Grape Manicure Finger

An unusual variety of table grapes with berries that resemble a finger with a brightly colored nail tip - Manicure Finger - made a splash among breeders more than 30 years ago. Its bright appearance is complemented by excellent taste characteristics and is highly valued in Asia. For Russian gardeners, he is still an exotic guest, but is steadily gaining popularity in regions with a mild seaside climate. Grapes of this variety are also marketed under the name Finger nail.

Grape selection of the Uehara Institute (Japan). Manicure Finger was bred by crossing Unicorn # 2 x Baladi in 1988. Its distribution was promoted by active popularization in China. From here, the variety began to be actively exported, first to Asian countries, and then around the world. In Japan, it is cultivated in greenhouses.

Finger manicure is distinguished by significant growth force. When grown in a rooted culture, young bushes show a slow maturation of the vine. It takes much more time to form. But adult plants easily cope with this task. On the rootstock, the problem with the ripening of the vine is much less common. When vaccinated, the variety gives good adhesion.

It takes 130-140 days for the Manicure Finger variety to reach the technical ripeness of the bunches. The grapes are considered to be medium in terms of ripening, they are harvested in early September. Fruiting begins 2 years after planting.

The brushes are characterized by a cylindrical shape, medium density, massiveness. The weight of the bunch varies from 400 to 1500 g.

The unusual color of the skin in two tones draws attention to the Manicure Finger grapes. The white base and red end of each berry form an original duet at an early ripeness stage, then a bright tone fills the entire surface. The shape is also interesting, elongated-curved. The length of the berry reaches 50 mm, its average weight is 12.6 g. Inside there is a dense, fleshy pulp.

The variety has a harmonious taste. The sugar content in it reaches 175 g / dm3, acidity - 6.1 g / dm3.

Manicure Finger is a high-yielding grape, up to 20 kg of berries are harvested from the bush.

The adaptation of the variety in the Russian climate is of a certain difficulty. It is cultivated on rootstocks. In the northern regions, the variety often lacks the sum of active temperatures to achieve the desired level of ripeness. The bright sun is contraindicated for the bunches.

The bushes are grown on T-shaped trellises that best match the intensity of its growth. It is also possible to form a vine fan-shaped, on the gazebo.

The main cultivation method is on rootstocks with medium and low vigor.This compensates for the abundant formation of lateral shoots, restrains the too rapid development inherent in the variety. When planting, they choose places that are slightly shaded, outside the southern slopes, otherwise the berries may simply "cook" before ripening. Wind protection is required, the soil should be light, with neutral acidity.

The seedlings are placed in the ground in prepared trenches or pits 30x30 cm in size with obligatory bottom drainage. You can add humus and fertilizers for additional recharge.

The flowers are bisexual, the variety is successfully pollinated on its own.

The grapes are very vigorous, they need pruning. At the same time, due to the peculiarities of the variety, many stepchildren have to be left behind. Minting on Manicure Finger bushes should be carried out from the end of July. Several stepchildren are left at the end of the shoot. Pruning of fruit vines is done for 8-10 eyes.

The variety is adapted to mild climatic conditions. Frost resistance is rather low. It is imperative to cover the vines in the conditions of Russian winters. It is recommended to take protective measures in combination. When atmospheric temperatures drop to below −22 ° C, shoots may die.

Disease resistance is low. The variety needs special attention from the grower. It is important to regularly inspect the bush for pests that can attack the shoots. Compulsory treatment for white rot and anthracnose is required. Oidium and mildew are less likely to be affected, but prevention is also recommended.

High marketability, good transportability, adaptation to long-term storage - all this makes Manicure Finger a good choice for growing for sale.