Levokumsky grapes are one of the best technical varieties

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• High frost resistance (up to -40ºС).
• There is no need to insulate the bushes for the winter.
• Juiciness of berries and high sugar content.
• Good ripening of shoots (up to 80 - 90%).
• Easy to care for.
• High yields.

Flaws:

• The simple taste of grapes typical of technical varieties.
• Difficulty in separating berries from the bunch.
• Small fruit size.

Characteristics

Reference! “Levokumsky” grapes are a technical variety intended for the production of dry, dessert and sparkling wines with unsurpassed color, excellent taste and aroma. These grapes are also used for juicing.

Ripening period

“Levokumsky” is considered a medium-ripening grape. From the release of the first buds to the day of harvest, 120–140 days pass.

Bush

The Levokumsky bush has a high growth vigor, so the winegrower needs to ensure regular pruning. The best way to form a bush is fan molding or a double-armed cordon, provided there is a trunk at least 1 m high.

The branches of the bush are light brown, the leaves are light green. The foliage is smooth, medium in size, round in shape with 5 lobes.

The flowers of the plant are bisexual, which increases the chances of constant successful self-pollination.

After planting the plant, for the first 2 years it is necessary to remove the bunches that set. This measure will allow the bush to grow stronger and gain strength.

bunches

Dark blue, almost black small clusters weigh about 100 - 150 g and have a regular pyramidal or cylindrical shape. High or medium density brush structure.

Berries

Small round or slightly elongated grapes weigh 1.3 - 1.5 g. Each of them is covered with a waxy coating to prevent damage and exposure to insects.

The pulp is juicy, dense, without color, but containing a fairly high sugar content - 22%. Inside each thin-skinned berry there are 2–4 seeds.

Reference! The source of tannins and coloring pigments in this variety is the skin, thanks to which the wine made from Levokum grapes has a rich ruby ​​color.

Taste

The taste of the grapes is pleasant, but not distinguished by a rich bouquet, which is typical for technical varieties.

Incredibly resilient Levokumsky grape

Levokumskiy grapes are a technical grape variety. Unlike other similar varieties, this grape is distinguished by the juiciness of the berries and the low ratio of fruit weight to the ridge. Juices and dry wines are most often made from the Levokum grape variety. Wine from Levomekun grapes has a rich ruby ​​color, a light, barely noticeable aroma and high strength.

Description of grape fruits

The fruits of this plant have high aesthetic qualities, but they are not suitable for consumption in a “raw” form, since in this case their taste characteristics will be the simplest. The fruits of this plant are small, round in shape, and have a rich dark blue color. The weight of each berry of this grape variety rarely exceeds 1.3 grams.

Its clusters are also small, less often medium-sized. The weight of each of them is 90-120 grams. The bunch of Levokum grapes has an oblong shape, the fruits in it are of medium density. The skin on the berries is thin. The pulp of this grape variety is not colored, it is quite juicy, with a high sugar content.

The ripening of the fruits of this plant occurs quite quickly - in just 120-140 days. The Levokumsky variety is highly resistant to adverse weather conditions. So, in cold winters the plant can withstand up to 27 degrees below zero.

Levokumsky grape variety, with proper care, can please any winemaker with its productivity. So, in a season you can collect about 130 centners of berries from one hectare.

Note! For high yields of this grape variety, the bushes of the plant need to be fertilized regularly. In this case, the winemaker will be able to get 150-160 centners of berries per hectare.

This variety is ideal for growing in Russia, including in cold areas.

Description of the origin story

Levokum grapes are of folk origin. He was born in the village of Levomeukumsky, which is located in the Stravropol region. The history of winemaking in this place reaches 200 years. It is believed that the basis for winemaking in this place was given by the nobleman Skarzynski.

Description of the method of disembarkation and care

Bushes of this plant variety should be planted according to a 3 by 1.5 m pattern. As the bush grows and takes shape, it needs to be given shape. The most suitable form in this case is the “two-arm cordon”. However, a fan shape may not be a bad option.

