Gonna get me some grapes

[Jaberwky17]

I am totally stoked. A project I’m working on is razing a bunch of vegetation for a new building, including several strains of North Dakota-adapted grapes. These are all reds, intended for vinting, including Frontenac, Marquette, Valiant, and others. Developed and maintained by ND State University Ag researchers, these are 8+ years old, adapted to our climate, and produce high yield fruit. I am taking a few vines for full-size growth in my yard, and probably 2-3 for bonsai. I’ve included examples of 2 of them. Nice fat 2-1/2” to 3” thick trunks at the base, taper, flaky bark, and a ton of gnarly movement. The image where I’m indicating chop points has a wonderful juniper-like trunk swirl that is a little hard to see in the image.

Also on this gathering trip, I will be stopping by an abandoned Scots pine stand that was started in the 40s for Cut-Your-Own Christmas trees and has been wild for at least 15-20 years now. Tons of small weather beaten small trees nestled in the large growths.

 

[GrimLore]

How did the collection go? Any updates?

Grimmy

 

[Jaberwky17]

It's been awfully wet and rainy in our area so I'm waiting for a break - likely this Sunday.

 

[Jaberwky17]

Finally

Finally got a good day nice and warm for a drive and some diggin'. We got 6 vines, all red northern hardy varieties - Valiant, King of the North, Baltica, Marquette. This one is Baltica.

This one was my favorite with an awesome 180 twist and some nice veins. All the collected vines are pushing buds. Once this one gets growing hard and pushing lower runners, I'll cut it back to keep just the twist.

The movement on these plants is fantastic. I can't believe they would have been plowed under otherwise.

 

[GrimLore]

Cool score! Those will be a challenge but an interesting one. Reminds me of my home State of NY - not many Grapes here in PA

Grimmy

 

[ABCarve]

Cool score! Those will be a challenge but an interesting one. Reminds me of my home State of NY - not many Grapes here in PA

Grimmy

Speak for yourself.......we got plenty of vineyards.

 

[GrimLore]

Speak for yourself.......we got plenty of vineyards.

Let me rephrase that Sir! Not many Grapes where I live in PA

Grimmy

 

[kirk@localbonsai.com]

that's some quality grape stock you've got - remember to make hardwood cuttings after you prune : ) good luck

 

[Bunjeh]

Intrigued

I have been wanting to start a grape bonsai and I am glad I ran across this thread. I wonder, how hard is it to maintain the size? I have several vines in the backyard and every year I cut them back, hard, and each year they put out new growth of 6-8'. Would love to see more pics and hear personal accounts.

 

[Giga]

looks kinda like a snake, I really like it. Can't say ther are any grape vines around me

 

[Jaberwky17]

The growing season went well. All 6 threw out runners and fruit. One of them had a lot of nice full grape clusters that my nieces gobbled up like candy. I never did get them into the ground, they grew fine in 3 gallon pots. I think I will put them into large grow boxes this spring and start refining growth and cutting back.

The leaf size is pretty big still, I am sure it will take a few seasons to train them to stay smaller.