We bought some locally grown grapes at the farmers' market. Sour little things, but my wife made a cobbler with them that tastes very good (she added apples.) The grapes also make an excellent jelly.
I've saved some of the seeds, and would like some advice on growing grapevines of my own using these seeds.
TIA.
The usual way to propagate grapes is from cuttings, not from seed. That is the only way for seedless grapes. But even grapes with seeds might not reproduce true to their parents.
Shouldn't be too hard. Around here, (northern calif.), grape plants come up as seeds all the time. They are treated ass weeds, and pulled. I'd say just stick the seed in the dirt and keep moist. You will probably see some action next season... as to what fruit a wild grape will produce, is anyone's guess. But give it a try - you might discover a new variety!
Grapes do not produce true from seed. That is why they are always grown from cuttings. They can be grown from seed but it is anyone's guess as to what will grow. Grape vines are not that expensive so if one finds a variety that is desired, the best thing to do is buy a grafted cutting.
I live so far north, there's not a lot of grape varieties to choose from. I've found a few wild grape seedlings coming up in the flower beds and I wonder how much they would produce if I transplanted them to a trellis and pruned them properly?
How many years would it take before I got that first pitiful little harvest so I could tell if the fruit was any good? If they were awful, shouldn't I be able to graft a good variety onto the wild roots and have bearing vines in another 2 years?
Best regards, Bob
2nd or 3rd year from a cutting. I had no problem getting fruit in the 2nd season.
From my all too rough understanding, you get grapes on the canes/branches that grew the previous season. I started with 2 year,
12-18" bare root vines(Burpee.com). The first year they just vined, very healthly, and aggressive. The second year they grew excessively, too much so as I constantly cut them and they still covered the little back porch of the house. I got quite a few grapes, but too many clusters and not fully developed. Also suffered a lot of powdery mildew.Some are finally sweetened. I could tell cause I have two or the larger birds going after the fruit every day.
DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email) Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY,
It takes 2-3 years for started plants (bare root) to yield a small crop. It takes another year or two for the plants to yield a full crop. I would expect a seedling to take at least 3 years or maybe even 4-5.
You need to get the vine growing to the extent there are horizontal branches on a support. These form during a growing season. The following winter or early spring, side growth on the horizontal branches is pruned short but not removed. That growing season may yield a small crop from shoots originated from the reduced side growth. The pruning is repeated each winter, and the crop is better each following growing season.
It's difficult to describe the pruning process for grapes. There are actually two main pruing styles. Some grape varieties do better with one, some with the other, and some equally well with either pruning style. Try to find a book on pruning or grape culture in your local library.
Even if the OP does not intend to make wine, the best book I have found on pruning (and VERY reasonably priced) is "From Vines to Wine" by Jeff Cox. You can get it through Amazon or might even be able to find a used copy.
Paul E. Lehmann wrote: [snip lots of useful comment]>
Thanks to all. I'll just bung 'em in the ground and see what comes up. :-) AFAICT, what we bought at the Farmers Market were indigenous grapes, not grafted stock. The worst that will happen is that we'll get some different textures of greenery in our garden.
We make wine at our local Wine Kitz store. Good, not great, but very drinkable, and reliable quality. Vins ordinaires for everyday table use. Cheers!
What about muscadines grown from seeds? Won't those reproduce true? Most muscadines are not hybrids, at least in the Carolinas.
Don't know, but, if you have cuttings available, why would you want to waste time.
Did I say I had cuttings available. Sure didn't.
Then go get some The time spent going to get some would be well worth your effort.
Think of it this way. There must be a reason why people all over the world for thousands of years have been growing grapes from cuttings and not seeds. If you want to start a new trend then by all means go for it. You will NOT, however, be able to predict in any way what your grape vine(s) from seed will produce.
Even vines from mail order nurseries are relatively inexpensive.
Well since my vines from seed are now doing quite well I will check back in and provide an update about this time next year.
How did this turn out? I have some seeds from seedless grapes and was going to plant them. Thanks!
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