I planted 3 year old seeded Concord grapes about 5-6 years ago. I have never gotten a good harvest yet. I have plenty of grapes on the vines, but for the last three years the grapes have all been small and fairly flavorless.
Where have you planted your grapes? They need full sunlight to grow and be protected from the wind. Too much shade is not good for them and will produce smaller grapes with less flavor. You may need to look at where you are growing these and they may need to be moved if you want a great harvest. You should find an area that get a lot of sunlight during the day and not a lot of shade. This should take care of the issues you are having. You should only wanted the plants once a week and make sure you water them with at least an 8 inch deep trench filled with water. This is best for the plants and over water is very bad. I remember my grandmother had grape vines going out of her house and they were filled with tons of grapes. She hardly ever watered the plants and the plants stayed in full sunlight and it was very warm where she lived.
Since your neighbors have a good harvest it seems you have a perfect person to discuss what they may be doing differently that is producing such good results.
Are you sure you are pruning correctly as this is most important or you will be cutting off your new grapes before they start. Ask neighbors for advice and read online instructions.
Same fertilizer? Too much too often will give green growth and few grapes.
This may be your biggest problem....
Did you plant plants correctly in the beginning so they are positioned correctly now? Take at look at yours and compare with neighbors.
I'm just saying that if at all possible - ask for advice from someone that seems to be having success with their grapes.
If you do not wish to do this then maybe you could contact your county extension service and ask them for advice. They probably will have some suggestions but it would be best to have answers ready about fertilizer - type/how often/how much as well as watering system.
pickyourown.org/
extension.umn.edu/
homeguides.sfgate.com/
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Hardiness Zone: 7a
JC from Greensboro, NC
A common problem that plagues concord grapes is uneven ripening. This is when some (or most) of the berries within a grape cluster ripen unevenly. Some of the berries remain sour, hard and green, while others continue to develop normally. The grapes that fail to ripen may grow to a full size, but they don't soften and they never see the increase in sugars and decrease in acid that occurs during the normal ripening process.
Uneven ripening can affect a small or large portion of the total grape crop and seems to happen to grape crops every few years. This problem is only associated with concord grapes and although the reasons are not completely understood, it's thought to be due to hot temperatures, overcropping (allowing the vine to produce more fruit than it is capable of bringing to maturity) or canopy shade. Concord grapes do not tolerate high temperatures, which is why commercial productions of this variety of grape is not common in your area.
Still, many people have success growing them in the backyard garden. Have you had some unusually warm weather this summer? For more information on diagnosing grape diseases, check out this bulletin from North Carolina State University: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/Fruit/fdin012/fdin012.htm
Ellen
Are they in full sunlight? I'm originally from NC and our muscadines did well in the shade, but here in NY, my concords need full sunlight. Even a little shade on the end of the vine and thos in the shade do just what you are describing. So will not receiving enough water.
I grow them in my yard with very little care in Canada. In the winter i place egg shells at the root on ground. They love the calcium!!!!! Try it!!
I used to have a bountiful crop. Now, even though pruned properly there are lots of leaves, but very few grapes dropping tiny bunches. What is left is uneven.
By Agnes P.
I am not sure where you live; but the heat and humidity have ruined most of mine, as well. You may try spraying them; but I don't like to do that; so, I will hope for a better crop next year!
Hardiness Zone: 8a
By douglas schrift from Charlotte, NC
Please check with your state agriculture department for rules on bringing in plant material from other states. There may be some disease/insect issues going on that you aren't aware of. If they are ok with it, you might try taking several cuttings and peeling off the bottom several leaves, sticking the cuttings in a pot filled with good potting soil.
I have had grape vines for many years in my back yard. I got lots of good Concord grapes. But the last few years, something is not right. The vines, leaves, and growth is just right. The grapes start out fine and all of a sudden this happens.
I will try to enclose photo.
Do you have any suggestions?
By DE
