Grapevine for Balcony or Pergola

In short: Amur grape (Vitis amurensis) is a frost-hardy vine for balconies and pergolas: it reaches 6-8 m, grows about 2 m a year, and its leaves up to 30 cm long turn red to purple in autumn. Plant it in sun or partial shade, 0.5 m from the wall, with slat supports every 0.5 m.

Grapevine for Balcony or Gazebo

Vitis Amurensis - Amur grape is a representative of the grapevine (lat. Vitis) suitable for growing on balconies or around gazebos. Grapevine is a woody, monoecious or dioecious plant with vine-like tendrils. Grapevine belongs to the Vitaceae family. The fruit is a berry. The most economically important is the Common grape vine (lat. Vitis vinifera). It is an ancient variety cultivated to this day all over the world, in various climatic conditions. Some species of grapevine are only ornamental climbing plants whose fruits have no use.

Amur grape is a very hardy frost-resistant plant. You can grow it even at higher altitudes. The plant has tendrils, grows 6-8 m high, with an annual growth of approximately 2 m. It has beautiful long leaves, up to 30 cm, which turn red to purple in autumn. Therefore, it is suitable for covering brick walls, garden walls, unsightly untreated walls bordering the property. The fruits are smaller, blue, and round.

Climbing plants have a wonderful role in the garden - they can create a lovely corner in the smallest space, enriching an unused or unsightly area. The space is optically enlarged, brightened, and greened. The view of a green surface is pleasant. If we plant the grapevine along a wall, we recommend a slat support approximately every 0.5 m. The plant should be positioned approximately 0.5 m from the wall, this is to ensure the plant is not too sheltered and doesn't dry out, or to prevent water dripping from the wall onto it.

Grapevine seedlings are planted in spring in a hotbed. Seeds germinate easily and we soon have small plants which we prick out and later pot. Most species root easily from cuttings, which we prepare with one bud already at the beginning of winter. Grapevine should be planted in a sunny location, or partial shade. It is not demanding regarding soil selection, however it prefers stony or gravelly soil.

Common grape vine - cultivation of grapevines reaches deep into human history. Thanks to great interest in this plant over centuries, we can now enjoy many cultivated quality varieties. For growing grape vine varieties, gravelly or stony soils are suitable, which warm up easily and accumulate heat. Weather is important for grapevines. A long, warm and sunny autumn influences the quality of the harvest. The stony surroundings of a vineyard work well, also accumulating heat well, or proximity to water bodies, which reflect light well. If there is insufficient rainfall, we recommend introducing irrigation.

Pruning Grapevines

We care for grapevines primarily through pruning. Pruning affects the vine's fertility, so always perform it conscientiously. The purpose of pruning is to encourage the vine to produce fewer bunches, but larger and more developed ones. Pruning also helps maintain the bushes in a suitable shape. In our climate, head pruning is most commonly used, from which wood then grows on which we cultivate grapes. For grapevines in a greenhouse or against a supporting wall - one shoot should grow from the top, which you should shorten to two leaves. Pinch the upward-growing shoot at 2 m, then select another strong shoot, train it upward as well and pinch it the same way. Pinch other lateral shoots only in mid-September. Against supporting walls, we can allow three main shoots - trained on an espalier.

Generally speaking, the vine bears fruit on this year's shoots growing from last year's cane. If this seems confusing like a movie sequence, don't worry, it's not that complicated. If you don't manage to prune the vine by the end of March, don't do it in April anymore. If you want firm trunks of grapevines like in a vineyard, it's recommended to gradually cut the vine back to the head after the third bud over three years to form a knee, from which you'll maintain the grown canes - keeping 2-3 main ones from which the vine will further develop and bear fruit. It's good to grow grapevines with support. During the year, we break off suckers from the vine, i.e., shoots that grow from the leaf axils.

In late summer, we fertilize the grapevine. Fertilizer specifically intended for grapevines should be watered around the vine, not on its trunk or leaves.

During grape ripening, we protect the vine from starlings - protective nets can be used. Also ensure safety if you have grapes set near a pergola, as stinging insects may swarm either to the flowers or to the sweet fruits.

Grapevine - Uses

We most often use grapevines for shading pergolas and outdoor seating areas. It's a pleasant plant with beautifully colored, glossy decorative leaves that evoke the feeling of sitting on a seaside terrace on holiday. Grapevines also evoke the feeling of the cozy home of South Moravia with its many wine cellars and warm-hearted people. We probably won't process the grapes into wine or must at home, but we'll use its fruits for refreshment on summer or warm autumn days.

The grapevine has been known since ancient Egypt. Not only the Egyptians believed in the healing properties of the grapevine. Grapes contain high iron content, raisins are very beneficial for people with anaemia. It is said that each raisin equals a drop of blood. To this day, it is used in healing, boiled for compresses, for headaches, digestive system problems, and poultices. Wine also has a degenerative effect on cells due to the action of alcohol and can even lead to personality breakdown. However, the grapevine is an integral part of the diet for Mediterranean inhabitants, where it has a positive effect on longevity. With the grapevine, the well-known rule applies: everything in moderation. Countless proverbs and sayings relate to wine. We enjoy its taste and it enriches our lives. So try growing it yourself and enjoy its fruits and the beautiful autumn colours.