Identification

1

• Identification Cultivation

2
VINE FRUITS CHAPTER 27

• The Grape and Kiwi

3
Grape history

• Oldest cultivated fruit
• Egyptians 3000 BC
• France, Spain, Germany
• Eastern America Vitis labrusca and Vitis riparia

4
Other grapes

• Muscadine from Maryland to Florida
• Concord from Concord Mass. Mid 1800s by Ephraim
  Bull

5
California grapes

• Vitis vinifera
• Many other cultivars of red, white and blue

6
Climate

• Limiting factor
• Need 150 continuous frost-free days
• Few varieties in 120 days

7
Propagation

• Hardwood cuttings taken in early spring
• Layering
• Softwood cuttings
• Grape seeds produce wild-type

8
Purchasing

• Largest one-year-old vines
• Choose cultivars hardy to your zone
• Choose for table use, juice or wine-making

9
Planting

• Zones 3 or 4 plant in heat pockets, protected
  areas
• Trap sunshine, protect against wind
• Light sandy soils
• Create your own heat trap, mulch, crushed rock,
  plastic

10
Support systems

• Kniffin system two wired fence
• Needs annual pruning for fruit production and air
  circulation

11
First year

• Spring planting
• Blossom later than fruit trees
• Do not overfertilize
• Plant 8 feet apart with a post midway between
• Rows should be 8 feet apart
• Use 9 gauge wire first one 2 feet above ground, 2
  feet higher for top

12
First year

• Plant should be cut back to 5-6 inches tall and
  contain 2-3 fat buds, if bought bare root
• Potted vines omit cutting back
• Water at least 1 inch per week

13
Second year

• Before buds swell, dormant plant, cut the vine
  back to a single stem, no branches, encourages
  faster growth
• Allow 4 side branches to grow, two in each
  direction, train them, pinch off other buds.
• Will produce in the third year

14
Third year

• Allow only 4 canes to grow from buds
• Train them to grow along the ground, to replace
  the ones on the wires.
• Late winter, cut top vines off and replace with
  new ones

15
Production

• Each vine will produce 12-15 pounds of grapes
  (30-60 bunches per year)
• Remove surplus to avoid overbearing, weakening
  the vine

16
Maintenance

• Keep weed-free
• Needs a warm soil
• Apply fertilizer only vines appear to need it and
  early in season

17
Pollination

• Self-fruitful
• Cross pollination not necessary
• Brighton is an exception needs a partner

18
Harvesting

• Ripe grapes have brown seeds
• Full color and bloom, clusters separate easily
  from vines
• They will not continue to ripen after picking
• Do not let them freeze
• Pick on a dry day, wet grapes do not keep

19
Diseases

• Anthracnose
• Black Rot
• Dead Arm
• Downy mildew

20
Insects

• Japanese beetle
• Cutworms
• Flea beetles
• Grape berry moths
• Rootworms
• Thrips

21
Prevention

• Keep grapes picked
• Encourage birds
• Remove all prunings
• Use insect traps

22
Conclusion

• Grapes are easier than most people think
• Get them trained and there will be less work