Valek grapes: characteristics and description of the variety

Ukrainian amateur grape breeder Mykola Vishnevetsky has worked tirelessly for over 30 years to create the perfect grape. Most recently, he succeeded in creating a hybrid miracle of nature by crossing the varieties "Kesha 1," "Rizamat," and "Zvezdny."

The scientist named his grape creation "Valek." Initially, the variety was intended for cultivation in northern Ukraine, but over time, rumors of the frost-resistant grape spread worldwide, and now "Valek" can be found even in cooler regions of Russia.

Characteristics and description of the variety

The Valek grape is frost-resistant, making it suitable for cultivation in the central and northern regions of the country. On average, it takes about three months from the formation of the first buds to the harvest of a large crop. In southern Russia, ripe berries can be enjoyed as early as early August, but in the northern regions, you'll have to wait a couple more weeks.

The vine begins bearing fruit in the second year after planting the cuttings. Before the first buds appear, the bushes grow vigorously and can reach a height of 3-4 meters in a couple of years. After the first bunches are harvested, bush growth resumes, and shoots can reach two meters in a month. This rapid growth rate has a positive effect on yield. The "Valek" grape variety is characterized by 100% ripening of the fruit on the vine. Its strong immune system protects it from all grape diseases, including gray mold. The plant requires no shelter down to -23 degrees Celsius.

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The hybrid's leaves have the characteristic three-lobed, rounded lobes with serrated edges typical of grapes. Each leaflet is a rich green color. Strong shoots typically produce 2-3 grape clusters, each weighing between 1.5 and 2.5 kg. The clusters retain their marketable appearance for a long time, whether they hang on the vine or are stored in a dark cellar.

The amber-colored, round berries weigh approximately 20 grams on average. The soft skin covers the fleshy, juicy pulp. The product contains 18% of a mixture of sucrose, glucose, and fructose. The distinct, sweet and sour flavor with muscat notes, gradually giving way to a pear-like aftertaste, makes the berries suitable for eating fresh. In cooking, grapes are often used to garnish confectionery, compotes, juices, and wine.

Advantages

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

Flaws

This hybrid has a good pedigree, so it's virtually impossible to find any flaws in the "Valek" variety. The only drawback is the poor compatibility of the scion and rootstock. The shrub is propagated by cuttings on its own rootstock. Grafting will not produce the desired effect and may reduce crop yield, as the newly developed variety is poorly compatible with other varieties.

Features of cultivation and care

When choosing seedlings, pay special attention to the cutting's appearance. It should be free of visible damage, such as cuts, punctures, or uneven spots, consistent with fungal diseases of grapevines. Dried, market-produced cuttings should also be avoided. The ideal product for planting is a cutting with two or three roots and a well-developed young shoot up to half a meter long.

Before planting, it's important to select a location for the vineyard. The bed should be large, sunny, and protected from strong gusts of wind, which could damage the vines. It's also important to provide the grapevine with a stable support structure for the young shoots to climb. Make half-meter-deep depressions in the bed and install drainage to remove excess moisture. Return the excavated soil to the hole, alternating with compost. Water the prepared hole generously with settled water and carefully transplant the root system of the vine. It's recommended to plant the "Valek" grapevines 3 meters apart. The vines grow quickly, and if planted too closely, the yield will decline.

The "Valek" grape variety is easy to care for, so when growing this hybrid, follow these simple guidelines to help the bush develop buds for future fruiting. Regularly weed the plant beds. Loosening the soil will help prevent oxygen starvation of the root system. Water the bushes once a week, and double the watering during the growing season. After watering, cover the soil with moss, straw, or sawdust.

Bush formation Improves nutrient flow, and a harmoniously developed vine produces much better fruit than a neglected vineyard. Pruning young, green shoots during inflorescence formation and removing side shoots a couple of days before flowering will help rid the vine of weak branches. Don't forget to thin the foliage; removing up to five old leaves from each shoot is sufficient. After the autumn leaves fall, prune the vines, mulch the soil, and leave the bed until spring.

Diseases and pests

It has been mentioned previously that the hybrid is very rarely susceptible to fungal diseases. However, the sweet taste and aroma of the berries often attract birds and wasps. Fishing netting, draped over the vineyard or individual bunches, can help protect against birds. Wasp control is a bit more difficult; first, you need to find the wasp hive and destroy it, then bait it with sugar syrup and place it around the grapes.

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Reviews

Elena

We planted grapes four years ago and decided to use seed cultivation. We took a ripened seed from a berry, planted it in the garden, and cared for it as usual. The following year, we transplanted the mature cuttings to a new location and resumed caring for them as usual. In the third year, our efforts bore fruit. Initially, they were few, but this year we harvested almost 30 kg of grapes from a single bush. Now we just need to learn how to propagate the bushes to create our own mini-vineyard.

Alexey

Every summer, the Valek grape berry blooms in my garden. I eagerly await the moment when ripe berries appear on the vines. Few in our family enjoy garden produce, so I make homemade wine from the grapes. The unusual tart flavor of the alcoholic drink offsets the pear aftertaste. This flavor combination is a favorite not only for me but also for my neighbors.

Conclusion

Even a novice winegrower can grow this undemanding plant. With proper care, the "Valek" grape variety can yield the harvest you've been dreaming of. This variety is also suitable for growing bunches for sale. Transporting the grapes will not affect their appearance, which is crucial for commercial production.