Gardeners prefer to grow time-tested varieties. Rizamat is one such variety. Developed through selective breeding, it is distinguished by its fruitfulness and the quality of its berries. Even the plant's fussiness doesn't dampen the enthusiasm for growing it.
Features of the variety
Grape Named after the renowned breeder Rizamat Musamukmedov, Rizamat was bred by crossing the Katta-Kurgan and Parket varieties. It thrives in full sun and warm temperatures. Originally grown in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, it has since spread to the southern regions of Ukraine, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
The following hybrids have been developed based on this variety: Rizamat Stable, Rizamat Excellent, and Rizamat Incomparable. These hybrids are distinguished by their exceptional resistance to adverse weather conditions and possess strong immunity. However, their fruit quality cannot match that of the original variety.
This variety is mid-early; the berries ripen in early August to mid-September (depending on climate). It's versatile. The berries can be used to make compotes and jams, or eaten fresh. When dried, they produce magnificent, large, dark raisins.
The stems are large, woody, and bright brown. The leaves are green, medium-sized, smooth, and lacking lower hairs. They are five-lobed but without pronounced notches. The clusters are large and cone-shaped. A good harvest can weigh up to 3 kilograms.
The flowers are bisexual and require no additional pollination. No need to add other plants to the bushes to ensure proper pollination. Grape With proper care, it produces good, stable harvests.
The berries are large and oblong. One side of each berry is brighter. The fruit itself is an intense pink color. The skin is thin, with a light waxy coating. The flavor is sweet. Ripe berries contain about 25% sucrose. Their weight can reach 6-14 grams.
Pros and cons of grapes
Despite the grape's finicky nature, many gardeners love to grow it. The plant has many attractive advantages:
- produces large yields of berries (up to 25 tons per hectare);
- has universal use of berries;
- has an attractive presentation;
- easy to transport;
- flowers do not require additional pollination.
However, the variety has many disadvantages:
- has low frost resistance;
- does not like high humidity (the fruits begin to crack from this);
- requires constant painstaking work care;
- susceptible to fungal diseases.
Planting grapes
It is advisable to propagate grape Seedlings. To do this, select sections of the trunk and place them in water until the first roots appear. Another method is to place the branches in moist soil. Some gardeners propagate Rizamat by layering. When using this method, it's not recommended to quickly separate the branch from the mother trunk. Otherwise, the plant will become frail and require more care.
Before planting seedlings, prepare the holes. An important rule is to ensure the bottom is two meters above the groundwater level. The holes are dug approximately 80 cm deep. Line the bottom with crushed stone or broken brick, approximately eight centimeters thick.
Next, fill the hole with soil to a depth of 10 cm. Then add fertilizer, preferably organic (compost, manure). Some gardeners add phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. Top this with a 10 cm layer of loose soil. Then, leave the holes to settle for about 14 days.
Planting is recommended in the spring. In the fall, frost-sensitive plants risk dying at the first frost. Alternatively, they may become frail and susceptible to disease.
When planting seedlings, there are a few nuances to consider. It's not recommended to plant them alongside other grape varieties. Rizamat thrives in open spaces and doesn't do well with neighboring plants. If you plan to create a communal vineyard, space the plants at least 3 meters apart.
The distance from the fence and house walls should be at least one meter. When planting, keep the distance between the seedlings between one and one and a half meters. The Rizamat variety loves both light and heat. Therefore, it should be planted on the south side of the plot.
The prepared seedlings are placed in the holes, taking into account every detail. Two buckets of water are added, then the holes are covered with loose soil. It is advisable to apply mulch on top. The shoots are tied to an upright support to direct their growth.
Care Features
Rizamat is very capricious grape varietyIt requires particularly careful care. But it rewards a hundredfold, producing a rich harvest of berries.
Watering and fertilizing
Vineyards thrive on moist soil. They should be watered generously 3-4 times until the berries set and ripen. During these periods, watering frequency is reduced to twice a month. If the soil becomes too wet during ripening, the berries may begin to crack. If watered insufficiently, the berries will begin to shrink.
