Manicure Finger grapes: characteristics and description of the variety

Manicure Finger is considered a unique grape variety. It was developed by Japanese scientists back in the last century. A cross between the Unicorn and Baladi varieties, the final product was memorable in both appearance and flavor. The hybrid was initially grown only in greenhouses, but over time, the grapes began to be planted outdoors. Now the variety has spread not only to Japan, but also to China, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Europe.

Characteristics and description of the variety

Finger Manicure berries are simply unmistakable. Their coloring is distinctive: most of the berry is light yellow, while the tip is a vibrant red. The berry is elongated, reminiscent of a finger. This resemblance gave the variety its name. The berries have crisp, juicy flesh with a harmonious sweet taste. Sugar content is at least 18%, and acidity is 6-7 g/l. The berries are medium in weight and size, weighing up to 15 g. The maximum bunch weight is 1 kg, with bunches weighing 700-800 g most commonly encountered. Finger Manicure yields vary depending on growing conditions—up to 30 kg can be harvested from a single plant.

The variety's primary use is fresh consumption and commercial cultivation. The berries are suitable for winemaking and canning, but their vibrant appearance makes them a shame to use. Whole berries are used for fruit compotes or frozen.

Finger's growing season is 120-130 days. Ripening occurs closer to autumn and lasts 2-3 weeks. The main berry harvest occurs in mid-September. Ripening is highly dependent on the region's climate. In the southern zone, grapes ripen quickly and evenly, with no noticeable variations in appearance or flavor. When planted in an adjacent zone, under conditions of insufficient light, rain, and night frosts, the color may be less intense; the berries lack red coloring and have a slightly tart taste.

The variety's frost resistance is average, reaching -22°C. Growing grapes outdoors is only suitable for regions in the southern part of the country. For the Urals, Moscow region, and Siberia, it is recommended to grow the crop only under plastic. Deep planting and frost-resistant rootstock are recommended, as the roots often freeze over the winter.

The bushes are characterized by rapid growth and an active root system. Staking is recommended immediately after planting; a T-shaped trellis is preferred. The vines are trained into a wide fan shape. Shoot formation is rapid, requiring pruning 2-3 times throughout the growing season. The best option is to prune the vines to 6-8 buds. Without bush training, fruiting is slightly reduced.

Manicure Finger is susceptible to almost all diseases. Due to its ornamental nature, it is often susceptible to anthracnose, gray mold, and a host of fungal infections. Treatment is carried out 3-4 times, starting from planting.

The advantages of the variety are:

• unusual appearance of fruits;
• sweet taste and juicy pulp;
• good shelf life;
• transportability.

The grape's weaknesses include its weak immune system. Achieving a striking color requires some effort: too much sun can cause the berries to turn completely red.

Landing features

The key to a stable grape harvest is choosing the right location. A southern slope is ideal, but it should be shaded. Trees, shrubs, and fences can cast shade. Sometimes gardeners plant Finger grapes alongside taller varieties to prevent sunburn. When planting in this manner, maintain a distance of 2 meters between plants.

Finger grapes are planted in mid-spring, when there's no risk of frost. Otherwise, after planting, the grapes are wrapped in agrofibre overnight. Fertile soil consisting of peat, humus, and other organic matter is prepared in advance. Before planting, a 20-cm-thick layer of drainage is placed at the bottom of the hole. The seedling is covered with soil, tied to a trellis, and watered with 10-15 liters of water.

Care

Two weeks after transplanting the seedlings into open ground, treat them with fungicides. Any antibacterial product will do; dilute it according to the manufacturer's recommendations and spray the solution on the shoots and soil. It's best to repeat the treatment 3-4 days after the first. Timely use of fungicides will help reduce the risk of infection and extend the life of the grapes.

Watering should be moderate but regular. It's impossible to give a specific amount, but water the soil when it's completely dry. Four to five waterings from spring to fall are generally sufficient, though watering should be avoided during flowering and berry formation.

Fertilizing is essential for the Finger berry. Two components are particularly important for the plant: nitrogen and potassium. Nitrogen fertilizers are used during the first stage of growth, before flowering. Potassium supplements are applied during ovary formation to establish the future harvest. In addition to minerals, organic fertilizers also have a positive effect on berry quality and can be used in cultivation.

Shelter for the winter

When grown outdoors, Finger grapes are prepared for winter from mid-October. The grapes are removed from the trellis, and the vines are pruned of foliage and small shoots. A thick layer of dry straw is placed near the base of the stem. The vines, gathered in bunches, are tucked into this layer so that they are not visible above ground. Roofing felt or plastic film is placed on top of the straw and weighed down with a weight. A space is left at one end for air to prevent the grapes from rotting.

Reviews

There are few reviews of this variety due to the fact that the grape has only recently appeared in Russia.

Nina from Krasnodar Krai tells:

"I managed to buy some seedlings online. I planted them three years ago, and the coloring matches the description, without any grape fertilizer. The variety definitely doesn't like too much sun. The bunches that were exposed to the sun were more than half-scorched. The bunches planted in the shade ripened evenly, with only the tips of the berries showing red."

Evgeniy from Volgograd writes:

"I pick the berries around September 10th. The flavor is sweet, but the berries contain small seeds, just a few at a time, 2-3 at a time. They're resistant to powdery mildew—another variety in the area was infected, but Finger wasn't affected. The berries need some shade to ensure a beautiful color. I recently learned that you can get rid of the seeds in the pulp by treating the crop with Gibberellin. I'll definitely try that next year."