Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
What do you call these things hanging from my grapevine? Can I cut them off now or do I have to wait until the vine is dormant?
I believe they are called AIR ROOTS. They really aren't needed for the plant to grow and produce grapes. They are more for anchoring to whatever they are trying to climb and grow on. They can be quite ugly, so just cut them off.
It appears these are called 'Aerial Roots' and although weird looking can be removed without damaging your grape vines.
"Aerial rooting in grapes has been described as an indication of cold injury."
Here is a link that explains what may be causing your problem.
blog-fruit-vegetable-ipm.extension.../
Yes, these are aerial roots.
I found an interesting post by Eric Stafne (Mississippi State University) about aerial root formation in grapevines. grapes.extension.org/
I have grown a grapevine now for 4 years in my greenhouse. The root is outside the greenhouse, the vine is inside the greenhouse. All I get is bunches of small pea size grapes, very sweet but a lot of pips. Have taken advice over the years; pruning, thinning, feeding, watering, training, etc.
But it is the same. I'm about giving up on it now. Gave it my all. What can be the problem with this vine, is it just a runt? Help!
It's frustrating to try garden tips to no avail! You didn't mention soil, so I'll add here that too much nitrogen could be a culprit. However, assuming your grapes are Thompson, I'll venture that expectations are possibly not realistic.
Make sure you are pruning the vine after the growing season is over. Letting the vine grow wild can be the cause of small grapes.
You do not grow the same type of grapevine and you do not grow a grapevine the same way if you want to have, big beautiful grapes to eat, grapes to make good wine, or if you want the grapevine to grow over an arbor. But in any case you should not grow a gravevine inside a greenhouse. The grapevines that produce wine are not good to eat. On a wine grapevine for the winter season we cut off all the branches and in the spring, out of the new branches starting from the floral buttons we leave only one branch or two branches at the most to grow along a wire and that's all. The grapevine that produces good quality wine is not left to climb it is maintained horizontal, it must receive all the nutrients and the whole field must receive as much sun as possible, that's why the plants are facing south in a slope to have no shadow. By law the grapes are picked up at a given time not earlier not later and for the grapes to receive as much sunlignt and warmth as possible we take off the leaves. In France it is forbiden to water the wine grapevines. It means that to make good wine you grow only a few grapes on the same plant, you do not water it to concentrate sugar as much as possible and you give it as much sun as possible.
I have a large garden and would love to grow a grapevine. How do I start?
By Charlie
We have small flies on our grape leaves. We have about 1/3 of an acre and so far about 5 plants are infected. Can you recommend a soap mixture that would get rid of the flies and not hurt the grapes?
Hardiness Zone: 9a
I sug to mix 1 teaspoon of liquid soap to 1 quart of water, in a spray bottle.I get them at Dollar store for a dollar, if that's not strong enough add more soap, good luck.
"Liquid soap" meaning something like Ivory soap, not harsh dish detergents. I use Dr. Bronner's liquid soap which can be found in some health food stores, supermarkets, or drug stores.
Your "flies" I imagine are Whiteflies. You could also just purchase and organic product like Safer's insecticidal soap and not chance using regular soaps that that can burn leaves once exposed to sun.
Soaps MUST come in direct contact with the pests to be any use because there is no residual effect. You will need to apply more than once because the adult flies will fly off when disturbed. Be sure to hit both tops and undersides of the leaves.
Whiteflies are not easy to control. Good luck!
www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/
Check with www.Jerrybaker.net. He gives you recipes for tonics for pests in the garden, as well as other issues. Most of the ingredients you already have in your home, so the cost is reasonable. I purchased a 20 page phamplet from him more than 25 years ago and had such great success, that I have purchasd several other books. His website has some tonic recipes and you can e-mail him for answers to your specific questions also. I hate to send you to just another site, but I can attest to fact that his advice is sound. Good Luck!
Are grape vines perennials or annuals? My zone is Indianapolis, Indiana.
By Teresa
I was wondering if anybody knew about grape vines. I have a Concord vine in my back yard. Last year it produced quite a bit of fruit. I am not quite sure if it was just proper conditions or if it is getting more mature. My question is does anyone know how to train it without ruining it?
By Andrea from Canada
Pruning grapes is another very important part of growing grapes and is beneficial for grape quality. Without proper pruning the amount of grapes produced and the size of the grapes will decrease. After vines are set using a trellis system they should be pruned to one stem and cut back to only a few buds. Pruning can be done in winter, but not during severe winter weather. Over and under pruning will cause grapes to be not as healthy. One particular expert says on his blog about how to grow grapes, that a grape vine reacts to the way you prune. Which means you will have fruit if you prune for fruit and you will have shoots if you prune for shoots.
Another important part of growing grape vines is air circulation; this prevents disease which can occur if the air is able to stagnant. Air circulation will also keep the vines moisture free and dry so there's less chance for fungus to grow. Don't plant grape vines anywhere that interferes with air circulation or movement. As you may see on t v where grape growers prune them way back to about head high ,for more go to "how to grow grapes"lot of info there, Good luck.
How do I transplant 4 year old Merlot plants?
By R Hale
We had a very hot, dry summer. I covered my grapes with netting to keep birds out, but as my grapes were ripening, something proceeded to eat them, leaving the stems on the vine and the grape skins on the ground. What is eating them and what can be done to prevent this, as the netting doesn't seem to be doing the trick?
By Paula
Will ants eat the leaves on my grapevines? If not, what else could it be?
By Fannie
