Grape Leaves Pt.2
 

Just as I was about to start harvesting these for freezing, I noticed
two things:

1) There wasn't a wild grape to be found on any vine anywhere.

2) Some of the grape vines had more ridges around the edge of the leaf
than the normal I'm used to seeing on grape leaves. Discretion being
the better part of valour, I decided not to pick any of the two types
but instead file them under the category of better safe than sorry.

Would anyone know if, when, and under what circumstances wild grapes
fruit and if all wild grape varieties are edible?

Karen

Are you sure that they are wild grapes? I cant help you identify them, but
we used to go muscadine hunting when we lived in Arkansas, and some years
there were no grapes. Lack of rain was the problem, at least that is what I
was told. We looked every year for four years and ended up finding them
twice. We ended up going to a "u" pick it' place. Good luck.

Dwayne


"justme (Karen)" > wrote in message
...
> Just as I was about to start harvesting these for freezing, I noticed
> two things:
>
> 1) There wasn't a wild grape to be found on any vine anywhere.
>
> 2) Some of the grape vines had more ridges around the edge of the leaf
> than the normal I'm used to seeing on grape leaves. Discretion being
> the better part of valour, I decided not to pick any of the two types
> but instead file them under the category of better safe than sorry.
>
> Would anyone know if, when, and under what circumstances wild grapes
> fruit and if all wild grape varieties are edible?
>
> Karen

Dwayne wrote:
>
> Are you sure that they are wild grapes? I cant help you identify them, but
> we used to go muscadine hunting when we lived in Arkansas, and some years
> there were no grapes. Lack of rain was the problem, at least that is what I
> was told. We looked every year for four years and ended up finding them
> twice. We ended up going to a "u" pick it' place. Good luck.
>
> Dwayne
Hi Dwayne:

I hadn't heard of muscadines before so I googled the name, and yes-
that's what I have seen growing up the road.

What you mention about drought conditions is true because here in
central Ontario where I am we're having a drought. It has been so hot
here for weeks on end and when it rains it's just enough to wet the
grass and that's it.

So thanks for teaching me the proper name!

Karen

Good morning Karen. I didnt know they grew that far north. We lived in
zone 7 when got my esperience with them. O got them and planted them in a
row, cultivated them, and took care of them like regular grapes, and made
sure they got plenty of water. You may want to consider doing that also.

Dwayne

"justme (Karen)" > wrote in message
...
> Just as I was about to start harvesting these for freezing, I noticed
> two things:
>
> 1) There wasn't a wild grape to be found on any vine anywhere.
>
> 2) Some of the grape vines had more ridges around the edge of the leaf
> than the normal I'm used to seeing on grape leaves. Discretion being
> the better part of valour, I decided not to pick any of the two types
> but instead file them under the category of better safe than sorry.
>
> Would anyone know if, when, and under what circumstances wild grapes
> fruit and if all wild grape varieties are edible?
>
> Karen

Dwayne wrote:
>
> Good morning Karen. I didnt know they grew that far north. We lived in
> zone 7 when got my esperience with them. O got them and planted them in a
> row, cultivated them, and took care of them like regular grapes, and made
> sure they got plenty of water. You may want to consider doing that also.
>
> Dwayne
>

Not a bad idea actually. I just might dig up one or two plants in the
autumn and replant them into the huge plant boxes. We're hoping to
move a little closer to civilisation in the autumn or early spring so
that way we can take the plants with us.

I'm going to dig up a few wild rose bushes as well. I love the flavour
of wild rose petal jelly. Yum!

Karen

I bought some 6 foot metal posts and pounded them in about 10 ft apart. I
planted the wild grapes 20 feet apart and strung two wires (one at 2.5 feet
above the ground, and the second at the top of the posts. As the grapes
grew, up the post in the center, I cut all the extra leaves off , leaving
about 5 or 6 on the very end. When the plant reached the first wire, I
trained one to go right and one to go left, and the main plant continued up
the post to the top wire. At the top I trained it to go both directions
again. That way each wild grape will give you about 40 feet of vines to
produce fruit. I can forward you some of the information I've put together
if you want to give me your e-mail address.

Dwayne
"justme (Karen)" > wrote in message
...
> Just as I was about to start harvesting these for freezing, I noticed
> two things:
>
> 1) There wasn't a wild grape to be found on any vine anywhere.
>
> 2) Some of the grape vines had more ridges around the edge of the leaf
> than the normal I'm used to seeing on grape leaves. Discretion being
> the better part of valour, I decided not to pick any of the two types
> but instead file them under the category of better safe than sorry.
>
> Would anyone know if, when, and under what circumstances wild grapes
> fruit and if all wild grape varieties are edible?
>
> Karen

Dwayne wrote:
>
> I bought some 6 foot metal posts and pounded them in about 10 ft apart. I
> planted the wild grapes 20 feet apart and strung two wires (one at 2.5 feet
> above the ground, and the second at the top of the posts. As the grapes
> grew, up the post in the center, I cut all the extra leaves off , leaving
> about 5 or 6 on the very end. When the plant reached the first wire, I
> trained one to go right and one to go left, and the main plant continued up
> the post to the top wire. At the top I trained it to go both directions
> again. That way each wild grape will give you about 40 feet of vines to
> produce fruit. I can forward you some of the information I've put together
> if you want to give me your e-mail address.
>
> Dwayne

Sounds really great! I'd be interested in learning more from you, so
if you're addy above is okay, I'll contact you.

Karen