Taifi grape variety: pink, white

Modern hybrids are very actively replacing old grape varieties, and there are fewer of them every year. Taifi grapes are considered one of the most ancient varieties, because the first mention of it dates back to the seventh century. Eastern grape variety, came to Europe from Arab countries. This crop has two varieties: white and pink grapes. Taifi Pink has gained great popularity and distribution, so this variety will be discussed further. This species has many advantages, and the main ones are considered to be the excellent taste of berries and the attractive appearance of the clusters. Growers from Our Country may face a number of difficulties when growing Taifi, because this variety is oriental and loves heat and sun very much.

A detailed description of the Taifi Pink grape variety with photos and reviews is given in this article. Here we will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of Taifi, about the rules for its cultivation and the necessary care.

View characteristics

The “journey” of Taifi grapes from Samarkand and Bukhara (his homeland) around the world was long. Not on all continents and not in all countries this variety took root and could exist. For normal development and fruiting, the vine needs a warm, and even hot climate, a lot of sun, and a long summer.

The lands of Crimea, Georgia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Dagestan turned out to be the most suitable for eastern Taifi. There, the grapes received other names, and today the vine of this variety can be bought under such names as Gissori, Tayfi-Surkh, Toipi-Kyzyl.

Taifi Pink grape is a table species and belongs to the group of oriental hybrids and varieties. The variety description is as follows:

• a plant with vigorous bushes and high shoots;
• the ripening period of the crop is late – from the moment the buds open in the spring to the technical maturity of the berries, 165-170 days should pass;
• on young shoots there is a dark border of a crimson hue, they are weakly colored and have crowns with slight pubescence (this information will be useful to those who want to purchase a seedling of this variety for the first time);
• fully matured vines and annual shoots are red-brown;
• shoots of grapes ripen well, are distinguished by strong growth;
• the percentage of fruit-bearing shoots reaches 80, ovaries can form even on stepchildren;
• the leaves of Taifi Pink are large, five-lobed, their shape is elongated, oval;
• the lower part of the leaf is usually covered with a small fluff, but can be completely smooth;
• the flowers of Taifi Pink are bisexual, which greatly facilitates their pollination and favorably affects the yield of grapes;
• the bunch of grapes is very large, loose with a large number of lateral lobes;
• the average weight of a bunch ranges from 700 to 1500 kg (there are grape brushes weighing about two kilograms);
• the shape of the cluster in Typhi Pink is cylindroconical or conical;
• the stem of the grape brush is long, lignified at the base;
• the berries of the eastern variety are very large, their weight is usually 7-9 grams;
• the shape of the berries is oval or cylindrical, the fruits are distinguished from other varieties by a noticeably sloping top;
• in length, the berry can reach three centimeters, the standard size is 2,3-2,8 cm;
• in the stage of full ripening, the berries of Pink Typhi have a very bright color: from dark pink to reddish and purple;
• the peel of the berry is covered with a slight wax coating, tiny dark dots are visible on it;
• the skin on the fruits of Taifi is dense, thick, its inner side has a rich red tint;
• the pulp is crispy, dense, juicy, fleshy;
• the taste of Tyfi Rose is excellent, very sweet, harmonious (this grape is highly valued by tasters);
• sugar content – 17,2%, acidity is 6,4 g / l, caloric content – 65 kcal per 100 grams (which is much less than most hybrids and grape varieties);
• when ripe, the fruits do not crumble, do not overripe (on the contrary, the longer the bunch is on the vine, the tastier the grapes);
• the Taifi grape variety can be stored for a very long time (the bunches lie in the refrigerator until the very spring);
• fruits perfectly tolerate transportation, have a high commercial value;
• grape Taifi Pink is very unpretentious to the composition of the soil, it can be grown on scarce and saline soils;
• the variety is unstable to low temperatures, does not tolerate sudden temperature changes;
• immunity to diseases characteristic of grapes is poor in Tayfi Pink;
• the yield of the variety is high – about 20 tons of fruits can be harvested per hectare of vineyards.

