[cbv8]

Hi All,
I have always wanted to grow a grape vine (outdoor) so could someone please tell me the best variety i should buy i am thinking of growing it up an archway/tunnel i have NO experience of growing grapes so be patient with me  I would like an easy to grow hardy variety with desert fruits either black or white i'm not fussed or both  can i grow two or more together  any advice or suggestions very much appreciated 

[cbv8]

Not one suggestion  ok what do we all think about the variety Brant 

[Kristen]

Not one suggestion 

No idea for outdoors ... if you had of asked for under glass I would have said Black Hamburg ...

[cbv8]

Not one suggestion 

No idea for outdoors ... if you had of asked for under glass I would have said Black Hamburg ...

Thanks for the reply  i would dearly have loved to grow a vine under glass but my greenhouse is only small but functional enough for us but my garden is big ie over 100ft long that's where the archway and outdoor vine is more suitable for me 

[Kristen]

RHS says of Black Hamburg (amongst other indoor grape varieties)

"Although some varieties of dessert grapes can be grown successfully outdoors, they are more successful under glass, even in warmer locations."

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PID=287

They do have a page on outdoor dessert grapes though:

http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=288

[Kristen]

"Vines can be grown outdoors in southern Britain, south of a line between Pembroke and the Wash"

Border line for you, sadly.  More global warming may help though 

[Yana]

I was waiting for replies too cbv8 as I would love to have an outdoor grapevine.

[gobs]

Not one suggestion  ok what do we all think about the variety Brant 

There is another recent thread about this topic, you know. Scroll down a bit.

[cbv8]

Not one suggestion  ok what do we all think about the variety Brant 

There is another recent thread about this topic, you know. Scroll down a bit.

Still no help realy but thanks anyway my neighbour has a couple vines growing outdoor which are loaded with grapes i will ask him what variety they are but he is as bit vague at the best of times watch this space Yana 

[Kristen]

Still no help realy

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=109875.0

The issue is that dessert Grapes are a tough crop for in the UK.  I grow all sorts of stuff not suitable for UK climate ... but I don't bother with any food crops that are borderline - too much effort to grow them if I then have a zero return much/all the time.  I seem to relax that rule for ornamentals

my neighbour has a couple vines growing outdoor which are loaded with grapes

My first inclination would be to ask him for a taste. I reckon this year will have been good for grapes, if his aren't sweet this year then maybe give up on the project?

[cbv8]

Thanks Kristen when i spoke to him a long while ago he said he is going to make his own wine so i presume he has had them for a while and therefore should be of good quality ie sweet we shall see 

[Kristen]

Thanks Kristen when i spoke to him a long while ago he said he is going to make his own wine so i presume he has had them for a while and therefore should be of good quality ie sweet we shall see 

Plenty of award wining English table wine so I presume wine Grapes are not hard in UK, but as greenhouses more commonly used for Dessert grapes I think that may need more heat.

[Lupin lurcher]

Take a look at Victoriana Website, they have got quite a few on there. www.victoriananursery.co.uk This is where I will be buying mine from.

[cbv8]

Well that's it i bought a Vitis Vnifera Brandt what swung it for me was the wonderful different greens yellows and bright red leaves ok the fruits may not ripen fully outdoors But it is a pretty vine and what a show it will bring over my archway next Autumn i hope i will buy a few more vines to mingle in me thinks that's when i know what other ones to buy that is   

[jrko]

Only just found you're question so this is a touch late

My father in law manages a vineyard near where I live. He recommended me Regent as the fruits are easier to ripen.

You'll also want to look into canopy management, which is basically giving the grapes maximum sun exposure to give them the best chance of ripening.