Due to adverse weather conditions, especially the cold, the grapes develop slowly, and every opportunity and condition has been given to make excellent wines from high-quality grapes this year, says breeder and grape grower László Kocsis, whose company Göcsej Gyümolcse Bt. , farm in Zalaapati.
– I was happy last year because the wine went well, even the high heat and lack of rain did not harm my grapes. Desirability and acidity were also excellent, in the case of the white and red varieties. I can even say that the harvest of table grapes was excellent, – recalled the previous season, who led the horticulture department at Georgekon College for a long time, and who bred several varieties.
– After harvesting and after work, we also had favorable weather in the winter, the grapes did not perish because of the cold, and my plants overwintered well. We’ve completed replacing nutrients at the right time, so we’ve been able to start pruning at the perfect time.
Depending on the season, there can be a difference of up to 1 month at the time of bud break. In the past decade, we have become accustomed to the fact that the air warms up relatively quickly at the beginning of spring, which is why bud break is early. But the temperature trend this year was not average, and this also affected the grapes.
– The grapes started to grow, but due to the cold weather, we noticed that the buds appeared later than usual. We have about fifty species, and we have them from the 17th to the 21st of April. Bud breakage occurred between them, but there were some, for example, Venus, which occurred earlier, and because of this, the main buds were affected by the cold. Fortunately, the vast majority of them did not have such a problem. We know that warmth is one of the most important things for grapes. minimum in terms of daily average
10 °C is required to start development. The ideal temperature is 26 ° C, and at this temperature the plant grows most intensively. Soil temperature is also important, a soil of at least 6°C is necessary for vegetation to start.
Water is the other thing that is absolutely necessary for growing grapes. Drought has been very common in recent years, but this spring there has been a lot of rain. This was very good for starting grape development.
– There was heavy rain, thanks to which the soil, which is one of the best water reservoirs, was filled with moisture. It is important to maintain this humidity as long as possible, since we cannot know how the weather will develop in the coming period. We can do this primarily through soil cultivation work. Fortunately, the roots of the vine reach quite deep, and can absorb moisture from the depths. Grapes need water a lot, so I’m glad the plantings are starting their season well in that regard. Like I said, soil contains the right amount of moisture. If the daytime temperature is high and the nights are not cold, the growth of grapes will be very vigorous.
Laszlo Kocsis According to him, it is still too early to talk about what this year’s crop will be, but it is certain that all conditions are currently in place for farmers to harvest high-quality grapes in abundance. In order to do this, they still need a lot of work and attention.
– After flowering, in the second half of June, it will be really clear what growers can expect. They certainly have a lot to do until then, especially in terms of plant protection.
In any case, there is always something to do in the vineyard. The next work is stripping the stump, sorting, arranging and stringing the shoots, weeding the area is also important.
In any case, the stump must be stripped before weeding, otherwise the grapes could be badly damaged. Weeding is also a must, and I’d advise not to miss it. Spraying is necessary. We tend to do this relatively late.
Special attention should be paid to plant protection. It is worth using absorbable preparations, as they reach the new buds and newly developing leaves. This is an important job until the top is finished.
– With regard to spraying, the protective nature prevails. In other words, you must constantly pay attention to the choice of spraying time, for which you must also follow the forecasts and the appearance of pests, and if some kind of intervention becomes necessary, you must not delay it.
It is worth visiting the farm regularly, looking for possible symptoms of the first infection, so that we can act in a timely manner. The most characteristic diseases are powdery mildew and downy mildew.
Their appearance is associated with the weather – humidity, precipitation, temperature. There is no need to be afraid, as suitable plant protection agents are available to protect against it. However, it is important to spray at the right time.
László Kocsis has been involved in many grape-breeding programs over the decades. He has many varieties on his property, which he has bred with many years of work. One of these is Donátus KL01, a white wine grape submitted for recognition by the state. It not only produces excellent aromatic wines, but also tolerates fungal diseases well.
The announced Abati honey is a novelty. This table grape is named after its origin and sweet taste. The specialist says that it can be one of the favorite fruits for home gardens.
He added that people are increasingly asking for table grapes. In addition to the fact that many people grow it in larger batches, many also plant a few seeds in small gardens. For many, not only taste and bountiful yields, but also resistance become an essential feature. Abáti honey also works very well in this regard.
Hungary’s climate will become more suitable for growing table grapes in the coming years and decades. In addition, the fruit is very popular and is growing in popularity. Abáti mezes is specifically a dessert grape variety for the home garden, which is why I thought it would be possible to please people with it. At the end of August, the first bunch, which is carried by the main buds, ripens. Its spherical fruits, usually 6-7 grams, ripen to a golden yellow. As the name suggests, it has flavor and aroma substances similar to acacia honey.
Queen of Vineyards, Muscat and East Asian Grapes, prof Vitis amorensis A hybrid, so its resistance to downy mildew is very good, and its resistance to powdery mildew should not be underestimated.
Apáti honey can have a second or even a third harvest, so it can be consumed from early summer to late fall. Those who have already tasted it, and who have already grown a sapling or sapling of it on an experimental basis, said: Apatian honey quickly became a family favourite.
On the site in Zalaapáti, in addition to the farm, there is also a grafting school, and several new varieties are currently being developed. This process is long, even a decade and a half of work is needed to achieve the goal. László Kocsis emphasized: The aim is to achieve the best possible results in terms of resistance, so that the resistance of the species to diseases is as good as possible. In addition, it is also important that the grapes do not contain seeds, and the skin color and size of the berries are varied, not to mention their taste.
