Is it possible to grow grapes from seeds and how?

Selecting a variety

Not every variety will bear fruit when grown from seed. Experts recommend choosing the following varieties:

• Nimrang;
• Taiga;
• Mascot;
• Red or Black Delight.

You can also experiment with growing grapes from seeds of the Laura or Severny varieties. These will likely only yield sour berries, suitable for making wine or juice. For sweet berries, choose the varieties from the list above. Many gardeners grow different varieties and then settle on one or two.

Germination of seeds

To ensure good fruiting, you need to germinate the grapes first. It's important to do this correctly to ensure good growth. Using seedlings is a common method because it's less labor-intensive. Growing grapes from seeds at home is more difficult. This process takes longer and requires patience. It's important to note that if you choose the more labor-intensive method, there's a risk that the resulting plant will not produce fruit.

The first step is to select grape seeds. Use dark brown seeds with a thick shell. If you use unripe grape seeds, they won't germinate. Seeds from southern grape varieties are also unsuitable for this method.

First, remove the seeds and rinse them. Place them on cheesecloth or another clean, damp cloth. Cover. Wait a few days. Only after small green shoots form can you plant the seeds in the ground.

To germinate as quickly as possible, experts recommend placing the seeds in the refrigerator. Periodically remove them and rinse them with water, then return them to the refrigerator wrapped in a damp cloth.

Step-by-step planting instructions

To plant and reap a bountiful harvest, follow these instructions. First, prepare fertile soil. This should be a mixture of sand, soil, and organic matter. Fill a container with this mixture and plant the sprouted seeds at a depth of 1 cm. Water regularly to keep the soil moist. However, avoid overwatering.

Place the seedlings in a greenhouse or place the container on a windowsill near a window. Choose an area with plenty of light and warmth. After 10 days, the seedlings will become stronger and larger. It's important to maintain a daytime temperature of around 20°C. At night, a drop to 15°C is acceptable.

Make sure the soil doesn't dry out. The plant needs at least 8 hours of light per day. Don't plant the seeds too deep, as this will slow the growth of the sprouts.

Can I place the container with the planted seeds on a south-facing window? The answer is yes. This will be even better than placing them on the north side, especially in winter. Towards the end of May, move the container to a shaded area and leave it there for 5-6 days. Then, place the grown seedlings back in a location with sufficient light and warmth for 7 days.

All these steps will help prepare the grape seedlings for planting in open ground. For planting, the grape tree requires a location with adequate sunlight and protection from the wind. Regardless of the size of the seedling, dig a deep hole. The optimal dimensions for the hole are 80 x 80 x 80 cm. This is necessary to form a special substrate (mineral fertilizer) at the bottom.

After planting, compact the soil. Tie the seedling to a vertical support. Do this very carefully to avoid pinching the vine or damaging the still-fragile seedling. Water the grapes grown from seed. Use no more than 30 liters of lukewarm water. To warm them, simply leave the containers of water outdoors in the sun. By the end of the season, if all these steps are followed, the seedlings will reach 1 meter in length.

Now you know how to grow grapes from seeds. A full-grown vine will form within a few years. After planting, further care is the same as when using the purchased seedling method.

Pros and cons of the method

One advantage is that there's no need to purchase seedlings. All you need is a few grape seeds and a container filled with soil.

Germination can also be done at home.

Among the disadvantages is that the fruits can be small and sour. Furthermore, this growing method is labor-intensive, requires adherence to a number of rules, and is time-consuming. Therefore, this seed-growing technique should only be used experimentally, as there is a risk that the sprouted plant will not even bear fruit.

Video: How to Grow Grapes from Seeds

This video will show you how to grow your own grapes from seeds.