Conservatory grapevines

[Fruitlad]

Sorry if this may have come up before, but I'm new here:
What are unacceptable conditions for vines? I'm planning a vine in a conservatory - probably in a pot but possibly planted outside and trained inside. There is little ventilation though - last summer with the door shut the heat melted several (large) ornamental candles, and with the door open it was still like entering a sauna! Is this likely to be too much for a vine?

[Two_Sheds]

Ideally the vine should be planted so that the roots are always kept cool and the head should be grown into the sun or towards a sunny spot on a wall or trellis etc.
To keep the roots cool you can place large stones or rocks around the base to help shield the soil from direct sunlight.

it is important to provide ventilation (usually via an open window) for grapes grown under glass
Growing Grapes - Fruit Expert (UK)

[Snadger]

Growing Grapes - Fruit Expert (UK)

I had a laugh at this quote "Grapes are hardy plants that can be grown outside in southern England and Wales" ??????????

So they aint hardy then are they!

[pigletwillie]

Lose the pot, Try Cardinal, a superb variety. I grow it indoors and out. Get as much ventilation as you can, same for any plant really.

[TonyF]

Ok, was driving through the massive Bergerac vineyards yesterday and the locals were already out doing the February pruning - when you've got as many as there are in the Bergerac area, you start as soon as possible.

We've had temperatures this winter of minus 10, we had the worse storms a couple of weeks ago/last weekend than we've had for some years, 120 to 150 kph winds etc etc.

My grapevines have survived all that, the storms, the rain, the cold and they're fine and this week they get pruned.

Build a wooden box, about 1 metre square and about 50cm deep, fill with a mix of soil, grit and potting compost, cover with bark if you want to to add to the cool, plant your vine in the box and train it up something substantial, make sure you prune it in a timely and proper manner - they are so hardy, if yours doesn't survive, it's because of the way you treat it, not because of the weather.

[Rossa]

My dad grew a Black Hamburg grape in our conservatory back in the 70s. (Leeds) It's the same variety that is famous at Hampton Court Palace. The vine there is over 250 years old and is still going strong, so very resilient. It's grown under glass, not outside. I'm sure Bergerac does experience storms etc but don't think they get extensive frosts like we do. You should do better in the South.

Our conservatory was an all glass, lean to, type. 26' x 13' and South facing. It was in a pot in the middle of the wall of the house and grew up the wall and across the glass roof. didn't produce much if anything for the first 3 years so be patient but after that it produced fabulous bunches of black grapes every year. Great to just walk up and pick a bunch, put in fridge briefly and eat all at once. One of my best memories.

I do remember that Dad always had the windows and door open and as it managed to survive the "drought" of 1976 would say it is very hardy. I'll speak to him at the weekend and if he has any more tips will comment again.

If you google Black Hamburg you'll find loads of suppliers. most pot grown plants seem to be around £13.

[Fruitlad]

Thanks for all that, much appreciated. Bit nervous about killing everything I touch with these novice fingers!