However, it cannot be said that the presence of seeds is a disadvantage of Typhi. This grape is highly valued for its dietary and medicinal properties, it is recommended to eat it together with the peel and seeds, since each part of the berry contains its own vitamins and useful trace elements.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any cultivated plant, Taifi grapes have their strengths and weaknesses. Connoisseurs of this variety love it for such qualities:

• excellent taste and high nutritional value;
• excellent presentation (which is confirmed by photos of berries and clusters);
• the possibility of long-term storage (for several months!) without loss of taste and attractiveness of the crop;
• high yield;
• the fruitfulness of the vine and its rapid growth;
• the possibility of growing on salty and arid soils.

You can use Taifi grapes as you like: they eat them fresh, prepare juices (by the way, the juice turns out to be transparent) and wines, make various sauces and marinades based on berries, dry the fruits and get the best raisins in the world.

The ancient Gissori also has shortcomings, and they are quite serious. Therefore, the grower, before buying cuttings, should think carefully, weigh all the pros and cons. The disadvantages of the variety are:

• poor frost resistance;
• deterioration in the taste of berries with a lack of sun;
• intolerance to temperature fluctuations;
• Typhi’s predisposition to diseases such as spider mites, mildew, oidium, powdery mildew.

Despite all these shortcomings, reviews of Taifi grapes are mostly positive. All the minuses of Gissori are overlapped by his positive qualities. In addition, usually experienced growers are ready for features of any kind.

Rules of agricultural technology

It is, in principle, not difficult to grow the Tayfi Pink variety – this grape is unpretentious. The only thing that a vine needs for normal development is a suitable climate. Given the weak frost resistance of the variety, its love of the sun and long growing season, Taifi grapes are not recommended for growing in temperate climates.

Landing

Taifi Pink cuttings are characterized by strong growth and good survival. Usually there are no problems with planting this variety. For grapes, it is recommended to choose a site on the south or southwest side, place the vine near the wall of the house, outbuilding, or capital fence.

The distance between adjacent bushes should be at least three meters – the high height of the bushes and their spreading should be taken into account. Landing pits can be prepared six months before planting, or at least a couple of weeks. The depth of the pit should be at least 50 cm, and its diameter should be about 60 cm.

The bottom of the landing pit is lined with drainage material, a layer of river sand is poured on top. The extracted soil should be mixed with fertilizers. Taifi grapes do not require a lot of fertilizer, just a bucket of humus and a liter of wood ash.

After a couple of weeks, the fertilizer will compact, and you can start planting. Cuttings are recommended to be soaked for a couple of days in water or in a growth stimulator. Immediately after planting, it is necessary to establish a support near the handle, since the vine of this grape is very tall.

Care

Compared to local varieties, eastern Taifi is more capricious and demanding, so you need to take care of it a little differently:

1. The variety loves water very much (although it normally tolerates periods of drought), therefore water the vine will have to often. It is most convenient to use special drip-type irrigation systems for irrigation. If there are no such systems, the grapes are watered under the root. Watering is especially important before the flowering of the vine and immediately after flowering.

   

2. feed Typhi Pink is needed infrequently. In autumn, you can use organic matter in the form of compost, humus, wood ash, cow dung or bird droppings. During the summer season, the variety responds well to potassium-phosphorus top dressing, which is performed after the flowering of the vine.
3. The soil around the vines needs to be regularly loosen. The work of the grower can be greatly facilitated by mulch. Organic mulch simultaneously protects the soil from drying out and fertilizes the soil.

   

4. crop Taifi Pink can be used in spring or autumn when the vine is in a “sleep” state. Fan pruning is recommended for this variety. You need to cut it into three or four sleeves according to the principle of medium pruning (leaving 5-6 buds on each shoot). To increase the yield, you can try a long pruning for 7-8 buds. Large grapes do not tolerate excessive load, so rationing in this case plays a significant role.

   

5. Due to Taifi’s propensity for disease, several times a season, you will have to spend preventive treatment vines. Spray the bushes should be before flowering and immediately after flowering is over. Especially often this grape is affected by fungal infections, so the use of insecticides is mandatory.

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Conclusion

Taifi Pink grapes are perfect for lovers of Asian varieties, large-fruited and very sweet. This variety does not take root everywhere, it is afraid of the cold, does not like shade and temperature changes. But Gissori tolerates drought well, can grow on scarce soils, and gives very high yields. Ripe bunches have a marketable appearance, tolerate transportation well and can be stored for a long time.

It is not difficult to grow oriental grapes, you just need to create suitable conditions for it.