Beauty Grapes: Characteristics and Description of the Variety, Planting and Care

One unusual grape variety is called "Krasotka." It owes its name to its unusual, beautiful berries. The fruit has a distinctly sweet flavor with a fruity aroma. It grows in virtually any soil and is easy to cultivate.

Characteristics and description of the variety

Krasotka is the pride of Russian selection. It was developed by amateur breeder E.G. Pavlovsky. He crossed the pink-fruited Victoria variety with a European grape variety whose exact name is unknown. The result is a grape with large, weighty bunches weighing 800-900 g. The bunch is conical in shape with several "wings." The berries are tightly packed together. The fruit color is dark burgundy with a pink tint. The coloring is complex and uneven. The berries are round with a pointed tip, weighing between 7 and 10 g.

The berries earned a high taste rating of 4.6 out of 5. The dense skin reliably protects the flesh from damage and is barely noticeable when biting into it. The flesh is sweet with muscat notes, with a sugar content of 20% and an acidity of 6 g/l. Krasotka is suitable for all purposes, primarily for fresh consumption and sale. The berries are easily transported over long distances without bruising. These grapes are suitable for jam, homemade wine, and liqueurs.

The ripening period takes 110-120 days. Flowering occurs in late spring; the flowers are hermaphroditic and require no pollinators. The shoots develop quickly and ripen fully. The mature plant reaches 5.5-6 m in height. Supporting the branches to a trellis is essential; the heavy bunches can cause branches to break. Each bush produces 30-40 buds.

Krasotka is highly frost-resistant. Even without cover, the variety can withstand light frosts, and with cover, it can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C, with all shoots intact. It is suitable for cultivation in central Russia, the south, and northern regions. Open-air cultivation is preferred, as it produces the highest yield.

The variety is slightly affected by grape diseases A type of sidium and mildew, it exhibits moderate resistance to rot. To maintain its immune system, the plant should be treated with antimicrobial agents once or twice a year.

When growing Krasotka, the following positive aspects are noted:

• appetizing appearance of bunches and sweet taste of berries;
• good transportability;
• frost resistance;
• unpretentiousness in cultivation;
• stable annual fruiting.

However, the variety does have its drawbacks. When overripe, the berries begin to burst and lose some of their juice. The oozing juice attracts wasps, which are a real pest for the variety. The harvest must be picked promptly and the berries must not be allowed to overripe.

Landing

A lot of space will be required. Variety The plant is tall, with large shoots and a well-developed root system. The distance between adjacent bushes should be at least 2-3 meters. The site itself should be in an open area, away from shade. Slightly acidic, well-drained soil is ideal for growing. This variety does not tolerate strong winds, so you can squeeze the plants near fences or hedges on the north side.

The seedlings are planted in the spring, no earlier than mid-April. For the Black Sea coast and warmer climates, Krasotka is planted before winter. The hole should be at least 1 meter deep. Drainage material (crushed rock or gravel) is added, followed by two buckets of equal parts compost and peat. The seedling is inserted into the soil mixture, leaving the root collar above ground, and covered with soil. The plant is immediately watered with two buckets of water and secured to a support.

Care

Caring for this variety can be done in a few simple steps:

• Watering. The main requirement is regularity. The variety tolerates drought well, but only for short periods. Water the grapes under the bush every 2-3 weeks; foliar watering is not necessary. One plant requires 10 to 15 liters of water. The water temperature should be at least 20 degrees Celsius, otherwise the roots will rot.

• Mulching. Dry straw, peat, and sawdust are used to retain soil moisture. Mulch protects the root system from summer heat. Mulching is done approximately once a month, after watering.
• Fertilizing. Fertilizing begins when the grapes are three years old or older. The beauty plant responds well to organic and mineral supplements. During flowering, root irrigation with potassium sulfate (91 tablespoons per 10 liters of water) will help ensure a good harvest. Superphosphate can be added to the potassium (1 teaspoon per 10 liters of water).
• pruningThe procedure is carried out in the spring, before the sap begins to circulate at full capacity. Most of the lower shoots are cut off with pruning shears or a knife, leaving only the most beautiful and long ones. Diseased the branches need to be cut off to a healthy place and treat the cut with hydrogen peroxide.

Covering grapes for the winter

Young grapes are a must close for the winterIn northern regions, annual cover is required for overwintering. Before the onset of frost, prepare the soil for the cold: do not water it, loosen it, and wait until it dries thoroughly. Mulch the soil with sawdust; the layer should be uniform and 4-5 cm thick. Spruce branches and plastic film are placed on top of the sawdust. The ends of the film should be firmly secured on both sides with weights (bricks or slate).

Reviews

There have been many positive reviews about the grapes. Gardeners praise them for their productivity and excellent taste.

Lyudmila from the Moscow region said:

"I've been growing Krasotka grapes at my dacha for three years now. I've never grown grapes before. I treat the plants twice in the spring with fungicides Radomil and Thanos. I've heard that you need to process in autumn"The grapes grow large, plump, and don't crack. The flavor is reminiscent of cherries; the pulp literally dissolves in the mouth."

Leonid writes:

"Everyone loves grapes because they're sweet and not sour at all. The fruit can crack, but this can be easily avoided with proper watering. I water Krasotka once a month, which is enough for the grapes. They survive winter well; after each winter, renew the shoots to prevent the berries from shrinking."