Propagation of Grape Vines in Northern Climates


Propagation of Grape Vines in Northern Climates By Jennifer Narum


	While grapes are not a common site in northern climates, such as Minnesota and North Dakota, they can be grown in our area. An interesting note: Minneapolis, Minnesota lies at the same latitude as the Bordeaux region of France. However, Minnesota has a continental climate. The challenge to northern climate grape growers is finding the types of varieties that can be grown within the limits of our climate. The University of Minnesota has begun grape hardiness hybridization project that has developed a collection of grape varieties that will survive and flourish in our northern climate. Their research and development has encouraged amateur fruit growers to experiment adding grapes to their home collections.

Well-researched grapes, hardy to our region are the Minnesota-78, Beta, and Valliant varieties.


The Minnesota-78 is a reddish-purple variety that is completely hardy in our climate, and will probably do well in most parts of Zone 3. The clusters are loose, but the individual fruits are slightly large. This is a very sweet and good flavored variety. The flowers are only female making another pollinator essential. This grape ripens at our area in early October.


The Beta variety is extremely vigorous and produces a healthy vine that is completely hardy in northern climates, as well as in Zone 3 and 4b. It produces fairly large clusters of reddish- purple fruit which ripen at our site in early October Sweet flesh with tart skin. It has characteristics very similar to the 'Concord' grape. It is good for eating, and making juice or jelly. The vine is very productive and certainly one of the most reliable hardy grapes. This is a self-pollinating variety.


The valiant is a dark purple variety that is extremely vigorous and hardy. Berries are small and arranged in tight clusters. It is very productive. The flavor is mild and sweet and makes outstanding juice and jelly. It will ripen in early September. This is a self –pollinating variety. This would be a good choice for short season areas


Before you plant - keep in mind the following:

Grapes . . .


* Should be planted in a sheltered, warm, sunny location
* Prefer well-drained soil
* Require pruning. Grapes left unpruned produce a poor yield, small berries, and the vines may become tangled.
* Require a trellis with the posts set 8-12 feet apart with 2 or 3 wires


Once your grapes are established and you are getting the hang of growing your own grapes-you may want to experiment with propagation of your grapes. Some methods of propagating grapes are:
Hardwood Cuttings: Collect cutting material during the winter from healthy, vigourous, mature vines. Your cutting material should be taken from well-developed current season’s canes which are medium in size and have moderately short internodes. The cuttings should range in size from 1/3 – ½ inch in diameter, and between 14 – 18 inches. The cuttings should be planted in the spring and planted deep enough to cover all but one bud.
Grafting:Bench grafting is a widely used grafting technique for grapevines. Scions are grafted onto rooted or unrooted, disbudded rootstock cuttings. Other methods that work well are the whip graft or machine grafting. The grafting should be done in late winter or early spring. The scion and rootstock material should completely dormant, taken during late winter or early spring.
Seeds:Most grape seeds are not difficult to germinate. Best results are achieved when the seeds are put through moist stratification for about three months before planting.


So, as you can see, grape growing is not only for those who live in the warmer climates such as Napa Valley of California. With the correct selection of grape variety and the careful upkeep of your vines – grapes can be produced in our northern climate with good results.

Resources:

Hartmann, HudsonT., et al. Plant Propagation Principles and Practices. 6th ed. Upper Saddle Rever, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1997.