Michigan State University Extension
MSU Extension Fruit Bulletins - 26429701
11/30/99
Selecting a Vineyard Site Table Grape Varieties for Michigan
List of files and visuals associated with this text.
Thomas J. Zabadal, G. Stanley Howell and David P. Miller
Department of Horticulture
Extension Bulletin E-2642 New December 1997
Cover photo: Clusters of Romulus grapes that were
manipulated with giberellic acid sprays, cane girdling and
cluster thinning. MSU Southwest Michigan Research and
Extension Center, 1990. (Vis. C)
Table of Contents
Introduction
I. Seedless Varieties
White
Himrod
Interlaken Seedless
Lakemont
Marquis
Remaily Seedless
Romulus
NY65.479.2
V64023
Blue
Concord Seedless
Glenora
Mars
Venus
ES3-22-18
NY46.290
NY65.479.1
NY65.483.2
Red
Canadice
Challenger
Einset Seedless
Reliance
Saturn
Suffolk Red
Vanessa
II. Seeded Varieties
White
Seneca
Kay Gray
Edelweiss
Golden Muscat
Blue
Buffalo
Alden
Steuben
Sheridan
Red
Swenson Red
Yates
III. Sources of Vines
Appendix A
Introduction
Table grapes are an important food category in the United
States. Per capita consumption of table grapes has
quadrupled over the past 25 years, with annual consumption
now exceeding 7 pounds. Table grapes now rank fourth in
fresh fruit per capita consumption after bananas, apples
and oranges.
Portions of Michigan are conducive to commercial table
grape production because they have a favorable growing
season, well drained soils, an extensive infrastructure
for fresh marketing of horticultural crops and proximity
to a large portion of the U.S. population. Other areas of
Michigan will support successful backyard table grape
vineyards.
Over the past 50 years, a large number of table grape
varieties with potential in Michigan have been released
from several grape breeding programs. Reports and nursery
catalogs often suggest that many varieties are excellent
and worthy of culture. In reality, however, only a small
percentage of them are actually worth planting in
Michigan. This publication identifies varieties with
potential in Michigan by summarizing years of evaluation
of numerous named and unnamed table grape varieties.
Large quantities of the native American grape varieties
Concord, Niagara, Delaware and Catawba were grown years
ago in Michigan for table grapes. These and other seeded
table grape varieties have become less important with
consumers, who now tend to prefer seedless table grapes.
Therefore, this publication emphasizes seedless table
grape varieties. Presentation of seeded table grape
varieties is limited to a list of "top 10" choices.
Descriptions of varieties include not only their physical
characteristics but also their major strengths and
weaknesses. There are no perfect table grape varieties!
Fortunately, a weakness does not eliminate a variety from
consideration for planting.
Vine hardiness is critically important to Michigan
growers. Descriptions used in this publication may be
interpreted as follows: slightly hardy = significant
winter injury to vines occurs at -5 to -10 degrees F;
moderately winter hardy = significant winter injury to
vines at -10 to -15 degrees F; hardy = significant winter
injury to vines at -15 to -20 degrees F; very winter hardy
= significant winter injury to vines at temperatures from
-20 to -35 degrees F. Winter minimum temperature data for
several locations in Michigan (Vis. 1) indicate regional
trends for suitability of table grape production. Areas
along the Great Lakes shoreline are generally good to
excellent for table grapes. Areas inland in the lower
one-third of the Lower Peninsula are generally acceptable
for varieties that are at least moderately hardy, and the
Upper Peninsula and inland portions of the upper
two-thirds of the Lower Peninsula are generally
unacceptable for grapes. There are exceptions to these
generalizations. Furthermore, even if a regional climate
favors grape production, the characteristics of a specific
vineyard site must be evaluated.
(Vis. 1) The values in parentheses indicate the number of
years per 10-year period when the location experienced
-5, -10, -15 or -20 degree F temperatures. Values are
averaged for the 30-year period from 1961 to 1990. Data
courtesy of J. Andresen, Michigan State University
Department of Geography.
