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Best Place for a Grape Vine

• Message 1. 

  Posted by longwalk (U14542057) on Tuesday, 4th October 2011

  I visited a local garden centre yesterday who are having an end of season sale. They have a grape vine for sale in a large pot. The base stem certainly looks convincely old and gnarled, around a metre high and it does have some grapes on it - the owner told me that it is 15 years old, hence the price of 40 quid after the sale discount.
  
  I've always wanted a grape vine but firstly wonder if this price is realistic. But, more importantly would I need to put it in the greenhouse or can it survive outside in a sheltered spot and should it stay in a pot or being transplanted out? I do have a warm west facing wall on the garage or both south and west facing spots just outside the greenhouse. I live in South Manchester, so not the warmest place in the UK but also not the coldest.
  
  Any advice from seasoned grape growers please.
  
  Thanks

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by tomstattyead (U4792618) on Saturday, 8th October 2011

  Hi I have a grapevine( just now finished eating small bunch) I took over the care of it , now that my husband is no longer able to.. The root is buried behind the greenhouse and comes inside from underneath. Its then trained along the roof of the G H,which I cut back in the autumn . It seems to thrive on neglect as it produces sweet black grapes every year
  . Can't comment on the price though, ours was given to us by my br-in-law.. I live in the north east,
  
  Joan

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by peteredout (U14999167) on Sunday, 9th October 2011

  hello longwalk
  Your grape should work ok in manchester as I have grown black and white in north lancs and pruned and harvested a friend's black grape.
  All 3 have been grown using the same method. Plant at end of greenhouse outside and bring in at ground level through a removed glass pane. The roots then stay cool and get lots of moisture.
  It is then trained up and along gh roof with one main stem the grapes grow on the side shoots from this stem. I got a bucket of grapes off my friend's plant but lots of seeds inside-maybe you would prefer a seedless type.
  Last year 2 foot young grapes at my garden centre were £5 each and could be more easily trained than an old inflexible stem.
  I might be best to plant north and train south but that's only a guess.
  Best wishes peteredout.
  
  

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• Message 4

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  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Monday, 10th October 2011

  The advice you have been given is good from the other posts, but I would also add that from this commercial link, if you bought something for £24+ postage
  
  
  (comparison only)
  
  it would not have much fruit for three or four years, worth mentioning.
  Vines can last many years. Don't leave it in the pot
  
  If you think you can trust the garden centre, that it has been in the pot all that time, then it may be a good buy at that price.
  
  
  
  

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by longwalk (U14542057) on Monday, 10th October 2011

  Thanks everyone
  
  I happened to be in morrisons the day after I posted my question and they had a grape vine on a reduced to clear shelf. Thin stems admittedly, but it did have a few small grapes on it. It had no price and assistant couldn't remember it's original price so I offered £1.99 for it. At that price, if it fails then not much lost but if it grows then what a bargain!
  
  I had actually planted it at the front of the greenhouse because there is a small broken piece of glass there already to feed the stems through but this spot does face south. Having read the advice here I wonder if I am better moving it behind the greenhouse where the roots would be cooler but that spot is fairly close to a fence with trees on the other side?
  
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Monday, 10th October 2011

  the best crops I have seen on grape vines in this country have been on vines trailed in, from outside.. they do very well indeed.
  
  South facing and protected is just as good though.
  
  You do have to be patient and wait for the late September warmth for the sweetest grapes.
  
  Bargain at £1.99 ?wow!

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