Any grape vine experts out there?
Discussion
Since we moved in to our new place in May, we found out that the courtyard has quite an established grape vine growing in it. Over the last few weeks of nice weather it has started to produce fruit.
What I would like to know it how the hell do I care for it? When we moved in it had grown into the guttering so we basically hacked it back not knowing what it was at the time. I've read some stuff online but it's all in technical terms - pinching back, cutting in, 5 leaves in! no idea.
Would it be able to make me wine to drink and how do I go about doing this?
Here it is up against the wall.
I'll get the name of the vine this afternoon as the tag is still round the bottom.
(duno if this should be a gardening question also)
What I would like to know it how the hell do I care for it? When we moved in it had grown into the guttering so we basically hacked it back not knowing what it was at the time. I've read some stuff online but it's all in technical terms - pinching back, cutting in, 5 leaves in! no idea.
Would it be able to make me wine to drink and how do I go about doing this?
Here it is up against the wall.
I'll get the name of the vine this afternoon as the tag is still round the bottom.
(duno if this should be a gardening question also)
Edited by Pixel-Snapper on Friday 16th August 10:46
Mobile Chicane said:
I have a vine in a greenhouse, and I doubt that will ripen. The late spring being the cause.
You must have one of those soft southern nancy boy vines.Up 'ere in t'north, our vines are made of much sterner stuff and neither the weather nor a serious mealy bug infestation have stopped them fruiting. Our vines are well f
king 'ard.
sparkythecat said:
Mobile Chicane said:
I have a vine in a greenhouse, and I doubt that will ripen. The late spring being the cause.
You must have one of those soft southern nancy boy vines.Up 'ere in t'north, our vines are made of much sterner stuff and neither the weather nor a serious mealy bug infestation have stopped them fruiting. Our vines are well f
king 'ard.
What variety is it?
Pixel-Snapper said:
Damn it! was kind of hoping to feel the grape between my toes.
If that's a south-facing wall, you might still be lucky.Prune any leaves which are shading the bunches, prune any non-fruiting branches, and prune any tiddlers of bunches. Ensure the bunches are well-supported, and get plenty of air and light.
However the answer to maximising ripening is to build some sort of structure and tie the fruiting branches to this while they're still young and flexible. If you try and bend them too far now the branches will break.
Dear ps,
established vines are pretty hard to kill so don't be afraid to hack. Even namby pamby southern ones sparky
. I've never snapped a growing branch that I did not mean to.
As others have said if you want to aid ripening then trim around any bunches to let light/air in.
Give it a good hack as soon as the grapes are gone. I'd leave some of this years longer growth to train onto wires. I've got it in mind that next years fruit grows on this years growth. This years growth is usually green whereas older is brow,
regards,
Jet
established vines are pretty hard to kill so don't be afraid to hack. Even namby pamby southern ones sparky
. I've never snapped a growing branch that I did not mean to.As others have said if you want to aid ripening then trim around any bunches to let light/air in.
Give it a good hack as soon as the grapes are gone. I'd leave some of this years longer growth to train onto wires. I've got it in mind that next years fruit grows on this years growth. This years growth is usually green whereas older is brow,
regards,
Jet
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