Time of fruit ripening in this publication is for grapes
at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center at
Benton Harbor, which has a growing season of approximately
2,600 growing degree-days (base 50 degrees F) from April 1
to September 30. Fruit maturity classes are: early = fruit
ripens from August 15 to September 7; midseason = fruit
ripens from September 8 to September 22; late season =
fruit ripens September 23 or later.
Fruit appearance - cluster compactness, berry size, berry
color and fruit maturity - greatly influences table grape
marketability. Those characteristics that influence fruit
appearance are highly influenced by cultural practices,
which often must be uniquely tailored to each variety.
Therefore, successful cultivation of table grapes involves
not only choosing a good variety but also applying
appropriate cultural practices. For this reason, comments
on the culture of the most desirable varieties are
included with their descriptions whenever possible. Common
cultural practices in the production of seedless table
grapes are: applying gibberellic acid (GA) sprays, which
can reduce berry number per cluster and/or increase berry
size; girdling canes or trunk, which can increase berry
number per cluster and/or increase berry size; and
thinning, which reduces the crop level on the vine to
ensure acceptable fruit quality. Detailed information on
planting, pruning, training, pest management, harvesting,
storage, packaging, etc., for table grapes is available in
publications listed in Appendix A.
Storage life is another important characteristic of table
grapes. A typical farm storage kept near 32 degrees F will
allow at least fair storage of most varieties for two
weeks if efforts are made to maintain high humidity. Some
varieties are capable of good or excellent storage under
such conditions and will maintain quality for 3 to 4 weeks
or longer.
I. Seedless Varieties
WHITE
Himrod (N.Y.) Vines are moderately hardy and moderately
vigorous. Berries are round and small with an adherent
skin. Flesh is soft with good flavor. Seeds are very small
and soft. Clusters in their natural condition are long and
loose. Fruit responds very well to gibberellic acid (GA)
applications and girdling (Vis. 2). Necrosis of the
terminal portion of the cluster rachis becomes more
prevalent with increasing cluster size. Berry thinning,
which involves removing the bottom half of the cluster,
counteracts this fault. Himrod has moderate susceptibility
to berry cracking and fruit rot. The fruit is early
ripening and stores fairly well.
Major weakness: Postharvest berry shatter.
Major strengths: High fruit quality; reliable
responses to gibberellic acid sprays and girdling.
Recommendations: Commercial production and home
production on good sites if girdling is used and
gibberellic acid sprays will be practiced.
(Vis. 2) A 'Himrod' cluster from a vine that was
manipulated with gibberellic acid sprays at bloom and
fruit set, cane girdling at fruit set and cluster thinning
of the vine.
Interlaken Seedless (N.Y.) Vines are slightly hardy and
moderately vigorous. Berries are oval and medium-sized
with an adherent skin. Flesh is soft with a strong flavor.
Seeds are soft and small. Clusters are medium-sized and
compact. The fruit ripens very early.
Major weakness: Low hardiness.
Major strengths: Very early ripening; strong flavor.
Recommendations: Home plantings only if very early
fruit production is desired on good sites and if
gibberellic acid sprays will be applied.
Lakemont (N.Y.) Vines are medium hardy and moderately
vigorous. Berries are round and small to medium-sized with
an adherent skin. Flesh is firm and mild-flavored. Seeds
are small and fleshy but become larger and occasionally
woody with vine manipulation. Clusters are long, medium to
large and moderately compact. Vines are moderately to
highly susceptible to downy mildew. Fruit is subject to
cracking and rot during rainy harvest periods. Vines tend
to overbear and should be thinned after fruit set. Vines
respond to gibberellic acid and girdling (Vis. 3), but
these and prebloom thinning may increase cluster
compactness and fruit rot. The fruit stores moderately
well.
Major weaknesses: Moderate hardiness; downy mildew
susceptibility; fruit rot.
Major strengths: High fruit quality; response to
gibberellic acid and girdling.
Recommendations: For trial in commercial production,
providing cluster thinning, gibberellic acid sprays
and girdling will be used.
(Vis. 3) A well filled, large cluster of 'Lakemont' from
a vine that was manipulated with gibberellic acid sprays
at bloom and fruit set, cane girdling at fruit set, and
postbloom cluster thinning of the vine.
