Tukay grapes: variety description, photos, reviews

Early grape varieties have always been popular with gardeners. When some varieties are just getting ready for fruiting, the early ripening ones already delight with tasty and juicy berries. One of these is the Tukai grape variety, which can often be found in the garden of summer residents. The hybrid is appreciated for its resistance to low temperatures and unpretentiousness. Consider its description and photos, get acquainted with the peculiarities of growing a vineyard and caring for it.

Origin

The Tukay grape variety was bred by the breeders of the V. Ya. I. Potapenko in Novocherkassk. The variety was obtained by crossing two completely dissimilar grape varieties - Pearl Saba and Yakdona.

Tukay adopted from its predecessors such qualities as frost resistance, early maturity and high yield. This makes it possible to plant it not only in the southern parts of Russia, but also in the Central, Ural, Siberian and North-Western regions of the country.

Description of grapes

The Tukai hybrid is a table variety that yields early and withstands low temperatures. It has excellent taste, good presentation and is intended for fresh consumption.

Bushes and clusters

Tukai grape bushes are vigorous and spreading. They can reach from 1.5 to 3 m in height. A large number of berries ripen on the vine, almost over its entire length. The leaves are medium in size, egg-shaped, bright green in color, solid edges and a slightly split center. They are similar in appearance to the leaves of the Pearl Saba grape.

A distinctive feature of the Tukai variety is bisexual flowers. This simplifies the fertilization procedure. But under adverse weather conditions, the process can become more complicated. The flowering brushes of the plant are loose and elongated.

Bunches of grapes are large, medium density and cylindrical in shape. On average, their weight is 0.7-0.8 kg, but under favorable conditions they can reach 1.5 kg.

Berries

The 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 there is a sweet and juicy pulp with a slight sourness. A distinctive feature of the fruit is the presence of a hint of nutmeg and a pleasant aroma. The sugar content in grapes is 18%, and the acid content is 6-7 g / l.

The fruits of Tukai can hang on the vine for a long time, as they are located on strong stalks. They do not crack or crumble. During transportation, the grapes are not damaged, retains their taste and external qualities.

Attention! In order for the grapes to be stored all winter, they must be removed to a dry place and the temperature maintained between 1 and 8 ° C.

Characteristics

To get a complete picture of the Tukai grape, consider some of its features.

Productivity and ripening time

The Tukay grape brings a high and high-quality harvest, regardless of the weather. The vine of this variety ripens by 85-90%. With proper care, 18-20 kg of berries can be removed from one shrub. Saplings 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 Russia, 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.

Benefits

The Tukay grape has 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 a drop in temperature down to -25 ° C;
has a pleasant sweet and sour taste and aroma of nutmeg;
resistant to gray mold;
not prone to cracking and spilling.

This unpretentious grape variety has fallen in love with many gardeners who are interested in 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 bunches. If there are a lot of berries, they will become sour and small.
pollination can be disrupted during rains.
if the air temperature rises above 35 ° C, the development of the grapes slows down and the yield decreases.
in harsh climates, Tukay bushes need to be covered for the winter.

These are minor disadvantages that can be avoided with proper plant care and creating favorable conditions for it.

Advice! For regions with hot climates, dark grape varieties are more suitable.

Growing features

Despite the fact that the Tukay variety has a lot of advantages, it will not be possible to harvest a good grape harvest without proper agrotechnical work.

Landing dates

Tukai grapes can be planted both in spring and autumn. This should not be done during the winter months, as the cold will prevent the seedling from taking root.

Spring planting should be started in late April - early May before the buds swell. The earth should 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 frost occurs. For the winter, the plant must be carefully covered. In the spring, the Tukai bush will begin to actively develop and grow.

Advice! In the northern regions, it is better to plant grapes in the spring.

Site selection

This grape variety prefers sunny and sheltered places from the northerly 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 moist, swampy and saline areas. Bushes grow well on sandy loam, limestone and loamy soils.

