Description and characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of the Tukay grape variety and cultivation
There is a wide variety of grape varieties on the horticultural market. Many gardeners are reluctant to experiment and traditionally prefer crops that have been bred for a long time and have proven their excellent qualities when grown over the years. One of these is a grape called Tukai, which has established itself as a winter-hardy, unpretentious plant.
Description of the Tukay variety
The Tukay grape is considered an early ripening table grape. It is suitable both for fresh consumption and as a raw material for the preparation of preserves and wine.
Breeding and origin
The appearance of the Tukai grape variety is associated with the name of the scientist YI Potapenko. The aim of his many years of work was to strive to obtain a variety that could be grown in Russian regions with a cold climate. The results of crossing the Pearls of Saba and Yakdona turned out to be unique, and a new variety was bred, distinguished by excellent winter hardiness qualities.
Bush morphology
When choosing a grape variety, gardeners first of all pay attention to the features of plant growth and the distinctive qualities of fruiting.
Bushes
The leaves are light green, five-lobed, weakly dissected.
Bunches
Bunches in the form of cylinders are not very dense. Depending on the region of cultivation, their weight may differ. On average, the mass of one bunch reaches 800 g.
Berries
The weight of the berries varies from 3 to 5 g. The juicy pulp has a pleasant nutmeg flavor. The sugar content in fruits is 17-19%, acid - 7 g / l. The dense skin allows the berries to withstand difficult transportation conditions.
Positive and negative properties of the variety
Many gardeners talk about the unpretentiousness of growing, and even novice gardeners achieve good harvest indicators. The undoubted advantage is the winter hardiness of the plant. Bunches are able to stay on the vine for a long time, without losing their external and taste qualities. The benefits of Tukay grapes include:
- stability of high yields;
- unpretentiousness;
- the formation of flowers of both sexes;
- ability to withstand difficult conditions of transportation;
- versatility of use.
The unpretentiousness of the plant to the soil expands the possibilities for the formation of plantings. Lack of resistance to mildew and powdery mildew is considered a disadvantage. When the temperature rises to +35 C the plant slows down its growth and the yield decreases.
What characterizes grapes
The strong qualities of the variety are high yield rates and their stability. The plant makes it possible to get tasty fruits in a short time, which can be stored for a long time.
Yield
16-20 kg are removed from one bush. The first harvest is removed in the 2-3rd year.
Ripening terms
Tukay's harvest time is one of the shortest. Berries can be removed after 90-100 days from the beginning of flowering. In cold regions, the quality of the plant's winter hardiness contributes to full ripening. The arrival of the first frost for the plant is not a critical factor.
Diseases
The variety is resistant to gray mold. The weak point of the plant is its susceptibility to mildew and oidium.
Mildew
Mildew is one of the most common grape diseases. When infected, an ash-colored bloom appears on the lower part of the leaf plates. Further, it acquires a brown color, the leaves begin to dry and fall off. For prevention, the following activities are carried out:
- cover the near-stem area with mulch;
- make nitrogen fertilizers without overusing fertilizing;
- thinning and pruning bushes;
- periodically spray ash under the bushes.
If diseased shoots are found, they should be removed and eliminated.
Oidium
When infected, an ash-colored bloom forms on the leaves. An unpleasant smell begins to emanate from the plant, reminiscent of rotting rotten fish. The inflorescences begin to dry out, and the berries suffer from cracking. To combat the disease, they are sprayed with a solution of vitriol at a concentration of 3%.
Others
The variety is resistant to most types of grape diseases, with the exception of mildew and oidium. It can be affected by gray rot if the plantings are too wet, too humid or too thick.
Timely pruning, protection of berries from wasps, ants, aphids and birds will help prevent diseases.
Frost resistance
The selection characteristics of the grapes indicate the ability of the variety to withstand temperatures down to -25 C.
Where can you grow
Excellent qualities of winter hardiness make it possible to grow Tukai not only in the south of Russia. The unpretentiousness of the plant and the ability to survive at low temperatures make it possible to form grape plantings in the central part of the country and in the northwest. Good results are obtained in Siberia, the Urals and the Altai Territory.
Description of the bunch and berries
The berries are formed in cylindrical bunches. They have an average density and, depending on the region of cultivation, can reach different weights.
Disembarkation
The quality and quantity of the future harvest directly depends on the correctly chosen seedling and compliance with the rules of care.
