Q. I have four grapevine
bushes. We had a freeze these past two years. Two of them are doing fine,
however, two others have not produced new leaves since last year. Does that
mean they are dead? How would I check if they are dead?
bushes. We had a freeze these past two years. Two of them are doing fine,
however, two others have not produced new leaves since last year. Does that
mean they are dead? How would I check if they are dead?
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| This grape was from a previous reader in Canada but a dead grape vine is a dead grapevine, right? |
A. Some grapevines are more tender to winter freezing
temperatures than others. Some of the European wine grapes, or those with wine
grapes in their heritage, may possess less tolerance to freezing temperatures. We
refer to these grapes as “vinifera” type grapes. Thompson Seedless, for
instance, is in this category and many California table grapes.
Most of these grapes will not tolerate temperatures much
below 20° F. Expect them to freeze to the ground while other, hardier grapes
may sail through the winter unharmed.
below 20° F. Expect them to freeze to the ground while other, hardier grapes
may sail through the winter unharmed.
If you don’t live in wine grape producing areas, I prefer
to grow grapes on their own roots rather than grafted onto a rootstock. If they
freeze to the ground many of them will regrow from basal suckers. If they are
grafted on a rootstock, then you might as well throw it out.
to grow grapes on their own roots rather than grafted onto a rootstock. If they
freeze to the ground many of them will regrow from basal suckers. If they are
grafted on a rootstock, then you might as well throw it out.
Cut the top of your grape back, close to the ground. Let
it sucker from the base. Select the strongest sucker and re-tie it to a grape
stake with nursery tape. Remove the other suckers.
it sucker from the base. Select the strongest sucker and re-tie it to a grape
stake with nursery tape. Remove the other suckers.
If you push its growth hard
with water and nitrogen fertilizer, you can reestablish it back on the trellis
in one growing season. With some grapes I have been able to regrow it on the
trellis and have it set fruit during first year of establishment.