Marquis (N.Y.) Vines are hardy and vigorous. Berries are
round and large with a somewhat tough skin. Flesh is soft
with a pleasant flavor. Seeds are medium to large and
soft. Clusters are long, large and loose. Fruit ripens
midseason and stores fair. Vine is susceptible to downy
mildew. Gibberellic acid applications are phytotoxic to
vines and cause crop failure. Vines respond well to flower
cluster (Vis. 4) and berry thinning. Fruit is resistant to
cracking during rainy harvest periods. Skin thickness
becomes less noticeable as fruit ripens. Vines tend to
overbear. Berry thinning is the preferred crop adjustment
practice.
Major weaknesses: Thick skin; seed size; fruit
storage limitation; downy mildew susceptibility.
Major strengths: Thick skin affords high resistance
to berry cracking; hardiness; flavor; berry size;
cluster size; high vine vigor.
Recommendations: This is an excellent grape for both
commercial and home plantings.
(Vis. 4) A large, well filled cluster of 'Marquis' that
was flower cluster thinned before bloom.
Remaily Seedless (N.Y.) Vines are slightly hardy and
moderately vigorous. Berries are elliptical and medium to
large with an adherent, often russetted skin. Flesh is
firm and mild-flavored. Seeds are small and soft. Clusters
are moderate to large and compact and often have shot
berries (poorly developed, small, green berries). The
fruit ripens late midseason.
Major weaknesses: Low winter hardiness; late
ripening; russetting of berry skin.
Recommendations: None.
Romulus (N.Y.) Vines are hardy and moderately vigorous.
Berries are round and small with an adherent skin. Flesh
is soft and mild-flavored. Seeds are small and soft.
Clusters are long, medium to large and compact. Fruit
ripens late midseason and stores moderately well.
Gibberellic acid and girdling may increase berry cracking
and fruit rot. A vine management strategy that involves
light pruning, extensive cluster thinning after fruit set
and a GA berry sizing spray of 50 ppm at fruit set has
increased berry size without promoting berry cracking and
fruit rot (Vis. 5).
Major weakness: Small berries on a compact cluster.
Major strengths: Hardiness; ripens later than most
varieties to extend the season.
Recommendations: Commercial trial using the cultural
practices outlined above.
(Vis. 5) A compact, large cluster of the 'Romulus'
variety. The vine was manipulated with gibberellic acid
sprays at fruit set and postbloom cluster thinning.
NY65.479.2 (N.Y.) Vines are slightly to moderately hardy
and slightly to moderately vigorous. Berries are
medium-sized with a thin, adherent skin. Flesh is soft
with a strong, pleasant flavor. Seed is small and soft.
Clusters are long and loose. Berries are susceptible to
cracking. The fruit ripens midseason.
Major weaknesses: Berry cracking; slight to moderate
hardiness.
Major strength: Fruit flavor.
Recommendations: None.
V64023 (Ont.) Vines are slightly vigorous. Berries are
oval and medium-sized with an adherent and somewhat tough
skin. Flesh is firm and very pleasantly flavored. Seeds
are small, typically soft but occasionally woody. Clusters
are medium-sized and loose. Fruit resists cracking and
ripens midseason.
Major weaknesses: Modest vine vigor; occasionally
woody seed; questionable hardiness.
Major strength: Fruit flavor.
Recommendations: None.
BLUE
Concord Seedless (Mass.) Vines are hardy and moderately
vigorous. Berries are round and small with a slipskin.
Flesh is soft and highly Labrusca-flavored. Seeds are
often small and soft but occasionally woody. Clusters are
small and somewhat compact. Fruit ripens midseason.
Gibberellic acid should not be used on this variety
because it can reduce fruitfulness the following year.
Productivity is modest and variable.
Major weakness: Variable productivity.
Major strength: Labrusca flavor.
Recommendations: None.
Glenora (N.Y.) Vines are moderately vigorous and slightly
hardy. Berries are medium-sized with an adherent skin.
Flesh is soft and mild-flavored. Seeds are small to
medium-sized and soft. Clusters are large, long and loose.
Fruit ripens midseason. Vines are highly susceptible to
downy mildew. Frequent trunk renewal is often required to
combat winter injury. Vines respond well to gibberellic
acid and girdling.
