter the soil, the deeper, and the width up to 0.7 m. To prevent root rot, a drainage layer of up to 10 cm is placed at the bottom.
Used by:

• pebbles;
• construction battle;
• expanded clay.

The soil for the backfill is improved by adding humus, ash, or fertilizer to the garden soil. About 3 liters of ash is needed per hole. It can be replaced with potassium sulfate (500 g) or superphosphate (600 g). The entire area around the tree trunk is watered after planting. One seedling requires up to 6 buckets of water.

Care

During the growing season, grapes require water, fertilizer, pruning, and shoring. Young shoots are tied to wire at an angle, with straw underneath, to improve light exposure. During the first four to five years, only formative pruning is performed. Aim for 30-35 buds per vine. Six to eight buds are left on fruiting shoots.

In summer, the list of green works is as follows:

• control the length of the vine, pinch it if necessary;
• removal of weakened shoots;
• leaf trimming.

In the fall, after the leaves have fallen, formative pruning is carried out in two stages. During the first stage, suckers and weak branches are removed. After two weeks, the main work begins:

• in old sleeves, all the shoots located under the 1st wire are cut out;
• side shoots are cut off from the branches tied to the 2nd wire;
• The length of the remaining shoots is shortened by 10%.

Galahad bushes are rejuvenated every 8 (10) years. In the northern and central regions, this form is grown as a cover crop. In the fall, the tree trunks are cleared, loosened, and covered with a layer of mulch. The vines, removed from the trellis, are laid on the ground or in dug trenches. They are covered with any breathable material. Spruce branches are considered the best winter cover.

https://youtu.be/WnuNQ7ZfhlU

Disease prevention

Root rot is a danger. It is caused by overwatered soil. With proper watering, this should not cause any problems. The plant's immunity to fungal infections is strong. Three treatments per season are sufficient to maintain the health of the bushes:

Instead of Bordeaux mixture, grapes can be sprayed with a biological fungicide. There is a wide selection. The most common preventative treatments for fungus are:

• Fitosporin M;
• Gamair;
• Bayleton.

For medicinal purposes, more powerful chemical preparations are used: Quadris, Skor.

Pests

Galahad suffers from phylloxera. The leaf form can be controlled by treatment with Zolon, Actellic, or Confidor-Maxi. Root aphids are virtually impossible to eradicate. Experienced winegrowers solve the problem by grafting Galahad onto phylloxera-resistant varieties:

• Danko;
• Fiery;
• Amateur.

Wasps don't damage the berries, but the harvest needs to be protected from bird attacks. Fine-mesh netting is effective.

Reviews

Andrey, Kamyshin

I can confidently recommend Galahad to winegrowers in the northern regions. In terms of its characteristics (disease resistance, pollination, ripening time, sugar accumulation), it is the most stable variety; I can't compare it to any other variety.

Sergey, Belokurikha

The bush is three years old; the alarm was last year. I cut 10 bunches, all of them are decent, and match the description. The vine ripening is excellent, almost 100% (along the entire length). There was no cracking, the berries were not damaged by wasps, and they can hang on the vine for a long time. The flavor was pleasant. The shape is suitable for growing in our region. This year, by the end of August, the sugar content reached 16%, and with good weather, I think it will reach even higher.

Anton, Stavropol Krai

Galahad isn't one of my top favorites; for me, it's a middling variety. The clusters aren't large, the berries are average in size, and the flavor is flawless—balanced. A plus is the consistent fruiting on the side shoots. The yield is decent, and all the bunches ripen well.

Kirill, Pyatigorsk

I don't consider Galahad a very early variety. It needs to hang for a little longer to lose its acidity. My bunches hang for another week after ripening. The flavor is noticeably better after that; the berries become sweeter, and the acidity is barely noticeable. The bunches weigh from 500 grams to a kilogram. The average vine bears 25-30 bunches.