Academician Dzheneev's Memory Grape: Characteristics and Description of the Variety, Planting and Care

Not long ago, Crimean plant breeders wondered if it was possible to cultivate a grape variety that would produce high-quality fruit and be frost-resistant. And such a variety was developed. This is "In Memory of Dzheneev," or, as it's also known, "Akademika Avidzba."

Features of the variety

The "In Memory of Dzheneeva" grape variety was developed by crossing the "Gift to Zaporizhzhya" and "Richelieu" varieties. The hybrid grows and produces fruit well in both southern and central Russia. It can withstand temperatures down to -30°C.

It's an early-ripening variety. The fruits ripen in August, 115 days after the start of vegetation. Despite its young age, it is grown commercially. It's used in blends of the finest red wines.

"In Memory of Dzheneeva" is considered a black table grape. It is primarily grown for wine. However, on private estates, the grapes are also eaten fresh. It's worth noting that the berries are completely seedless.

The harvested grapes keep well. The berries can withstand long-distance transportation. Growing grapes is profitable, as the fruit is known for its unrivaled flavor.

"Akademika Avidzba" is a very young variety. Therefore, its resistance to insect pests and certain diseases has not yet been fully studied. However, gray mold is known to be a scourge of this crop. It can destroy the entire crop at the root.

Characteristics of the culture

The 'Akademika Avidzba' vine is fast-growing and has a dark light green hue. The leaves are medium to large in size. They are five-lobed, serrated, and have visible veins. They have an intense green hue. The outer surface is smooth, while the inner surface is sparsely covered with down.

The flowers are bisexual and require no additional pollination. The berries are large, growing up to 33 mm long and 20 mm wide. They are dark blue in color and covered with a whitish coating on top. They are elongated in shape with a blunt, rounded tip.

The flesh is yellow, dense, and crisp. The flavor is sweet with a subtle tartness, reminiscent of ripe cherries; the aftertaste is chocolatey. The fruit quality scores 9.8 on a scale of 10. The berries have a high sugar content.

The fruit skin is thick and does not crack in high humidity. The clusters are medium-dense, cone-shaped, and very large. When ripe, they weigh up to 1.8 kg.

Advantages and disadvantages of grapes

This variety is primarily made up of virtues. When grown, it shows:

• high productivity;
• endurance;
• frost resistance;
• excellent taste;
• early maturity;
• good shelf life;
• transportability.

The only drawback of this crop is its low resistance to fungal diseases. If the bushes aren't treated promptly, the harvest may rot before it's ready to harvest.

Diseases and pests

The plant is resistant to many diseases. However, it is susceptible to powdery mildew and gray mold. Regular preventative measures are necessary to prevent these problems. Otherwise, the harvest will simply rot on the bushes.

Copper sulfate is suitable for this procedure. Prepare an aqueous solution with this compound and periodically spray the bushes.

The crop exhibits resistance to various pests, including slugs. However, it is particularly attractive to wasps and birds, which can cause significant damage to the variety's yield.

Protecting the Academician grapes from birds is easy. Simply install a mesh fence around the vineyard. Mesh bags, tied to each bunch, are a great way to keep wasps out. The bags allow sufficient sunlight in and don't interfere with the ripening process.

Agricultural technology of the variety

'In Memory of Dzheneev' is an attractive choice for gardening because it requires little maintenance. However, basic cultivation practices are still necessary.

Choosing a landing site

Grapes are propagated by cuttings. Before planting, you need to choose a site. Certain requirements apply:

• rationing of sunlight;
• protection from strong northern winds;
• soil fertility.

Like all grapes, this variety thrives in full sun. It thrives at temperatures of 25–30 degrees Celsius. However, it is grown in the South, where summer temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius. In this case, a slightly shaded planting site is recommended.

Central Russia enjoys comfortable temperatures. However, northern winds are fierce. Therefore, it's best to plant vines in sheltered areas where temperatures remain warmer. Suitable locations for vineyards include: near a fence, behind the wall of a house, or behind a shed.

The plant thrives in well-loosened, fertile soil. Therefore, it's recommended to prepare the required soil mixture in the fall. Add organic matter, such as rotted manure and compost, to the soil. Fertilizers are also added when planting.

Planting options include either bed or trench planting. If the vineyard is being established on clay soil in a region with little snow in winter, trench planting is recommended. For other soils, bed planting is preferred.

Landing

'Memory of Dzheneev' is planted in pre-dug holes. They should be at least 60 cm in diameter and 80 cm high. The bottom of the hole is adjusted based on the soil conditions. If the soil is sandy, clay is mixed in to ensure moisture retention. If the soil is clayey, drainage is provided by placing small stones at the bottom of the hole and a layer of sand on top.

Next, add a layer of fertile soil to the hole. To do this, mix the previously removed soil with organic matter and mineral fertilizers. Add the soil in layers. After adding the first layer, add a bucket of water. Then add a second layer. The dense soil will allow the roots to hold on firmly. After adding the fertile soil, let the holes settle for a month.

