Grapes Valek: characteristics and description of the variety

Ukrainian amateur breeder Nikolay Vishnevetsky worked hard for more than 30 years to create the perfect grape. Most recently, he managed to create a hybrid miracle of nature by crossing varieties: "Kesha 1", "Rizamat" and "Star".

The scientist gave the name "Valek" to his grape creation. Initially, the variety was intended for cultivation in the territory of northern Ukraine, but over time, rumors of frost-resistant grapes scattered throughout the world and now “Valek” can be found even in cool regions of Russia.

Characteristics and description of the variety

Grapes "Valek" refers to frost-resistant plants, which allows you to grow shrubs in the central strip and the northern regions of the country. From the day the first buds are formed until the large crop is harvested, it takes about three months on average. In the south of Russia, you can try ripe berries already in early August, but the northern regions will have to wait a couple more weeks.

The vine begins to bear fruit in the second year after planting the cuttings in the soil. Before the first ovaries appear, the bushes actively grow and in a couple of years they can reach a height of 3-4 meters, after collecting the first grape tassels, the bush growth is again activated, shoots can grow up to two meters in a month. Such a high growth of shoots has a positive effect on productivity. One hundred percent ripening of fruits on the vine characterizes the “Valek” grapes on the positive side. Good immunity protects the "Valek" from all grape diseases, including gray rot. The plant does not need shelter up to -23 degrees Celsius.

Read also

Grapes "Crystal": characteristics and care

Grapes are a thermophilic culture, but there are varieties that, with proper agricultural technology, will please gardeners in the middle ...

The leaves of the hybrid have, characteristic of grapes, three lobes, each of which is rounded in shape with serrated edges. Each leaf is saturated green. On powerful shoots, 2-3 grape brushes are usually formed, the weight of each cluster varies from 1.5 to 2.5 kg. Tassels with grapes for a long time retain their presentation, regardless of whether they hang on the bushes or lie in a dark cellar.

Amber-shaped round berries weigh about 20 grams on average. Soft peel covers fleshy, juicy flesh. The product contains 18% of a mixture of sucrose, glucose and fructose. A pronounced, sweet and sour taste with nutmeg notes, which are gradually replaced by a pear aftertaste, allow you to eat fresh berries. In cooking, grapes are often used to decorate confectionery, compotes, juices and wine.

Advantages

• friendly ripening of fruits;
• unusual taste;
• high yield;
• large fruits;
• the ability to transport berries over long distances without spoiling the product;
• self-pollination;
• frost resistance;
• pain resistance.

disadvantages

This hybrid has a good pedigree, so it’s almost impossible to find flaws in the Valek variety. The only negative in the plant is the poor compatibility of the scion with the stock. The bush propagates by cuttings on its root. Vaccinations will not bring the desired effect and may worsen the flow of crops, because the cultivated variety is poorly compatible with other varieties.

Features of cultivation and care

When choosing seedlings, special attention should be paid to the appearance of the cuttings.It should not have visible damage in the form of cuts, punctures or non-uniform spots, similar to a fungal disease of grape crops. A dried up market item should also be avoided. The ideal product for planting is a stalk with two or three roots, with a developed young shoot up to half a meter.

Before planting, it is important to determine the location for the vineyard. The ridge should be large, on the sunny side, protected from strong gusts of wind that could damage the vine. It is also necessary to make the grape shrub a stable support along which young shoots will creep up. Make half-deepenings in the bed, install drainage to remove excess moisture. Pour the dug up earth back into the hole alternating with compost. Pour the prepared pit abundantly with settled water and carefully transplant the root system of the grape shoot into it. Landing "Valek" is recommended 3 meters from each other. Grapes are growing rapidly and in a close circle, productivity will deteriorate.

Grapes of the Valek variety are unpretentious in care, therefore, when growing a hybrid, you need to follow simple requirements that will help the bush to acquire buds for further fruiting. Ridges with plants need to be weeded regularly from weed grass. Loosening the soil will help to avoid oxygen starvation of the root system. Water the shrubs once a week, during the growing season, and water twice. After watering, cover the ground with moss, straw or sawdust.

Bush formation improves the flow of nutrients, a harmoniously developed bush produces much better fruit than a neglected vineyard. Breaking off the vine from weak branches will help breaking off young, green shoots during the formation of inflorescences, as well as removing stepsons a couple of days before flowering. Do not forget to thin out the foliage, it is enough to remove up to 5 old leaves from one shoot. After the autumn leaf fall, prune the grapes, mulch the soil and leave the bed until spring.

Diseases and Pests

Earlier it was said that infection of the hybrid with fungal diseases is very small. However, the sweet taste and aroma of berries often attract birds and wasps. A fishing net tossed over the vineyard or on individual clusters will help protect against birds. It is a little more difficult to deal with wasps, first of all you need to find a hornet’s hive and destroy it, then make a bait with sugar syrup and put it around the grapes.

Reviews

Helena

The grapes were planted 4 years ago, and they decided to use the seed method for cultivating the grape culture. They took the ripened bone from the berries, planted in the garden and produced standard plant care. The next year, the grown Chubuk was transplanted to a new place and continued normal care again. In the third year, our efforts brought the first fruits. At first there were few of them, but this year we collected almost 30 kg of grapes from one bush. Now it remains to learn how to propagate shrubs to make your own mini-vineyard.

Alexey

Every summer, "Valek" blooms in my garden. I look forward to the moment when ripe berries appear on the vine. In our family there are few lovers of enjoying food from the garden, so I make homemade wine from grapes. The unusual tart taste of the alcoholic drink interrupts the pear aftertaste. Such a combination of tastes is to my liking not only me, but also the neighbors.

Conclusion

Grow an unpretentious plant under the force of even a beginner grower. Timely grape care “Valek” can bring the yield that you dreamed about. The variety is also suitable for growing bunches for sale. The possible transportation of goods will in no way affect the appearance of the grapes, which is very important in commercial business.