When creating a “two-arm cordon”, experts recommend leaving a trunk whose height is 1 m. In the first or second year after planting the bush, green fruits must be picked from it so that they do not interfere with the growth of the vine. In addition, to increase productivity and improve plant growth, it is recommended to trim the plant vine by 1-2 eyes every autumn.

Description of diseases

A huge advantage of the Levokum grape variety is its high resistance to various diseases. The Levokumsky variety has one of the strongest immunity to gray rot and mildew among various grape varieties.

However, the description of diseases also has unpleasant moments, since there are diseases that rarely, but can still affect the Levokumsky grape variety:

• anthracnose is a disease in which ulcers form on the plant. After this, the plant's vine dries out. The causative agents of the disease in this case are fungal microorganisms;
• black spot is a disease in which there are black spots on the green parts of the plant. Unfortunately, these diseases cannot be combated using traditional methods. So, to eliminate anthracnose, experts advise using Bordeaux mixture or Anthracol. To eliminate black spotting there is no better remedy than copper oxychloride and Strobi.

Often the Levokumsky variety suffers from diseases caused by mites:

• grape itch is a disease in which photosynthesis in the leaves of the plant is disrupted;
• Common spider mite – negatively affects the sugar content of fruits.

The only measure in the fight against these parasites can be considered the use of acarcides, for example, Aktelik or Neoron.

Due to the fact that the berries of this grape variety are small, but at the same time juicy and sweet, they are often attacked by birds.

In this case, in order to keep the harvest intact and at the same time not harm the birds, it is recommended to wrap Levokum grapes in a fine mesh.

Another pest of this grape variety is the wasp. But not a single net will protect you from it, so it is recommended to destroy them.

Note! During the flowering period of the bush, wasps can be of great benefit by killing caterpillars. For this reason, it is recommended to destroy them only during the period when the grapes are ripening. You can get rid of wasps using the following methods:

1. you need to wait until the wasps fly into the nest and then inject an insect repellent (for example, Dichlorvos);
2. make a feeder with poison;
3. pour some sweet and sticky substance, such as honey, into a bowl near the plant. Thus, the insect will stick and will not be able to move;
4. To perform another method, it is recommended to wear a protective mask and prepare a smoke bomb. When the wasps are smoked out of the hives, they begin to fall to the ground. At this moment you need to press them with your feet. However, this method requires extreme care.

Levokum variety is an ideal solution for gardeners who want to make juices and wines. With simple care, any gardener can get high yields in a short time.

Comparison with analogues

Dark grapes are one of the most popular grapes in industrial production: wine from such varieties has a unique deep and rich color. “Levokumsky” looks favorably against the background of many varieties, especially in terms of frost resistance and such an important component for wine as sugar content. Take a closer look in comparison with competitors.

Agricultural planting technology

Planting these grapes has no difficulties and can be done not only by a professional, but also by a novice gardener.

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Selecting a location

The optimal location is sunny, unshaded or slightly darkened areas. Otherwise, the berries lose their sugar content and size, and the degree of frost resistance decreases. It also needs protection from cold winds. It is better to place the bush to the south of the buildings, retreating 2.5-3 m from the foundation.

He makes no special claims to the soil. “Levokumsky” takes root well, grows and bears fruit on loam and sandy loam. Waterlogging of the soil has a very detrimental effect on the life of the plant. Swampy areas and groundwater areas should be avoided. It is best to root the plant at a higher elevation.

Soil acidity should be at a neutral level. To alkalize the soil, agents such as crushed limestone, chalk, and wood ash (1-2 kg/m2) are used, which are added to the pit before planting or at the stage of its manufacture. You should be careful about alkalization with slaked lime (5-10 kg/m2 for loam and 1.5 kg/m2 for sandy loam), because it can significantly damage the roots of the grapes. Precautions must be taken:

1. Do not exceed the concentration;
2. Apply the substance to the soil 4-6 days before planting.

Lime retains its effect for a long time (up to 7 and 2 years, in loam and sandy loam, respectively).

