Nadezhda Azos grapes: characteristics and description of the variety

The Nadezhda Azos grape is a table grape variety that fully lives up to expectations for a consistently high yield, regardless of weather fluctuations. However, the list of regions in Russia where grapes can be grown outdoors is limited primarily to the southern regions. However, with proper zoning and adherence to basic care requirements, Nadezhda Azos reveals itself as one of the best grape varieties developed during the Soviet era.

General characteristics

Nadezhda Azos is a hybrid table grape variety developed in the late 1970s, but registered only in 1991. The hybrid was developed by breeder Apalkova at the Anapa Zonal Experimental Station of Viticulture and Winemaking by crossing the Cardinal and Moldova varieties. The grape was originally intended for cultivation in the North Caucasus region, but is also available for cultivation in the southern regions of the central zone.

In terms of ripening time, the variety is classified as mid-early, with the harvest ripening on the 125th-130th day of vegetation. Buds open late on the vines, making the grapes immune to spring frosts, but in regions adjacent to Moscow region, under normal weather conditions in the current season, the berries ripen just before the cold weather sets in.

Features of the structure of the bushes

This variety is characterized by vigorous growth, with vines reaching up to 3 meters. The bush is massive and robust. The leaves are large, with five or three lobes and deep notches. The leaf blade surface is smooth and dark green. The variety is characterized by dense, cobweb-like hairs on the tips of the shoots.

The flowers are bisexual. Each shoot produces approximately three inflorescences, with 1.4 clusters fully ripening. The clusters are large, weighing 500-900 g, with individual specimens reaching 2-3 kg. They are usually conical, sometimes branched. The berries fill the clusters loosely.

Fruit characteristics and yield of the variety

With proper rationing, the berries ripen in the temperate zone by late summer. The fruit is oval and elongated, with a pointed tip. They are large: 2.3 cm wide and 2.9 cm long. The berries are a dark blue, almost black, color. The skin is medium-thick, with a waxy coating. The fruit keeps well and holds up well during transport.

The pulp is medium-dense. Sugar content is 15-17%, and acidity is 7-8 g/l. The berry is crunchy when bitten. The flavor is simple but pleasant, with a hint of tartness. Unripe fruits have a slightly tart pulp, which disappears upon ripening. The taste rating on the tasting scale is 8.2 (out of 10).

Approximately 1.6 kg of fruit ripens per square meter of vineyard. Each berry weighs approximately 6-8 g, but some can reach 10 g. These figures demonstrate the high productivity of the Nadezhda Azos variety. Equally important is the consistent fruiting—the yield remains consistent even during unfavorable summers.

The plant begins bearing fruit in its second year. At least 80% of the shoots the bush produces are fruitful. Clusters also form on runners and side shoots, ripening well.

Sustainability indicators

The endurance of the Nadezhda Azos grape bushes and the shelf life of the fruit are generally above average:

• grapes can withstand frosts down to -22°C;
• is characterized by drought resistance;
• shows high resistance (2 points) to gray, white and black rot;
• susceptibility to oidium and mildew (4 points);
• fruits are rarely damaged by wild wasps;
• During periods of prolonged rain, berries may crack;
• The bunches can remain on the bush for a long time without deteriorating the quality of the harvest.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

There are many arguments in favor of growing this variety:

• productivity;
• stability of fruiting;
• large-fruited;
• commercial qualities of berries and bunches – attractive appearance, shelf life and transportability;
• early ripening period;
• high growth force and good ripening of the vine – 0.65-0.85% of the shoot length;
• ability to tolerate lack of irrigation;
• high immunity to rot;
• weak sensitivity to shoot overload;
• good winter hardiness.

Disadvantages of the variety:

• poor rooting of cuttings;
• In rainy weather, there may be difficulties with pollination of flowers;
• cases of pea-shaped and cracked berries.

Features of agricultural technology of the variety

The greatest demands on grape care Azos shows its best at a young age. Once the vine has matured, developed a strong root system, and produced a large volume of wood, you'll need to worry less about it. Grapes require the usual care: top dressing, bush formation, shelter for the winter.

