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Early varieties of grapes have always been popular with gardeners. When some varieties are just preparing for fruiting, the early ones are already delighting with tasty and juicy berries. One of these is the Tukay grape variety, which can often be found in the garden of summer residents. The hybrid is valued for resistance to low temperatures and unpretentiousness. Consider its description and photo, get acquainted with the features of growing a vineyard and caring for it.
Origin
The Tukay grape variety was bred by breeders of the Research Institute. Ya. I. Potapenko in Novocherkassk. The variety was obtained by crossing two completely different grape varieties – Pearls Saba and Yakdona.
Tukay took over from his predecessors such qualities as frost resistance, early maturity and high yield. This allows you to plant it not only in the southern parts of Our Country, but also in the Central, Ural, Siberian and North-Western regions of the country.
Description of grapes
Hybrid Tukay is a table variety that brings early harvest and withstands low temperatures. It has excellent taste, good presentation and is intended for fresh consumption.
Bushes and clusters
Tukay grape bushes are vigorous and sprawling. They can reach 1,5 to 3 m in height. A large number of berries ripen on the vine, almost for its entire length. The leaves are medium in size, egg-shaped, bright green in color, with entire edges and a slightly dissected middle. In appearance, they are similar to the leaves of the Pearl Saba grape.
A distinctive feature of the Tukay variety is bisexual flowers. This simplifies the fertilization process. But under adverse weather conditions, the process can become more complicated. The flowering brushes of the plant are loose and elongated.
Clusters of grapes are large, medium density and cylindrical. On average, their weight is 0,7-0,8 kg, but under favorable conditions they can reach 1,5 kg.
Berries
Grapes are round, small, weighing from 3 to 5 g. Depending on the degree of ripening, they can change color from light green to amber. Under the dense skin is sweet and juicy pulp with a slight sourness. A distinctive feature of the fruit is the presence of notes of nutmeg and a pleasant aroma. The sugar content in grapes is 18%, and the acid content is 6-7 g/l.
Tukay fruits can hang on the vine for a long time, as they are located on strong petioles. They do not crack and do not crumble. During transportation, the grapes are not damaged, retain their taste and external qualities.
Characteristics
To get a complete picture of the Tukay grape, consider some of its features.
Yield and maturity
Tukay grapes bring a high and high-quality harvest, regardless of the weather. The vine of this variety matures by 85-90%. With proper care, 18-20 kg of berries can be removed from one shrub. Seedlings begin to bear fruit 2-3 years after planting.
The first grape harvest is obtained 90-100 days after bud break. In the south and southeast of Our Country, the fruits ripen in the second half of July. In the central and northern regions of the country, Tukay brings the harvest a little later, the first fruits of the grapes can be tasted in August.
Advantages
Tukay grapes have many positive aspects:
- gives a high and high-quality harvest;
- ripens early;
- retains its appearance and taste during transportation;
- can be stored for a long time;
- tolerates temperatures as low as -25°C;
- has a pleasant sweet and sour taste and aroma of nutmeg;
- resistant to gray rot;
- not prone to cracking and sprinkling.
This unpretentious grape variety is loved by many gardeners who are interested in getting an early and tasty harvest.
Disadvantages
The Tukay grape variety also has a number of disadvantages:
- it is necessary to cut the bushes so that they are not overloaded with clusters. If there are a lot of berries, they will become sour and small.
- the pollination process may be disrupted during rains.
- if the air temperature rises above 35°C, the development of the grapes slows down and the yield decreases.
- in a harsh climate, Tukay bushes need to be covered for the winter.
These are minor disadvantages that can be avoided with proper care of the plant and the creation of favorable conditions for it.
Peculiarities of growing
Despite the fact that the Tukay variety has a large number of advantages, it will not be possible to harvest a good grape harvest without proper agrotechnical work.
Terms of planting
Tukay grapes can be planted both in spring and autumn. This should not be done during the winter months, as the seedling will not be able to take root due to the cold.
Spring planting should begin in late April – early May before the buds swell. The earth must warm up. Before winter, the plant will have time to take root and gain strength.
In autumn, grapes can be planted from September to mid-October, until the first frosts come. For the winter, the plant must be carefully covered. In spring, the Tukay bush will begin to actively develop and grow.
Site Selection
This grape variety prefers sunny and protected from northern winds. It is recommended to plant it along the fence or building on the south side.
