Why don't my summer grapes bear fruit? - Ask Extension
I have a wild summer grape vine that grows on my porch posts, and that I keep in check by pruning.
It's been there for several years.
Right now (May...
Knowledgebase
Why don't my summer grapes bear fruit? #830562
Asked May 17, 2023, 1:28 PM EDT
I have a wild summer grape vine that grows on my porch posts, and that I keep in check by pruning.
It's been there for several years.
Right now (May 17) it has clusters of tiny green spheres which look like clusters of grapes.
However, this vine never bears any fruit.
Why is this?
It grows in a south-facing spot, and some of it grows into full sun, and some grows into the shade of the porch.
I always see this evidence of clusters of grapes in the Spring, but it disappears later on.
That is: I know I am not pruning off the clusters of grapes when I prune, later on.
Cuyahoga County Ohio
Expert Response
Thank you for your question to Ask a Master Gardener with eXtension.
There are various reasons your "wild" grape vine does not yield mature fruit. See the following article from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension:
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2022/07/07/how-do-we-get-grapes-to-ripen-on-the-vines/#:~:text=Grapes%20require%20ann
Proper pruning is on top of this list along with site selection and water availability. Birds and other creatures can also play a role in harvesting your fruit before they mature!
Last on the list is cultivar selection (since your grapes are wild) I know Mother Nature selected the variety! However, as this article states just because your wild grapes are hearty and return every year does not mean they are well suited for producing a harvestable crop!
I have included the following sites for your information (if you plan on pursuing growing harvestable grapes in your home garden).
Best of luck to you!
There are various reasons your "wild" grape vine does not yield mature fruit. See the following article from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension:
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2022/07/07/how-do-we-get-grapes-to-ripen-on-the-vines/#:~:text=Grapes%20require%20ann
Proper pruning is on top of this list along with site selection and water availability. Birds and other creatures can also play a role in harvesting your fruit before they mature!
Last on the list is cultivar selection (since your grapes are wild) I know Mother Nature selected the variety! However, as this article states just because your wild grapes are hearty and return every year does not mean they are well suited for producing a harvestable crop!
I have included the following sites for your information (if you plan on pursuing growing harvestable grapes in your home garden).
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-1423
And these last sites might be of interest to you regarding those wild grapes!https://weedguide.cfaes.osu.edu/singlerecord.asp?id=48
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1612
Best of luck to you!
