Taifi Pink Grapes

Taifi Pink table grapes are one of the best varieties grown in Central Asia. The first mention of it dates back to the XII-XIII centuries. n. NS. First of all, Arab winegrowers began to grow it. The culture received the name "Taifi" in honor of the Arabian port of Taef, from where grapes began their trade route in the VIII century. Winegrowers and consumers also know Taifi under other names: Kizil Taifi, Toipi kizil. He is also called Safed, Gissori, Toifi antimony, Ak Taifi and Monti.

The table variety of pink grapes has long been grown on plantations in Bukhara and Samarkand, and later spread to other territories. In ancient times, oriental grapes were considered an exotic treat. The sweet and vibrant berries of an amazing color have come to taste in different countries. Arab traders have given the world a real highlight of the prolific oriental gardens.

In modern times, this variety is grown in vineyards in Georgia, Dagestan and Tajikistan. The greatest prevalence of plantations where Taifi grows is Uzbekistan and Central Asia, where the variety comes from. But it can grow well and yield in any warm regions with an arid climate - ideal for Taifi the Rose.

Winegrowers in the south of Russia also cultivate an attractive oriental variety in taste and appearance. But the cultivation process requires strict adherence to all agricultural techniques. And in the regions of central Russia, especially in its northern parts, getting a good harvest of Taifi is a problematic event.

Taifi bushes grow very strong. The vine is dark brown with a red tint, decorated with green foliage and large pink grapes. Young shoots are distinguished by a dark crimson border. As they mature, they take on a deep brown hue.

Bushes have to be formed from the first year of their cultivation. Traditionally, molding is carried out using a trellis method. Twice a year, pinching is mandatory, since numerous shoots are formed on the bush.

The ripening of the Central Asian table variety takes 167 days.

The brush is cylindrical-conical in shape, weighing about 675 g. The lateral lobes are well developed.

The Taifi has dark pink fruits with a purple tint. The berries are covered with a not very dense wax coating with dots. There are 2-3 seeds inside the fruit. According to the reference characteristics, the seeds account for up to 2% of the berry. The bones may be completely absent, but this is not typical for Taifi Pink. The bones are large, but soft. The shape of the grapes is oblong-cylindrical, the top is beveled. The weight of each berry is from 4-8 g.

Berries have a pleasant and harmonious taste, light astringency is felt. Sugar accumulation - 172 g / dm3, acidity - 6.5 g / dm3. The skin is thick. The pulp is fleshy, crispy and firm. The taste of the berries is rated by tasters at 7.4 points in Russia, and in Central Asia - at all 9 points. There are 65 Kcal per 100 g.

You should not expect a big harvest from young bushes. The first harvest falls on a 3-year crop growth period. The yield at first will be very small - up to 3-4 kg from one bush. But this figure grows as the vine grows. In the future, the yield will increase, reaching the standard of 14 kg.

An exotic oriental culture can even grow on loamy soil. Its cultivation is practiced in shelves, due to the multiple stepsons. The shrub also bears fruit in places where groundwater is close. Taifi requires not only the right approach when planting and growing, but also a certain climate.

The vines are planted in early spring before the buds are in full bloom. The approximate period is the beginning of March. Before planting, trellises are installed, on which the vine will be attached during the growth period.

Before planting the rhizomes of the seedlings, they must be kept in warm water for 3 hours with the addition of a growth stimulator. This measure is necessary to reduce the risk of infection of the culture by fungal diseases.

A well-sunlit area is suitable for planting. If there is no such place, you can choose where the sun is active in the morning. The soil must be well drained and loosened.

Refers to bisexual, self-pollinating varieties. Can grow alone, for pollination does not need a vine next door.

Timely pruning is very important. It is produced between February and March before the buds open. In the first year it is necessary to cut everything on the bush that is above 2-3 buds. Only 2 strong shoots are left. The stepsons are cut off as they appear.

The higher the level of irrigation in the vineyards, the better the productivity of the vine. A vine planted in the ground needs immediate watering. After, in the first growing season, moisture-loving grapes need weekly watering, if it did not rain. The volume of water needed is sufficient to make the soil wet 15–25 cm deep. If you water it more intensively, there is a high probability of decay of the root system. A mature vine does not need to be watered every week. Watering is carried out as the soil dries up. The wetting depth is standard.

When planting, compost is needed in the amount of 2 buckets and 300 g of agrophoska. Fertilizers are mixed with the soil and laid in the hole during the planting of the seedling. The next feeding is carried out after a couple of years.In the future, it is recommended to follow the same fertilization schedule.

Taifi is shown mulching with a layer of about 5 cm. It is performed using grass, chopped leaves or straw. Compost and sawdust are also good options.

Heat-loving grapes can withstand frost no more than -18. In November, a fully matured vine is placed in a shelter. The sheltered plant tolerates the cold season quite easily.

The Taifi variety is weakly resistant to mildew and oidium. The fight against the fungus is carried out with fungicides. In winter, the fungus is in the soil, not freezing and surviving when digging, therefore preventive treatment is required in the spring. It is done in the kidney phase, and if there are signs of infection, it is treated again.

The main enemy of the variety is the spider mite. Also, the vine is susceptible to attacks by the bunchy leafworm and attracts mealybugs. Against parasites, the bushes are sprayed with standard insecticides.

A ripe crop can remain on the bushes for a long time without losing its taste and marketability.

Grapes are most often used as a fresh dessert, compote and delicious raisins are made from fruits. Grozi, without prejudice to the presentation, transfer loading and transportation, regardless of distance.

On an industrial scale, the Taifi variety is used for the production of table and fortified wines. In the USSR in Uzbekistan, a popular wine at that time was produced from it, named after the grapes that served as its raw material.