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

Grape

The Cardinal grape is a classic grape variety in viticulture. It was developed in the mid-20th century in California, USA. Breeders F. Harmon and E. Snyder based their development on the Alphonse Lavallee and Queen varieties.

It appeared in Russia in 1958, but was registered in the State Register of Breeding Achievements only in 1974. It is zoned for cultivation in the Caucasus and Lower Volga regions.

Characteristics of grapes

This berry variety is considered an early-ripening variety, ripening in 105-120 days from the start of the growing season. Although it is a hybrid, this doesn't prevent breeders from incorporating it into new breeding lines and developing new, more advanced varieties. The commercial yield is 11 tons per hectare. A single vine yields 20-25 kilograms.

Grapes can be transported over long distances. When maintained at the correct temperature and humidity, they retain their flavor and appearance for up to three months. They are susceptible to fungal and viral diseases, often being affected by mildew and oidium. They are also completely susceptible to sudden changes in weather conditions. Unprotected vines freeze in winter.

Description of bushes

The bushes develop vigorously and densely foliated, reaching a height of 3-3.5 meters. The vines do not fully mature within a year, only the lower portion. The leaf blades are large, five-lobed, and heart-shaped. The leaf surface is smooth, pubescent, and light green. The vine produces 40-70 fruiting shoots per season, each producing 1-2 clusters.

Description of bunches and berries

The clusters are conical or cylindrical in shape. The flowers are small and light green. The clusters are medium-dense, with visible spaces between the berries. Each cluster reaches 25-30 centimeters in length. They weigh only 300-600 grams. The berries are large, oval or round, weighing 5-7 grams per berry. Small roughness and grooves are visible across the entire surface of the grapes. The skin is dense, covered with a thick waxy coating, and is a rich red color with a violet tint.

The pulp is dense, juicy, and translucent, with a green tint. Three to four seeds are located in the center. The berries have a crunchy bite. The grapes have a balanced flavor, with a balanced balance of slightly tart and sweet. The berries ripen unevenly within the bunch. Inside, where sunlight is weak, they remain semi-green. Despite this, "Cardinal" received a score of 8 out of 10 for taste in a tasting competition. The berries are used fresh, for juice, and as the main ingredient in compote.

Advantages and disadvantages

"Cardinal" has absorbed the best characteristics of its parents. Among its advantages, winegrowers highlight:

short ripening period. The first berries ripen by the beginning of August;
high yield;
long-term storage;
high level of transportability;
heat resistance;
excellent taste.

The disadvantages of the variety are:

Unstable weather conditions during the growing season lead to ovary shedding;
in winter, shelter will be required, as the vines and buds are not resistant to temperature drops below -10-15°C;
not resistant to major fungal and viral diseases;
It requires a lot of fertilizer. The quantity and quality of berries depends on the timeliness of fertilizer application.

Agricultural technology of the variety

"Cardinal" is a demanding variety when it comes to growing conditions. It is recommended to plant it in regions with mild winters and where spring temperatures do not fluctuate sharply. Black soil is ideal for grapes. Loamy and sandy loam soils significantly reduce the yield of this berry crop.

Reproduction

The best method for propagating grapes is by grafting cuttings onto the rootstock of another berry variety. It is recommended to graft onto resistant varieties such as 'Ifc X Berlandieri' and 'Berlandieri X Riparia'. Prepare the grafting material in late autumn, when sap flow has completely stopped. Cut sections of the vine from the middle of the vine, where they are approximately 7-10 millimeters in diameter. At least four buds should remain on the cutting. To preserve the grafting material until spring, cover the ends with paraffin, wrap them in paper, and store them on a low shelf in the refrigerator or in the cellar.

Helpful advice!

To treat cuttings with paraffin, take two half-liter jars. Fill one with cold water and the other with boiling water. Place a thick paraffin candle in the container with boiling water. It should completely dissolve in the liquid. Take the cutting and dip it 10 cm from the end into the hot paraffin mixture, then immediately into cold water. A paraffin film should form on the ends, which will protect the cutting.

Caring for grapes

Important!

During the ripening period of the berries, you should not water them, as the moisture will cause the berries to crack.

Watering

'Cardinal' likes moisture, but in moderation. Water the plant every two weeks from the time the leaves begin to open until the berries are technically ripe. Water consumption per bush is 30-40 liters.

Top dressing

Fertilize plants with complex fertilizers before flowering and during fruit formation. Apply liquid fertilizer to the soil for the first time. top dressing A solution based on 10 liters of water, 30 grams of superphosphate, 20 grams of urea, and 30 grams of potassium sulfide. Feed the grapes a second time with the same solution, but without the urea. In the fall, add well-rotted manure to the vines. Use two buckets per bush. Scatter the organic matter around the entire perimeter of the trunk.

Protection from diseases

To reduce the likelihood of fungal diseases, treat the bushes in the spring with Bordeaux mixture (preparation: 100 grams of copper sulfate, 120 grams of quicklime, 10 liters of water) or any other fungicide.

Trimming

In the fall, leave 5-7 shoots on each bush. The load on one stem should not exceed 6 buds to ensure the clusters are as dense as possible and the berries are large.

Preparing for winter

'Cardinal' requires protection even in warmer regions of Russia. After pruning, carefully bend the vine to the ground, cover it with straw, sawdust, and then cover it with plastic film. Alternatively, mounding soil to protect the vines and buds from freezing is an alternative. The soil should then completely cover all branches.

Reviews

Tamara Nikolaevna, Samara region.

The "Cardinal" grape has been growing at my dacha for three years. I rarely have to tend to it, and the first year's yield wasn't great. The bunches were long, and the berries were large. In the spring, I feed the grapes with a weak chicken broth solution. I prepare it as follows: I take 1 kilogram of fresh manure, add a bucket of water, stir, and let it ferment for two weeks. After 14 days, I dilute one liter of the infusion in a bucket of water and pour it under the vine. I expect a larger harvest next year.

Fedor Nikanorovich, Krasnodar region.

I've been growing the "Cardinal" grape variety on my plot for 10 years now. It gets sick often, of course, but my family and I love the taste and size of the berries so much that I can't bring myself to uproot them. To prevent diseases, I spray the grapes twice in the spring. The first time, I use a copper sulfate solution (100 grams of solution in 10 liters of water) when the buds have not yet opened. The second time, I spray the shoots when the leaves are almost fully open. I use Ridomil or Quadris for disease prevention. Their effectiveness lasts until autumn. If I treat the plants every year, they are virtually disease-free.