Magaracha grapes: characteristics and description of the variety

For those who grow grapes and are interested in new varieties, a variety called "Magaracha" was recently developed. The crop is renowned for its abundant harvest, with the fruit quality being of a decent standard. Magaracha is loved and grown in the southern part of the country, and the grape is gaining new fans every year.

Description and characteristics

In Yalta, there's an institute dedicated to grape breeding, bearing the same name as the variety. The grape was bred there by crossing the beloved and renowned Kishmish with other varieties. Scientists aimed to develop a commercial grape variety, and Magarach Early met all the requirements. The variety produces stable and high yields. It begins bearing fruit no later than the third year after planting and requires no pollinators. By the sixth to eighth year of cultivation, yields reach 120 centners per hectare. With proper cultivation techniques, yields can reach 150 centners.

The ripening period is short: only 115-120 days from the beginning of bud formation. Most of the harvest ripens by the end of August, which is why this grape is also known as "early." The newly ripened berries are purple-black with a matte skin. The flesh is reddish, juicy, and has a muscat aroma. The pulp contains 2-3 seeds. The fruits are round and weigh only 4-5 g. The grapes have a sweet and sour taste, with a sugar content of 15-16% and an acidity of 6 g/l. Experts rate the taste 8 out of 10. The berries are gathered in heavy clusters weighing up to half a kilogram. The clusters are prone to shedding if too many fruits are formed.

Magarachu is grown for winemaking. It produces excellent wine, and it can also be used to make strong alcoholic beverages. Magarachu is also used to make preserves, jams, and marmalades. The berries are edible and will appeal to those who enjoy a tart flavor.

This variety has good frost resistance down to -18 degrees Celsius. It can be grown in the central and southern regions of the country. Magarach thrives particularly well in the Crimean Peninsula, Krasnodar Krai, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Moldova.

The variety thrives in sun, warmth, and humid air, so planting in a warm zone is preferable. Grapes are grown in sandy loam soils; fertilizing the soil before planting is essential for optimal growth.

Magarachi's immune system is average. There is a high risk of mildew, phylloxera, and black spot. Pests and insects sometimes attack the berries. Treatment with fungicides and insecticides is mandatory at least twice per season.

The positive qualities of Magarachi are considered to be:

• high productivity;
• transportability and shelf life of berries;
• the possibility of reproduction;
• easy care.

Disadvantages include poor disease tolerance and a tendency for berries to fall off.

Landing

Magarachi is planted in late spring or early summer in the central region of the country; in the southern region, seedlings are planted in open ground in mid-April. The soil is prepared in the fall, adding humus and compost at a rate of 10 kg per square meter of soil. The hole is prepared in advance; its depth should be at least 80 cm. Fine gravel is placed at the bottom, then a bucket of humus, a cup of ash, and 100-200 g of superphosphate are added. The hole is watered thoroughly and the soil is allowed to settle until spring. Over the winter, the nutrients in the soil will be well distributed, resulting in fertile soil.

Before planting, seedlings are treated with a disinfectant solution of potassium permanganate, then the roots are lowered into the hole and covered with soil. Healthy plants take root within a couple of weeks, and by the end of summer, the vines will reach 2 meters in length. Space adjacent seedlings 2.5-3 meters apart. After planting, the plants are watered with clean water (20 liters per plant) and the soil is mulched with sawdust.

Care

Magarach requires little special care. Early in its growth, the plant gains strength rapidly, its shoots developing and lengthening. In the fall, the bush is pruned. Wait until all the leaves have fallen from the branches, then prune away any diseased or dead branches. Of all the buds that have formed, only 10-12 are left; this is sufficient for fruiting the following year. On young vines, branches should be cut just above the bud. The cut areas are covered with garden pitch or treated with potassium permanganate.

Grapes are watered infrequently, 3-4 times throughout the growing season: before flowering, after flowering, and after fruiting. About once a month, the plant is watered with cool water. For ease of use, a trench up to 10 cm deep is dug around the trunk. Water is poured into the trench and allowed to soak in. This type of watering prevents the soil from becoming acidic, and the water reaches the root system directly.

Shelter for the winter

In the south, there's no need to cover the grape variety for the winter, even during its first wintering. In other regions, grapes are prepared for wintering from early November. The vines are removed from the trellis and buried in mulch. Spruce branches or autumn leaves are placed on top of the mulch. Waterproof film is draped over the leaves and branches. Weights are placed in the corners of the film to prevent it from being blown away by the wind. The vines are not uncovered until early April.

Reviews

Ivan from the Kemerovo region

"I bought the seedlings three years ago, and they're now about 5 meters tall. The berries ripened by mid-September. I treated the grapes with a 3% Bordeaux mixture solution in the spring, and the plants didn't get sick. I also treated them with Topaz before flowering. The inflorescences are intertwined, so be sure to separate the vines and untangle the clusters, otherwise it's practically impossible to do later."

Marina from Krasnodar Krai

"Magarach berries are great for making homemade wine. They don't have much sugar, and the first fruits to ripen are the sweetest. The last ones to be picked are tart. Magarach is a favorite among wasps; to keep them away, use insecticides like Chlorophos, Delta Zone, or special insect traps."