Intensive irrigation is necessary during the first half of the growing season. Key waterings are after uncovering the bushes, a week before blooming, and after flowering. Watering is adjusted based on the plant's condition and growing region. For disease prevention it is enough to carry out 2 sprayings fungicides during the season - before the bushes bloom and immediately after the formation of ovaries, as well as removing weeds and carrying out autumn cleaning in the vineyard.

Planting grapes

When planting Nadezhda Azos grape cuttings, strict adherence to all cultural requirements is more important than ever, as young plants have difficulty establishing themselves in a new environment. First and foremost, pay attention to preparing the hole and soil. Grapes require a nutritious, well-drained substrate, while soil structure requirements vary among varieties. Nadezhda Azos will grow best in light soils.

Planting should be done exclusively in spring This will increase the chances of successful rooting of the planting material. In the coldest regions of the variety's zone, favorable planting conditions arrive at the end of May. However, even in southern regions, there's no need to rush—the soil needs to warm up well before planting, so don't begin the process before May 5th.

It's recommended to carefully place the pipe into the hole when planting, so that all the water reaches the roots directly. Young plants benefit from watering with wood ash (100 g per 10 liters), especially if ash was not added to the fertilizer at planting. The high concentration of potassium in ash stimulates root formation and adaptation to the new environment. Watering seedlings requires 40 liters of water.

Bush formation and normalization

It is recommended to train the vine into a single shoulder with a trunk height of 1.1-1.2 m before the first fork. Ideally, secure the shoulder to a horizontal cordon, leaving the shoots hanging freely.

You can't let the bush get overgrown, you need to do it in the fall carry out thinning pruningIt is recommended to leave 25-30 fruiting shoots on a bush. Long pruning of fruiting vines, to the level of 6-7 buds, is permitted.

Grapes tolerate overloaded vines well; underloading them is more likely to be detrimental. However, in some cases, regulating the vines is necessary:

1. Young plants should be given less stress than mature vines with a large reserve of old wood. On average, 1.6 inflorescences should be left on a shoot; for young grapes, no more than one flower. During the first fruiting, the ovaries should be removed to allow the vines to strengthen their root system without expending energy on fruit production.
2. The load on the vine affects the ripening period, which is important when growing in a temperate climate. If you need to harvest in August, you should leave no more than 20 kg of fruit on the vine. If growing conditions allow for harvesting in September, you can leave 30 kg.

Gardeners' reviews

Oleg, 44 years old:

"Nadezhda Azos is a very 'commercial' variety. The clusters are large and beautiful, the berries keep well, but... they often have peas. I've made it a rule not to skimp on the blossoms of this variety; if you remove as many as possible, the peas almost never appear in the clusters. There have been a couple of cases where Nadezhda's berries burst while still on the vine, but, characteristically, wasps didn't damage the harvest; apparently, the variety isn't very sugary. And after cracking, the berries don't rot, as with Muromets, but rather dry out and wilt, like raisins. So, they're still edible."

Polina, 34 years old:

"Nadezhda Azos doesn't ripen in open ground near Minsk; it only ripens in greenhouses. It's considered an early variety, but the berries don't reach full ripeness until late September."

Sofia, 51 years old:

"In terms of disease resistance, Nadezhda Azos is completely identical to the Moldova variety. Both suffered from powdery mildew, but neither variety has ever suffered from mildew, and there's no rot at all, even during rainy seasons. Apparently, the grapes inherited their productivity and vigor from the same parent. However, the fruits and bunches of Nadezhda Azos are larger, and the berries have a longer shelf life, especially noticeable in the overripe fruit, which Moldova doesn't keep for long. So, in my opinion, the improvement was a success."

Yana, 38 years old:

"This variety is so undemanding it's simply amazing. The vines are strong, the bunches are huge, and the grapes grow vigorously—I've never seen a vine that wasn't half-ripe by fall (in the southern Rostov region). I always prune the vines to 2-4 buds; I once tried leaving 6 buds—the bush produced a wonderful harvest."

Nadezhda Azos is a stable, fruit-bearing variety suitable for both amateur and commercial cultivation in Russia's southern regions. Its fruit is of sufficiently high commercial quality to be grown commercially. The bushes are decorative, suitable for hedges or arbors.