When do flowers appear on grapevines?

[GrapeGrower]

I am growing grapevines for the first time this year from pot-grown vines which seemed quite well established. I have no idea if I am going to see any grapes this year - when will I know if there are any grapes? What month should I watch for flowers to come out? o far there are just lots of leaves and tendrils!

[crichmond]

Here is what they look like:

The ones in my greenhouse are a more compact than this as they grow they expand to look like the picture.
Taken from this site:
http://www.thevintageportsite.com/port_viticulture.aspx

[Alice]

Good luck to you and me Grapegrower.
I planted a Boskop Glory today - against the south facing wall of the house , well that will do it - won't it ?
I do hope to get grapes, but if I only get nice leaves - welllllll !

[FB.]

I've got a Black Hamburgh growing on the sunniest wall of my house. It's only been growing for a few years, but has produced fruit from year two onwards (it was just a 12" high stick when planted).
No problems with ripening (but I'm in a very dry and warm part of the UK). My Hamburgh will happily grow 3-4ft per season in every direction. I haven't ever pruned it (although kids have broken off a few branches) and it fruits surprisingly well without any attention. Mine is only just coming out of dormancy - no leaves yet, let alone flowers.

[GrapeGrower]

I've also got a Black Hamburg, and has already grown nearly a foot on it's top shoot with about 6 leaves now (and a few tendrils). I did have this one inside (although in a cold room) for a while which may have made it start early - although all my other grapevines which have always been outside and also growing just as fast. I think maybe its the hot weather we have been having lately.

Photos are in my blog if you want to look

[selfraising]

Hi GrapeGrower just looked at your photos, they are looking good! Mine is now in its fourth year and planted in the ground outside, the leaf buds are just starting to open. Are you planning on training them up the wall?

[GrapeGrower]

I have bought 2 frame stands for them to grow up, but if they outgrow the stands then I may have to grow them up the wall!

[selfraising]

They do grow quick! Last year mine grew across my patio which is about 6 foot and then along the roof of the shed which is 8ft!

[FB.]

Had a close look at mine earlier. Many small leaves are now breaking out and are about the size of a 50p.

[bobleponge]

I am a bit further south than you guys, although not that much. My vine, which was here when I moved here almost 4 years ago, has plenty of leaves and growth on it now, and has had for at least 3-4 weeks.
I cant remember what month they start to give fruit but I am going to make notes this year, so if you forget everything and ask the same question next year I will know.

[FB.]

From memory, I think that my (outdoor / SW-Facing, sunny wall) Black Hamburgh is ripe in late September.

[Tam]

When I had a number of vines, I found that they certainly responded well to good pruning - this is quite a good site - Royal Horticultural Society - Advice: Summer Grape Care.

[GrapeGrower]

That's an interesting link - does anyone else remove tendrilas from the vines? I've got lots growing on my mine and was planning to leave them...should I follow the advice and take them off?

[GrapeGrower]

Thought I would post a couple of pics - including one of some tendrils

Thanks for all the replies

[BarleySugar]

Mine grows up a trellis to hide the greenhouse, I've trained 2 'rods' along about 6" from the floor, then allowed 3 vertical rods each side of the 'trunk'. The buds on these are just beginning to break. I prune mine quite hard, 4 leaves past a bunch of fruit, 1 leaf if no fruit present, and 1 leaf for sideshoots. That still leaves plenty of growth to cover the trellis, and we picked over 5kg of grapes last year. These ripen end Sept/early Oct and keep well in th fridge. My vine is 4 years old, and I now allow 2 bunches per lateral to develop.