Kodryanka grapes: description and cultivation

Among the many varieties of black grapes that are highly popular with domestic gardeners, Kodryanka takes its own, quite prominent place. And this should not be surprising, because this table variety organically combines many advantages, among which, above all, excellent taste qualities of berries and ease of cultivation stand out. At the same time, in addition to those mentioned above, the Codrean grape has a lot of other remarkable features, the description of which is presented to the reader.

For a start, it is worth noting that the variety “Codreanca” was bred relatively long ago - in 1985, thanks to the successful efforts of the Moldovan breeders. It received its name in honor of the settlement, located in the central part of the republic, the neighborhood of which has long been famous for its excellent vineyards. As for the parental varieties of the bred hybrid, these are the "Marshall" and "Moldova", well known both in the post-Soviet space and beyond.

The most significant characteristics of the grapes described varieties:

• the mass of ripe berries - 6 - 8 g;
• the average size of the fruit - 31 x 19 mm;
• intense red-violet color;
• oblong or ovoid;
• dense pulp;
• simple and harmonious taste;
• sugar content - 18 - 19%, acids - 6.0 - 7.5 g / l, water - about 80%;
• 1-2 seeds in the vast majority of grapes.

In addition, the berries "Kodryanki" characterized by a rapid decrease in acidity in the process of maturation. In addition to being used as a dessert, they are often used for making wine, aided by their juiciness and sugar content. But the raisins of these fruits do not because of the presence of seeds in them.

If you list the main features of the Codryanka grape brushes, their list will look like this:

• average density;
• bunch mass - around 550 g (the maximum value may exceed 1.5 kg);
• bisexual flowers (about 11 per 10 shoots);
• average length of the stem and stem;
• 10 shoots account for about 14 clusters.

As for the grape leaves of the considered variety, they are characterized by a large plate, a wavy profile and a rounded shape. Other characteristic features include convex marginal teeth and mild bristly pubescence, as well as slight blistering, which may not be the case.

Based on the practice of many domestic and foreign gardeners, it can be stated that the number of advantages of the Kodryanka grape significantly exceeds the number of its shortcomings. The first, in particular, include:

• excellent taste, able to meet the expectations of the vast majority of gourmets;
• high rate of ripening of shoots, reaching up to 90%;
• low soil requirements, due to which the described variety can be successfully grown on sandy and stony soils;
• early ripening and prolonged fruiting;
• unpretentious, allowing gardeners to get good yields without significant time and effort;
• minimal damage of berries during transportation;
• high resistance to mildew and gray rot;
• excellent yield (for the season from one adult bush really collect up to 14 kg of fruit);
• frost resistance, due to which the “Codreanka” painlessly tolerates temperatures reaching -23 - 26 ° С;
• spectacular appearance, which is highly appreciated by buyers.

It is also worth adding that the berries of the described variety have a rather impressive layer of pruine - a wax coating that performs a protective function.In this case, the latter does not thicken the skin, and therefore during the consumption of berries in food, it is almost not felt.

If we call the most noticeable minus of grapes “Codreanca”, then such is the pea - the effect, manifested in a large number of small fruits. Based on feedback from experienced gardeners, it can be argued that the main reason for this scourge is the cold spring. Another feature of the considered variety, which may not suit many growers, is the need to create shelters in regions that are characterized by severe winters with temperature drops below -26 ° C.

With a considerable number of obvious advantages, the Kodryanka grape naturally became widely spread. Today, this variety can be found both in its native Moldova, and in many other states that were previously part of the Soviet Union. It is worth noting that it is very popular in Russia - mainly in its southern regions, as well as in the Moscow region and other central regions of the federation.

As for planting "Kodryanki", then professional gardeners are advised to perform this procedure in early spring, when the movement of juices has not yet begun, or in late autumn, before the first frost.

One of the primary requirements, the consideration of which allows you to count on getting good yields of Kodryanka grapes, is planting in open areas (fulfilling this condition contributes to better maturation of the vine). In addition, the site owner is desirable:

• check the groundwater level (depth should exceed 2.0 - 2.5 m);
• choose light and "breathing" soils (if possible);
• refuse planting in marshy lowlands.

Another important point that should be taken into account when choosing a place for planting "Krydanki" is the availability of free space - due to the fact that the bushes of this variety grow to a considerable size. So that they do not interfere with each other, the minimum distance between them should be 1.5 m, whereas the rows should be located with a distance of 2.5 - 3.0 m.

In addition to choosing a suitable place for future bushes, a gardener should take a responsible attitude to the seedlings used, each of which must meet the following conditions:

• the presence of three strong roots (or more);
• brown color of the shoot;
• green cut.

The last two points indicate that the escape is mature. It is also reasonable to add that seedlings of one-year-old age are best suited for planting: the use of such material makes it possible to expect to receive the first crop already for 2-3 years.

After successful completion of all preparatory activities, the owner of the site can start planting Kodryanka grapes. This procedure involves the following procedure:

• placing the seedling in a previously dug shallow pit, at the bottom of which the fertilized soil is poured;
• gradual and careful filling of free space with earth (in order to avoid damage to the roots of a young plant);
• installation of a stable peg in the immediate vicinity of the seedling, which allows to correct the growth direction of the latter with a garter;
• Abundant first watering, contributing to the rapid rooting of the plant (recommended volume - 2-3 buckets of water).

