Vitis riparia |
Native Region: Eastern North America
Zone Range: 3-9
Preferred Climate: Full sun; well draining evenly moist soils.
Harvest Date: Thursday 20 September, 2007
Seed count: 40-50
Description:
This North American grape is one of the hardiest species in the world surviving temperatures as low as minus 40C (-40F). The grapes are sweetly acidic and have a lovely flavor when allowed to fully ripen on the vine thus excellent for winemaking and jellies. A stunning vine up to 5-7 m with variable leaf types (rounded or deeply lobed) displaying beautiful golden autumn colors. Highly valued by wildlife and perfect for naturalizing woodland areas or along fences and of course as root stock.
Notes:
This species is used extensively as a rootstock in today's European wineries. Those who enjoy a glass of vino fino owe a debt of gratitude to humble Vitis riparia . Even today Vitis vinifera vines are propagated on Vitis riparia rootstock to control phylloxera a devastating disease that will kill or severely harm own root Vitis vinifera. So if you want to grow your own grapes for wine or preserves, it is best to use this species as a rootstock.
Cultivation:
Soak seed 24 hours. Cold stratify in moist peat for 6 weeks. After cold stratification period is over germinate at 20 C. Seed cold stratified 3 months will germinate in 5-10 days at 20 C. If sown outside, seed may take another 12 months to germinate so don't give up thinking you have fewer than satisfactory success rate the first spring. This is nature's way. Does best in calcium rich fertile loamy evenly moist soils for best production and flavourful fruit. Germiation trials show seed might need light to sprout, so seed placed in a baggie with some moist peat under a desk light might hasten happiness.
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