Grapes

[paul]

Hi All,

Whats the best way to grow and maintain grapes ( prefrably white ). I have built quite a large greenhouse, Approx : 110' x 6'. I would lie to make some wine next year.

[runnerbean]

Hi Paul, gosh you are going to be busy. Try www.my-grape-vine.com hopefully this will be of use to you. Have you heard of this one-: In California, the Vintners, who produce Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio, have developed a new hybrid grape, that acts as a anti-duretic, it is supposed to reduce the number of trips, older people have to make to the bathroom, during the night. The new wine is called...................................
'Pinot More' Happy Gardening ! Can we all have a sample when you have finished?

[paul]

Thanks Runnerbean.

No probs for a sample !! It's taken about 6 months of hard work, but my DIY Greenhouse ( double glazed as well !! ) and my allotment is now sorted for the next growing year. It it too big just to grow cucumbers and tomatoes in, so I'm going to try a little grape growing and see how it goes. If it works, may start a small buisness ¬!

[runnerbean]

Good Luck Paul, hope you suceed.

[Moyra]

Hi Paul, I have a black grape I bought about 3 years ago. The first two years I tucked it away during the winter months in a glass fronted shed, its the nearest I have to a greenhouse. However, this last winter I left it out, It has peservered better than when it was in for the winter and I have grapes forming on it already. I suspect I may have to repot it sooner or later though before it gets pot bound. Didn't have enough grapes on it to make wine last year but the grapes were nice to eat.......am hoping maybe enough to get a demi-john going this year!

[Ian240356]

Originally Posted by paul

Hi All,

Whats the best way to grow and maintain grapes ( prefrably white ). I have built quite a large greenhouse, Approx : 110' x 6'. I would lie to make some wine next year.

The most important thing of all is your choice of variety.

When I started, I knew nothing and bought a Black Hamburg. The following year I bought a Fosters Seedling. I grew them in a cold greenhouse. A few years later I had very nice fruit from the former. Then disaster struck. The Fosters Seedling became very ill with a fungal infection, which, despite treatment when on to kill it. The Black Hamburg also became infected, but did not die. It was however reinfected every growing season afterwards.

After waiting 2-3 years before you get fruit, its the last thing you want to happen.

I ripped out he Black Hamburg as it was a reservoir for this pathogen, and would only harbour the problem.

My advice is to buy varieties with disease resistance, such as Phoenix and Boskoop's Glory, a white and black variety repectively.

Pruning is important, it is done in the wintertime only. Never prune in the growing season, or the plant will bleed sap from the injury.

Pruning is not complicated, but you really ought to get a leaflet or book on it.

You need also be aware that grapes will not stand for poor drainage. So if you are in an area with clay, like Warwickshire and London, you may need to consider containers. I am in Southport, its all sand here, so I have no drainage problem !

It's also not necessary to have vines in greenhouses. Mine are both outdoors.

[Ian240356]

Originally Posted by Moyra

The first two years I tucked it away during the winter months in a glass fronted shed, its the nearest I have to a greenhouse. However, this last winter I left it out, It has peservered better than when it was in for the winter and I have grapes forming on it already. !

Frost will not kill or harm your vine. In fact, I've read that its important as the cold brings on the necessary period of dormancy