Major weaknesses: Low hardiness; downy mildew
susceptibility.
Major strength: None.
Recommendations: None.
Mars (Ark.) Vines are hardy and vigorous. Berries are
round and medium-sized to large with a somewhat tough
slipskin. Flesh is soft and pleasantly flavored. Seeds are
small and soft. Clusters are small and compact and average
0.25 pound (Vis. 6). Fruit ripens midseason. Vines are
moderately susceptible to downy mildew. GA applications do
not improve fruit quality. Vines tend to overbear.
Thinning to 24 clusters per vine after bloom on
medium-sized vines ensures acceptable fruit maturity.
Large vines may ripen up to 50 clusters. On fertile soils,
excessive vine vigor may be a problem.
Major weaknesses: Somewhat tough skin; tendency to
overbear.
Major strengths: Hardy; vigorous; good flavor;
seedlessness.
Recommendations: Commercial and home plantings,
providing fruit thinning is performed.
(Vis. 6) A small, compact cluster of the 'Mars' variety.
Venus (Ark.) Vines are moderately hardy and vigorous.
Berries are round and large. Flesh is soft and berries
increasingly develop flavor as the fruit ripens. Seeds are
typically large and woody when Venus is grown in Michigan.
Clusters are compact and fruit ripens early midseason.
Major weaknesses: Seeds; flavor of fruit
objectionable to some.
Major strength: Attractive clusters.
Recommendations: None.
ES3-22-18 (Minn.) Vines are very hardy and moderately
vigorous. Berries are small with a thin slipskin. Flesh is
soft with a pleasant Labrusca flavor. Seeds are small and
often soft but occasionally woody. Clusters are small and
compact (Vis. 7). The berries are somewhat susceptible to
cracking.
Major weaknesses: Occasionally woody seeds; slight
susceptibility to berry cracking.
Major strengths: Hardy; attractive small cluster;
flavor.
Recommendations: Not recommended for commercial
production. This blue, seedless Concord-type grape
should be considered for home plantings where winter
temperatures often dip below -15 degrees F. This very
hardy variety from Elmer Swenson is perhaps the
grower's best chance to grow a seedless table grape
on a poor vineyard site.
(Vis. 7) A small cluster of the seedless variety
ES-3-22-18 in its natural condition.
NY46.290 (N.Y.) Vines are hardy and moderately vigorous.
Berries are round and small with a thick skin. Flesh is
firm and crisp with a neutral flavor. Seeds are small and
soft. Clusters are medium-sized and compact. Gibberellic
acid and girdling may promote excessive cluster
compactness, berry cracking and fruit rot.
Major weaknesses: Tough skin; neutral flavor.
Major strengths: Hardy; reliable producer;
attractive, compact cluster.
Recommendations: The reliable production of
attractive, compact clusters makes this variety
worthy of trial for both commercial and home
plantings. The grower should decide whether the berry
skin and flavor qualities are acceptable.
NY65.479.1 (N.Y.) Vines are hardy and moderately vigorous.
Berries are round and medium-sized with a tough skin.
Flesh is soft with good flavor. Seeds are mostly small and
soft but occasionally become woody. Clusters are
medium-sized and compact (Vis. 8). Vines respond to
gibberellic acid and girdling.
Major weakness: Thick skin.
Major strengths: Hardy; reliable producer.
Recommendations: Trial basis for commercial or home
plantings.
(Vis. 8) A medium-sized cluster of the variety NY
65.479.1 in its natural condition.
NY65.483.2 (N.Y.) Vines are slightly hardy and slightly to
moderately vigorous. Berries are oval and small to
medium-sized with a somewhat tough slipskin. Flesh is soft
with a strong muscat flavor. Seeds are small and soft.
Clusters are small to medium and compact (Vis. 9). Fruit
ripens midseason. This variety makes an excellent
muscat-flavored grape pie.
Major weaknesses: Slight to moderate hardiness;
moderate vigor; cluster compactness; tough skin.
Major strengths: Muscat flavor; seedlessness.
Recommendations: Home plantings on good sites for
those who desire a strong muscat-flavored grape for
eating, pies, jams and wine.
