Mrs

[theherd123]

I have been bought a grape vine by my sisters in law - very pleased with it!

 

However I've never had one before so do any of you have any tips for caring for it?

[Redwing]

Choose a sunny and sheltered spot for it and have something for it to grow up or over, keep an eye on it and tie or gently wind bits in as they grow or cut them off if you dont want them

 

Feed them and water them a fair bit but do make sure the place you plant them is very very well drained, some grit in the planting hole will help

[Charlottechicken]

I think you have to prune them so they only have two branches. I had two from Woollies in 2007, one had grapes last year, teeny tiny grapes but lots of bunches of them, because I forgot to prune it The hens appreciated them

[TAJ]

They grow in quite hard/tough conditions, with little soil, so do not 'over care' for it. Prune well in winter for good new growth. Is it an eating or wine variety? Our two red wine grape vines produced 50 bottles this year - usually around 20+

 

Tracy

[Ain't Nobody Here]

A friend's mum has one which is over 40 years old . She once gave me a bunch with the leaves still on and it looked so perfect it was hard to believe they were real .

 

Don't know about caring for the vine though, sorry .

[theherd123]

Thanks for your replys and I will try not to fuss it too much.

 

TBH Im not sure what I could use the grapes for - eating or wine!

(Wine might be best!)

[TAJ]

Thanks for your replys and I will try not to fuss it too much.

 

TBH Im not sure what I could use the grapes for - eating or wine!

(Wine might be best!)

 

OH just finished bottling - he had already bottled 12+ bottles and did another 49 yesterday from the 2009 harvest - 48lbs of grapes (weight without stalks) from 2 vines - we usually get 20+. A spiced grape jelly is also lovely with meats - in years when I am allowed a few grapes not to go into wine production!

 

Tracy