Grape growing year 2

[GrapeGrower]

I am going to post regular photo's and give progress of my grapevines this season in case anyone is interested in following.

I bought 5 vines last year, and am growing them in pots, I have just transplanted them into 42cm pots for this growing season. The vines I have are 2 Saint Laurent (black), Pinot Noir (black), Black Hamburg (Black) and Muller Thurgau (white). They are all grown up against my house wall which is south-west facing so gets a fair bit of sun.

Last year being the first year I only got one small bunch of grapes from one of the Saint Laurent plants, but they tasted very good. My aim is to eventually grow enough to make a few bottles of wine. Not sure what I will get in the way of grapes this season as it is only the second year, and would not want to over-bear with fruit anyway as they are still young.

Anyway, I will add pictures and progress as regular as I can over the next 6 months, hopefully I will be making wine by the end of it! Hope this will be of some interest to some of you

[GrapeGrower]

As of today, all vines are at some stage of bud break. The 1st Saint Laurent (the larger) has all shoots on a set of leaves. The other vines are all slightly behind, not quite on the first set of leaves yet.

Below are some pics of the vines as buds are breaking:


Pinot Noir


Saint Laurent (larger vine)

[GrapeGrower]

Some photos from yesterday (18th April).

The Saint Laurent is still ahead of the other vines, and I have now spotted the beginnings of flowers in several of the opening shoots, so atleast there is a chance of grapes. The Pinot Noir is now starting to open, and the other vines are on the way. Pics below:

Start of flowers showing on a Saint Laurent shoot:



Saint Laurent:



Saint Laurent full vine:



Pinot Noir buds opening in the foreground, other vines behind it:

[GrapeGrower]

Just a single pic of the lain Saint Laurent vine

[GrapeGrower]

Pics of my container vines taken on 5th June 2010. All growing healthily. Only the large Saint Laurent and Pinot Noir vine may grow grapes, as these are the only vines with proper flowers on. The Saint Laurent has about 12 bunches of flowers, the Pinot Noir has about 4. This is only the second year of growing so not too worried about that.

Pics: 1. Saint Laurent vine 2. Saint Laurent flower - flowers have opened 3. Pinot Noir flower - not opened yet 4. All vines

[Tomatoking]

Hi GG
My grapes are also on their second year. I want to grow 3 branches from each side of the plant horizontally. Do I take the main stem as one of them for the top one? Also, do I stop the shoots off the branches at one bunch each, and how do I trim it back at the end of the year?


Regards
MR TK

[Brengirl]

I have a black grape of the no name variety. The intention was to give some shade over the pergola. I always get totally confused when it comes to pruning and consequently it grew so dense I had to cut it right back. It didn't mind this at all as this year it is loaded with fruit bud in much bigger bunches.

[mrscorpio]

Im the same as Brengirl
I have 3 grapes ( cant remember names ) two black and one white.
I grew them for the cover over a rose arch and also a pergola.

I just hack loads off them 3 times a year, The only thing i notice is a pool of water ( or sap ) dripping from each cut for a few days after.

The grape on the rose arch 2 years ago I chopped down to 12 inches high ( secretly i wanted to kill it) it just grew back as normal.

2 weeks ago I popped to the local vineyard and noticed they chop theirs back to just the main stump.

[chris]

Cool GrapeGrower - where abouts in Cardiff are you? I'll be over to nick a few grapes hehe

How are they doing now?

[GrapeGrower]

Haven't kept this thread up to date with progress as much as I'd have liked...but here are latest pics of grapes. All have been turning black over the past couple of weeks. I expect at some point over the next 2-3 weeks they will finish ripening and ready to pick. I plan on making some red wine with these, although will have to make up the quantity with grape concentrate - only have 15 bunches, barely enough to make a glass of wine!

Pics: 1 and 2. Saint Laurent 3 and 4. Pinot Noir

[Brengirl]

Wow they look blooming wonderful. have bunches in profusion. Some are just turning so I think it will be late september before any can be picked. This brings me on to the subject of getting the grape juice. Last year we had all the grandkids up and did some treading. It was great fun but think I will give it a miss this year. So, there begs the question, how else can I get the juice?

[GrapeGrower]

Well for larger quantities you can use a fruit press - my dad is going to lend me his so might give it a go, though don't think the number of grapes I have really warrants using one. Or you can just press by hand through a colander if you don't have that many grapes

[Brengirl]

Well for larger quantities you can use a fruit press - my dad is going to lend me his so might give it a go, though don't think the number of grapes I have really warrants using one. Or you can just press by hand through a colander if you don't have that many grapes

If I have enough I would like to make wine so I am hoping for loads. Maybe I could use the mincer?