(Vis. 9) A medium-sized cluster of the variety NY
65.483.2.
RED
Canadice (N.Y.) Vines are hardy and moderately vigorous
and tend to overbear. Berries are round and small to
medium-sized with a slipskin. Flesh is soft with a
prominent Labrusca flavor. Seeds are small to
medium-sized, mostly soft but occasionally woody. Clusters
are small to medium, average 0.25 pound, have a slight
shoulder and are compact to excessively compact. Fruit
ripens early midseason. Berries are thin-skinned and prone
to cracking. Gibberellic acid and girdling increase berry
cracking and fruit rot. Raking of clusters with plastic
brushes prior to bloom has been effectively used to reduce
cluster compactness and berry cracking (Vis. 10). Thin
medium-sized vines after fruit set to 24 clusters to
ensure uniform berry color development and maturity. Large
vines may mature up to 40 clusters. Fruit ripens early and
stores moderately well.
Major weaknesses: Excessive cluster compactness
leading to berry cracking and fruit rot; overbearing.
Major strengths: Hardy; fruit flavor.
Recommendations: Backyard production, providing
postbloom cluster thinning is practiced.
(Vis. 10) A small, highly compact cluster of 'Canadice'
that was raked with a plastic brush at the start of bloom.
Challenger (Mo.) Vines are moderately hardy and vigorous.
Berries are oblong and large with a tough skin. Flesh is
meaty and mild-flavored. Seeds are very large and woody.
Clusters are large and slightly compact. Vines are
moderately susceptible to downy mildew. Vines respond to
gibberellic acid and girdling. Fruit ripens midseason and
stores well.
Major weaknesses: Seed size; thick skin.
Major strengths: Large berry and cluster size; good
storage life.
Recommendations: None.
Einset Seedless (N.Y.) Vines are hardy and moderately
vigorous. Berries are oval and medium- sized with a thick
and mildly slipskin. Flesh is soft to firm with a mild
flavor. Seeds vary but are often medium-sized and woody.
Clusters are medium and loose to slightly compact
(Vis. 11) with occasional shot berries. Vines are
moderately susceptible to downy mildew and do not respond
reliably to gibberellic acid and girdling. The fruit is
early ripening and stores moderately well.
Major weaknesses: Tough skin; woody seeds; poor
cluster configuration; variable productivity.
Major strengths: Hardy; fruit resists cracking.
Recommendations: None.
(Vis. 11) A well filled cluster of 'Einset'.
Reliance (Ark.) Vines are hardy and vigorous with a
tendency to set large crops. Berries are round and
medium-sized with a very thin, adherent skin. Flesh is
melting with a pleasant, mild flavor. Seeds are very small
and fleshy. Clusters are medium to large and moderately
compact (Vis. 12). Gibberellic acid and girdling increase
cluster compactness, berry cracking and fruit rot. Berry
color is often variable, especially when fruit is shaded.
Cluster thinning postbloom is often desirable. Fruit is
early ripening.
Major weaknesses: Thin berry skin, leading to
cracking and rot; poor fruit color.
Major strengths: Individual berry quality; hardiness;
vine vigor.
Recommendations: Home plantings on a limited scale.
(Vis. 12) A large, compact cluster of 'Reliance' from a
vine that was manipulated with flower cluster thinning of
the vine before bloom and cane girdling at fruit set.
Saturn (Ark.) Vines are medium hardy and not vigorous.
Berries are oblong and very large with an adherent skin.
Flesh is crisp with a mild flavor. Seeds are large and
woody when Saturn is grown in Michigan. Fruit is
susceptible to cracking and ripens midseason.
Major weaknesses: Seeds; berry cracking; low vine
vigor.
Major strength: Berry size.
Recommendations: None.
Suffolk Red (N.Y.) Vines are slightly hardy and vigorous.
Berries are round and medium to large. Flesh is soft with
a mild flavor. Seeds are small and soft. Clusters are
long, large and loose. Vines respond to gibberellic acid
and girdling and are highly susceptible to downy mildew.
Fruit ripens early.
Major weaknesses: Low hardiness; downy mildew
susceptibility.