When planting, place the cuttings in the center of the holes. Cover with light, fertile soil, and mulch the soil around the roots. Any material will do for mulch: dry straw, dried moss, grass clippings, or onion peels.

Watering

Since 'Akademika Avidzba' is a table grape, it requires constant watering. The first watering is done in the spring after the vines have opened and the shoots have been tied to the trellis. Pour up to four buckets of water mixed with wood ash under the roots. The second watering is done before flowering.

Watering is not recommended during the flowering period. The bushes may lose most of their flowers and fail to produce the desired harvest. The remaining berries may become pea-shaped. The next watering should be done after flowering.

When the berries acquire their color, watering is stopped. If the vineyard is watered further, the berries will become watery and will not acquire sufficient sweetness. The final watering is done in the fall, after harvesting and before covering the vines.

Fertilizing

The plant responds well to fertilizing. Root feeding is done during the following periods:

• after removing the cover (an aqueous solution of manure is added to the soil);
• two weeks before flowering (the same fertilizer);
• before the fruits begin to ripen (feed with superphosphates and potassium salt);
• after harvesting (potassium fertilizers are added).

Every three years, a fertilizer mixture is added to the soil under cultivation: manure, ash, superphosphate, and ammonium sulfate. If the soil is sandy, apply fertilizer every two years; if it is sandy, apply it annually.

The crop responds well to foliar feeding. Complex mineral fertilizers are particularly suitable. They are applied according to the following schedule:

• before flowering;
• during flowering;
• during the ripening of berries.

Pruning and shaping bushes

The variety is pruned twice a year: in early spring before the sap begins to flow and in late fall before covering. In spring, the branches are inspected, and dead and weak shoots are removed. In autumn, immature and weak shoots are removed. This procedure is carried out at freezing temperatures.

Throughout the growing, flowering, and ripening period, the berries are trained. Excess shoots are removed throughout the summer. When the berries reach the size of a pea, the foliage is thinned. No more than five leaves are left above the clusters. The rest are removed.

To provide the berries with more nutrition, leaves and shoots are removed from the lower tiers of the bushes. Thinning is carried out: all clusters are removed except for two or three. These are the ones that will produce a good harvest in the fall.

The berries are pruned, leaving 14-15 leaves on each shoot. The ends of the shoots are pinched. This procedure is necessary to prevent the bushes from becoming overgrown with greenery. Otherwise, the greenery will overwhelm the clusters and the berries will become pea-sized.

To strengthen the roots of an adult plant and ensure their deep rooting, prune the surface roots. For this purpose, select roots 20 cm below ground level and remove them using pruning shears.

Covering for the winter

Although the plant is frost-hardy, it requires protection. In southern regions, where winter temperatures don't exceed -15 degrees Celsius, simply laying the vines on the ground and covering them with soil is sufficient. In colder climates, more extensive covering is required.

In temperatures reaching -25°C (-25°F), it's recommended to wrap the vines in non-woven material. Spunbond is ideal for this purpose. Not only does it provide excellent frost protection, it's also moisture-resistant. The plants are covered with several layers of material, then covered with soil or peat.

When winter temperatures drop to -30 degrees Celsius, it's advisable to create a secure shelter. To do this, vines are tied into bundles and covered with non-woven fabric. Arches are formed on top and covered with cellophane.

Reviews from amateur winegrowers

Victor, 42 years old

I have many new varieties in my garden. I love new ones. Two years ago, my brother gave me a cutting of "Akademik Avidzba." In two years, it grew into a large, beautiful bush. This year, we had our first harvest. The whole family loved the berries. They have a very unusual sweet flavor with a nutmeg-chocolate aftertaste. I want to plant a few more cuttings next year.

Anna, 46 years old

I'm very passionate about growing grapes. When I was given a cutting of 'Akademik Avidzba,' I was thrilled. I carefully covered the cutting the first year after planting. In the second year, I left two branches. The plant grew vigorously. I thinned it out several times. It yielded its first harvest this year. The berries had a very unusual, pleasant flavor. This variety has become one of my favorites in my garden.

Anatoly, 62 years old

I'd like to tell you about the "In Memory of Dzheneev" variety. In its second year, the bush grows large, producing about 12 clusters. The clusters are moderately dense and cone-shaped. The berries don't crack from moisture (even though this summer was cool and rainy). The flesh is firm and crisp. The flavor is very pleasant and sweet.

Nadezhda, 53 years old

I really like "In Memory of Dzheneev." It's an early-ripening variety. My plot already had a harvest on August 20th. The clusters weighed 1.6 kg each. The berries are large, oval, and seedless. The flavor is inimitable—sweet with a hint of muscat acidity and a chocolatey aftertaste. It's versatile. I make jam and wine from the grapes.

According to amateur winegrowers who cultivate grapes, "Pamyati Dzheneev" (also known as "Akademika Avidzba") doesn't require particularly meticulous care. The harvest is abundant, and the berries have an unusually pleasant flavor.