Grapes are a heat-loving crop, but with proper cultivation techniques, there are varieties that will delight gardeners in both central and northern climates. The Crystal grape variety is one such variety, distinguished by its early maturity, low maintenance, and high yield.
Description and main characteristics of the variety
The variety was included in the State Register in 2002. Experts recommend its cultivation in the North Caucasus region, although it is also common in more northern areas. In temperate climates, it is grown with mandatory cover during the cold season.
This grape was developed in Hungary, based on the parent varieties of the Russian Amursky variety and the Hungarian Villard Blanc and Csallóczi Lajos. Crystal is a technical grape, meaning its berries are primarily intended for winemaking. However, its optimal acidity and sugar balance make Crystal valuable not only for winemakers; it's also excellent for eating, compotes, and juices.
The bushes are medium-sized, with light brown shoots with a reddish tint. The leaves are a rich dark green, varying in shape—deeply dissected or slightly dissected.
First-year shoots are reddish, later changing to brown. When pruned in the fall to 3-4 buds, the standard bush load is usually around 58-60 buds. The bushes are vigorous and grow well. Shoot maturity reaches 86-90%. The ripening period is 110-115 days, with longer ripening periods in temperate and northern regions. In the south, the berries ripen as early as August 10, but everything depends on weather conditions and proper agricultural practices.
The brushes are conical in shape, medium in size and density. Their weight ranges from 160 to 200 grams.
The berries are small, oval or round, light green with a bright golden or yellowish hue. The skin is firm and does not crack. They weigh 1.8-2 grams. The surface of the berries is covered with a slight waxy coating. The appearance of the fruit is not particularly presentable, but this is compensated by the excellent taste and sweetness of the grapes.
The flesh is tender, juicy, and sweet. At full ripening, sugar levels peak, and acidity is minimal. The seeds of this variety contain a large amount of essential oils.
The pulp has a simple flavor, without any piquant notes, which does not detract from the berry's quality. Sugar content is 16-18%, and acidity is 6-7 g/l.
Crystal berries are tasty and sweet, and their range of uses is wide. They serve as the basis for the production of dry white wines (on an industrial scale). Winemakers who grow this variety on their plots produce various types of wine using blending techniques.
The berries are suitable for various preserves and processing. They are used to make compotes, juices, jams, and dried raisins. In temperate climates, Crystal berries are eaten fresh and used in desserts.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The grape variety with the beautiful name Crystal is loved by many gardeners for its ease of care, sweet berries, and high yield.
The advantages of this variety include:
- increased winter hardiness rates (according to different reference books, they vary from 29°C to 32°C);
- versatility of using berries;
- resistance of the variety to traditional grape diseases (oidium, gray rot, mildew);
- low demands on growing conditions;
- good yield indicators (160-200 kg per hectare of plantings);
- excellent berry flavor;
- self-pollination of the variety.
According to the variety's disease resistance system (a 5-point scale is used), Crystal has 2 points for mildew and 2.5 points for oidium.
Crystal has a high genetic resistance to gray mold. Another advantage is that the berries don't fall off the bush when ripe, allowing for a slight delay in harvesting. However, keep in mind that the berries on the undersides of the bunches wilt slightly when left too long, so it's important to adhere to the harvesting deadline.
The Crystal variety is grown in the central part of the Russian Far East and even in some regions of the Urals and Northwest. In these areas, care will naturally differ from that in southern regions; winter protection will be required, possibly including greenhouse planting. Other than that, the variety has no significant drawbacks.
During the ripening period, it's important to protect grapes from attacks by birds and wasps, which are particularly attracted to the ripening, succulent fruits. Use rattles, special nets, and insect traps (available at specialty stores, or you can easily make your own).
Features of grape care
The cultivar's cultivation practices are standard; the main techniques will be discussed below. It's important to note that when growing Crystal in the temperate zone, covering it during the cold season is essential. In southern regions, it's recommended to cover young shoots for the winter.
Landing
The choice of site determines the future yield of the crop and the quality of the berries. Grapes grow well in sunny, well-drained locations without stagnant water. Low-lying areas and areas with shallow groundwater are unsuitable. In these cases, alternative sites should be selected or a high-quality drainage system installed.
In temperate climates, it's best to plant Crystal seedlings in the spring; in the south, autumn planting is also common. The beds are prepared in advance: for spring planting, dig in the fall; for autumn planting, dig a month before planting.
The holes should be 70-80 cm in diameter, with a mandatory layer of crushed stone or pebbles at the bottom (drainage). A nutrient mixture consisting of black soil (humus), potassium sulfate, and superphosphate (ash can be substituted) is prepared in advance.
Grape seedlings are planted when warm weather arrives and the soil temperature reaches 14°C. The distance between holes is 80-90 cm, which is sufficient for wine grapes. Avoid planting too densely, as this will deprive the grapes of nutrients and light.
Care
Crystal should be watered regularly, especially in hot weather. Lack of moisture affects the quality of the berries. It's advisable to set up irrigation systems by creating furrows, pits, or special drip systems. For young bushes, add root development products (Kornevin) to the water.
Water should only be settled and warm.
Full-fledged fertilizing is applied starting in the third or fourth year, provided the soil in the beds has been well-fertilized and the young bushes have sufficient supply. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in the spring, before flowering, and potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are applied during the growing season and in the fall. Foliar feeding can be achieved by spraying the grapes with superphosphate or potassium sulfate.
Crystal requires short pruning (2-3 buds) to maintain 55-60 buds per bush. Spring pruning is done before the buds swell, and proper cuts are essential to prevent weeping.
During the summer, thin the bushes, removing overgrown and thin branches. In the fall, prune Crystal two weeks after the leaves have completely fallen. Remove shoots from perennials, trim off side shoots from annual shoots, and pinch out the growing tips.
This grape variety is disease-resistant, but preventative measures are essential. Follow proper watering guidelines, avoid overwatering, and thin out the vines.
Before flowering (5-6 days) and after harvesting, treat the vines with a solution of any fungicide (Topaz, Skor), or with copper sulfate or Bordeaux mixture. Colloidal sulfur solution (three times per season) and an infusion of ordinary wood ash are also effective.
Compliance with agricultural technology allows you to avoid diseases and get a good harvest of delicious berries.
The Crystal grape is an easy-to-grow, industrial grape variety beloved by gardeners across the country. It is successfully grown in the Urals and other high-risk farming regions. With proper care and simple recommendations, the grapes produce abundant fruit, and the berries are distinguished by their excellent flavor and sweetness.
Crystal grape reviews
Ivan, Volgograd region
It's a good, high-quality variety, even though it's a wine grape. I don't make wine from it; there are other varieties for that. It's been growing in my garden for a long time (at least ten years), and I grow it for food. We make juice, but it tastes a bit bland. Crystal is best fresh, straight from the vine. The berries are all in their juice, sweet and delicious.
Olga, Moscow region
We've long ago chosen several varieties for our wine grapes. Kristall is the main one (and, well, quite a good variety for our region). It's always productive, never disappointing. I cover them for the winter, but it's not particularly difficult. It does require care, but how could it be otherwise? Otherwise, there will be no berries or wine.
I also grow Platovsky, and I think Crystal is more delicious, juicier, and better for wine.
Igor, Tatarstan
I've been growing the Crystal variety for three years. The clusters are good, they hang well, and I like the berries fresh best. The flavor is simple, unpretentious, but the sweetness outweighs any shortcomings. We don't make wine, but the juice is practically tasteless, even though the berries themselves are very sweet. In short, we only eat this variety fresh now; I don't even use it for compotes; the kids gobble it up.
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