skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

Table grape growth

14 years ago

Hi,

I acquired a Himrod (green seedless) and 2 Canadice (red seedless) grape vines and planted them in the same garden bed about mid/late May 2009. I live in zone 6b. They are on the sunniest side of my property, North west, about 8' apart.

The Himrod seems to being doing well and is more then 4' tall. The Canadice vines are really struggling. One is barely 2' and the second vine is still about the original 11" shipping height, but has sprouted a few leaves in the last 5 weeks.

Other then following the planting instructions, I added a little 10-10-10 fertilizer to all three in mid July to seemingly no effect.

Can you make any recommendations that would help me encourage growth of the Canadice vines? If there is nothing I can this year, then maybe something for next year.

Dan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
14 years ago
Well, grapesvines don't mind struggling, and in fact they will give you better grapes if they have to fight to live. As long as there are green leaves, I wouldn't worry. Some varieties grow slower than others, and some are so vigorous they'll reach out and get ya when you walk by!

Until they get established they like a lot of water. It takes some time for their root systems to catch up to the growth, so be sure they are getting enough. Ours are on a drip system and get watered for an hour twice per day. They also like well drained soil.

I'm sure you checked to make sure your grapes are hearty for your particular zone. Not sure what zone 6 is, but you probably get snow? They all go dormant in the winter, but some will need freeze protection. I'd check on that also.

Good luck!
0
myk1
14 years ago
I've had good luck spurring growth spurts with blood meal in both apples and grapes.

My Himrod was definitely more vigorous than my Reliance.

My experience with mail order grapes has been more like your Canadice where they didn't do much the first year (and then died in the 2nd).
0
Related Discussions
Grapes, Rate of Growth?
Q
Comments (19)
Yeah, I dug mine up. In their place I erected two sections of split rail cedar fencing and planted the vine I really wanted right in the middle, a venus. Read that it can grow upwards of 20' in a season, the fence overall is about 25' long, and I'm keeping a two trunk vine that I plan to train across the rails in both directions. Been reading up on how to prune them, and so far I agree with the "let it grow however it wants the first year" so it gets a nice big root system, then start pruning it back to the main canes you want during the winter. I do have one question about this, although it won't be an issue for quite some time. I've read that if you let the vines touch the ground that they'll root themselves there (and that basically thats what you do when you make cuttings). Everything I've seen says to prevent this. Why? I've also seen where people say the best grapes will come from closest to the main trunk, presumably because thats the main source of water and nutrients to the plant. So why would you not want (after growing the vine large enough) to let the tips dip back down at the end to make an archway out of it? Give it trunks in the middle and each end to maximize roots and water and whatnot?
...See More
Grape growth has stalled?
Q
Comments (1)
Yes, perfectly normal. Most fruit does this, grows initially, gets to a certain size, and then doesn't physically grow very much for a while, or at least, grows much more slowly than it did initially, so that it has the appearance of not growing. During that time, though, processes are happening internally all working towards maturation of the seeds and ripening of the fruit. Eventually, it will start to grow again, and then ripen.
...See More
hardy table grapes for an arbor
Q
Comments (4)
I would definitely put in a swenson red and not worry. We had a super cold snap for a few days in 2008 -32C (-25F) and they came through with no damage and set fruit. If you look on few sites it is listed as being hardy to -30F or better.Another good one I grow is kandiyohi, another swenson creation (just like bluebell but much larger)large concord style and earlier ripening.I also have sommerset seedless and trollhaugen seedless(other swenson creations)but can't comment on them as it is a new planting but they are listed as being hardy to -30F or better.I have tried kay gray and didn't care for it at the time so I don't grow it.As for mildew issues I give them a sulfur spray in the spring and that's it and they seem to get through the season with little leaf issues but that is at my site and could be totally different for you. But definitely put in a swenson red,they seem to start off really slow when they are first planted but really take off in a few years.It is the best grape I grow and I could eat them till I puke!
...See More
Grape Vine - First Year Growth - Cut or Not?
Q
Comments (1)
Typically, in the first season, the vines are pruned once again back to 2-4 buds. In your case, I'd leave four buds. this gives you a strong main trunk and avoids overcrop in the second season. I grow my grapes in Western WA near Puyallup and am into the Muscat types. I know it sounds severe, but in the long run, you will be glad you did this. Otherwise they will try to set a lot of fruit next season and the roots are not ready for that. Are they own-rooted or grafted vines? Pure vinifera roots are suc. to phyloxerra and nematodes. Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
backyardener
14 years ago
I'm in zone 6, and while I don't grow Canadice or Himrod, they should be fine in zone 6. I am pretty sure they are hardy to about -15F. I am curious about where you live - is it hot in the summer? Desert Dance is likely correct. If you planted bare root vines (or even potted vines for that matter) in late May, it could be that they just don't have the root mass to keep up with the heat. It gets over 100F here in July / August and my vines don't grow much when it is that hot, especially new vines.

