Culture
Best grown in deep, loamy, humus-rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Performs well in gravelly loams. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including average garden soils, but must have good drainage. Best sited in a location sheltered from winter winds (preferably a sunny south-facing slope) and well removed from frost pockets. Needs good air circulation. Young growth may be damaged in spring by late frosts. This grape is self-pollinating. For quality fruit production, it needs a support system, training, regular spraying and regular pruning to maximize fruit production.
The straight species is not commercially grown for fruit production because of the existence of hundreds of superior-fruiting cultivated varieties many of which are widely grown in wine-producing areas throughout the world.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Vitis vinifera, commonly known as European wine grape or common grape, is a woody, deciduous vine that climbs by branched tendrils to 40-60’ long over time if left unpruned. Plants grown for grape production are typically pruned much smaller (3-9’ long). This species is probably native to southwestern Asia (Caspian and Caucasus regions) and adjacent Europe. It spread over time throughout much of Europe and is cultivated around the world. This vine can climb to the tops of trees or sprawl horizontally over low-growing shrubs. Flaking bark shreds in strips on older stems. Ovate to suborbicular leaves (to 5-9” across) have long stalks, 3-7 palmate lobes, coarsely toothed margins, bristly undersides and cordate bases. Small, greenish, hermaphroditic flowers bloom in May-June in dense panicles. Flowers give way to bunches of soft pulpy grapes (botanically berries) which ripen in summer. Grapes are somewhat variable in size, form and color. Ripe fruit is attractive to birds, mammals and some hornets and wasps.
Grapes of this species are grown for a variety of purposes, primarily for making wine, but also as fresh fruit from the vine or dried as currants, raisins or sultanas. Vines are infrequently grown for ornamental purposes only.
The genus name Vitis is the Latin name for the old-world vineyard grape (Vitis vinifera).
The specific epithet vinifera means "wine-bearing".
Problems
Grapes are high maintenance plants that require regular pruning, structural support, and pesticide treatments to produce significant yields. Grapes are susceptible to a large number of diseases, particularly in humid summer climates, including anthracnose, black rot, downy and powdery mildew, crown gall and botrytis bunch rot. Insect pests include phylloxera, grape berry moth, Japanese beetle, leaf hopper, leaf roller, mealy bugs and flea beetles. Birds are perhaps the most damaging vertebrate pest to grape yields, but deer can also eat young shoots, leaves, and fruit clusters.
Uses
Grapes are primarily grown for fruit production in home fruit gardens where ornamental interest is not a main concern. However, grapes do in fact have good ornamental value: bold summer foliage, showy fruit, some fall color and shaggy, twisted trunks and branching often best seen in winter. When grown on fences, walls, trellises, arbors or other structures, grapes can be quite attractive year-round and can provide good cover, screening, or shade to areas around the home. Woody vines can be woven into decorative wreaths.