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Ukraine is considered the birthplace of Valek hybrid grapes. The culture was brought up by amateur N. Vishnevetsky. The variety with amber berries quickly spread across the expanses of the Crimea. In Russia grapes Valek first appeared among the inhabitants of the southern regions. Now the variety is gradually adapting in the northern regions and the central zone.
Distinctive characteristics of the variety
To breed the hybrid form, varieties with a good pedigree were taken: "Kesha 1", "Zvezdny", and "Rizamat". When three parents were crossed, an excellent grape was obtained, the berries of which are intended for fresh consumption. Initially, the variety was zoned for northern Ukraine, but the grapes adapt well to different weather conditions.
Consider Valek grapes, a description of the variety, photos, reviews should start with an overview of the brushes. Huge bunches weighing 1.5–2.5 kg are the main advantage of the hybrid. In terms of large fruit size, Valek confidently competes with popular high-yielding varieties. The clusters are formed with a tight fit of the berries.
The oval-shaped berries are elongated up to 3 cm in length, and the width reaches 2.8 cm. The weight of one fruit is about 14 g. The color of the berries is green. When fully ripe, the pulp with the skin turns yellow to amber. In the sun, the barrels are slightly browned.
The taste of Valek grapes is sweet. The aroma is reminiscent of a mixture of nutmeg and pear. The pulp is tender, fleshy, resistant to cracking due to the thick skin, but when eaten it is poorly felt.
Good fruiting cannot occur without strong vine growth. Valek grape bushes are spreading, characterized by intensive vine growth. The shoots have time to ripen during the season. Discarding bisexual flowers increases the percentage of self-pollination. The color lasts for about 10 days. Pollination will occur even in rainy summers without the participation of bees.
In terms of ripening, the Valek variety is considered an early grape. The first bunches can be picked in the first decade of August. It usually takes 105 days from awakening the buds to harvesting. In southern Ukraine, the bunches of the Valek hybrid ripen earlier than the popular early Arcadia variety.
Positive and negative qualities
Reviewing the description of the Valek grape variety, photos, reviews, videos, as a summary, we will consider the positive and negative features of the culture. Among the advantages are:
- original taste that is not inherent in other varieties;
- high yield, stable fruiting, large brushes and fruits;
- good presentation of the bunches;
- early maturation;
- bisexual flowers are able to pollinate neighboring bushes, not without the participation of bees;
- there is no pea berries in the tassels;
- the Valek grape harvest lends itself to transportation and storage;
- resistance to fungal diseases;
- the vine winters well, even if it has been exposed to hypothermia to a temperature of -24aboutFROM.
Valek is bred from three of the best grape varieties, in which it is difficult to find negative traits. The downside is the poor compatibility of the rootstock with the scion. It is better to propagate Valek grapes by cuttings on their own roots than to be grafted.
On the video you can get acquainted with the Valek variety:
Breeding options
There are many ways to propagate the Valek grape variety. The grower chooses the most affordable and easy option for himself.It is best to purchase seedlings or grow them from cuttings, but other methods can be used.
The following methods are used for propagation of Valek grapes:
- Growing on your own roots. For the Valek variety, this is the most effective breeding method, given that the crop is a hybrid. The seedling is bought in the nursery or at the market. If the neighbors have an adult Valek grape bush on the site, then in the fall you can ask for a cutting. In the spring, a piece of vines is planted in a flower pot, and it turns out to be an excellent seedling.
- Reproduction by grafting allows you to get fast growth. However, Valek is poorly compatible with other varieties. For the sake of interest, you can try to plant a couple of cuttings or buds on another bush, but you should not hope for such a method of reproduction.
- Reproduction by branches for the Valek variety is also acceptable, since the new seedling will grow on its own root. The method is based on digging in a section of a mature vine without cutting the lash from the bush. Over time, in damp soil, the cuttings will take root. Now it can be cut from the bush with a pruner and transplanted for further rooting.