Tukay is undemanding to the composition of the soil, but does not like excessively moistened, swampy and saline areas. Bushes grow well on sandy, limestone and loamy lands.
The root system of grapes grows strongly and goes deep into the soil, so the proximity of groundwater can harm the plant.
Pit preparation
In autumn, it is recommended to dig up the site, remove weeds and roots. A couple of weeks before planting, it is necessary to dig a hole 85-90 cm deep. Pour a bucket of chernozem with clay at its bottom. At this stage, you can install an irrigation pipe with a diameter of 6 cm. The grapes will be irrigated through it.
Then lay out a drainage layer of dry branches and gravel. Top it off with humus mixed with black soil and sand in equal proportions. You can also add some ash, superphosphate and potassium salt to this soil mixture. The last level should occupy a third of the recess.
Rules of landing
Tukay grape bushes can be planted in rows or individually on a solid support. The day before planting, the roots of the seedling should be soaked in water or in a growth stimulator solution.
Rules for planting grapes:
- Pour the prepared planting hole with plenty of water.
- Lower the seedling into the recess so that its two eyes are below ground level.
- Spread the roots and cover with soil with a layer of 25-35 cm.
- Water and mulch the vineyard with straw, branches or sawdust.
- Tie the planted stalk and cut into 2-3 leaves.
If the Tukay planting area is characterized by a close occurrence of groundwater, then a high bed should be chosen for it. A trench should be dug around the grape bush to drain water.
Features of care
An early ripe Tukay hybrid will bring a bountiful harvest in any area if the gardener provides the grapes with regular care: watering, pruning, top dressing.
Trimming
Since the grape bush has the ability to grow strongly and form many clusters, you need to make sure that the shoots are not overloaded. Otherwise, the fruits will not live up to expectations – they will be sour and small.
With the advent of spring, weak shoots are cut off, and excess buds are removed. In total, 40-45 eyes should remain on the bush, and no more than 7 on the vine. The grape cuttings obtained during pruning can be used for its propagation. The top inflorescences are pinched on the stems, leaving no more than 4 clusters. Such activities allow you to increase the size of the berries and the yield.
Additional fertilizing
If mineral fertilizers were applied to the soil when planting grapes, then in the first year you can not feed the plant. Then, every spring, rotted manure should be introduced into the soil, and a month before flowering, Tukay should be watered with a solution of complex fertilizer.
Nitrogen top dressing is necessary during the growth and development of the shrub, and potash – to stimulate the growth of berries and improve their taste.
Before flowering, grape leaves can be treated with a solution of superphosphate or a special preparation to improve the ovaries. The procedure is carried out twice with an interval of 15 days. This is done with a spray gun in calm and dry weather.
Watering
Watering grapes of this variety should be rare, but plentiful. Depending on weather conditions and soil composition, it is recommended to carry out it every 30-40 days. In summer, it is necessary to moisten the soil more often, once every 10-15 days. One bush usually accounts for 15 to 30 liters of water. At the same time, it is impossible to allow both waterlogging and drying of the earth.
Water for irrigation of Tukay should be separated and warm. It is undesirable to irrigate the plant with cold water, as you can partially lose the crop.
Disease Prevention
Tukay vineyard is resistant to gray rot, but vulnerable to oidium and mildew.
It is important to protect it from various diseases and pests in a timely manner:
- To prevent damage to grape bushes by oidium, you need to spray its green part with a solution of copper sulfate. Processing is carried out in early spring and during the growing season.
- To protect the plant from mildew, it is necessary to carry out timely thinning of the bushes to ensure ventilation. The soil around the vineyard should be sprinkled with ashes and mulched. It is important to carry out nitrogen fertilizing and spraying foliage with iron sulphate.
- To prevent the birds from pecking at the berries, repellers should be placed next to the plant: a bell, a bright fabric or a metal grill.
The Tukay variety can also suffer from thrips and grape itch. For the purpose of prevention, the plant is sprayed with special preparations, thanks to which the crop can be preserved. Some of them are able to destroy not only adults, but also their larvae.
Reviews of gardeners
Conclusion
Thanks to the hard work of breeders, you can enjoy the wonderful Tukay grapes. Pleasant nutmeg and precocity attract many gardeners. Subject to the peculiarities of agricultural technology and care, the grape bush will bring a bountiful harvest. And with proper storage, its berries can remain fresh until spring.