It's not recommended to simply pour water under the bushes, as it spreads out, not reaching the roots. It's better to make small holes near the root system and pour water into them. Adding organic and inorganic fertilizers is a good idea. Top dressing with compost and wood ash, along with potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus, produces the desired results.
After watering, mulch the soil each time. Dry moss, grass, twigs, and sawdust are all suitable. The mulch layer should be at least 3 centimeters thick.
Pruning bushes
The vineyard requires annual autumn pruning. scrapsWhen pruning long shoots, leave 14 buds on the stems, and no more than 60 buds on each bush. Leaving more than this may impact the yield.
Leaving fewer buds is also detrimental to the harvest. This will cause side shoots to grow, which will prevent clusters from forming. When forming clusters, thin out the leaves. It's recommended to leave no more than 15 leaves above each cluster. This will allow the berries to receive more light and produce larger berries.
Rizamat doesn't tolerate severe frosts well. It dies at temperatures above 18 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it's recommended to insulate the shoots for the winter. They are bent and tied to the bottom of the stems. The plants are wrapped in burlap, then in plastic film with small holes punched in it to prevent rot. Then, they are wrapped in burlap again.
Protection from diseases and pests
A significant drawback of this variety is its susceptibility to fungal diseases (mildew and oidium). Therefore, the condition of the plants should be constantly monitored. Dense foliage should be thinned out; leaves and shoots should be inspected regularly.
A special lime and sulfur solution is suitable for combating fungal diseases. Apply it to the leaves to prevent mildew or powdery mildew. The solution is safe for humans and animals and is environmentally friendly.
Another popular method for treating plants is to spray the bushes with wine or apple cider vinegar. These remedies are completely safe and have shown excellent results in combating fungal diseases.
Grapes are very attractive to birds and wasps. If left untreated, they can significantly reduce the yield of grapes. Cover the grapes with a special net. Another way to protect the bunches from pests is to hang a gauze cover over each bunch.
Harvesting and storage
Grapes ripen in late August to early September. Ripening occurs gradually, starting from the upper branches and moving down to the lower ones at the base of the bushes. Fresh bunches are recommended to be harvested immediately.
They are stored in a cool cellar or refrigerator. The shelf life is about two weeks. This variety is attractive and transports well, making it cost-effective for shipping to retail outlets.
Some gardeners grow Rizamat is specially designed for making raisins. The resulting product is of high taste, looks beautiful, and has commercial value. To use grapes for raisins, ripe bunches are not picked immediately upon ripening, but are allowed to hang on the vine for about two weeks.
Reviews from amateur gardeners
Andrey, 34 years old
I've been growing Rizamat for a long time. But recently I've been thinking about changing the variety. It's very delicate. I live in a rainy area, and I'm always unlucky with the harvest. If I manage to pick the bunches before the rains, it's a great joy. But more often than not, I don't have time. And after the rain, most of the berries burst and rot. It's better to grow something more moisture-resistant.
Alexander, 62 years old
I wanted to try growing grapes on my plot. I chose Rizamat. It only started bearing fruit last year. As it turned out, the delay was due to pruning it too short. Then I tried pruning it longer. And it worked. The bunches are large, the berries are crisp and delicious. The whole family loves it.
Alexey, 47 years old
Rizamat produces large berries, some round-oblong, some oblong. At least, I have them of varying shapes on one vine. The grapes ripen unevenly, starting from the top and then closer to the middle of the vine. The bunches ripen towards the beginning of September. I grow them for sale, so presentation is important, and this variety has excellent presentation.
The Rizamat variety is appealing to many. This early-ripening grape ripens early in the fall season. Ripe berries have an excellent sweet flavor. Grape Rizamat can be eaten not only fresh but also cooked, pickled, and dried. For these qualities, it is grown in various climates. With proper care, large harvests can be achieved.
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