Grapes Zest: a description of the variety, care, yield and reviews

As for grapes, the culture is very ambiguous, because each of its sort is good in its own way and has completely different qualities. Thanks to this, everyone, even the most demanding, a gardener can find something for himself. Grapes Zest refers to early table varieties and is grown mainly in the southern regions. However, in cold regions, this plant is suitable for cultivation in greenhouses and yields an excellent harvest.

Variety description

Variety of grapes Zest is a hybrid of Chausch and Cardinal. It was bred in Ukraine by local breeders. By its name, the plant is obliged to a unique property: if its berries hang on the bushes longer than the required time, they do not deteriorate, but turn into a real raisin.

The zest applies to tall varieties, its vine perfectly ripens along its entire length. Nevertheless, in the autumn it must be cut to 10-11 kidneys. It has inflorescences of a female type, so for a good harvest it is necessary to plant a variety nearby with male inflorescences. Pollination occurs very well.

Characteristics of grapes and berries

Grapes Zest, the description of which is given in this article, can have brushes weighing up to 500 grams. The branches have a medium looseness. The berries are about the same size. The clusters are broad, conical.

The variety is characterized by a dense, tasty and crispy flesh. The bunch is filled with medium berries. The skin, though dense, however, during the meal is perfectly chewed and almost imperceptible. Berries are painted in maroon color or in all its shades, have a large size, oblong form.

Pros and cons of the variety

To all who are interested in grapes Zest, the description of the variety gives an idea that it has both a number of advantages and a number of shortcomings. The advantages include, first of all, the unusual taste of fruits and juiciness. Bunches are characterized by a good commercial appearance and weightiness. Very well tolerates long-term transportation. Crop volumes can be increased gradually. Mature berries are very rich in vitamins and organic acids.

Disadvantages of the variety are primarily due to his capriciousness. To grow it you need fertile soil, constant top dressing with potash fertilizers. If the soil is depleted, then the plant can slow growth and release very small leaves. Also grapes Zest has a fairly low immunity to diseases, especially fungal. In view of this, he needs constant protection and treatment. It is a non-frost-resistant variety, and the youngest plant can produce the first harvest only after two or three years. This fact somewhat embarrasses the majority of summer residents.

To minuses Raisins also include a very strong growth of a young vine. This problem can not be solved even by frequent circumcisions, as bushes begin to grow with a double force, and yields drop significantly.

Necessary care

Grapes Zest, reviews about which are very ambiguous and have a grand divergence, is a heat-loving culture. As the experienced wine growers say, for the winter it must be covered. When implementing the last trimming, the maximum number of shoots should remain on the vine. In the first years after planting pruning should not be carried out at all.

At first, grapes Zest may not please you with an abundance of harvest. To increase it, the plant needs good care. First of all, it consists in preventive measures against diseases and pests. Also the plant gratefully responds to the timely feeding and watering.

Preventive measures against pests

The main preventive measure in the fight against pests is the timely spraying of the Bordeaux mixture. This prevention is done at least three times a season. The introduction of phosphate-potassium fertilizers will contribute to an increase in immunity. If the infection has occurred, the affected shoots should be immediately removed, and in the vineyard, the treatment with fungicidal preparations.

At the initial stage of the defeat with bacterial cancer, the affected part is removed and treated with special preparations. If the defeat is strong, then the bushes need to be completely uprooted and burned.

Oidium can be defeated with a powder or an aqueous solution of sulfur. This means can not only carry out preventive measures, but also treat the plant. If signs of gray rot are found, spray with a solution of soda, and immediately remove the affected berries.

Pest Management

Grapes Zest is most often affected by a cobweb and a grape tick. To prevent this, acaricides are used. Of the folk remedies, dandelion and garlic infusions have proven themselves. But when you kill the phylloxera, the bush will have to be cut down and burned. The leaf variety of this pest is defeated with the help of a special preparation.

A beginning winegrower should remember that timely preventive maintenance will help not only save money on subsequent treatment, but also save the life of your plant. Not all diseases and pests are subject to treatment, many of them can kill bushes forever, and on the site of their growth for several years nothing can be planted. That's why you should not be lazy - you need to do preventive treatment on time.

The value of berries

Grapes The zest has not only an amazing taste, but also a number of useful properties. Its composition has a positive effect not only on the formation of blood, but also on the formation of strong bones. The use of grapes has a positive effect on mental and intellectual development, the formation of a normal nervous system. There is also a favorable effect on the digestive system and noted the promotion of a rapid recovery of forces.

Application of grapes Zest is noted in the treatment of diseases such as bronchial asthma, diseases of the cardiovascular system, headache, fatigue, violation of cholesterol in the blood and many others.

Despite a huge number of useful properties, there are some contraindications to use. For example, you can not eat these berries in patients with diabetes mellitus, obesity, peptic ulcers, as well as those with impaired renal function. It is unacceptable to drink grape juice along with dairy products and vegetables.