[richyrich7]

Yes I know it's a little early 
But any tips on ripening greenhouse grapes ?
I always shade the greenhouse but last year my 1st ever crop of grapes failed to ripen do I need to leave the grape vine unshaded ?

[mumofstig]

well they are not shaded when they are growing in a field are they
Let's face it last year was a bit gloomy wasn't it?
I didn't even shade the tomatoes last year cos they showed no signs of ripening until very late either.
Maybe we will get a decent summer this year, so fingers crossed for the grapes

[Nikkithefoot]

I never have problems ripening my grapes in my greenhouse. The black Hamburg are usually ripe by endish of August, and the strawberry grape I have is a bit later. My garden is NE ish facing so don't get huge amounts of sun. If I was in a southerly facing garden they would probably ripen about 2-3 weeks earlier.

[Snoop]

My dad, who lives in the Bristol area, has a vine growing outdoors up a trellis against a cream-painted wall. He manages to get grapes off it, and he is not an expert by any means. Having seen his and all the vines here, I would imagine full sun would do them good.

[richyrich7]

I have to shade my greenhouse it's south facing it's been over 30 C in there today on occasion & the leaves go crispy in the summer if I don't shade .
 But the tortoises are having a day out in the greenhouse today so I must not grumble

Perhaps like MoS says it was just a poor summer

[DavidT]

Greenhouse grapes need warmth to ripen rather than light. I don`t think last years summer season was warm enough for long enough. Or it could be, you ate them too early.

[richyrich7]

October ! 

[DavidT]

MUCH to early Christmas day at the earliest.

[richyrich7]

Same day as I plant my tomatoes outside then ? 

[realfood]

I do not shade my greenhouse, just increase the automatic ventilation, but I am rather far North. The grapes ripen fine, but some varieties ripen earlier. Black Hamburg is earlier than Flame for instance.

[Cazzy]

I bought a grapevine from Wilcos in Feb and it looked like a few twigs, its now April and still looks the same....... is it safe to assume its dead?

[Nikkithefoot]

I bought a grapevine from Wilcos in Feb and it looked like a few twigs, its now April and still looks the same....... is it safe to assume its dead?

Don't assume its dead ................yet!! My two vines in my greenhouse haven't yet sprung into growth, they are a bit late this year, but it has been colder than usual.

You could cut one of the twigs, and if it is dry and brittle then yes it may be deceased. I would wait until May /June before finally getting rid of it just to be on the safe side.

[Silkworm]

I bought a grapevine from Wilcos in Feb and it looked like a few twigs, its now April and still looks the same....... is it safe to assume its dead?

Hi Cazzy, my grape vines the buds are only now just starting to swell, so i would keep the vine till at least end of May, what vine have you got? where have you planted it? DO NOT OVER WATER!!!

All the best Silkworm.

[Silkworm]

Yes I know it's a little early 
But any tips on ripening greenhouse grapes ?
I always shade the greenhouse but last year my 1st ever crop of grapes failed to ripen do I need to leave the grape vine unshaded ?

Hi richy,
I have five vines in two greenhouses, I do not shade them, I have 3 Muscat, 1 Schonburger & 1 Huxelribe, all do well and ripen end of september, i have taken out a few extra panes of glass to make good ventilation to stop the dreaded mildew and cut back the foliage t leaving enough to shade the grapes, You cant grow good red grapes for wine making in out climate so all my vines are white.
you dont state what vine you have?
Will be using your paper pots again this year, GREAT idea, thank Richy.

All the best Silkworm

[richyrich7]

Yes I know it's a little early 
But any tips on ripening greenhouse grapes ?
I always shade the greenhouse but last year my 1st ever crop of grapes failed to ripen do I need to leave the grape vine unshaded ?

Hi richy,
I have five vines in two greenhouses, I do not shade them, I have 3 Muscat, 1 Schonburger & 1 Huxelribe, all do well and ripen end of september, i have taken out a few extra panes of glass to make good ventilation to stop the dreaded mildew and cut back the foliage t leaving enough to shade the grapes, You cant grow good red grapes for wine making in out climate so all my vines are white.
you dont state what vine you have?
Will be using your paper pots again this year, GREAT idea, thank Richy.

All the best Silkworm

Thanks Silkworm

Right ho I'll not shade the top panels of the greenhouse then and see how I get on.
And yes paper pot's are used every year, not so many this year I've cut back an awful lot, need time for other things