I planted three very young (a single long stem) seedless grape trees in my garden last year, thinking it might be fun to get some grapes. One of them grew fairly nicely -- long but thin), the other two hardly at all. They all produced a few leaves, but the smallest one now has one dried main stem and a short shoot off that, maybe eight inches long with two or three healthy leaves. I'm in upstate New York, zone five, and we are on the edge of woods. our soil is rocky, and the spot where i have the grapes gets maybe five or so hours of sun a day. I followed the planting directions. Do I just not have enough sun? Can I do anything to help them along? I did do some pruning of two of them and planted the cuttings in root-tone and potting soil. thanks for any info, jeff
Five hours of sun a day most likely won't ripen your grapes unless you have one of the northern (way north) european varieties. Still, you can give it a try: cut off any fruit for a couple of years to let the roots establish then let a few bunches develop on each vine in the third year. If they dry right out in the first years, water infrequently and deep - really soak them. Better not to fertilize unless you are willing to pay for a soil analysis. Ralph
thanks for the helpful suggestions. do you know the names of the (way northern) european varieties? I'll see if I can find them.
Try this site http://www.littlefatwino.com/tpbpusdatrip2.html Plocher Parke USDA 1998 Trip - Varieties and consider buying the book http://www.littlefatwino.com/nwinework.html Northern Winework I have a copy for interest's sake (we grow in full sun and zone 8) and thought it very well done. I don't know sources for any of the mentioned varieties. Ralph
I, too, appreciated your advice on the grapes, Ralph.I live across tahe Strait from you in Powell River and had very good luck with my first plantings app. 10 years ago. But I did have to wait and cuddle them along for five years before the the "fruits" of my labour really started showing up. We moved to another house in Powell River last year and, sadly, had to give up our grapes. On the plus side, there was already a somewhat rustic greenhouse here with a monster himrod (green grape) in it. I tried some gentle pruning, but just gave up finally and let it have it's way. Best thing I ever did, the grapes are divine for eating, but not great in jam or, I assume, for wine. The vine produced so many grapes that we could not even give them away. This winter, we decided to build a new greenhouse and, in preparation, I did trim the grape back to two trunks (same root?) about 5 feet high. I kept some old shoots for this years's grapes and new shoots are popping out all over. I do have a few questions. I am inclined to let the bush go for the time being until the greenhouse is finished and, hopefully, harvest finishes in late September. Do you suggest any further trimming from now until then. At that time, I intend to do the old two new branches per side. Is there any problem with grapes going high in the greenhouse. Last year's grapes tasted great, although there was too much shade created. Finally, I would like to try some other grapes both in the greenhouse and out. Have you any suggestions for eating, cooking, and above all, drinking grapes that might thrive over here. Although we live right in town, the soil seems to be 6" topsoil, 2" small rocks, then goldy-red sandy loam. This part of our property is well watered, but not wet. Thanks.
The only problem I'm aware of for a greenhouse grape plant is the one you have already experienced: they shade everything else. Prune for the amount of fruit you can consume/donate/trade. The varieties listed here: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/treefrt/homegdn/grapes.htm Tree Fruit Home Garden Factsheet - Grapes are worth a look. You are a solid zone 8, so any of these will survive and mature (assuming your degree days are similar to or better that ours). Suffolk Red would be a nice addition - clusters are loose like Himrod and will help you to avoid mildew. When you say "drink" do you mean wine? Don't be frightened away from Pinot Noir, and on the other hand Foch is popular and robust for those that don't wish to pay that much attention to the plants. Not on the list, but also worth looking for: Auxerrois, Agria (=Turan),Siegerrebe for wine and Perle von Csaba for eating (seeded). Try eating some of these seeded grapes! The only downside is that you will discover how much flavor we gave away in order to gobble without having to spit. Ralph
Ralph, Thanks again for all the info. I tried PR Nurseries locally and they carry many of the grapes you have mentioned. I have the option of growing at least some of my grapes in my greenhouse. That is where the Himrod is doing well. I think I will try the Suffolk Red there, as well as a Marechal Foch and Chardonnay (it's a big greenhouse!). As well, I have a protected southern exposure where I will try two Pinots, Noir et Gris. I am really trying to find the grapes that grow best on my property as we have another half acre fallow. Some more questions, if you do not mind. I assume that the grapes will do better indoors than out, as long as I stick to the loose hanging varieties to avoid mildew, etc. At my last house, I had trouble with grunge, especially on the Noble Red, and I think that they would at bleast benefit from a clear cover. Comments? As well, the greenhouse say they have been supplying wine grapes to a friend of mine here, but that he orders a special fungus treatment because he is going organic. I like the organic idea, especially as we all enjoy the occasional bottle of Chateau Peche-Latte. Any ideas re going organic? If I were not to buy from my local source, are there mail order suppliers specializing in winer grapes for BC? Thanks again for your help. If my questions become a bother, please let me know and I will stop (or at least slow down). Paul McIsaac Powell River
I've not really thought about a greenhouse for production (ours will be for propagation) but I recall the forestry growing operation that we bought the house from used to remove the plastic during the summer, replacing it for autumn, winter and spring. This might be a worthwhile strategy for grapes as the summers here are just fine whereas cover in the spring would allow for an earlier start and protection from late frost, and covering again in say early September might protect from rain induced mildew and also keep the heat up (and the *#@* birds off) for finishing. For going organic, spacing the plants and pruning for airflow are accepted beneficial practices. I don't know of a grapevine specialty nursery in BC (except us, and we're not in production yet) but it wouldn't surprise me if there is one. If anyone else wants to chip in here, I'd like to know as well. Glenn at Fragrant Flora (Sechelt area) has quite a selection and would be worth a call. As far as questions being a bother, they are what keeps this forum interesting. As far as answering them, like most other participants I have a lot of other "goings on" but if I have the time and something to say I'll do so. Sometimes (like in haying season when I am doing my own place and two other farms on contract) I might not even sign in for weeks, and maybe somebody else will comment. Ralph
Thanks for all the advice and support, Ralph. I will let you know how the grapes grow. Rumour has it that there are, indeed, some fine vines growing on Denman. Paul POWELL RIVER