How to choose seedlings
Grape seedlings should be purchased in specialized places or proven points of sale. When buying, you should pay attention to the integrity of the stem part and the absence of defects on it. The root processes should be flexible, elastic, not damaged. Their color should be light, darkening indicates putrefactive processes.
When can you plant?
Boarding times vary by region. In the middle lane, work begins at the end of May, when the threat of frost has passed, and the soil will be warm enough. Planting in the autumn is permissible, in this case the plantings are formed in September, so that the plant has time to take root before the cold snap.
Choosing a plot of land
Tukay grapes are unpretentious in cultivation, but demanding on lighting. You should not choose an overly wet, swampy or saline area for planting. Limestones, loams, sandstones will become an ideal territory. The place should be sunny and sheltered from the wind. When planting near a building, it is required to indent from the foundation at least 1.5 m.
Soil preparation
The area for planting grapes is prepared in advance. To do this, deep plowing is done, weeds are removed. To start digging a hole 2 weeks before planting. For backfilling, you will need to prepare a nutritious soil. For this, humus, black earth and sand are mixed in equal parts. To increase the nutritional value of the soil, ash, potassium salt and superphosphate are added.
Digging a hole
There are generally accepted standards for the formation of a pit for planting grapes. It is necessary to provide a depth of 85-90 cm, a width of 70-80 cm. A layer of black soil and clay is formed at the bottom, on which drainage is placed.
How to land
24 hours before planting, the root system of the grapes is soaked in a growth stimulator. When planting, it is important to check that the 2 eyes are just above the level of the edge of the dug hole. The root shoots are evenly straightened and carefully covered with nutritious soil. Immediately after planting, the seedling is watered abundantly and provide support for it, after which it is cut into 3 leaves.
Growing and care
Tukai grapes are undemanding to care for. He needs timely watering and feeding. It is necessary to carry out preventive spraying and timely pruning.
Pruning and grafting vines
Tukai belongs to grape varieties that are characterized by abundant growth, therefore, pruning of shoots is necessary for the plant. When the bushes are overloaded, the berries will become chopped and taste worse. The foliage should be completely removed from the bottom to help prevent sunburn on the upper part of the vines. Pruning is carried out in the spring, after which no more than 45 eyes should remain on the tree. With excessive growth of a grape plant during the growing season, side shoots are removed.
In areas with a cold climate, it is recommended to vaccinate on winter-hardy rootstocks. These include the varieties Severny, Alpha, Batur.
Irrigation and fertilization
The plant requires watering and irrigation if there is a lack of natural rainfall. Waterlogging negatively affects the health of the grape bushes, since root rot is observed. When watering, 20 liters of water is enough for one plant. In the spring, water-charging irrigation is carried out to stimulate better plant growth, in the fall the volumes are reduced to exclude the release of buds.
Prevention and protection against diseases and pests
In order to prevent diseases of grapes, preventive spraying with Bordeaux liquid and a solution of copper sulfate is carried out. If necessary, use drugs with targeted action, guided by the manufacturer's recommendations.
Feeding with mineral complexes will help to increase the plant's resistance. The first is done a month before the beginning of the flowering period. In the spring, manure or rotted compost is introduced into the soil. Before flowering grapes, the soil is enriched with nitrogen fertilizers, which contributes to the better formation of green mass. Phosphorus and potash fertilizers applied at the time of ovary formation will help to improve the formation of bunches and the taste of fruits.
Ways to propagate
Propagated grapes by cuttings or form rootstocks with other grape varieties. Correctly cut parts will quickly take root, so there are usually no difficulties with breeding. It is important to choose a strong, healthy shoot with no signs of damage. The upper parts of the plant are not suitable for propagation purposes.
Preparing for winter
Tukai grapes require shelter in regions with cold, frosty winters. Work starts after the plant has completely dropped the leaves and the temperature has dropped to +5 C. To prevent the appearance of fungal diseases, the vines are sprayed with a solution of copper sulfate. Further, the shoots are cut and bent to the ground, laying in pre-dug trenches.
Insulation is formed on top, using dry grass, earth, spruce branches, branches or protective material for these purposes.
Harvest and winemaking
Due to the early ripening period, the first bunches of grapes in warm regions are removed at the end of July. Berries are characterized by the ability to long-term storage at temperatures from +1 C to +8 C. According to the tasting qualities of the grapes, a score of 9 points was assigned. The variety belongs to table dessert types, but is often used for making wine.
