Kishmish 342 grapes: characteristics and description, planting and care

In the late 19th century, Hungarian breeders crossed early (Perlet Sidlis) and industrial (Villars Blanc) grape varieties. The result was the Kishmish 342 (GF-342) hybrid. It is characterized by frost resistance, early ripening, high yield, and ease of care. These qualities have made it widely popular among farmers in the temperate continental latitudes of Russia and Belarus.

Characteristics Kishmish 342

Features of the woody vine known as the grape bush:

• A thin, vigorous stem with high elasticity and versatility. These qualities must be taken into account when planting grapes and preparing them for winter;
• the leaves are large, rounded, and slightly dissected;
• Shoots mature by 2/3 of the vine, so it's recommended to prune them to 7-8 buds. This helps improve vine maturity and increase fruit yield by up to 85%.
• Excessive clustering negatively impacts the hybrid's yield. Gardeners should regularly prune according to all guidelines, with a maximum of three clusters remaining on each shoot.
• stable fruiting.

Subject to the rules of planting and care, the yield of grapes is 20-25 kg from each perennial vine.

Fruit characteristics:

• average size 15x17 mm;
• oval shape;
• 3rd class seedlessness;
• thin but strong skin with a greenish-yellow tint;
• weight does not exceed 3-5 g;
• sweet and dense pulp, seedless, with a slight nutmeg flavor;
• the sugar concentration is at the level of 19-21% and does not depend on the growing conditions of the variety;
• The berries are collected in cone-shaped clusters of medium to large size (weight from 400 to 900 g). Cases have been recorded where this figure reached 1.5 kg.

From ovary formation to fruit ripening, it takes approximately 100-115 days. In the southern regions of Russia, the Kishmish 342 grape can be harvested during the first ten days of the last summer month. Beginning in mid-August, the hybrid's fruits ripen in the Voronezh, Belgorod, Lipetsk, Kursk, and Tambov regions. Farmers in the Urals and Transbaikal begin harvesting this grape variety in the last week of summer. With proper care, each vine yields 20-25 kg.

Transporting the harvested grapes is straightforward, so Kishmish 342 grapes are shipped throughout the country. The bunches are stored in a cool place (refrigerator, cellar) for approximately 3-5 weeks.

In the food industry, this hybrid variety is often used to make baby juices, wine, and raisins. The latter can be obtained without removing the bunches from the vine. They are placed in bags and turned periodically. At home, an electric dehydrator or microwave can be used for this purpose.

The numerous vitamins and minerals in its composition make Kishmish 342 suitable for treating oral, nervous, cardiovascular, and digestive conditions. Vitamin C in grapes helps strengthen the immune system, making it suitable for preventing colds.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The advantages of GF-342 include the following characteristics:

• Frost resistance. Grapes are grown in areas where temperatures reach -26 degrees Celsius;
• long-term storage possibility;
• fast ripening of fruits and high yield;
• absence of seeds and minimal amount of rudiments in berries;
• sweet and pleasant taste;
• minimal risk of fungal diseases;
• does not require special care;
• good survival rate of seedlings;
• Pollination occurs through its own pollen, which is carried by insects or from neighboring bushes. Therefore, Kishmish 342 is considered a self-pollinating grape variety. It also produces seeds, but after a while, they spontaneously drop off.

The hybrid also has some disadvantages:

• the possibility of incorrect formation of the vine, which leads to the appearance of seeds in the berries;
• The need to carry out certain actions to prepare the grapes for winter. This is especially true for young vines, which may still be somewhat sensitive to low temperatures in the first year;
• When grown in southern regions where soil moisture is scarce, the plant experiences nutrient deficiencies. This is reflected in its flavor, which becomes "plasticky." In such regions, grapes may have rudimentary notes.
• The berries are very attractive to wasps, so traps need to be installed.

Features of agricultural technology of the variety

To ensure Kishmish 342 delivers a rewarding harvest, pay attention to the following characteristics when selecting seedlings for planting:

• root length – 19-23 cm, aboveground part of the vine – 23-24 cm;
• the presence of 2 to 4 viable buds;
• The diameter is 1 cm.