I put some new vines (rooted cuttings which were actively growing) into the ground in mid-May this year. Some have done great some have struggled. One of them has a pencil-thick trunk 7ft high and one is less than 2 feet tall and very skinny. I keep the trunks that are pencil-thick and cut back the ones that are smaller (back to 3 buds). The ones I cut back always come out strong the next year.

I try to encourage as much growth as possible (water and fertilize often) until my vines have established solid trunks and cordons (fruiting canes if you cane prune). I also remove the fruit until they are established as it tends to stunt their growth. As Desert Dance said, cutting back the water and fertilizer on established vines seems to cause them to produce higher quality fruit.
0
frozen_north
14 years ago
We have Canadice grapes which have done OK.

The establishment year it is not unusual to see little top growth.
0
daneon
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the responses. I am in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The grapes are suppose to be very winter hardy. August temps are more like high 80's low 90's. I thought grapes didn't like to get their feet wet. So, I haven't been doing much extra watering, but it has been a wet summer anyway.

Thanks for all the advice!
0

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Try California Wild Grape for Interest All Year

By Debbie Ballentine

Sure, it’s stunning in fall. But the spring buds, summer grapes and gnarled winter vines are gorgeous too

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: 'Charity' Oregon Grape

Giving nectar to hummingbirds and delicious berries to all, 'Charity' is a four-season garden delight that lives up to its name

HOLIDAYS 3 Recipes for Foraged Holiday Table Decor

By Annie Thornton

The coauthors of ‘The Wreath Recipe Book’ suggest 3 simple table settings you can make from materials found in the yard or at the market

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Mahonia Aquifolium for Birds

By Debbie Ballentine

Oregon grape puts on a bold spectacle from spring through winter and is ideal to brighten partly shady corners in the U.S. West

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Retirees Follow Vineyard Dreams With a Hillside Farmhouse

By Becky Harris

Being closer to family and growing grapes for wine drove this 5-bedroom new build in the Virginia countryside

KITCHEN STORAGE 11 Space-Savvy Alternatives to Wine Cellars

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Don't be crushed without a dedicated room for your grape varietals. Store and display your wine the creative, budget-friendly way

GARDENING GUIDES Texas Gardener's February Checklist

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Show roses some love around Valentine's Day and set the stage for future garden growth with seeds and starts

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: Foresight Pays Off in Atlanta

By Becky Harris

Seeing the growth potential leads to a couple’s creative live-work space in a newly desirable neighborhood

Guest Picks: Give Your Home a Helping of Spring Greens

By Bonnie Christine

Celebrate garden growth with this collection of housewares and gardening gear in the shades of budding plants

COLOR Guest Picks: Colorful and Quirky Spring Décor

By Laura Gaskill

These 20 decorative pieces bring the happy colors of flowers and fresh growth indoors

Sponsored

Frasure Home Improvements

2 Reviews

Franklin County's Highly Skilled General Contractor

More Discussions

beginning fruit or new leaves

6

Beginner apple tree initial care

0

Is this a crabapple?

8

how to ripen Pyrus communis bosc pears

0

first fruits on a new strawberry plants

1