Furshetny grapes: characteristics and description of the variety, planting and care

Breeders work tirelessly every year, gifting gardeners with new grape hybrids and varieties. These include The Furshetny grape hybrid, bred in Zaporizhzhia, has earned good reviews from winegrowers.

Although its seedlings appeared in nurseries only about ten years ago, grape growers in various regions have already appreciated the hybrid form. Furshetny is considered a promising variety, recommended for cultivation in home gardens.

Description

The new hybrid was created by breeder V.V. Zagorulko (Ukraine). Furshetny appeared on the market in 2008, the parent varieties being Kuban and Podarok Zaporozhye.

Refers to early or mid-early species, with proper care berries Ready for harvest in 115-130 days. The estimated harvest time is August 15-18, but the exact time depends on the region's climate, seasonal weather conditions, and agricultural practices.

It forms fairly vigorous bushes and is characterized by increased shoot production. According to gardeners, there are 14-16 shoots per square meter of planting area. When planting, consider the vigor of the plants and maintain proper spacing between bushes. Vine maturity is 85-90%.

The leaves are large, shaped, and deeply ribbed. The color is bright green. Furshetny doesn't require additional varieties for pollination, as it produces bisexual flower stalks.

Grown in various regions, it has proven itself in the central part of the country, the Leningrad Region, and the Urals. Thanks to its early ripening and good frost resistance, the hybrid produces a harvest even in regions with short summers. However, to produce tasty and juicy berries, it requires more sun and warmth; otherwise, the pulp will become tart. Yields reach up to 40-50 kg per mature bush.

Characteristics of berries

Furshetny's robust vines produce large, conical clusters. The grapes are medium-dense, often developing wings. They weigh 400-800 grams, with an average of 600 grams. The cluster length is 28-35 cm.

The berries are oval-shaped, with a dense skin. The surface has a fine waxy coating. They weigh 13-16 grams, with some larger ones weighing up to 20 grams.

The pulp is jelly-like, juicy, and doesn't separate from the skin. The fruit contains 18-20% sugar, and 6% acid. The berries have a pleasant, harmonious flavor, with notes of plum, mulberry, and raisin. They are used as a dessert and for making homemade wines. The Furshetny variety (a table variety) is not used commercially in winemaking. The berries are picked precisely on time, otherwise they turn into raisins on the vines.

The fruits tolerate long-distance transportation well, without losing their marketable appearance or taste. According to winegrowers, this grape stored for up to 1.5-2 months in basements or cellars.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ten years is not a long time for grapes, so for now Furshetny is undergoing testing on the plots of breeders and private gardeners.

Positive characteristics include:

• early ripening;
• high frost resistance (up to -22ºC, sometimes up to -25ºC);
• excellent taste;
• attractive appearance of berries.

Due to its vigorous growth, Furshetny is suitable for decorating gazebos and arches.

Flaws:

• requires a large area for planting;
• needs brush formation;
• Berries cannot be kept on the bushes for long.

Variety Resistant to the main diseases of the crop, it can be grown without cover in temperate climates. In regions with harsh climates, winter protection and removal from supports are required.

Choosing a location

Choose a well-lit location, free from drafts. The plant is a light-loving plant, requiring plenty of sun to ensure the berries accumulate sugar. Suitable soils include:

• black soil;
• loam;
• sandstones.

Clay soils are improved by adding sand, while sandy soils are improved by adding clay. Salt marshes, swampy areas, and low-lying areas are not suitable for grape cultivation. Furshetny should not be planted in areas with close groundwater levels, where water accumulates in the spring.

Seedlings are planted in spring or fall, taking into account the local climate. In the Northwest and Ural regions, spring is the best time, as in the fall, the bushes often don't have time to adapt before the cold weather sets in. Spring planting is carried out when the soil warms and stable temperatures arrive.

The soil is dug up in advance. For fall plantings, site preparation begins in August; for spring plantings, all work is done in the fall. Complex fertilizers, nitrogen, and humus are added.

Landing

Planting holes are prepared for the bushes. Taking into account the vigor of the variety, the holes are spaced three meters apart. The depth is 80-100 cm. Drainage is essential – pebbles, broken slate, or brick.

Prepare a nutrient mixture by mixing humus, sand, ash, and soil. Water the hole, add some of the mixture, and place the grape seedling on this mound, spreading out the roots. Next, carefully cover the plant with soil, compact it lightly, and mulch. Straw, hay, and grass clippings are all suitable for mulch.

Supports for future trellises are installed in advance at the planting site. As the vines grow, the branches are tied to the wire.

Features of agricultural technology

The Furshetny hybrid grape requires standard agricultural practices. Care requirements primarily focus on shaping the bush and bunches, as well as harvesting the berries.

Care

Further care is standard:

• top dressing;
• watering;
• bush formation, pruning;
• prevention of infections;
• pest control.

You should follow the recommendations of experts who have tested Furshetny in various conditions.

Watering

Young people seedlings Water frequently, especially if the summer has been dry. The hybrid is demanding of moisture, grows faster, and forms fruiting shoots.

Mature bushes are watered less frequently, but more abundantly:

• in spring, if the soil does not contain enough moisture;
• before flowering;
• at the beginning of fruit formation;
• before the berries ripen;
• in the fall, after the harvest.

