Grapes - Under glass or outdoors?

[Philthy]

I've been pondering grapes for awhile.

I could grow them in my greenhouse; the structure is 2' above ground level already thanks to the low wall it sits on, but after it was constructed, I dug down a further 2' inside the greenhouse, before putting in a floor, so its actually quite high inside (about 11' to the central ridge). I have a sturdy, permanent frame to grow a vine on.
I guess the only real concern would be potential shading of other plants.

An outside space isn't so readily available, but could be created in the future.

Red, green, black, seeded or seedless, not fussed.
Homemade wine doesn't particularly interest me, so grapes solely for that purpose needn't be factored in. If there are dual purpose varieties, maybe down the line I could experiment a bit with vinification

Anyone else grow them? Any recommendations?

Thanks a lot.

[binley100]

Usually you plant them outside and feed them into the gh through a removed pane of glass.........however my lottie neighbour had one planted inside his gh which was creating too much shade so he's just fed his through to outside and onto a pergola

[Scarlet]

Mine grows outside on a south facing wall. Usually get a fabulous crop, last year wasn't so good. I haven't a clue what variety it is (sorry!) it's a black one with seeds and can be eaten straight off the vine.

[zazen999]

I've got about 5 vines; 2 mature enough to produce fruit and 3 well on the way. All outside.

[greenishfing]

As you can see I've got a grapevine in my greenhouse. It is a Black Hamburg. I keep it well trimmed back. It is only in a standard 6 foot by 8 foot greenhouse but I also manage to grow other crops below it no problem.

[Philthy]

As you can see I've got a grapevine in my greenhouse. It is a Black Hamburg. I keep it well trimmed back. It is only in a standard 6 foot by 8 foot greenhouse but I also manage to grow other crops below it no problem.

I like that a lot. Do you find you have to shade your greenhouse from really hot sun (shade cloth or paint) to prevent the vine getting scorched?

Thanks for the replies.

[veggiechicken]

I have several vines - none of them crop well outdoors. One of them has been led into the GH, with one branch left outside. The inside vine does a lot better than the outside one but the grapes are small and have large pips. I'm thinking of taking it out as it doesn't earn its keep. Sorry I can't remember what it is, but its red and came from Deacons on the IoW. It does cast a lot of shade in the GH but that's my fault for not pruning it correctly.

[VirginVegGrower]

I've got about 5 vines; 2 mature enough to produce fruit and 3 well on the way. All outside.

And I have seen one and am deeply envious. It's your fault I've bought four in the one year and a bit I've known you

[greenishfing]

I like that a lot. Do you find you have to shade your greenhouse from really hot sun (shade cloth or paint) to prevent the vine getting scorched?

Thanks for the replies.

I don't shade mine. It has never scorched. The main problems are snails mountaineering up it and keeping up to pruning.

[Feral007]

Can't tell you yet - I planted an ornamental grapevine - the red colours in autumn are just stunning and a good shade plant as it grows like a weed! And a green seedless grape called Emerald, from Aldi.
Both took off last summer and I'm pleased with how they went for a first year. Mine are northfacing as I"m on the opposite side of the world.
My father used to grow a lot of grapes, to eat or once he made wine. I think they may have been winemaking grapes as they had a very tough skin and were pretty tart at times. But he always grew outside, and up a pergola or some sructure. He would have a couple of posts out from the house, run the grapevine straight up a post (so no room taken up) and then he would have wires run along between the posts and the house, and trained the vine along it. The grapes hang down because of weight, and are easily picked from the underside. The leaves shade it underneath. So you can make it a feature of your garden - a shady spot in summer, and the leaves die back and let the sun in, in winter.
Something to think about anyway - since the room it takes up is above your head, you still keep your garden and can put some plants underneath for shade, table charis, Trip and I will come over and test the wine for you when you get it going He'll run, I'll fly.

Teach me, teach me how to fly......

[Greenfingerpaula]

I bought a grapevine from Homebase last year, after it had gone over. This year I've had no fruit, only about 3 grapes smaller than peas! I've had it in a pot on a south facing wall and basically due to my lack of knowledge haven't done anything except water it!!!

What SHOULD I do with it to ensure I get a crop next year? And should I cut it all back to ground this year or leave it alone?


🐞Every ☁has a silver lining🐝Every 🌸 has a 🌿

[rustylady]

Get it out of the pot and plant it in the ground.

Don't cut it back to the ground.

[Greenfingerpaula]

I seem to have bypassed you rusty!!
I don't have the space to plant the vine in the garden, it's got to stay in a pot I'm afraid. An I fighting a lost cause with it in that case?

[Scarlet]

I wouldn't bother with a grape vine in a pot - they grow huge but the RHS website states that they do well in containers as a standard. Have a read :
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/...e.aspx?pid=284

[Greenfingerpaula]

Oh ok, but RHS say you can grow in pots and get grapes - that makes me feel a Bit better!

Maybe next year I'll move it into the GH, just worried it'll take over cos it's not a massive GH