GRAPE VINES CULTIVATED IN POTS 



CHAPTER XIV 



GRAPE VINES CULTIVATED IN POTS 



GRAPE vines have been cultivated in pots for many years. Toward 

 the end of the i-th century Speechley of Welbeck Abbey, England, 

 practiced this method of cultivation. But it seems that very little 

 advance was made from his day until about the middle of the last century. 

 From that time on, however, the cultivation of the vine in pots has increased 

 rapidly. This method requires great skill and close attention in order to pro- 

 duce high-class fruit. Furthermore, not all Grapes will adapt themselves to 

 this treatment. A shy setting variety will be a failure. Black Hamburg is 

 probably one of the best as a pot vine, and any other of the free setting kind 

 will respond to this method. Muscat of Alexandria is a complete failure for 

 pot culture. 



There are many things to be said in favor of the pot \ine. In the first 

 place, we can secure ripe fruit earlier by two or three weeks than from vines 

 planted in the border, as having the roots under our control we can ripen the 

 wood up earlier in the Fall and they can therefore be again early started into 

 growth. Besides, the roots are in a position to get practically the same 

 temperature as the top. Therefore, if very early Grapes be our object, the pot 

 system will find its place. And, again, if a fruit range is being set up for 

 private use, the owner generally wants to secure results at once, and the two 

 or three years required for a border seems a long time to wait. 



While a couple of bunches may be allowed to remain on each cane during 

 the second year, if all has gone well, still the pot vine w ill be of great assistance 

 during the first two years. Without these one is apt to overcrop the young 

 permanent vines, which is a serious mistake, and the consequences are diffi- 

 cult to overcome. I wish to impress upon the beginner in Grape culture the 

 tolly ol o\ercropping young vines in a grapery which is intended to last for a 

 number of years. 



Grape vines for fruiting in pots are raised from eyes, the same as those 

 intended for the border. Plants for fruiting purposes must be good, strong 

 canes. Generally, only a few vines are needed for private use, and it is far 

 better to purchase them direct from the specialist in that line than to attempt 

 to grow them one's self in a house with other plants where the temperature 

 and moisture would not agree with them. I have also seen attempts made to 

 grow young canes in the permanent grapery and, while the atmospheric condi- 

 tions here would be all that could be desired, there is the one serious drawback 



