My hubby and I just bought a few acres we wanted to cultivate. One thing I have always wanted to try was grapes. I thought about buying some plants from nurserys or wherever until I remembered that my in-laws in the city have a nuisance grape vine that they have been trying to kill for the last decade without success. The vine doesn't fruit well anymore (it still gives off 'mini' bunches that never turn out to be anything edible). So I was wondering what the chances of being able to make this plant fruit might be if I took some clippings and planted them on my land... Some background info on the vines: We have no idea what strain they are, but we do know that they were brought over from Germany in the mid 1900s and the previous owner cared for them well and, from what I hear, made great wine out of them. When he died, my in-laws bought the place. Eventually, the highway came through, buying the vineyard, just to plow it over and build I-75. Somewhere along the way, the vines were not properly disposed of and have since created an amazing barrier between the house and the highway that the state and my inlaws try to hack to death every summer, but every year they come back better than ever. I can only imagine the salt, oil and other contaminants that these vines have had to endure growing so close to the interstate. Its no wonder they no longer fruit. So, do you think if take a few clippings that I will be able to get healthy plants that produce edible fruit? And if I can, any tips or tricks to clipping old vines properly would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Interesting post. If you take cuttings you should be able to get an idea of what the fruit is like. Cuttings are easy to start. http://www.bunchgrapes.com/cuttings.html Ohio has had grapes for a long time. In the 1800's there was quite an extensive industry in "In the book The Wines of America, author Leon D. Adams states that in 1859 Ohio was Americas premium wine state: At that time there were 3,000 acres of vines along the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Ripley. But soon fungal diseases such as black rot and powdery mildew took their toll, and many of the vines began to die. (Modern growers avoid such diseases by using wire to keep plants off the ground.)" It would be interesting to see what that grape variety you may have there. Meanwhile you could have a look at this website to help you out. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1423.html http://ohioline.osu.edu/b919/ I also suggest you contact OSU viticulture staff and they can help you out http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/grape/team.htm good luck Cheers KIm
WOW! Thanks a bunch (no pun intended)! There'a alot of good info there and I can't wait to go through it all. Good idea to contact OSU. Maybe my county extension can help too. This is exciting! I dug around a little last night asking the old-timers on the neighborhood about the vineyard that used to be there. Apparently 'Pop' (the guy my in-laws bought the property from) had green and red grapes, both of which he used to make wine out of. With any luck, maybe I'll ultimately find that both varieties lived. We'll see though...lots of work ahead of me. Thanks again for the awesome help!
