Grape Arbor Planting Questions

[zfw]

In anticipation of a Concord and Brianna delivery, I made a grape arbor over the weekend, (see photo below). I’d like to encourage vigorous growth so that the vines reach the top of the 8 foot arbor this season. I just learned about grow tubes, but their size range is btwn 12-48".

1. What size grow tube should I purchase?

2. Would compost or composted manure help stimulate growth?

The next thing I need to do with the arbor is install wire going the 4’ width. My grape book recommends 9 gauge, high tensile galvanized wire.

3. I’ve never worked with trellis wire before; can anyone recommend the best product and tool to pull the wire taught enough?

I’m also planning my first espalier (elsewhere) so I’m hoping I can use the same stuff to install the wire between the two posts. Thanks!

[steveb4]

i used stainless wire. i don’t remember the gauge. and several stainless turnbuckles to tighten the wires. or you could lay a cattle panel on top and paint with Rust oleum paint.

[EmptyBadger]

Cattle panel is a great idea

[zone7a]

Managing Pests in Gardens: Fruit: Cultural Tips: Grape first and second year pruning—UC IPM and Pruning and Training of Grape Vines | Small Fruits for Home Gardens | Illinois Extension | UIUC : FWIW it may be best to prune it the first year as suggested in some articles such as the second one to focus on root production and a straight, strong trunk.

“First Year: At planting time, prune the vines to a single stem with two buds. Shoots should grow from each bud. If the trellis is not yet constructed, tie the most vigorous shoots (3 to 4) to a stake four to five feet tall. At the end of the first summer, the shoots should be three to four or more feet high, and may be long enough to reach the top wire of the trellis. Select 2 of the most vigorous canes to reach the trellis”

It’s unlikely to reach 8 feet in the first year. Having more fertilizer may increase vigor, but it also may have bad consequences since the vine is so young. Someone with experience can provide better advice, but is temper expectations to about 5 feet of growth

[zfw]

thanks!

[tennessean]

Used a come-along to tighten the wire
Cedar and wire grape arbor

Fashioned a grow tube out of a sheet of clear plastic that I had laying around. Guessing that it helped but I personally would not spend the money on a commercial one. Probably not necessary.

You will like having an arbor.

[zfw]

Thanks for all your input. I ended up using stainless steel turnbuckles. Maybe I should have included it in this thread, but I just made another post about pruning. I’m trying to assess my options in terms of establishing a good pruning system.

Help with Grape Arbor Pruning Plan

Greeting Fruit Friends, I constructed a 10’X5’ arbor (pictures below) and planted Brianna and Concord at either end. I’m realizing that just one of those plants could healthily cover the entirety of the arbor and that having both might be a tangled mess. I’m wondering if there’s a way (or if it would be advisable) to create two trunks per plant, one going up the arbor (as planned), and a second spreading across trellises I could make on the right and left walls. One issue with this idea is the…

[tennessean]

You may find 9 gauge wire to be too stiff and unbendable for your use. Difficult to tie. Can’t remember offhand the exact gauge that I used.

[zfw]

Agreed, I decided to go with 12 gauge and it seems plenty sturdy, especially for the short stretches on the arbor.

[steveb4]

that’s what i used on my kiwi arbor. seems plenty strong enough.

[Eme]

I just built a grape trellis with 9 gauge and turnbuckles. Not too difficult. I’ll post a picture when I have time maybe in a new thread as we tried something different for bracing in our small space where we couldn’t have an H or any bracing structure beyond the posts.

[zfw]

Would love to see it!