Landing rules

After you've purchased your seedlings, we recommend choosing a location for planting grapes and preparing the soil:

• Kishmish 342 is planted from the end of April to the beginning of October, provided there is no frost, in the eastern or western part of the garden;
• The location should be free from shade and drafts. A sunny spot sheltered from the wind by a house wall is best. It should also be free of weeds, especially couch grass, whose extensive root system will hinder the hybrid's growth.
• Soil acidity level: 6.4-8.0. Waterlogged or saline soil is not suitable;
• black soil with a fertile layer depth of at least 70 cm is considered the best soil for grapes;
• Proximity to groundwater is also undesirable, as it can cause root system death;
• the distance between grape bushes is 4 m, between rows – 2-2.5 m;
• The depth and width of the hole dug for the plant are 0.8-0.9 m and 0.7-1.0 m, respectively. A thick layer of drainage material (expanded clay or crushed stone) is poured into the bottom. An equal amount of sand is poured on top, followed by another layer of drainage material mixed with compost in equal proportions.
• If there is no hedge, install a 2.6 m high metal trellis 0.8-1.0 m from the bush. Its shadow should not fall on the vine. Metal wire is stretched parallel and perpendicular between the trellises to provide support for the vine. This should create squares with sides measuring 50-56 cm.
• To water the plant, attach a plastic pipe (diameter 15-17 cm) to the wall of the dug hole.

A day before planting, the seedling's roots are watered. After this time, the cutting is removed from the water and placed precisely in the center of the dug hole. The roots are covered with loose soil, mulched (sawdust), compacted, and watered generously. Finally, the cutting is pruned back to two buds.

Necessary care

Grapevines should be fertilized after the first leaves appear. To do this, spray them with a solution of ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate. After one week, repeat the procedure using superphosphate or potassium chloride. Fertilize the root system two weeks before flowering. Mix all four substances in water at the required dosage. To feed one bush, 10 liters of this solution is required. Repeat the procedure when the fruit ripens.

Watering rules for Kishmish 342:

• For the first 1.5 months after planting, the seedling is watered once every 4 days with 12-15 liters of water;
• during the period from bud break to flower appearance, the amount of water is increased to 27-35 liters due to watering once every 18 days;
• when flowering ends, the volume of liquid for performing the manipulation is 30-45 liters with a watering interval of 15-16 days;
• To avoid cracking of berries, watering is stopped 3 weeks before ripening begins.

After carrying out such manipulation or precipitation, the soil must be thoroughly loosened.

The area where new seedlings are planted must be thoroughly cleared of weeds to prevent them from taking root. Weeding should be done to a depth of 2-7 cm.

In the spring, use pruning shears to remove unwanted parts of the vine to prevent overcrowding. It's recommended to prune at 6-7 buds, leaving no more than three clusters on the shoot. This will help increase the plant's yield.

Kishmish 342 is resistant to fungal infections, but this doesn't prevent it from being attacked by other diseases or pests (leaf rollers, spider mites). If the summer is damp and cool, it's essential to treat the plant with insecticides and fungicides in July, and burn all fallen leaves outside the garden in the fall.

Another problem when growing GF-342 is wasps. They can damage 30-90% of the crop, so traps are constructed with poisonous substances, or the grapes are placed in gauze-wrapped bags. Areas near the vineyard are also inspected for nests.

Harvesting rules:

• fully ripened bunches are cut with pruning shears;
• The procedure is carried out in sunny weather to ensure the fruits are dry. Avoid leaving them on the vine for too long, as they will lose their flavor;
• The harvest is inspected for mechanical damage and rot. Such berries are subject to removal;
• The remaining bunches are sorted by size if necessary.

Covering the vines for the winter is recommended, especially when growing hybrids in northern regions. The shoots are tied tightly and bent to the ground, then covered with agrofibre, coniferous branches (spruce, pine), sawdust, or dried leaves.

Reviews

Our dacha is located in the Moscow region. Everyone here loves grapes, so we tried many varieties and settled on Kishmish 342. My husband and I were drawn to the variety's low maintenance, and our grandchildren love the seedless fruit. We begin harvesting in late July. Even with a rainy and cool summer, we still get at least 50 kg from three grapevines. We store the bunches in the cellar for one month.

Tamara, 55 years old, Moscow

I've been growing Kishmish 342 grapes for five years now. The bushes are very vigorous, so I leave two bunches per vine. I follow the proper cultivation procedures, so I haven't encountered any grape diseases. I harvest after August 10th. My children really like this variety for its sweet flavor. I plan to plant two or three more bushes in the spring.

Alexander, 35 years old, Oryol

Growing Kishmish 342 in your garden is easy and requires little care. The berries will impress you with their muscat flavor, which makes them ideal for winemaking. Furthermore, they are beneficial not only for children but also for elderly family members suffering from various illnesses.