The grape variety “Frumoasa Alba” with photos and video
table
With the modern abundance of varieties and hybrids, some old and long cultivated varieties not only do not lose their relevance, but also quite successfully compete with new hybrid forms. An example of such a variety is Frumoasa Albe, whose name translates from Moldavian “Frumoasa Albe” as “White Beauty”. This variety was bred in Vierul NGO, Moldova in the 70-80s of the last century.
Agrobiological characteristics of the variety
The grape variety “Frumoasa Albe” is generally resistant to drought and adverse conditions. It is characterized by aging for 110 days. This grape bush steadily yields every year, which makes its owners very happy. The harvest can hang on the bushes for more than four weeks, without loss of taste. The berries do not burst or rot.
This sort winters well and in Moldovan conditions does not need to be covered for the winter, since it can survive up to 25 degrees below zero.
The yield of “White Beauty” is high – 120-150 kg/ha, in homestead plots about 45-50 kg from one mature bush.
Botanical description:
The variety “White Beauty” is endowed with the ability to quickly gain strength in the wood of the bush and vigorously stretch during the season. The inflorescences on it have a bisexual structure. Therefore, incomplete pollination of bushes of this variety is uncommon.
Aging and ripening of the wood begins in late July and is nearly 90% complete by the end of the season. Fruiting branches 75-90%. The fruiting coefficient of the plant is 1.8 and the fruiting coefficient is 2.0. These are excellent indicators.
During the growing season, three inflorescences are most often formed on each shoot. Pruning can be as short as 2-3 buds, or as medium as 8 buds.
Grape characteristic:
The “Frumoas Albe” variety’s tassels are quite large and conical. The mass of the brush can range from 400 to 1000 grams on a single bush. The length of the brush is 20-30 centimeters.
Speaking about the commodity characteristics of grapes, it should be noted that grapes come in different sizes and densities, so this variety is inferior in appearance to new hybrids.
Characteristics of berries and taste:
The berries of the Frumoas Alba grape are of medium size. Mass of each grape is 5-8 grams. They are oval or spherical, almost 30 mm in diameter, white or yellow, with a honey-coloured berry that turns over beautifully in the sun, with brown freckles. And the taste is very attractive due to a special muscat aroma.
The pulp density is medium, moderately containing juice and dry matter. The flesh is covered with a delicate and thin skin, which, without separating from the contents, is eaten whole during the tasting. The seeds, which in this variety have 2-4 in one berry, quite easily cracked when eaten, contain a large amount of antioxidants.
In terms of sugar content Frumoasa Albe is not the leader, but the 16-17% gain is quite decent. This accumulation of sugar in the variety is complemented by an acidity of 7.5 g/l, which in combination with the Muscat gives a unique and very pleasant varietal taste. The professional tasting committee score is 8.2.
Disease and disease resistance of the vine
Frumoasa Alba is one of the most disease-resistant early grape varieties. It has a resistant tolerance to the most common grapevine diseases: oidium, spider mite, leafworm, phylloxera.
Frumoas Alba grape
The name of the Frumoas Alba grape variety is sonorous and obscure. But behind it hides quite a worthy advanced varietal. You just need to understand its properties to get good results in your garden.
Its history
The Frumoas Albe variety is a product of Moldovan selection. To get it, they combined (hybridized) Guzal cara and Save Villar 20-473. It is worth noting that this grape also has an alternative name – White Beauty. The complex hybrid was obtained at Vierul Farm.
description
ripening time
This grape belongs to the early varietal group. The duration of the growing season between germination and the formation of ready-to-pick berries is from 130 to 145 days. In southern regions you can count on harvesting the fruit in late summer. In the middle belt, problems may arise when growing this variety. They are especially likely in wet, cool weather.
Grapes .
Weak brushes are quite common in Frumoas Alba. But sometimes they reach medium density. Much depends on specific development conditions. The weight of a single bunch is on average 300 g, not so much, but also to overload the bush should not be; Often there are brushes up to 0.7 kg, and the largest reported in the literature weighs up to 1 kg.
Berry
The variety fully justifies its alternative name – its berries are really colored white. On the outside, they have a rounded shape. The mass of a single fruit is usually 5-6 g and its size is 22 x 24 mm. Note:
The presence of 3-6 seeds in each fruit.