Major strengths: Berry size and color.
Recommendations: None.
Vanessa (Ont.) Vines are moderately hardy with good vigor
on deep, well drained soils but low vigor on heavy, poorly
drained soils. Vines grafted on S04 rootstock have become
excessively vigorous on light, well drained soils. The
berries are small to medium-sized and oval with a thin
adherent skin. Flesh is firm and crisp with a mild,
pleasant flavor. Seeds are variable, ranging from small
and soft to medium-sized and woody. Clusters are
moderate-sized, loose to slightly compact (Vis. 13) and
often with green shot berries. There is a variable
response to gibberellic acid applications, with phytotoxic
loss of the current crop and vine fruitfulness the
following year at high rates. Nevertheless, GA berry
sizing sprays at fruit set are effective. Vines may have
difficulty callusing cane and trunk girdles. Fruit ripens
early midseason and stores moderately well.
Major weaknesses: Seed development; hardiness; fruit
rot; possible GA toxicity.
Major strengths: Fruit flavor and texture; fruit
storage life.
Recommendations: The quality of fruit of this variety
is so highly valued by many that there is interest in
growing it despite its variable productivity.
Therefore, this variety is recommended on a trial
basis with the following set of cultural practices:
(Vis. 13) A well filled, medium-sized cluster of
'Vanessa' that was manipulated with gibberellic acid spray
at fruit set, cane girdling at fruit set and flower
cluster thinning of the vine before bloom. Berries have a
delightfully crisp texture.
* Do not use a GA berry-thinning spray at bloom.
* Apply a GA berry sizing spray, at a concentration of 25
ppm, when berries average 5 to 7 mm in diameter.
* Thin excessive clusters from the vine after fruit set.
Clusters average 0.4 pound. Medium and large vines should
be thinned to 25 and 35 clusters, respectively.
* Do not cane girdle.
* Apply trunk girdling only on a limited trial basis.
* Avoid planting on very light blow sands.
II. Seeded Varieties
Numerous seeded table grape varieties that are hardy
enough to be grown in Michigan have been hybridized in
several grape breeding programs over a period of several
decades. The scope of these varieties offers growers
plentiful choices among categories defined by berry color
and time of ripening. Desirable characteristics that tend
to focus one's choice of a variety include vine hardiness,
disease resistance, fruit flavors and textures, as well as
shipping and storage qualities of the fruit. Because there
are numerous varieties potentially available to growers
and yet limited demand for seeded table grapes, the
authors have limited presentation to 10 varieties that
provide the best combination of characteristics for
successful culture of seeded table grapes in Michigan.
WHITE
Seneca Vines are slightly hardy. Berries are medium-sized
with an adherent skin. Flesh is firm with a very pleasant
flavor. Vines are susceptible to powdery mildew, which
should be controlled to ensure maximum winter hardiness.
This variety is included because of its very high fruit
quality. Fruit is very early ripening.
Recommendations: Grow only in traditional fruit-
growing regions and use a fungicide spray program to
control powdery mildew.
Kay Gray Vines are very hardy and disease resistant.
Berries and clusters are small. Fruit is very early
ripening.
Recommendations: Suitable for trial in
non-traditional grape-growing areas.
Edelweiss Vines are hardy, vigorous and productive.
Berries have a sweet, pleasant flavor. Fruit ripens
midseason.
Recommendations: Suitable for trial in all locations.
Golden Muscat Vines are moderately hardy. Berries are
large. Flesh is very juicy with a very distinctive,
pleasant muscat flavor. Clusters are very large and
compact. This is a good backyard grape if the growing
season is long enough - fruit is late ripening.
Recommendations: Suitable for trial in fruit-growing
regions.
BLUE
Buffalo Vines are hardy, vigorous and productive. Berries
are medium-sized with a slipskin. Clusters are typically
loose and medium-sized. Vines are susceptible to powdery
mildew. The fruit is early ripening.
Recommendations: Suitable for trial in all
fruit-growing areas as an early ripening Concord-type
grape. Requires fungicide sprays to control powdery
mildew.
