A friend/ex collegue of my dad's gave as a christmas gift a charming growing kit for grapevines of all things, including kind of lantern shaped minature greenhouse/wardian case, a pot and a packet of grapevine seeds (bottle of wine also included ;D).Dad not being terribly greenfingered i have been asked to have a go at growing the seed. I have to admit i have never heard of growing grapes from seed (always thought the were vegetatively propagated for sale) and i was wondering if anyone else had come across this and if so do you have any advice for sucess.
It appears to be quite easy acording to the instructions - standard growing conditions, fairly short germination time (no stratification needed) etc which makes me question whether or not it is al it appears. if it was that easy to grow a grapevine, everyone would be doing it wouldnt they?
I look forward to replies.
Like all selected fruit.. when grown from seed the fruit is very variable...
and modern varieties are on American rootstock because of a disease(?) spread by root aphids (Phylloxera?)... grow it on by all means but don't expect great results.. :-X
Quote from: saddad on January 05, 2012, 11:54:47
Like all selected fruit.. when grown from seed the fruit is very variable...
and modern varieties are on American rootstock because of a disease(?) spread by root aphids (Phylloxera?)... grow it on by all means but don't expect great results.. :-X
Can't comment on growing from seeds, but phylloxera is not really a concern outside wine growing areas or vineyards. I have grown vines from cuttings and they are fruiting well without disease problems.
That's great then... :)
Grapes are growing wild here and there in hedges in this area(Mid West France)
Gifts from the birds.Berries are edible but often small and not always very sweet.So indeed don't expect too much.
The concept of growing grapes from seed is odd. My guess is that the wine producers produce hundred of seedlings and then select a very few of the best to propagate.
Also it is such a long time between seed and the crop. You will have to nurture it for years before you find out if your efforts have been a waste of time.
Digeroo
QuoteMy guess is that the wine producers produce hundred of seedlings and then select a very few of the best to propagate.
wine producer do very little breeding if any all.
like fruit tree the cost involved makes cheaper to buy vines or graft instead.
since wine is sold buy variety of grape it makes harder for new wine grape varieties to get foot hold. let alone to create an new grape variety.
Thanks for replies. Seems worth ago, if only for the fun of it. Would make a nice ornamental plant if nothing else. Not planning to set up a vineyard in the back garden!!
Got around to starting these off finally yesterday. On opening the packet found lots of seeds (at least a dozen) so have saved some for another time. needed soaking overnight so put them in a cup of warm water in a propagator (along with Spanish Flag - Mina lobata - seeds, seperately of course!). Sow either today or tomorrow (instructions say soak 1-2 days).
Seeds look like apple pips btw.