Positioning A Grape Vine

[Artisan]

I am a little confused concerning conflicting advice on the internet with regards to the planting position of a grape vine. I have a Southeast facing fence that I would like to plant a vine against. Can anyone tell me if this position would be suitable? My only other alternative is to plant the vine in a large container against a southwest facing fence but I would prefer the other postion because I can plant the vine in the ground.


Any advice would be appreciated.

[scarey55]

Haha, I read that as poisoning a grape vine

Mine is against a south-east wall and seems to be doing well. I am by no means an expert but, I think it would be better in the soil than a pot.

[Artisan]

Give me the opportunity and I may poison it yet!! Thank you for your advice. I needed to know if anyone had been successful growing a vine facing southeast and there you are doing just that. So that’s exactly where it is going to go or should I say grow!

[Jay-ell]

The real question is how much sun does the fence get as grape vines need a lot of sun. Is it shadowed by trees, buildings etc?

I've got some planted on a south eastish and one planted on a south west (or north east depending on your pint of view) trellis but they're young and I've still to train them to their final shape.

They're also in the North East of England so I'll most likely be harvesting leaves.

[Artisan]

The area gets a lot of sun until middle to late afternoon.

[roitelet]

My vines are planted against a South facing wall but I have trained one rod round the corner to the west. It is a Black Hamburg which has a tendency to be late. This part of the rod is always late to flower and I rarely get ripe fruit. The rods that face South are fine. If the vine is an early variety then you should be fine with it in the ground.

[nickdub]

I am a little confused concerning conflicting advice on the internet with regards to the planting position of a grape vine. I have a Southeast facing fence that I would like to plant a vine against. Can anyone tell me if this position would be suitable? My only other alternative is to plant the vine in a large container against a southwest facing fence but I would prefer the other postion because I can plant the vine in the ground.


Any advice would be appreciated.

No reason why you can't be successful - definitely better with the roots in the ground.

Pick a variety which others have had some successes with in the UK if you can.

Given the unpredictability of the weather - you might like to consider giving the vine some removable protection with either glass, plastic or fleece in the Spring and Autumn after a few years, when it starts to crop (It doesn't need it in the winter, and will be best off without it then in fact)

[Ocelot]

I had one on a south facing patio in full sun a few years ago, but in a large pot. It never fruited and died a few years later.

A few years ago (don't even remember when) I planted a tiny grapevine in the ground against a south west facing fence, and this year it is covered in fruit (first time ever).

I suspect from my limited experience that ground is better as long as it gets sun.

[Deltawhiskey]

Hi Artisan,
A southeast fence is a good position for a vine. The fence will provide good protection against the wind and even when the sun has gone off the vine, the fence will still be radiating heat. Are you growing for wine or eating? Have you decided which training method to use? Cane replacement will suit most cultivars but spur pruning with permanent cordons is easier for a novice to master. However some cultivars do not grow well with this method. You will also need to decide if you want a red or white variety. You might also want to look at some of the hybrid varieties which are bred for resistance to mildews and other problems. I am growing for wine rather than dessert so I am not too sure what cultivars would be suitable for that purpose. I will do a bit of research and get back to you. If you make sure your variety is an outdoor rather than cool house or greenhouse you will have no problems with anything but late frosts, outdoor vines are very hardy. But late frosts can damage the now shoots.

David

[Deltawhiskey]

Hi Artisan,

For reds recommended varieties are: Boskoop Glory (dessert), Muscat Bleu (dessert), Regent (dessert or wine). Both Muscat and Regent are disease resistant, not sure about Boskoop. Whites: Phoenix (desert or wine), Lakemont seedless (dessert). Phoenix is disease resistant, not sure about Lakemont.
Hope this helps.
David

[Artisan]

Hello David,

Thank you for the very helpful information. I will be growing the vine for dessert grapes as neither my wife nor I drink. After looking at many grape varieties I have narrowed it down to choosing one of either the black grape Boskoop Glory or the white grape Madeleine Angevine. The method of growing I would employ would be the Rod and Spur method. I had decided on the Boskoop Glory but the supplier let me down by first accepting my order and then cancelling saying they were out of stock. I shall be re-ordering in the next day or two but in the mean time I will be preparing the ground for planting.

Greg.

[Artisan]

Thank you David. Very helpful. It gives me more ideas than the two I have mentioned. Greg

[Deltawhiskey]

Be careful with Madeleine Angevine. Because it is a pure Vinifera variety it is not very disease resistant and there are no correct fungicide sprays available to the gardener. Phoenix will serve you better as it is a hybrid and resistant (not immune) to all of the fungal nasties.

David

[Artisan]

Okay David perhaps I'll think again concerning the variety. Greg