Alden Vines are moderately winter hardy, vigorous and
productive. Berries are large and oval with an adherent
skin. Flesh is firm, meaty and pleasant-tasting. Vines are
susceptible to downy mildew in some years. Vines overbear
and require postbloom thinning to ensure adequate fruit
maturity.
Recommendations: Suitable for fruit-growing regions.
Requires fungicide sprays to control downy mildew.
Steuben Vines are hardy, vigorous and productive. Berries
are medium-sized with a slipskin. Flesh is soft with a
distinctive, spicy flavor. Clusters are long, large and
compact. Vines may need thinning to avoid overcropping.
Fruit is late ripening.
Recommendations: Suitable for trial in the lower half
of the Lower Peninsula.
Sheridan Vines are hardy. Berries are medium-sized with a
slipskin. This is a late-maturing Concord-type grape.
Clusters are attractive, medium-sized and compact. Vines
overbear and require cluster thinning to ensure fruit
maturity. This is a good backyard grape if the season is
long enough to ripen fruit.
Recommendations: Suitable for trial in the lower half
of the Lower Peninsula.
RED
Swenson Red Vines are hardy. Berries are medium to large.
Flesh is firm with a pleasant flavor. Problems with downy
mildew are possible. Fruit is early ripening.
Recommendations: Suitable for trial in all locations.
Requires fungicide sprays to control downy mildew.
Yates Vines are hardy, vigorous and productive. Berries
are medium to large with a tough slipskin. Vines tend to
overbear. Thinning after bloom is required to ensure full
coloration and maturity of the fruit. Fruit is late
ripening. This variety is included because it stores
extremely well. Though fruit quality may be considered
average at harvest, it will often seem excellent when
brought out of storage at Christmas.
Recommendations: Suitable for trial in the lower half
of the Lower Peninsula.
III. Sources of Vines
Below are the known sources of vines of cool-climate table
grape varieties at the time of printing. The table grape
varieties listed for each nursery are those listed in
catalogs. Reference to nurseries on this list does not
imply endorsement by Michigan State University or bias
against those not mentioned.
Bailey Nurseries, Inc. - 1325 Bailey Road, St. Paul, MN
55119. Phone: 800-829-8898. Varieties: Beta, Bluebell,
Canadice, Concord Seedless, Edelweiss, Interlaken, Kay
Gray, Reliance, Swenson Red, Valiant, Vanessa, Worden.
Bear Creek Nursery - P.O. Box 411, Northport, WA 99157.
Varieties: Canadice, Himrod, Suffolk Red, Van Buren.
Boston Mountain Nurseries - 20189 North Hwy. 71,
Mountainburg, AR 72946. Phone: 501-369-2007. Varieties:
Mars, Reliance, Venus, Remaily, Glenora, Himrod, Vanessa,
Lakemont.
Concord Nurseries, Inc. - 10175 Mile Block Road, North
Collins, NY 14111-9770. Phone: 716-337-2485. Varieties:
Beta, Buffalo, Captivator, Sheridan, Steuben, Valiant,
Worden, Edelweiss, Golden Muscat, Price, Swenson Red,
Canadice, Concord Seedless, Einset, Glenora, Himrod,
Interlaken, Lakemont, Mars, Reliance, Remaily, Romulus,
Saturn, Suffolk Red, Vanessa, Venus.
L.E. Cooke Co. - 26333 Road 140, Visalia, CA 93292. Phone:
800-845-5193. (Wholesale to growers only.) Varieties:
Canadice, Glenora, Golden Muscat, Himrod, Lakemont.
Double A Vineyards - 10275 Christy Road, Fredonia, NY
14063. Phone: 716-672-8493. Varieties: Alden, Beta,
Captivator, Edelweiss, Golden Muscat, Seneca, Sheridan,
Steuben, Valiant, Van Buren, Yates, Worden, Canadice,
Concord Seedless, Einset, Glenora, Himrod, Interlaken,
Lakemont, Mars, Reliance, Saturn, Suffolk Red, Vanessa,
Venus, Marquis.
Edible Landscaping - P.O. Box 77, Afton, VA 22920. Phone:
804-361-9143. Varieties: Swenson Red, Mars, Canadice.
