How to Grow the Sapphire Grape, the Moonlight's Tear Variety

The Sapphire grape, also known as Moonlight's Tear, has plump, large berries and a pure flavor. It has been introduced and planted in China in recent years, but has not yet been grown on a large scale. Today the editor will share with you the growing methods for the Sapphire grape.

1. Planting preparation

Sapphire has the characteristics of high yield and easy cultivation. It adapts strongly to soil, and ordinary soil can grow it, but soil rich in organic matter is best. First, the land needs to be prepared and ridged. Land preparation is divided into deep plowing of the whole orchard and digging trenches along the rows. During land preparation, sufficient organic fertilizer needs to be applied as a base fertilizer, and the organic fertilizer should be mixed evenly with the topsoil.

2. Cultivation methods

The best time to plant Sapphire is in spring. We can use direct-sown seedlings and grafted seedlings, but if using grafted seedlings, the rootstock buds need to be removed before planting and the binding film untied, and then planting can proceed. When planting, it is generally done along the rows, with the distance between each plant generally about 70 cm. After planting, a heavy watering is needed, then continue filling with soil, and finally cover with a layer of straw, water thoroughly, and then cover with a layer of plastic mulch.

3. Soil, fertilizer and water management

After planting, in order to promote the growth of the Sapphire grape seedlings, we need to water about once every week or so. Each time we water, we need to apply an appropriate amount of compound fertilizer as a top dressing, and spray a foliar fertilizer about once every half a month. All year round we can spread a layer of grass in the field. After the dry grass decomposes, it produces nitrogen, which is then absorbed by the soil and used to promote plant growth.

4. Trellising and pruning

When the Sapphire grape seedlings grow to about 1 m, it is time to start building a trellis and guide the grape seedlings onto the trellis so they grow creeping along it. Next, the pruning technique for Sapphire seedlings is also crucial. First, we need to develop two main vines, then promote the growth of side vines, which can increase the yield of Sapphire. Second, we also need to carry out winter pruning so that after it sends out shoots it produces large clusters. This is also what we often call the small dragon-trunk pruning technique.

5. Flower and fruit management

Management during the flowering and fruiting period mainly involves promoting flower buds, protecting flowers and fruits, and thinning flowers and fruits. In order to get more clusters and strong clusters and form plump flower buds, we need to apply heavy fertilizer and heavy watering before flowering, and reasonably regulate the foliar fertilizer to promote the growth of reserve branches, while paying attention to the prevention and control of pests and diseases. Second, in order to protect flowers and fruits, we should balance fertilization, combine it with the use of micro-fertilizers, and carry out artificial supplementary pollination and temperature regulation. During the flowering period, reasonably thin out flowers that are too densely blooming and relatively weak. About 20 days after fruit set, carry out reasonable fruit thinning, and use bagging techniques to prevent and control pests and diseases.

The above are the growing methods for the Sapphire grape compiled by the editor. We hope they are helpful to you.