The root system of grapes grows strongly and goes deep into the soil, so the close location of groundwater can harm the plant.

Pit preparation

In the fall, it is recommended to dig up the site, remove weeds and roots. A couple of weeks before planting, you need to dig a hole 85-90 cm deep. Pour a bucket of black soil with clay on its bottom. At this stage, you can install an irrigation pipe with a diameter of 6 cm. Through it, the grapes will be irrigated.

Then lay out a drainage layer of dry twigs and gravel. Top it up with humus mixed with black earth and sand in equal proportions. You can also add some ash, superphosphate and potassium salt to this potting mix. The last level should occupy a third of the indentation.

Landing rules

Tukay 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 stimulant solution.

Grape planting rules:

Water the prepared planting hole with plenty of water.
Lower the seedling into the recess so that its two eyes are below ground level.
Spread out the roots and cover with soil with a layer of 25-35 cm.
Water and mulch the vineyard with straw, twigs or sawdust.
Tie the planted stalk and cut into 2-3 leaves.

If the Tukay planting territory is characterized by a close occurrence of groundwater, then a high bed should be chosen for it. A trench should be dug around the vine bush to drain the water.

Care features

An early ripe hybrid Tukai will bring a bountiful harvest on any site if the gardener provides the grapes with regular care: watering, pruning, feeding.

Pruning

Since the grape shrub has the ability to grow strongly and form many bunches, care must be taken that the shoots are not overloaded. Otherwise, the fruits will not live up to expectations - they will be sour and small.

With the arrival 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 grapes cuttings obtained during pruning can be used for its propagation. The upper 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.

Attention! In the northern regions, it is better to engage in the formation of a grape bush in the autumn after harvest.

Top dressing

If, when planting grapes, mineral fertilizers were introduced into the soil, 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 Tukai should be watered with a solution of complex fertilizer.

Nitrogen fertilizing 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 superphosphate solution 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 bottle in calm and dry weather.

Watering

Watering of this variety should be sparse but plentiful. Depending on weather conditions and soil composition, it is recommended to carry out it every 30-40 days. In summer, you need to moisten the soil more often, 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 Tukay should be settled and warm. It is undesirable to irrigate the plant with cold water, as you can partially lose the crop.

Important! Watering the vineyard with a drain pipe makes the process easier and saves time and effort.

Disease prevention

The Tukay vineyard is resistant to gray rot, but vulnerable to powdery mildew and mildew.

It is important to timely protect it from various diseases and pests:

To prevent the defeat of grape bushes with powdery mildew, 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, timely thinning of the bushes is necessary to ensure ventilation. The soil around the vineyard should be sprinkled with ash and mulched. It is important to carry out nitrogen fertilization and spraying the foliage with iron sulfate.
To prevent birds from nibbling on the berries, scarers should be placed next to the plant: a bell, bright fabric or a metal grate.

The Tukai variety can also suffer from thrips and grape itch. For the purpose of prevention, the plant is sprayed with special preparations, thanks to which you can save the crop. Some of them are capable of destroying not only adults, but also their larvae.

Gardeners reviews

Igor, 40 years old, Oryol

The earliest and favorite grape variety on my site is Tukay. Already in July, you can enjoy sweet and aromatic berries. I never had a problem with him. With standard preventive treatments for 4 years, he never got sick. Last year Tukay brought eight bunches from 600 to 1.2 kg. The taste of the berries is excellent

Olga, 29 years old, Kazan

For comparison, I planted seedlings of Makdalsky and Tukai on my site. Both have a pronounced nutmeg aroma and harmonious taste. Since Tukai grapes have larger berries and thinner skin, they left it in the garden. He suits me in everything except pollination. The hands are loosely tied and may sprinkle.

Conclusion

Thanks to the hard work of breeders, you can enjoy the wonderful Tukai grapes. Pleasant nutmeg and early maturity attract many gardeners. Subject to the peculiarities of agricultural technology and care, a bush of grapes will bring a bountiful harvest. And with proper storage, its berries can remain fresh until spring.