Taiga grapes

One can only sympathize with gardeners and summer residents from the northern regions of Russia: they have to invest much more effort and time into the future harvest. But the most difficult thing is to find a suitable variety that can survive in the difficult climate of the North. This applies to a greater extent to fruits and berries, especially heat-loving ones like grapes. The Taiga variety is a godsend for summer residents and winegrowers from cold regions. These grapes ripen very quickly, practically do not get sick and, most importantly, tolerate low temperatures well.

This article provides a complete description of the Taiga grape variety, with photos and reviews from real gardeners. Beginning winegrowers will be able to learn how to plant cuttings and how to subsequently care for an adult vine.

Characteristics and Features

Taiga grapes are not a breeding crop; nothing is known about the origin of this variety. Quite often this variety is confused with the more famous hybrid “Taiga Emerald”, but these are two completely different grapes.

It is known that at first the Taiga variety was grown in the very south of the country - in the Primorsky Territory. Gradually, gardeners began to try to plant these grapes in other parts of Russia: in the east, in the west, and then in the north. And then it turned out that Taiga's frost resistance is quite sufficient even for harsh winters - the vine tolerates cold well.Today, the Tayozhny variety is one of the most popular and in demand among summer residents and farmers in the northern regions of the country.

Full description of the Taiga grape variety:

• a crop with very early ripening periods - 90-95 days should pass from bud break to technical ripeness of the berries;
• bushes are powerful, vigorous, spreading;
• the survival rate of cuttings is high, Taiga propagates very easily;
• the flowers of the grape are female, so it is often used in pollination of other super-early varieties;
• The clusters of this variety are small and have the shape of a regular cone;
• the average weight of one bunch is 150-200 grams, there are specimens weighing up to 400 grams;
• The fullness of the bunch is average, it is quite loose;
• the berries are round, small - about 2 cm in diameter, 3-4 grams in weight;
• The fruits are colored dark blue, almost black;
• the sugar content of the berries is high - at the level of 20%, but there is also quite a lot of acid in the berries of Taiga grapes;
• Taiga grapes have a pleasant taste, with light muscat notes and not cloying sourness;
• it is necessary to normalize the load on the vine so that there are 2-3 bunches on each shoot;
• Taezhny's yield is very high - about 100 kg per bush (manifests itself 7-8 years after planting, with proper and sufficient care);
• ripe bunches do not need to be cut immediately; they are left on the vine until frost sets in - the berries do not rot in the rain and perfectly retain their presentation and taste;
• the variety is able to withstand frosts down to -32 degrees; in regions with colder or snowless winters the vine will have to be covered;
• Taiga grapes practically do not get sick; only in the first year of life the vine can become infected with mildew, but this does not in any way affect the general condition of the seedling and does not affect the quality of the harvest.

The purpose of the variety is table, Taiga grapes are eaten fresh, used for the production of wine and juice, marmalades, jams, marshmallows and other sweets are prepared from the berries.

Fresh fruits of this variety are very useful for people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases. Pectins have a healing effect - Taiga fruits have a high content of these substances.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Taiga grape variety is indeed very popular among gardeners and summer residents from the central and northern regions. This culture is loved for qualities such as:

• excellent winter hardiness;
• fast and strong growth of the bush;
• ease of reproduction;
• very high yield;
• pleasant muscat taste of berries;
• early maturation;
• immunity to fungal diseases and other infections.

An undeniable advantage of Taiga grapes is its unpretentiousness, because it can be successfully grown in a wide variety of climatic conditions and on almost any soil.

Landing conditions

In cold climates, grapes must be grown using special technology, adhering to special planting and care rules. Firstly, You need to plant cuttings only in the spring, since autumn seedlings will not have time to become sufficiently strong and take root before the onset of winter frosts.

Secondly, for Taiga grapes you need to choose the warmest place on the site. This should be a southern slope or southern wall of a house, a building that can protect the vine from the icy north wind.

The technology for planting cuttings of Taiga should be as follows:

1. First you need to dig holes for the seedlings. Since Taiga grapes are distinguished by strong vine growth and deep roots, the hole for them must be large. You will have to dig a lot, because the optimal dimensions of the planting hole are 100x100x100 cm.
2. At the bottom of the pit you should pour 20 centimeters of river sand, crushed stone or broken brick. It is recommended to pour another 10 cm of wood shavings on top. Then it is advisable to cover the drainage layer with black plastic film - this will allow the substrate to warm up well.
3. Fertilizer must be added to the soil that was removed from the hole during the digging process. For grapes, the Taiga fertilizer complex should be as follows: a bucket of humus, a liter jar of wood ash and a glass of oats or wheat. The soil mixed with fertilizers is folded into a mound and covered with polyethylene to warm the ground.
4. The heated soil is poured into the hole the day before planting the cutting. Make a small depression in the middle (about 30 cm) and plant grapes there.
5. The roots are sprinkled with earth, Taiga is watered abundantly and a support or trellis is installed near it.

Competent care

You can expect large yields from Taiga grapes only if all care rules are followed. It is important to take into account the already difficult growing conditions of the crop (cold climate with short summers), constantly monitor the bushes and provide them with regular care.

You need to care for this variety as follows:

1. After landing water cutting every other day until it has completely taken root and taken root. Of course, if the weather is rainy, the amount of watering is reduced, but care is taken to ensure that the soil is sufficiently moistened. In the second year, the vine is watered less often - only once a week, and then only under drought conditions. Mature grapes do not need to be watered at all, since waterlogging is also dangerous for Taiga grapes.
   
2. Trim bushes are needed in spring and autumn. In the northern regions, autumn pruning should be limited to removing damaged and dry shoots. Before frost, it is better not to injure the vine, because of this the bush may freeze. Therefore, in the fall it is recommended to prune grapes only if they are intended to be covered later. In the spring, Taiga grapes are pruned as expected: bushes are formed, fruit-bearing shoots are isolated, and they are shortened by 4-5 buds. During the summer, emerging green shoots are cut off on all bushes. The number of bunches is normalized - no more than four on one shoot.
3. The Taiga variety can get sick only in the first year after planting. During this period, the vine is attacked by mildew, but due to the acidity of the berries, the disease develops weakly. It is recommended to prevent fungal infections in early spring. spray the bushes with Bordeaux mixture.
   
4. Fertilize Taiga grapes are rarely available. Two feedings per year will be quite enough: in the fall, organic matter is preferred (cow manure, bird droppings, humus, compost, wood ash), and in the spring the vines are fed exclusively with mineral complexes (the emphasis should be on phosphorus-potassium fertilizers).
5. In harsh climates, Taiga vines need cover for the winter. Boards or other material are laid on the ground near the grapes. The laid vine is pinned with metal arches or tied. Now you need to cover the shoots with agrofibre, roofing felt or tarpaulin, and cover the shelter with earth on top.
   

If you do everything as recommended, the grapes will grow the same as in the photo, they will delight you with good taste and a bountiful harvest.

Reviews

Conclusion

The grape variety with the characteristic name “Taiga” can be grown in almost any climatic conditions. This species is universal, very persistent, and almost never gets sick. Taiga is one of the few varieties that are successfully grown in the North. In milder climates, the crop overwinters without shelter, withstanding even 30-degree frosts. One cannot but rejoice at the surprisingly high grape yield - 100 kg per bush is not the limit for Taiga!

Recommended Posts

Grapes Transfiguration

Processing grapes in the fall before covering for the winter

Augustine grapes

The best table grape varieties

Zilga grapes

Grapes Everest

Grapes Galbena Nou (Zolotinka)

Grapes Friendship

Grapes Shakhtar