If the landlord prefers planting Kodryanka grapes with cuttings, then he needs to do this in early spring - before the sap flow begins. In this situation, the gardener must:

• choose a suitable cutting, carefully cut it with a well-sharpened knife and leave it in water for 1-2 days;
• process the upper part of the planting material with hot paraffin;
• place the cutting in a solution that accelerates the development of the roots (for example, "Humate").

As mentioned earlier, the Codreanica grape is quite undemanding, and therefore its cultivation is not particularly complex. At the same time, it is not worth refusing from competent and systematic care of the described variety - first of all, in order to avoid a decrease in yield indicators. Special attention should be paid to young bushes that require frequent watering and the introduction of high-quality fertilizers.

The best time to apply fertilizer is spring, when the gardener digs the plot. For optimal results, top dressing of the bush should be distributed evenly - over the entire area of ​​the near-barrel circle. The first such procedure involves the introduction of 5 g of potassium salt, 20 g of superphosphate and 10 g of ammonium nitrate, diluted in 10 liters of water.

It is advisable to carry out the second top dressing no later than a decade before the beginning of the flowering of “Cadreans”, using the composition mentioned above. As for the third fertilization, it should be carried out at the beginning of the ripening period of the berries with the same combination, excluding from it ammonium nitrate.

Talking about the above-mentioned event, it is worth noting that during the first few years of the life of the Kodryanka bushes it is not held - because of its inexpediency. Further gardener need to perform the following simple steps:

• get rid of young shoots at the end of fruiting (this is because they are in any case not able to survive the winter);
• remove dried vines;
• cut the shoots, which are not formed fruit.

One of the key conditions, accounting for which allows you to grow healthy bushes "Kodryanka", is the lack of moisture deficiency. The frequency of irrigation is determined by weather conditions, and the one-time amount of water used is 25 and 50 liters per plant - young and adult, respectively.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the mulching - a procedure that promotes better retention of moisture in the soil. It should be carried out in early spring or in autumn, using peat or humus, evenly distributed around the trunk.

In order to negate the likelihood of frostbite "Kodryanka" bushes, in the first few years of their life, it is desirable to shelter them for the winter. Hay and straw are well suited for this task - materials available to any gardener. If the owner of the site wants to protect his plants from rodents, he needs to tie up the boles with a fir grove and then pile up with earth.

The simplest and most effective method of reproduction "Cadreans" is the use of seedlings and cuttings, quite unpretentious and have a good survival rate. At the same time there are alternative ways.

• Grafting. The one-year grape “Codreanka” grape, pretreated with “Gumate”, is placed in the chopped stem of the selected bush, after which the “construction” is tightly pressed with a cloth and coated with clay.
• Reproduction by layering. Suitable shoots lean buds to the ground, covered with earth and await the appearance of roots and stem. As soon as the latter are formed, the place of cutting is cut off.
• Use of seeds. This method is also popular, but when choosing it, the grower must understand that grapes grown in this way may have characteristics of other varieties due to pollination by other genetic material.

Despite the high resistance of Codreanka to the vast majority of diseases typical of grapes (primarily mildew, powdery mildew and gray rot), as a preventive measure, it should be treated with Mioxan, 100 ml of which must be diluted in 2.5 liters of water. Another remedy recommended by experts is Fitosporin, which is used twice a year - before the start of flowering and after the berries are set. For high-quality processing, 5 g of this preparation is enough, dissolved in 10 l of water.

In a situation where the wasps are annoying the Kodryanka grapes, the owner of the bushes should take the following measures:

• the use of mesh bags that protect the clusters from pests;
• elimination of nearby nests;
• the use of tanks with beer, jam and other baits.

In conclusion, it remains to list a few tips which can bring a lot of benefit to the owners of grapes "Kodryanka".

• Many gardeners consider pea a serious minus of the variety in question. In this case, such an opinion can be called fair only in cases where the grown fruit is intended for sale and they need a perfect appearance.
• Small sized “Codreans” berries have significantly better taste characteristics than their large “colleagues”. In addition, they are less prone to cracking and rotting.
• If the owner of the bushes wants to counteract pea, it is reasonable for him to use gibberellins - phytohormones, which stimulate the growth of grapes and do not lead to depletion of plants.

And the last. In some situations, domestic gardeners are interested in "Codre white" - a hybrid of unknown origin, also referred to as "Cinderella." In addition to coloring, it is distinguished from the classic version of the variety:

• bunch mass (about 700 g);
• duration of ripening (about 135 days);
• sizes and mass of berries (35 x 24 mm and 10 - 12 g, respectively).

Summarizing, we can confidently say that "Codrean" is one of the best varieties, the cultivation of which is within the power of the absolute majority of gardeners. The validity of this thesis is confirmed by the opinions of ordinary winegrowers and the opinions of specialists, and anyone who wishes can be convinced of this from their own experience.

On how to plant grapes varieties "Codreanka", see the following video.