Watering in the fall helps the soil accumulate moisture reserves until the following summer. In humid weather and frequent rainfall, Furshetny should not be watered in the fall after harvest.

Top dressing

This vigorous hybrid requires comprehensive fertilizing. For the first 2-3 years, the grapes will receive sufficient nutrients from the mixture added when planting the seedlings. After that, the bushes are fed each season using organic and mineral fertilizers.

In the spring, fertilize the plantings with rotted manure, humus, and ash. The addition of organic matter improves the soil structure and promotes better vine growth. No nitrogen fertilizers are applied to the crop in the fall.

Suitable mineral supplements include:

• ammonium nitrate;
• superphosphate;
• nitrophoska;
• potassium salt.

Gardeners also use the following complexes: Kemira, Aquarin, Rastvorin, Novofert.

The usual scheme for fertilizing Furshetny at the root:

• early spring (to restore shoots after wintering);
• the second - before the bushes begin to bloom;
• the third - as soon as the berries begin to form;
• in the state of technical ripeness of berries;
• in the fall, after harvesting.

During the first stage, nitrogen fertilizers are used, followed by potassium and phosphorus. During the fourth stage, nitrogen is excluded from the diet, as elements that improve the flavor of the berries and promote larger clusters are important during this period.

In autumn, fertilizers are applied when necessary, not every year. If grape grows on well-fertilized soils; autumn fertilization is avoided.

Foliar spraying is effective, producing results within just a few days. Uses:

• boric acid (5 grams of the preparation are taken per bucket of water);
• ash infusion;
• superphosphate extract.

Three sprayings per season are sufficient for the crop. Apply in the morning on a windless day.

Formation of bushes

Furshetny is trained annually, starting in the second season. This vigorous hybrid produces numerous shoots without pruning, which can lead to dense plantings and reduced yields.

Prune in the spring, before the sap begins to flow, or in the fall, after all the leaves have fallen. Typically, this period is late September and October (depending on the region). No more than 25 branches are left on each mature bush, and pruning is done to 4-7 buds.

Bush shaping takes 2-3 years. Proper pruning and shaping of the vines contributes to:

• improving the quality of the eyes;
• resistance of bushes to cold snaps and frosts;
• uniform distribution of growth on the supports;
• creating the correct shape of the bushes;
• optimal illumination of the hands.

Provides optimal shoot load, which is especially important for a vigorous hybrid.

Fan-shaped training (with or without a standard) is most often used when cultivating Furshetny. The shoots are arranged in several tiers, and the three-year-old stems are pruned, gradually turning them into branches.

In summer, remove excess leaves, pinch shoots, and trim the bushes. In the fall and spring, be sure to remove diseased and deformed branches.

Berry picking

Starting from August 15th to 18th, the berries begin to ripen. Furshetny's grapes take on the dark blue, almost black, color characteristic of the hybrid and develop a pleasant flavor. It's crucial to pick them early, otherwise, even if they're left for a little too long, the bunches will become overflowing with raisins.

The berries retain their shape for several days, after which the flesh loses its flavor. Timely harvested bunches can be stored for up to two months, hanging in dry cellars or attics.

Preparing for winter

The hybrid is considered to be non-covering, but in areas with a harsh climate, the vine is still removed from the support before wintering and are shelteringThe traditional method: lay the shoots in a trench, lightly cover them with spruce branches (using wire arches), then with burlap. Snow will finish the job, securely protecting the vines from frost.

In the spring, as soon as the snow melts, the grapevines are uncovered. It's best not to keep the vines under cover for too long, otherwise the shoots will rot when warm weather arrives.

Disease prevention

The hybrid grape variety Furshetny has proven resistant to fungal infections. This doesn't mean preventative treatments and inspection of shoots, leaves, and berries are no longer necessary.

Resistance to mildew and oidium is above average, so if you don’t forget about prevention, diseases won’t be a problem.

Approximate processing scheme:

• in spring, when the air warms up to +5ºC, spray the bushes with DNOC and Nitrafen preparations;
• when the first leaves appear, treat with any fungicides;
• before flowering;
• during the period when the berries are the size of a pot (use Quadris and Flint);
• after picking berries - with Flint and Strobi compositions.

The specified periods are suitable for preventive treatments. bushes Pest control. Treatments are also carried out if traces of dangerous insects are noticed on the bushes. Spider mites and phylloxera are dangerous. Actellic, colloidal sulfur solution, and Fozalon are used.

The undemanding Furshetny grape variety has proven itself worthy of attention. Gardeners in various regions are trying out the hybrid's seedlings, reaping their first harvests, and noting Furshetny's promising prospects.

Reviews

Evgeniy, Kamyshin city

I've been growing Furshetny for seven years now. This year, it ripened later than expected; we usually pick the berries in mid-August. But that doesn't matter; we managed to pick them all. We like the flavor—interesting, with an unusual aftertaste. The berries are very tasty. The flesh is firm but not crunchy. It's essential to ration the harvest, otherwise it becomes overloaded with too much fruit.

Anatoly, Krasnodar Krai

I'm very pleased with this variety; I've been planting it for four years now. I left six bunches on three-year-old trees, and they pulled easily, ripening the vines. Even when it rains, the berries don't burst or rot. The taste is excellent, so they consider it one of the best varieties for themselves.