Description and conditions of growing varieties of grapes "Libya"

Such a craft as the cultivation of grapes originated in antiquity.However, in those days, the fruits of the plant were very different in appearance and taste. To date, there are a huge number of varieties of grapes with improved characteristics. One of the most popular varieties is Libya. Even in spite of the fact that he was bred not so long ago, he already managed to please many summer residents. The article describes in detail the characteristics, advantages, as well as the basic rules for the cultivation and care of grapes of this variety.

The appearance of this variety of grapes was noted in Ukraine in 2010. Agronomists brought this hybrid from two excellent grape varieties. In Russia, it is grown mainly in the North Caucasus regions.

Description of the characteristics of grapes of this variety should begin with the fact the shrub plant grows very large and powerful when it reaches an adult state. The growth rate of grapes "Libya" is quite high. It is considered an early variety, since the ripening of fruits lasts no more than 3 months. Therefore, at the end of the summer, summer residents are already beginning to harvest the first crop.

Most shoots varieties "Libya" are fruitful. Also grapes have one-year shoots ripening completely by the beginning of winter. If they bring a big harvest, the growth of the overgrowth will be incomplete. From this it follows that the formation of flower brushes is an important procedure for grapes.

"Libya" is not highly resistant to cold. Therefore, it is not recommended to plant it in regions where the temperature in winter reaches below 22 degrees of frost. Without a special shelter, the shrub will likely die in this weather.

"Libya" is characterized by a fairly large size of clusters. The mass of one brush is usually no more than 500 g. But the weight of some clusters can even reach 1 kg. Thus, the load on the bush is very large. Clusters are branched, have a length of 20-40 cm, conical shape.

Grapes of this variety have a very sweet taste and pleasant aroma, so they can attract the attention of various insects. When attacked by these insect pests, it is necessary to protect the fruits with special nets, wrapping them in bags. The flesh of the grapes is pale pink, and the skin is not too thick.

Grapes have a rounded shape, rather large size. The skin color is pink-yellow. The main distinctive quality of the variety "Libya" is the uneven ripening of the fruit on the clusters. For this reason, fruits with a pale color can grow on one bunch and more saturated on the other. Many gardeners consider this feature the main disadvantage of this variety of grapes.

Grapes "Libya" has many positive properties. The variety is not afraid of frost, well grown in places where there is a decrease in temperature. The only caveat - in very cold weather, especially in winter, the bushes of "Libya" must be closed.

The plant has a high degree of resistance to certain diseases. With proper care and timely feeding, the culture is capable of consistently producing a rich harvest. Together with the delicate taste of the fruits, all these qualities attract many gardeners.

Despite the fact that the grape "Libya" has many advantages, it is also necessary to mention its disadvantages. For example, when fruits fully ripen, they do not acquire the same color. Some believe that this slightly spoils the appearance of the crop, but others are confident that this fact does not affect the commodity properties of the berries.Another disadvantage is the low resistance of the vineyards to mildew and oidium, therefore it is necessary to systematically treat the plants with appropriate means of protection.

The grapes “Livia” loves places where there is a lot of sunlight, so you should plant grapes on the south side. It is also desirable to create conditions under which the plant will be protected from the cold wind. Residential or outbuildings can be a support and shelter for grapes.

Grapes of this variety are considered to be unpretentious to the soil, however, poor soil will need to be regularly fertilized. Productivity will be much higher if you plant a plant in black soil or loamy soil. Landing can be carried out in late April or early September.

Vineyards multiply by different methods: cutting, grafting. Let us consider in more detail the planting of seedlings. In order for the plant to develop normally and grow healthy, it is necessary to buy grapes saplings with several buds, as well as to pre-check the absence of damage by their diseases or pests. The root system of the seedling should also not be damaged.

On the market you can buy planting material with a closed or open root system. Good seedlings have one-year or two-year growth. In this case, the vine will be already formed, with a strong root system and a margin of strength to withstand the frosty weather. However, before planting in the ground, they must be hardened, that is, hold for some time outside, while protecting it from the sun's rays and too low temperatures. These seedlings have better adaptability to weather changes and harsh environmental conditions.

Before planting, it is recommended to trim the ends of the roots, and soak the roots in water or treat them with a special means to enhance growth. This procedure is carried out in order to improve the immunity of plants. It also allows you to keep moisture in the stems as long as possible.