There is a variant of grape seed propagation. The method is suitable if it was not possible to get seedlings or cuttings. Large ripe seeds are removed from the berries of the purchased bunch and planted in the ground. After 2 years, an excellent seedling is obtained. However, for hybrid varieties, the seed option is poorly suited. Grapes can only grow with the characteristics of a single parent.
Care features
Considering the Valek grapes, the description of the variety, it is worth noting the photophilousness of the culture. Bushes develop only in a free area, not shaded by large trees. Proximity to any buildings is similarly oppressive to grapes.
On the site for seedlings, heights are chosen, especially if there is a high location of groundwater. It is optimal to choose the south side without drafts. Strong wind currents reduce the percentage of self-pollination of flowers, which affects a decrease in yield.
There are no special requirements for the composition of the soil in the Valek grape variety, but the bush grows better on light soil. The fertility of the land is increased by the introduction of fertilizing during planting of the seedling and throughout the entire period of the life of the culture.
The mature Valek grape bushes are vigorous. When planting seedlings, keep a distance of at least 3 m. On large plantations, a minimum row spacing of 4 m is observed. Free space is required not only for the growth of vines. The horse system also needs to develop and receive a full portion of nutrients.
The breeding season for grapes begins in the third decade of March and ends in November. The time for planting planting material and the method of propagation are determined individually. Vaccinations, as well as planting dormant seedlings, are carried out in early spring. With the establishment of constant heat in late spring, grapes with open leaves and green shoots are planted. At the beginning of summer, you can also plant green seedlings, but this time is better suited for propagation by branches.
In the fall, planting seedlings should not be delayed, especially in cold regions. The grapes should have already entered the winter calm stage, but still have the ability to root. The optimal time for autumn planting is mid-October. In grapes, sap flow is already suspended, but before the onset of frost, the seedling will have time to take root and stock up on nutrients.
Good rooting and development of the bush depends on a properly prepared hole. It is important to initially lay in nutrients that will be enough for the seedling for the first years of life. A hole is dug with a depth of at least 80 cm.The shape can be round or square, but the hole is also made up to 80 cm wide.
At the bottom of the hole, a drainage layer about 20 cm thick is laid out of stones and sand. If there is loose sandy soil on the site, then drainage can be abandoned.For further backfilling, a nutrient mixture is prepared. Chernozem is mixed in equal amounts with humus or compost, dry granules of mineral fertilizer are added. Superphosphate and potassium are commonly used. The hole is filled with a nutrient mixture so that a depth of about 50 cm remains for planting a seedling.
When buying a seedling of Valek grapes, its appearance is carefully examined. The root must be more than 10 cm long without dry branches. Aboveground part without crust damage and with at least four developed kidneys.
Before planting, the seedling is immersed in water for a couple of hours. You can add a root growth stimulant. The seedling is lowered into the hole with the heel on a mound, and the roots are spread along the slopes. The aboveground part is turned by the kidneys to the north. The root heel faces south. The seedling is carefully covered with loose soil, without burying it above the level of the root collar. After sprinkling, up to three buckets of water are poured into the hole. After absorbing the liquid, the soil is poured to the desired level, and mulch is poured on top.
Further care for Valek grapes includes watering, feeding, weeding, pruning the vine, spraying with fungicides.
Water the Valek grapes as the soil dries up and always before flowering, during the ovary of berries, as well as in late autumn. The soil is constantly loosened, weeded weeds, sprinkle sawdust or peat mulch.
Top dressing with mineral complexes depends on the condition of the soil, and organic matter is in demand every season. The bushes are poured with a solution of bird droppings, sprinkled with dry rotted manure or compost instead of mulch.
For preventive spraying, fungicides are used. Colloidal sulfur and Bordeaux liquid show good results in the fight against fungus.
Testimonials
Reviews of gardeners and summer residents will help you learn more about Valek grapes.