In the tasting test, Frumoas Alba received a score of 8.2 out of 10. The taste itself is evaluated as muscat, marked by harmony. The sugar is 17% of the weight of the berry. The acid concentration is quite high, but does not spoil the sensation.
yield
The variety belongs to the high-yield group. There are 157 q (centners) of fruit per 1 hectare. And 16 kg of berries from one bush – this is not a bad result, even for experienced gardeners with experience. If the agronomy is good, and the bush is old, it is possible to reach 40 kg. The vine ripens well, on it from 75 to 90% of fruit-bearing shoots.
Experienced gardeners recommend beginners to take cuttings and seedlings from those who made them from their own vines and are professionals in the production of such material.
The quality can be judged by cutting off a small amount of bark. When growing a bush from cuttings and observing the rules of agrotechnics, the rooting rate is about 90%, the high quality of the plant is practically guaranteed. It is possible to control the development of grapes at all stages.
If the rules of agrotechnics are followed, survival rate is about 100%. Seedlings must be healthy. Pay attention to the absence of swellings, growths and other signs of disease.
Peculiarities of cultivation
planting
This grape needs a sunny site next to buildings to the south. The distance from the wall should be 1.5 m, between individual seedlings should be at least 2 m, otherwise strong bushes will harm each other.
For the vine to give a signal harvest in 3 years, many factors must be taken into account, from the type of soil on the plot to nearby plants.
pollination
Double frumoas flowers can almost completely solve this problem. In isolated cases, incomplete pollination is determined. Attraction of bees and plant varieties is carried out in the same way as with other varieties of fruit grapes.
Seeds in wells should be tilted to the north. Mulching of the bedding circle is required. Nests are deepened 15 cm more than in the container in which they are originally grown. Neutral floors are welcomed. In acidic countries, the substrate should be rolled out.
Pruning
The optimal load per bush is 35 eyes. During the fall months, up to 8 eyelets are pruned. In some cases, the bush is cut back 2-3 buds instead. The choice of the particular option is determined by horticultural intuition.
Pruning is one of the most important processes of caring for grapes. Depending on the purpose of pruning and the variety choose the appropriate type of formation.
For the berries to be large and juicy, it is necessary to organize a full-fledged watering and feeding. All norms should be adapted to weather conditions and the rate of evaporation of liquid.
With a frequent irrigation scheme, it is recommended every two weeks (that is, twice a month during flowering and berry emergence) to moisten the soil to a depth of 50 cm, so that the plant does not switch to surface watering (cereals). This amount can be reduced by mulching the crop with straw.
With a sparse irrigation scheme, tailored to the age and duration of maturity of the grapes, you can use the rates given in the table in another article.
Frost resistance and the need for protection
Frumoas, although capable of tolerating cold to o o-22 degrees. Therefore, in most cases in Russia, it can be grown only in a sheltered crop. In the first year of development, a maximum of 1 shoot should be left for the winter. The bushes should be covered with sheltering and stalking foliage. The use of synthetic protective materials is inexpedient.
Diseases and pests
Graufäl and mild generally avoid frumoa. Its immunity is also well suited to phyllox and spider mite infestations. Only occasionally do oidium and leafminer cause problems. The need for prevention, of course, remains. But with smart and complete behavior, there will be no infections at all. According to some estimates, only mildew can pose a danger.
If grapes are exposed to disease or insects, it is always reflected in their appearance.
storage
The firm flavor motivates the processing of much of the crop into wine. The transportability and storability of the varieties allow them to be used successfully in industrial culture. When stored frumoas, its flavor is evident for a long time. Rotting and weediness are not characteristic. The basic storage conditions are the same as for other varieties.
Authors Vierul, Moldova, appeared by crossing Guzal Cara X Seve Villar 20-473 Synonyms Name White Beauty Yield Determination 157 ° C / NA Productivity high rank.
Color of berries of harmonious flavor, rounded muscular shape, berry size g 5-6
Frost resistance, ° C-22 Type of flower. (Resistance) Resistance to grey rot, resistance to grey rot, points 2 (resistance)
