Rombik grapes: characteristics and description of the variety, planting and care

Rombik is a promising hybrid grape variety, developed in 2010 by crossing varieties such as Super Extra and Beauty. The creator is Evgeny Georgievich Pavlovsky. Gardeners are eager to share photos and reviews of this new variety, describing it as early-ripening, tasty, weather-resistant, and very easy to grow. Rombik is worthy of attention from both novice and experienced winegrowers.

Description and characteristics of the Rombik grape variety

This is an extremely early hybrid, with the harvest occurring 80–90 days after bud break. Depending on the region, ripening occurs in mid-July or early August. If the vine is hit by recurrent frosts early in the growing season, some buds will be lost, and the berries will ripen 10–15 days later. Mature bushes can withstand temperatures down to -23°C (-73°F), have high disease resistance, and are resistant to wasps, birds, and other pests.

The bushes are massive and tall, with highly branched shoots and excellent vine ripening. Fruiting begins two years after planting. The leaves are serrated and very beautiful, with medium foliage. The flowers are bisexual, so there's no need to select pollinators when planting this hybrid. The conical clusters weigh from 500 grams to a kilogram, not dense but not loose.

The berries are diamond-shaped, dark purple or black, and mostly large (10–18 grams), with very few small fruits in the clusters. The flesh is crisp, sweet and sour, and juicy, with fruity notes and a subtle muscat aroma. The skin is barely noticeable when eaten, and there are few seeds.

Unripe berries leave a mild astringent aftertaste, but as they ripen and begin to wilt, the flavor becomes sweeter and richer; some gardeners compare it to prunes, while others compare it to dried cherries. Fully ripe berries don't burst even in excess moisture; they peel off the stems with difficulty, preventing them from falling off.

Productivity and use

The Rombik grape variety is described by its originator as a high-yielding, stable variety. Many winegrowers confirm this information, but there is no precise information on the harvest volume in a single season. Some boast that just one year after planting, the bush produced about 1.5 kilograms of berries, while others complain that by the third season, a well-developed plant had only produced five inflorescences. Much depends on the age of the bush, the pruning method, and the growing region.

Rombik is a table grape, but some gardeners used it to make wine. Despite the excellent flavor of the fresh berries, the resulting wine was somewhat bland, lacking a fruity flavor and rich aroma. The berries can be used to make juices and fruit platters, but they are not suitable for freezing. The harvested grapes can be stored without spoiling for up to 2.5 months in a cellar or refrigerator.

Advantages and disadvantages

In its nearly nine years of existence, the Rombik grape hybrid has proven itself to be a positive success. Its drawbacks include poor frost resistance and a paucity of information regarding growing conditions in different regions. Some gardeners complain about the relatively light weight of the bunches during the first four years after planting. Let's highlight its main advantages:

• early ripening;
• resistance to diseases and pests;
• frost resistance;
• almost complete absence of peas;
• stable, high yield;
• excellent taste;
• self-pollinating hybrid;
• the berries do not fall off or crack;
• transportability and shelf life;
• Excellent commercial quality of brushes.

Another significant advantage of the Rombik grape variety is the rapid rooting of cuttings, which simplifies the process of propagating the hybrid. It's also worth noting that it's easy to grow, making it suitable for novice winegrowers and those who don't have time for meticulous plant care.

Features of cultivation

Carefully inspect the seedling before purchasing; it should be free of any damage (breaks, peeling bark, chips, or stains). A healthy cutting will have a well-branched, strong root, and the buds will not fall off when touched. The stem should be light brown and green at the cut end. Before planting, soak the roots in water for 2-3 days, then trim them back to 15 cm.

Select a site for the grapes on a hill or slope; avoid planting them in low-lying areas, or ensure adequate drainage. A sunny, south-facing, open site, protected from wind and cold drafts, is ideal. Rombik grapes can be planted near fences and the walls of various buildings, preferably with arched or pergola-shaped supports.

Landing

The planting hole should be prepared in advance. Dig a hole 80x80 cm in size and add a 10-15 cm layer of fine gravel or crushed rock to the bottom. Now fill the hole a little more than halfway with a mixture of soil and organic fertilizer and leave it for a few months to settle. You can add a half-liter jar of wood ash to the soil mixture.

Make a small depression in the center of the prepared hole, ensuring that the root collar remains above the surface after you cover the roots with soil. Use the soil from the previously dug hole for backfill. Drive a stake next to the seedling for tying. After planting, water the grapes thoroughly; you'll need 2 or 3 buckets of water.

Watering and fertilizing

During the initial growth phase (the first year after planting), Rombik grapes require generous watering. If there is no natural rainfall, pour 20 liters of water under the bush every 10-15 days. From mid-summer onward, watering frequency should be gradually reduced to allow the vines to mature before the first autumn frosts. In subsequent years, generous watering is necessary only in the spring during flowering and during prolonged droughts. The soil should be loosened after watering and rain, and to prevent rapid evaporation, the area around the trunk should be mulched with humus or peat.

Fertilizer applied to the soil at planting will last for 3-5 years, then fertilize regularly, several times throughout the growing season. In early spring (immediately after removing the cover), in the fall, and during the period of mass berry filling, use chicken manure, manure, or compost. Before flowers bloom and at the beginning of flowering, apply two foliar applications of boric acid – 10 grams per bucket of water.

Prevention

Despite the Rombik grape's resistance to disease, preventative spraying is a good idea. The first treatment should be carried out immediately after removing the cover, when the weather has stabilized to a stable temperature. Treat the bush with a 0.5 or 1% aqueous solution of ferrous sulfate. This will kill all potential pathogenic fungi and bacteria. This solution is also suitable for fall treatment (before covering), but a more concentrated solution—3 or 5%—is needed.

Pruning and preparation for winter

The Rombik grape bush can be trained in any convenient way. The main pruning is done in the fall (shortening shoots and removing excess and dead branches); this procedure rejuvenates the bush and stimulates fruiting. In the summer, crooked shoots should be broken off and side shoots removed. In the spring, all frost-damaged parts of the bush are removed.

In the south, Rombik grape vines overwinter well without cover; they only need to be covered during the first year after planting or until the first harvest. In regions with cool or cold climates, protection is essential. During the first year, the vine is completely covered using any convenient method; in subsequent years, the vine is bent to the ground if possible, wrapped, or a kind of greenhouse is constructed.

This hybrid has earned a good reputation in its short lifespan and is widely grown in both amateur gardens and large industrial vineyards. Rombik is in high demand on the market, commanding a premium price because its berries ripen long before other varieties. Rombik grapes are sure to please lovers of early, tasty berries; consider them a favorite.

Reviews

Valery
I bought Rombik when there was practically no information about it. I thought long and hard about shaping it, then immediately left two branches, and it was a good choice. The bush grows very quickly, I prune it every fall, safely removing all unnecessary branches and shortening the main ones. I don't do any preventative treatments, and there haven't been any diseases. I live in the Krasnodar region, so I don't cover the bush. The hybrid is very easy to grow, and the berries have a pleasant flavor, not quite typical of grapes.

Tatiana
I've been told many times that Rombik rarely gets sick. My vine was struck by powdery mildew in the third year after planting, but the weather was to blame. I quickly got rid of the problem using Topaz. The yield is quite good, about 3.5 kg per vine, even though the vineyard is only in its fourth year. In the Moscow region, the berries fully ripen around the beginning of August. Last fall, I couldn't get out to the dacha and didn't cover the vine, but surprisingly, it didn't suffer too much and recovered quickly.