Pits for seedlings need to prepare in advance. Their size should be several times larger than the roots of the grapes. A small amount of manure and fertilizer fall asleep at the bottom of such pits. Of course, it is better if the soil contains not only humus, but also fertile land. After that, a thin layer of sand or ordinary ground is poured into the hole, so as not to burn the young roots with manure. Grape bushes are buried gently, leaving the roots unscathed.

In order to properly plant seedlings, they do not need to be fully immersed in the hole. Leave a few centimeters of root collar above the ground. Next to the young bush you need to install a special wooden support that will hold it, as well as protect it from damage.

Planted grapes must be watered well with several buckets of warm water. As the young grapes grow, the first shoots will start to appear, which need to be tied up. Since grapes are a weaving plant, it is recommended to install a special grid for it.

Grapes - a plant that does not require particularly careful care. But without good watering, fertilization and pruning, the crop will not produce a rich harvest. Watering "Libya" does not cause much trouble, as it is enough to do it several times a season (at the time of flowering and fruit ripening). Abundant watering is important during the growth of the plant and in the heat, especially when there is no rain in the form of rain for a long time.

During active development, the plant may need to add organic and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.Usually, at the end of September or at the beginning of April, the surface is made of mulch soil. She lay out a layer of several centimeters on the ground. Also, the yield of vineyards provide such mineral elements as potassium and phosphorus. Filling the soil with minerals is better in late autumn, so they will be available to the root system closer to spring.

For grapes "Libya" tend to grow a large number of shoots that must be removed. Otherwise, the expanded plant will be more susceptible to various diseases. Pruning is also associated with an increase in yield; therefore, it is necessary to pinch unnecessary fruits during the flowering period, and remove shoots.

With strong temperature changes in winter, the adult grapes must be covered. As for young plants, they need to hide, regardless of the level of temperature. To fit the bush completely, it is neatly cut and laid on the ground, and then covered with hay or film. In particular, shelter from the frost is necessary for very young shoots. A metal bucket will help to save them until the outside temperature rises. It is installed so that the bush was inside, and then sprinkled with earth.

Another important step in the care of grapes is pruning. Grapes require short pruning for a few eyes. For the full development of the bush it is necessary to maintain several main branches, but at the end of the summer they should be shortened. Unnecessary ovaries must be cut off, otherwise the loaded branches of the grapes will not allow the clusters to mature well.

The variety of grapes "Libya" is resistant to various infections and diseases inherent in other varieties. However, it is very difficult for the fungal disease Oidium, which covers foliage with gray mold, and then overcomes inflorescences and fruits. Under favorable conditions, the oidium is able to destroy a whole bush.

No less serious disease is mildew, as its description is compared with viral diseases of vineyards. This disease is also called downy mildew. In order for the plant not to hit the disease, it is necessary to observe two rules: the provision of air access to the plant and the correct removal of the stepsons. In addition, the branches recommend processing with copper sulfate, limestone, water, as well as with cuprozan before the vine is flowering and before harvesting.

Pests can be another obstacle to getting a good harvest. These can be wasps or birds that are attracted to the sweet fruits of grapes. From wasps to protect the crop, you can use the shelter of a thin transparent mesh or fishing line installed on the grid in several layers. You can place jars of honey or fragrant and sweet admixture of chemicals near the grape bushes. Some gardeners have adapted to put bags of gauze on the ripening fruits.

Many gardeners believe that “Libya” is one of the best grapes, so they grow it on their plantations.

They note several advantages of this species:

• sweet taste and pleasant aroma, which persists even in a cut bunch for several weeks;
• long storage period and possibility of transportation;
• a bountiful harvest;
• early ripening;
• attractive presentation;
• resistance to frost.

Among the shortcomings, gardeners note the lack of resistance of the variety to fungal diseases and infections. Uneven maturation of the crop is also noted. However, despite the fact that the cultivation of grapes is a hard work, it is rewarded in full. Indeed, large vines with tasty and fragrant fruits ripen on grown with care vines.Therefore, the Libya grape variety is considered to be a find among new varieties suitable for cultivation in the CIS.

Description of grapes "Libya", see the following video.