grape vine

[linda_darnel_shaw]

Have had a grape vine for some years now, lovely growth but never a grape. Had put lots of manure on it this year to see if it will produce next year. Any advise please. It is grown out side in a sheltered spot.

[Phreddy]

Since no-one answered you yet, I will give you the benifit of what little I know or believe. (If nothing else it should move you up in the ratings again)
Around here no-one does anything about manuring, I always thought they grew on poor soil. You will probably have lots of growth next year.
I have 3 vines growing close to, even under, the house. All did well this year, but last year there was a cold snap that did away with almost everyone's crop. Certainly the grapeyards didn't produce.
I would put my money on the early weather before anything else.

Phreddy

[Polly Fouracre]

I don't think vines need much in the way of manure.We planted two four years ago and each year have had loads of bunches,though never a grape bigger than a thumb-nail.
I never thin the bunches (this may be the cause) and they are all horribly sour.The blackbirds seem to like them though and are very welcome to them.
Last year I placed toy snakes around the vines and the birds left them alone but the grapes were no better tasting for that!
How to manage them properly? A challenge for the Grape-Vine!!

[Snadger]

[QUOTE=Polly Fouracre;130762]
............................Last year I placed toy snakes around the vines and the birds left them alone...............
/QUOTE]

Wonder whether it would keep the thieving pigeons off my brassicas?

[Polly Fouracre]

I wouldn't be surprised.I also put toy snakes around my strawberries and they keep the blackbirds away. I search local car-boot sales for my snakes.Plastic ones,furry ones,it doesn't seem to matter but you must move them around each day. Twine them around a branch or cane one day,let them slither around a pot another and as long as they are conspicuous they will be effective.

[scared55]

We have a real snake living in the wall immediately behind the vines and sometimes around the pond. No trouble from birds ...


... or humans

[Janco]

Hi all,
I also have had a grapevine for many years. It is a Black Hamburg and is growing in an unheated greenhouse. It used to fruit OK every year but last year had a whitish mould growing on the fruits and none were edible. I put it down to lack of proper care so this year I have made a point of pruning, thoroughly watering it regularly and ventilating it better as well as giving it a mulch of well rotted manure BUT although the white mould is not there this year the fruits are mostly inedible. Many are split and thus rotting and others seem to have a hard outer skin and are drying and shriveling.
As I used to get good bunches from it most years I have been racking my brains to think of what I'm doing wrong. I admit that the greenhouse no longer gets as much sun as it used to but otherwise I'm at a loss.
Anyone any ideas please?

[scarey55]

Hello Janco, and welcome to the Vine, you are amongst some very clever and helpful people here.

I had a similar problem with mouldy grapes this year (mine are outside against a wall) I inherited them when we moved and last year they produced lovely grapes. I don't know about the splitting but the mould is a form of the blight from which we have all been suffering and I am sure that it wasn't a lack of proper care. I vow to be more vigilant in future because it is a shame to see grapes go to waste (more to the point, all that wine potential ) but, I am sure that next year will be better. Btw, I have heard it said more than once that grapes thrive on neglect (just as well in my case)

Clare

[Janco]

Hi Clare,
Thanks for the response. I did also have problems with blight on potatoes and even on tomatoes in my larger greenhouse although those have partially recovered. Maybe the poor year we have experienced is part of my grape problem but I'm wondering if I have some sort of disease. The vine is nearly 20 years old and I have gardened organically all that time. The grapevine takes up a lot of room in my old greenhouse but I'm loath to get rid of it.

[scarey55]

Mmm could be a disease but let's hope not.

I had a quick look on t'internet and found this site http://www.grapes.msu.edu/id.htm. It's American but I guess the problems are about the same in all countries. If you scroll down to common diseases you might find something of use there.

Good luck for next year.
Clare.

[Janco]

I don't think I want to know any more about diseases!
Think I'll keep it for another year, look after it as the book says and if it's still no good out it will go.
Thanks for your help Clare.

Jan