Grapes in polytunnels

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Grapes in polytunnels

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Gai

Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Posts: 408
Location: Ireland

Posted: Wed Apr 13, 05 10:05 pm Post subject: Grapes in polytunnels
Has anyone grown grapes in a polytunnel? Saw some vines for sale in either Aldi or Lidl today and the polytunnel should be here next week. There was a green and a purple variety and they were labeled as outdoor (which I wouldn't risk up here in the NW). Can't remember their names as I was in a real rush but if they were viable in a tunnel I'd go back tomorrow for them.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 05 5:55 am Post subject:
I've never seen them in a polytunnel. Grapes do like a good amount amount of ventilation so if you try it I'd plant them near the door and leave it open of warm days.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 05 7:16 am Post subject:

In Wisley they grow grapes in a kind of large cloche called a Curate's something. I don't think I'm making that up. It's only about 2ft high at the apex. I think the top lifts up, as TD says, providing ventilation as well as shelter. It might be well worth looking for that method, although it would mean not growing them in your tunnel, you'd have tons of room for your other crops and this method doesn't look too expensive or difficult.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 05 7:18 am Post subject:

Well, waddyaknow, I wasn't making it up:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/gardens/wisley/archive/wisleypciaug.asp :

"Several vines are represented in the Model Fruit Gardens including both wine and dessert grapes. Vitis vinifera 'Schiava Grossa' (previously known as 'Black Hamburg') is grown in the Curate's or Ground Vinery, an ideal method of growing early greenhouse dessert grape cultivars without the need for a greenhouse. The vinery is triangular in section and just over 2 metres long, 1 metre wide and 50 centimetres high and sits upon 2 rows of paving slabs. The vine is planted outside in a well-prepared bed, the vine rod lies along the centre of the slabs and is grown as a single cordon. The developing bunches of grapes lie on the slabs and ripen early in the heat of the sun."

Res

Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 1172
Location: Allotment Shed, Harlow

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 05 1:21 pm Post subject:
Thats interesting Bugs. I would be able to use that method on the allotment. Do you remember how it went? From the discription, it sounds like a roof sitting on paving slabs. Dos anyone have anymore info?

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Tue Apr 19, 05 1:37 pm Post subject:

Res wrote:

it sounds like a roof sitting on paving slabs. Dos anyone have anymore info?

That's pretty much it Res - like a little perspex or glass roof. I can remember what it looks like, and I can remember there's a little story on the label about it being called the Curate's Vinery because the curate didn't have the space/time/money for a greenhouse, although what the curate is doing with home brews or even exotic fruit I don't know, that's the Church of England for you

Drop the RHS a line or ring them and see if they can give you a bit more info - if we were going any time soon I'd do you a pic but I'm not sure I'll be able to.

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