Which variety of grape to remove? Fredonia, Mars or Saturn

General Fruit Growing
1

Hi,

I am out of space in my orchard and ordered one too many grapes for my trellis. I have many other cultivars (all of the Arkansas varieties, as well as many other seeded and seedless) so I don’t need other suggestions. I’m just having a hard time eliminating one of the below three varieties:

Mars
Saturn
Fredonia

I like tart fruit and I don’t mind seeds. Main purpose is for fresh eating, although Fredonia is supposedly a favorite for juice. Why is it better than any concord type for juice? I’m having a hell of a time deciding which variety not to grow.

I appreciate some convincing! Thanks :slight_smile:

2

I have no experience with Saturn. Fredonia is a large fruited black grape similar to Concord but ripens earlier. Very popular in the southern half of WI where I live. Not quite as cold hardy as Concord for winter temps. Some cold winters we loose flower buds on Fredonia if it gets too cold.

Since I hate the flavor of Mars and like Fredonia I would delete Mars!

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3

I’ve never had Fredonia or Saturn, but I’ve got a Mars vine and like it. It was my first seedless vine and I grew it in a pot for several years before planting it. This year will be my first in-ground harvest. One positive for Mars is that it is supposed to be resistant to most of the diseases that grapes get, including black rot.

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4

Well there you have it! Two excellent informed opinions that contradict one another! Now you’ve made up your mind, right?

Sorry I can’t help. I’ve not had the opportunity to try any of those varieties. Good luck.

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5

Is it because Mars is tart that it does not appeal to you? Or is it more skunky in taste?

I wonder why nobody has tried Saturn. Can’t find feedback anywhere on that one.

6

Is it anything you would miss having if your Mars died on you?

7

I don’t think they are tart, though they aren’t super-sweet. In my notes, I have them down as 13.5 brix. That’s on the low side, as Jupiter is also in the notes at 14-16.5. I think the taste would be described as “foxy”, rather than “skunky”. I thought they were pretty good. And I was especially pleased that they weren’t all rotting like the other vines (no fungicides). One potted Mars made as much usable grapes as 100+’ of Niagra (a small bowl). And the Niagra were a lot more trouble to pick (one from this bunch looks ok…found another one over here…etc).

I’m not sure. Compared to the Niagra which was here when I moved in, I would definitely miss them. But when I have enough UoA vines producing, I’m not sure. I haven’t sampled all of them yet and some of them seem to have some problems (Faith and Neptune rotting and Gratitude getting winter die-back). The ones I have sampled have been rather limited samples, so I need another few years on that question. :slight_smile: So far, I’m pretty positive on Joy and Jupiter.

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8

I guess Mars did not appeal to me in flavor. It has been offered in some of our grocery stores in fall. I tried them several times and each time did not like the flavor.

This variety grows in WI as a friend planted a vine. My brother and I chuckled as we both do not like Mars. The vine grew fast and our buddy picked a nice crop the second and third years. He then ripped it out as he thought it was the worst grape he ever tasted. He then planted Fredonia which he swears makes better grape juice than Concord.

I thought Mars had a slightly “rotten” aftertaste. Weird as I love Niagara and other strong “foxy” tasting labrusca grapes but Mars was not for me.

I guess it depends on what you want to do with Mars or Fredonia. If you want juice/jelly then keep the Fredonia. I guess grape varieties are just like wine, everyone has their own preference as to what they like.

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