Vitis 'ONYX'

Onyx is a new grape vine variety from Slovakia from 2002 (patented in 1996), a cross between Bulgarian Dunavski misket and American Beauty Seedless. It produces very large grapes with medium-sized or large berries of rich purple blue colour that ripen in late September. The taste is full, well balanced, sweet and mildly acidic with a hint of Muscat aroma. It is suitable for outdoor cultivation in forms of large shrubs for good air circulation.

Grape vine has to be pruned every year in warmer days of January or at the end of winter after the danger of the worst frosts. Cut back side branches to 2-3 buds – 2-years-old wood bears fruit. Treat it against mite before buds open. When it sets fruit cut off the new shoots a few centimeters above the grape and do not let it grow again. From midsummer you can start removing leaves from above the grapes to allow direct sunlight. Get some wasp-trap as they could ruin your fruit and may get dangerous. Some protection against fungi diseases is useful but not vital.

Grow grape vine in sunny and airy (not windy) locations. It is not suitable for damp sites and shady pergolas where it can easily be affected by diseases. Provide a good support. The best results are on slopes – because of the angle of sun rays. The soil has to be permeable, humus-rich and deep. Extra watering is desired by end spring and later only if the summer is dry, and always directly in the soil, never water the whole plant. In autumn remove fallen leaves from under the plants as they might contain diseases and mites. Fertilizing is good if adequate and selective, otherwise the plant will grow wild and set too much fruit of inferior quality. Fully hardy to -17°C or -23°C on protected sites (USDA zone 6).

Last update 08-08-2014.