Gurney's Seed & Nursery Co. - 110 Capital Street, Yankton,
SD 57079. Phone: 605-665-1930. Varieties: Beta, Himrod,
Reliance, Seedless Concord, Canadice, Edelweiss, Glenora.
Indiana Berry & Plant Co. - 5218 W. 500 South,
Huntingburg, IN 47542. Phone: 800-295-2226. Varieties:
Himrod, Lakemont, Reliance, Suffolk Red, Saturn.
J. W. Jung Seed Co. - 335 S. High Street, Randolph, WI
53957-0001. Phone: 800-247-5864. Varieties: Edelweiss,
Swenson Red, Reliance, Fredonia.
Lake Sylvia Vineyard Nursery - 13775 51st Avenue, South
Haven, MN 55382. Varieties: Swenson Red, Svelter, Espirit,
ES-3-22-18.
Miller Nurseries - 5060 West Lake Road, Canandaigua, NY
14424. Phone: 800-836-9630. Varieties: Ontario, Van Buren,
Seneca, Steuben, Fredonia, Buffalo, Alden, Schuyler,
Concord Seedless, Reliance, Glenora, Saturn, Canadice,
Golden Muscat, Sheridan, Himrod, Lakemont, Interlaken,
Vanessa, Marquis.
Pense Nursery - 16518 Marie Lane, Mountainburg, AR 72946.
Phone: 501-369-2494. Varieties: Marquis, Reliance, Venus,
Mars Blue Seedless, Himrod, Canadice, Glenora, Einset,
Vanessa.
Stark Brothers Nurseries and Orchards Company - P.O. Box
10, Louisiana, MO 63353. Phone: 573-754-5290. Varieties:
Reliance, Canadice, Remaily, Lakemont, Himrod, Glenora,
Mars.
Timmons Farms & Nursery - Box 480, Tontitown, AR 72770.
Varieties: Mars, Reliance, Saturn, Venus, Vanessa,
Canadice, Steuben, Golden Muscat.
Turnbull Nursery, Inc. - 10036 Versailles Plank Road,
North Collins, NY 14111. Phone: 716-337-3812. Varieties:
Beta, Buffalo, Caco, Schuyler, Seneca, Sheridan, Steuben,
Van Buren, Alden, Alwood, Bath, Edelweiss, Golden Muscat,
Kay Gray, St. Croix, Swenson Red, Valiant, Canadice,
Concord Seedless, Himrod, Interlaken, Lakemont, Mars,
Reliance, Vanessa, Venus.
Winfrey Valley Nursery - Rt. 2, Box 189, Winslow, AR
72959. Phone: 501-369-2189. Varieties: Mars, Himrod,
Interlaken, Canadice, Concord Seedless.
Wortman Nursery - 516 Goehmann, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.
Phone: 830-997-7460. Varieties (CUTTINGS ONLY): Golden
Muscat, Mars, Reliance.
Appendix A
Publications that provide information on viticultural
practices for table grape production in cool climates:
Cahoon, G., M. Ellis, R. Williams and L. Lockshin. 1995.
Grapes: production, management and marketing. Bul. 815.
Columbus, Ohio: Ohio State Univ.
Zabadal, T.J., J.A. Bartsch, G.D. Blanpied, T.J. Dennehy,
R.C. Pearson, R.M. Pool and B.I. Reisch. 1988. Concord
table grapes - a manual for growers. Geneva, N.Y.:
Communications Services, New York State Agr. Exp. Station.
Zabadal, T.J. Table grape production in cool climates
(submitted for publication).
Other Extension Bulletins in this series:
E-2643, Wine Grape Varieties for Michigan
http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modfr/26439701.html
E-2644, Vineyard Establishment I: Preplant Decisions
http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modfr/26449701.html
E-2645, Vineyard Establishment II: Planting and Early Care
http://www.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/modfr/26459701.html
For copies of these titles or a catalog of available
publications, contact your county Extension office
(listed under GOVERNMENT in the white pages of your phone
book) or the MSU Bulletin Office, 10-B Agriculture Hall,
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
(fax: 517-353-7168).
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disability, age or religion.
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30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Arlen Leholm, Director, Michigan State
University Extension, E. Lansing, MI 48824.
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