Features of cultivation

The main condition for a bountiful harvest is abundant and regular watering. Every week you need to pour 1 bucket of water under each grape bush , this requirement is especially important during the period of flowering and ripening of fruits. But there is no need for fanaticism: excess moisture will cause the berries to crack.

Trimming

The recommended load on the Levokum bush is 15–20 fruiting shoots and 4–6 buds on each vine. Compliance with this recommendation will allow you to obtain the maximum amount of high-quality wine material.

In the spring, it is imperative to remove damaged or dried shoots, in the summer - paired green shoots, unfruitful branches and stepchildren. The main pruning is done in the fall.

Diseases and pests

The variety is quite resistant (2 – 2.5 points) to mildew, oidium, phylloxera and gray rot. But it’s still worth playing it safe and carrying out at least 1 – 2 preventive treatments of the plant with fungicides per season. However, “Levokumsky” can easily infect:

• Anthracnose. For prophylaxis, Bordeaux mixture or copper oxychloride is suitable, and for treatment - the drugs Abiga-Pik, Skor, Ordan.
• Black spotting. Preventive irrigation should be carried out with fungicides Nitrafen, Antrakol, Bordeaux mixture.
• Grape itch and mites. Thiovit Jet, Apollo, Neoron are good for treatment.

A common problem for almost all grape varieties is birds and wasps. The “Levokumsky” also failed to escape from her. You can protect the crop from birds using a net or special covers for the bunches.

You can use devices sold in specialized stores that repel birds with ultrasound. And sweet baits with poison will help deal with wasps.

Wintering

Experts claim that the variety has phenomenal frost resistance (down to -40ºС), and no measures to insulate the plant should be taken. Such a harsh winter will not affect the future harvest in any way.

Harvest storage

Reference! From one bush of Levokumsky grapes you can collect up to 4–7 kg of fruit, but on a production scale the numbers are different – ​​130–150 kg per 1 ha.

“Levokumsky” has good shelf life and transportability, but since it is a technical variety, such properties do not play an important role: the grapes are sent for processing immediately after harvest.

Regions

The variety is ideal for regions with a temperate climate (for example, the Moscow region) and with harsh weather conditions (Urals, Siberia, Leningrad region).

Disembarkation

Levokumsky grapes are a root crop and do not need grafting onto other varieties.

When digging holes, it should be taken into account that the distance between individual plants should be at least 2-3 m, which is due to the wide feeding zone of the root system. The depth of the bed should be about 50-55 cm. A layer of drainage should be laid on the bottom, and fertilizer should be placed on top. A mixture of peat, humus/manure and sand can be used as a nutrient substrate. A peg is placed in the hole next to the seedling as a support.

In the southern regions, they use the method of planting on a mound, when a mound 30-35 cm high is formed in place of the bed, where the young vine is placed. In the northern regions, planting is carried out in a hole. This procedure is similar to the previous method, but more humus is added and 10 cm is added to the depth of the bed.

Reviews

“I have been growing for 15 years, have not been sick with anything in the Belgorod region, spend the winter pressed to the ground. It froze on the trellis at 3-4 years of age, ripens in late September-early October, mainly used for wine.” Irina Ivanovna

“The variety is purely technical, very sweet, flat, and the wine is uninteresting. I haven’t been sick with anything yet.” Newcomer

“Weak vigor, small bunches and therefore low yield. The bush is five years old, but it can’t get off the ground.” Dmitry Eduardovich

“Ours is vigorous, the vine ripens well. Gives a good harvest. The clusters are medium, the grapes are small, black with pink flesh, the taste is simple, the juice is slightly colored. The main advantage of the variety is good frost resistance; it is grown without shelter.” Georgy, Novoaleksandrovsk