 |
 |
 |
|
| Large clusters of red, medium-sized berries. Tender skins and melting flesh with a sweet labrusca flavor. Cold hardiness is among the highest of the seedless varieties. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Landscape Uses, Planting and Care
- SITE: Grapes like a moderately acid soil (pH 5.5-6.0) and are not heavy feeders, so working some compost into the soil is all that is needed to prepare the site. Grapes prefer full sun to very light shade and don't like wet feet, so avoid sites where the soil is heavy or water sits for any amount of time. Good air circulation will reduce disease and mildew problems. Space grapes 8' apart in rows 10-12' apart. The soil should be lightly packed around each plant and well watered until roots have a chance to establish.
- FERTILIZER: Feed with compost or organic fertilizer about a month after in spring or summer planting. Fall planted grapes can wait for fertilizer until the following spring.
- PRUNING: Since grapes can be very prolific and only bear fruit on 1 year old wood, they should be pruned and trained to get the most abundant harvest. The 4 arm Kniffen system is a basic pruning method commonly used, but the same principles can be applied to any form. This system involves using two strands of galvanized steel wires at 3' and 6' high, spaced 3' apart on posts spaced 16' apart. Grapes should be pruned in late winter or early spring before the buds have begun to grow. In the first year of growth the grapes should be tied up to a stake and only the strongest 2 shoots alllowed to grow. The second year, pick the stronger of the two canes to be the main trunk of the vine. If the cane has only reached the first wire then restrict it to two shoots. If it has reached the top wire, once the shoots begin to grow remove all but the strongest 4 or 5 at each wire, these will be the arms of your grape vine. The third year it's time to select the strongest cane going in each direction at each wire and prune to 3-4 buds in each cane. These will provide the fruiting wood for next year. The first fruiting year will be the fourth. Select the stronger cane at each wire and prune to 6-10 buds each. This cane will bear the grapes. Also leave one shoot in each direction pruned to 2-3 buds. This will supply next years fruiting canes and is called a spur. Subsequent years require pruning back the previous year's wood and selecting a new fruiting branch and spur.
- HARVEST: Grapes are harvested in the fall. Fruit color will change before the grapes are actually ripe, so it's a good idea to taste before picking — fruit will not ripen once it has been picked!
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
