[Brad26]

Hi everyone, was in Wilkinsons when i saw they were selling grape vines for £3. Thought why not, followed instructions for planting and wondered if there was anyone who could give a bit of advice. I'm aware that you get what you pay for so won't be too upset if it comes to nothing. Added a photo below, was as you can see it now and roots were tightly wrapped in some black plastic with a bit of soil.

Also did some well overdue weeding this afternoon and thought i'd post a photo of my nice and clear veggie patch. This is only my second year planting, the first year all i had were the far two sections and the rest was lawn which i converted to soil a couple of months ago.

Many thanks in advance.

Brad

[TheModfather]

Hi Brad. I have had a vine in the greenhouse for a couple of years now. Its actually planted outside and then grows through a hole in the bricks into the warmth of the greenhouse. I cant remember where that tip came from but the roots must grow quite large and probably dont like to be disturbed.

Regarding getting what you pay for - I got mine for around £3 in Morrisons and its absolutely fine. I will try and get some pics of it tomorrow to post on here. Last year we had grapes off it so it does take a couple of years to establish. Only problem is - the grapes, being organic, have pips - something this country has probably forgotton happens naturally! Anyway, good luck!

[richyrich7]

You will need to decide on how you wish to grow it there's various methods, but the Rod method is the usual one for the greenhouse.
Here's how too prune it as it grows. Don't pinch out the leader let it grow, any side shoots from off the leader need to be pinched out after 5 leaves and any sub shoots off these every 1 leaf. You are trying to build up fruiting spurs over the years. When the plant is dormant and well before the sap starts to rise cut the leader back by about a third or so into good hardwood and about 1/8th on an inch in front of a bud.

FinallyNever prune a grape if it's growing it can quite literally bleed to death.

It's worth getting a good book from the library and learning how to do it properly I have a RHS guide to pruning and that's very good.

[TheModfather]

As promised:

[Brad26]

Looking good, jus wish i didn't have to wait for 2 yrs to get fruit from it. lol

[TheModfather]

To be fair, when its this big, it does block out a lot of light from the other plants. Later in the year when all the vine leaves are fully grown, the tomato plants are in a lot of shade. It is worth it though. Make sure you remove all of the fruit off the plant towards the end of the year; last year it all got a bit mouldy which I'm sure isn't a good thing.

Good luck!

[peanut]

Saw the title of the thread and immediately thought.....Preparation H

[realfood]

If you grow the vine on the North side of your greenhouse, and your toms on the South side, there is no problem with shading from the vine.

[TheModfather]

Good point, however, for it to be large enough to get a few bunches off it surely it needs the full length of the greenhouse and hence grow along the ridge???