Maiden grape is translated from Greek as "virgin ivy". This is a huge, unpretentious liana that forms berries without parthenocarpic pollination. There are about 10 types of maiden grapes, which differ from each other in the number of veins on the leaf (1-7) and color.
Girlish grapes are a very common way to decorate hedges, facades, fences, balconies and loggias in many cities of Russia and foreign countries. The reason for this is a number of indisputable advantages:
- beautiful appearance;
- unpretentiousness of the plant;
- creates shade in hot weather;
- protects from the wind.
Growing features
In nature, this grape uses taller trees as a support on which to bloom its vines. Since this plant loves shade by nature, it can be perfectly grown on balconies facing east or west. It is also possible to plant on the northern side of the loggia, but only in a warm climatic region and an apartment on the upper floors. It is important that the balcony is not obscured by other structures or trees from the street.
It is generally not recommended to grow grapes on the balcony on the south side, since you will have to water it daily and abundantly. And this plant needs a lot of water, since the length of a grape liana can reach up to 12 m.
Girlish grapes on the balcony
Some types of wild grapes grow up to 4 m each year. In this regard, it is necessary to make a support for it in advance so that the plant can trail unhindered. But here, too, there is one nuance: the girlish grapes grow both up and down, so the arch will be the best option for him. If all this is taken into account, then in the future leaving will not bring much trouble.
For maiden grapes, supports are needed
Popular varieties of maiden grapes for growing on the balcony:
- Tri-pointed (ivy). Was withdrawn in the Far East. It is a powerful liana with large carved leaves and blue berries. A characteristic feature is a strong antennae that firmly cling to the support.
- Five-leafed in Russia came straight from the tropics, so it does not survive in all regions. It reaches a height of up to 15 m. The leaves consist of 5 oblong petals.
- Attached is a cultivar native to North America that grows up to 7 m. It is a small vine with rounded leaves consisting of 3 petals and a yellow-gray bark of the trunk.
Pot planting instructions
To grow wild grapes on the balcony, you will have to purchase a large pot. Its volume should be from 100 to 120 liters, depth - at least 50 cm. Material - ceramics or wood. Holes must be made at the bottom of the pot so that water does not stagnate.
Growing grapes in a pot
There are three options for the cultivation of maiden grapes:
- from seeds;
- from layering;
- from seedlings.
Seed planting is the most time-consuming process and is therefore used only in extreme cases. In autumn, ripe berries are collected, which are cleaned of pulp, leaving the seed. Then they are planted in the soil for seedlings to a depth of 1 cm, then watered and weeds are removed from the pot. The sprouts will appear only next year.
Growing with layering is an easier option, but it requires more space, which is not always possible in a balcony. This is done this way: a stem up to 2 m long is buried in the ground in a wave-like manner, that is, one part of the branch with a bud is buried in, and the other is left above the ground.
Maiden grape saplings
The fastest way to propagate wild grapes is considered to be from seedlings. Since the plant has good vegetative properties, there should be no problems with planting, it is enough to follow the step-by-step instructions:
- Separate the shoot from the adult plant.
- Place it in wet sand.
- Cover with a plastic cap.
- Wait for the roots to appear.
Ready-made rooted seedlings can be purchased at a specialized store. When buying, you should pay attention to the root system of the plant, if it is open. You should not choose shoots with weak and short roots, as they are unlikely to take root. It is best to buy grapes already planted in a pot. Although this will increase costs, it will reduce the risk of losing the plant a month after purchase.
Sale of seedlings
In the recommendations for the choice of soil, in order to grow maiden grapes in an apartment, gardeners are unanimous about the substrate enriched with humus and humus. However, in reality, the plant is not demanding and will grow in whatever land it is planted in. In nature, maiden grapes spread over leafy ground, respectively, at home, it is she who will be the best choice.
The wild grapes are planted at home in a pot from early spring to late autumn. Prepared containers can be placed directly on the balcony floor and filled with soil. It is advisable to put drainage on the bottom of the container.
Immediately after planting in a pot, the seedling must be watered abundantly. In the future, watering for an adult plant should be at least 1 time per week. The soil should be ventilated to prevent mold growth. To make it easier for the plant to retain moisture in the heat, you can sprinkle the soil with tree bark.
Top dressing and pruning
Nitroammofoska for feeding grapes
Since the girlish grapes on the balcony are deprived of the natural influx of organic and mineral substances, additional feeding is needed for its full development. It is she who is an important component of plant care. This is especially important during the fruiting period of the plant.
- In spring or early summer, you can add 40-50 g of nitroammofoska per 1 sq. m.
- During active growth, the wild vineyard needs to be fed with organic fertilizers (manure, chicken droppings).
Another important condition for proper maintenance is pruning to form a bush. It can be carried out starting from the second year, removing dry leaves and young growth.
As for the pests, the grower cannot escape them even on the balcony. Most often, girlish grapes infect aphids. In the fight against it, a solution of water with alcohol (add 100 ml to 10 liters) and ordinary laundry soap have proven themselves well. The first is to spray the crown from a spray bottle, and the second is to lather the leaves, washing off the insects.
Damage to leaves by pests and diseases
For the first wintering, grapes with a pot are brought into a warm room, cutting off young shoots. In the future, this will simply be impossible, since wild grapes grow before our eyes, becoming unmanageable. The trunk and branches of the plant easily tolerate frosts, but the roots will have to be covered (with rags, straw, a thick layer of mulch).
If you follow the tips and recommendations above, the girlish grapes on the balcony will grow in the first two years and will delight the eyes of passers-by with green foliage in summer, and burgundy foliage in autumn. The main thing is not to forget the key points: abundant watering in the heat, pruning forming the crown and warming for the winter.
