Super Extra Grapes: Characteristics and Description, Planting and Care

The "Super Extra" grape variety was developed by E.G. Pavlovsky, a breeder from the Rostov region. To create a hybrid berry, he cross-pollinated the "Talisman" and "Cardinal" varieties. Its alternate name, "Citrine," can be found in various sources. The plant is zoned for cultivation in all regions of Russia.

It gained its popularity due to the excellent taste of its fruits, resistance to diseases and adverse weather conditions.

Characteristics of the variety

'Citrine' is a hybrid with early fruit ripening, 90-110 days. The plant is resistant to most fungal and bacterial diseases, but pests such as phylloxera often damage the leaves. Frost resistance is average. The vines and buds do not freeze in winter, as long as the air temperature does not drop below -25°C. Pollination does not require planting other varieties nearby, as the flowers are bisexual (the plant pollinates itself). After planting in a vineyard, the bush begins to bear fruit in the second or third year. The berries ripen by the end of July or early August, depending on the region.

The yield per bush is 20 kilograms. Ripe fruits can be transported over long distances without fear of the berries falling off the stem. The grapes are used for fresh consumption, wine, jam, and juice.

Description of the appearance of the plant and fruits

The grapevines and root system are strong. The plant is densely foliated. The leaf blades are five-lobed, slightly dissected at the edges, and richly green. The shoots are strong and mature within one year. The clusters are cone-shaped, weighing 500-800 grams each. With proper agricultural practices, a cluster can grow up to one and a half kilograms. The clusters are not dense in structure.

The berries are round-oval in shape. On average, they reach a length of 3-3.5 centimeters and a width of 2-2.5 centimeters. Each berry weighs 5-10 grams. The berries ripen to uneven sizes. The skin is firm, with a waxy coating on the surface. At technical maturity, the berries are green-golden in color, and when fully ripe, they acquire a rich amber-gold color. The flavor harmoniously balances tartness and sweetness, with the sweet notes still predominating, while the tartness adds freshness. The aroma is pleasant; tasters distinguish three persistent aromas: muscat, caramel, and herbaceous.

Advantages and disadvantages of berry crops

For many gardeners, the "Super Extra" grape has become a favorite. Based on the collected reviews, we were able to identify the plant's main advantages and disadvantages. These advantages include:

• stable fruiting every year;
• high productivity;
• resistance to most diseases;
• resistance to adverse weather conditions;
• long-term storage of harvested crops, possibility of transportation over long distances;
• can be propagated by cuttings and grafting.

The disadvantages are:

• the berries grow to uneven sizes; if the weather conditions are unstable, severe pea formation of the fruit is possible;
• regardless of soil and air humidity, 30-40% of berries crack at the tips, but do not rot;
• instability to attacks of phylloxera.

Agricultural technology

This berry crop isn't particularly fussy about growing conditions, but if even the most basic care rules aren't followed, you won't be able to get a decent harvest. So what does grapes need for normal growth and development?

Planting and growing grapes

1. Citrine can be grown in any soil. If your garden plot has clay soil, it needs to be loosened. Add peat and sand; two buckets of each are needed per square meter. Citrine dislikes highly acidic soil. Adding slaked lime, dolomite flour, and wood ash will help reduce soil acidity.
2. The planting site for berry crops should be sunny and draft-free. Some shade from nearby buildings is acceptable. Shade does not affect fruit quality or development. Place the plant at least 1 meter away from fences or the house to allow the root system room to expand.
3. A month before planting, prepare the selected site. Remove all weeds and debris from the soil. Dig a hole 80 centimeters wide and deep in the designated area.
4. Add 100 grams of superphosphate and a liter jar of wood ash crushed into powder to the removed soil, mix evenly and pour it back into the hole.
5. You can plant seedlings in spring or autumn.

Stages of planting grapes:

• Prepare a purchased or home-grown seedling before planting. Trim the roots a few centimeters. Then, prepare a soaking solution with any available growth stimulant. Experienced gardeners recommend using Kornevin (dissolve 5 grams of powder in 5 liters of water). Soak the root system for several hours immediately before planting.
• dig the prepared hole;
• Pour a nutrient mixture onto the drainage. It's made from a bucket of compost and one kilogram of wood ash;
• Place the seedling, spread out the root system, and cover it with soil, compacting it slightly. Be careful not to cover the root collar. It should be exposed 5-10 centimeters from the soil surface;
• water the seedling with 20 liters of water;
• install a stake nearby to which you will tie the plant as it grows;
• Mulch the soil under the plant with rotted sawdust or straw to reduce water evaporation.

Caring for berry crops

Caring for grapes requires following a number of points:

1. Watering. The "Super Extra" hybrid is a moisture-loving plant. After planting, water the immature seedling every week for the first month. Starting from the second month after planting, water once a week. Water consumption per bush is 15-20 liters.
2. Weeding and loosening. At least once a month, weeds should be removed from the area around the plant and the soil should be loosened.
3. Fertilizing. To ensure the plant gains strength to produce large fruits, it needs to be fertilized at least twice. Apply the first fertilizer before flowering, and the second during berry formation. Well-rotted manure (one bucket per plant) is suitable for the first application. The second application should be a liquid fertilizer based on 50 grams of superphosphate, 50 grams of potassium sulfate, and 10 liters of water.
4. Pruning. Perform formative pruning in the fall, when sap flow has completely ceased. Leave no more than 7 buds on each vine. Ultimately, the bush should have 4-6 main stems with 25-30 buds.
5. Phylloxera prevention. To prevent pest infestation, spray in the spring with one of the recommended products: Actellic or Kinmix.
6. Preparing for winter. After pruning, remove the vines from the arches and carefully bend them down to the ground. Create a mound of soil on top or cover with straw and then plastic wrap.

Gardeners' reviews

Angelina Vasilievna, 45 years old, Rostov region.

Five years ago, the "Super Extra" variety was added to my berry collection. It's a low-maintenance grape. When I bought it, the nursery salesman pointed out its susceptibility to phylloxera. He recommended spraying the plant with "Karbofos" every spring, once the leaves had sufficiently developed. Otherwise, I've had no problems with this garden plant.

Vladimir Mikhailovich, 56 years old, Kursk region.

I've been growing "Super Extra" grapes for three years now. They began bearing fruit in the second year after planting. The clusters are large, but not dense, but the berries are large. I didn't like the fact that when the clusters hang on the vine for too long, the berries at the bottom begin to crack. I like the taste of the grapes. After harvest, they last up to two weeks if stored in the refrigerator.