Can someone help identify these grapes?

  • Thread starter turbo
  • Start date
In summary, these grapes are nice table grapes of some variety, but they are overwhelmed by the vines and will require an extension ladder to harvest.
  • #1
turbo
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There is no Botany forum here, but can anyone identify these grapes by looking at the leaves and the green fruit. I hope they are nice table grapes of some variety. At least 100ft of the tree-line is overwhelmed by these huge vines, and if I want to pick them all, I will have to use an extension ladder because lots of the bunches are 20ft or more up in the trees. Last year, these vines had no fruit, and this year, they are loaded. I initially estimated that I could get up to 100# of grapes, but after looking over the vines more carefully today and looking up in all the trees, I think it will be more like several hundred lb at a minimum. Thanks in advance if you can make an ID and give me some tips about maximizing my harvest.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1441/grapes001vf1.jpg
 
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  • #2
Let me be the first one to say this:

"There are different types of grapes, besides green and red?"

:rolleyes: :smile:
 
  • #3
Mattara said:
Let me be the first one to say this:

"There are different types of grapes, besides green and red?"

:rolleyes: :smile:
Yes, and there are some that are extremely sour, too. These are hard and sour because they are immature, but they are not overwhelmingly tart. The taste is tolerable if you like green apples (and I do), so I'm hoping that they ripen into a nice table variety, like a Concord.
 
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  • #4
turbo-1 said:
There is no Botany forum here, but can anyone identify these grapes by looking at the leaves and the green fruit. I hope they are nice table grapes of some variety. At least 100ft of the tree-line is overwhelmed by these huge vines, and if I want to pick them all, I will have to use an extension ladder because lots of the bunches are 20ft or more up in the trees. Last year, these vines had no fruit, and this year, they are loaded. I initially estimated that I could get up to 100# of grapes, but after looking over the vines more carefully today and looking up in all the trees, I think it will be more like several hundred lb at a minimum. Thanks in advance if you can make an ID and give me some tips about maximizing my harvest.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1441/grapes001vf1.jpg
Are they seedless?
 
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  • #5
Used to have grapes in my greenhouse, make sure you pick off the weiners(if they're only for eating that is:smile:) The other grapes will grow larger and should in theory be more sweet.
 
  • #6
larkspur said:
Are they seedless?
No, there is a tiny cluser of seeds in the heart of each grape.
 
  • #7
Schrodinger's Dog said:
Used to have grapes in my greenhouse, make sure you pick off the weiners(if they're only for eating that is:smile:) The other grapes will grow larger and should in theory be more sweet.
What are weiners?
 
  • #8
turbo-1 said:
What are weiners?

small ones, hot dog sausages literally (US slang) But I meant tiny grapes, that will be nothing but sour; get rid of the chaff from the wheat.
 
  • #9
Schrodinger's Dog said:
small ones, hot dog sausages literally (US slang) But I meant tiny grapes, that will be nothing but sour; get rid of the chaff from the wheat.
Thanks. I haven't seen any of those. The grapes are quite nice and uniform in size and shape, and there are bunches of them everywhere - up in the trees and saplings, wighing down branches, in the ferns and grass. If they are really tasty, I will either sell or give away most of them, because there is no way that my wife and I can eat them all or use them up, unless I take up wine-making. I've got a pretty tall extension ladder, but I won't be able to pick them all because the vines are swarming up the trees, and many of the bunches are too high.
 
  • #10
turbo-1 said:
Thanks. I haven't seen any of those. The grapes are quite nice and uniform in size and shape, and there are bunches of them everywhere - up in the trees and saplings, wighing down branches, in the ferns and grass. If they are really tasty, I will either sell or give away most of them, because there is no way that my wife and I can eat them all or use them up, unless I take up wine-making. I've got a pretty tall extension ladder, but I won't be able to pick them all because the vines are swarming up the trees, and many of the bunches are too high.

np, but weed them out if you want good eating grapes, because if you don't they'll be good for nothing but dry wine. Less grapes means more sugar in the grape, and thus better for eating. Worked for me but I'm no grape expert, or vineaologist for that matter.
 
  • #11
I don't know one grape from another until someone puts the label on the bottle. :rolleyes:

But, if they wind up being a bit tart, maybe they'd still make good jam or jelly, and you can get faster results than making wine. Plus, everyone loves a good, homemade jam!
 
  • #12
turbo-1 said:
There is no Botany forum here, but can anyone identify these grapes by looking at the leaves and the green fruit. I hope they are nice table grapes of some variety. At least 100ft of the tree-line is overwhelmed by these huge vines, and if I want to pick them all, I will have to use an extension ladder because lots of the bunches are 20ft or more up in the trees. Last year, these vines had no fruit, and this year, they are loaded. I initially estimated that I could get up to 100# of grapes, but after looking over the vines more carefully today and looking up in all the trees, I think it will be more like several hundred lb at a minimum. Thanks in advance if you can make an ID and give me some tips about maximizing my harvest.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1441/grapes001vf1.jpg

I believe they call those all nautral.
 
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  • #13
Schrodinger's Dog said:
np, but weed them out if you want good eating grapes, because if you don't they'll be good for nothing but dry wine. Less grapes means more sugar in the grape, and thus better for eating. Worked for me but I'm no grape expert, or vineaologist for that matter.
Thanks. I don't know if thinning is going to be necessary or not. The main stalks are massive and the leaves are thick and bright green, so I'm hoping that they will be able to provide enough nutrition to the grapes to make them sweeten up nicely. When I say "massive" I mean it looks as if they have been there for 100 years - they are big and gnarly and look nothing like the little vines you see in the vinyards. Also, there is plenty of water, with a water table just a foot or so under the surface. Conditions are probably pretty good, too, with very hot humid days the norm this month and predicted into August. I have never had grapes before, although my sister wants some of these. She uses the local wild grapes, and says that if they are tart, she just uses more sugar when making jellies.
 
  • #14
I have found some pictures of grape leaves, and the shape of the leaves resembles some pictures I have seen of Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Frontenac also has similar leaves, but that seems to be a hybrid and is not consistent with the heavy base vines that seem to have come over on the Mayflower. Also, the unripe grapes are already bigger than the the mature Frontenacs that I have seen pictues of. Still no real luck, though, in nailing it down.
 
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  • #15
For a sense of scale, for the ampelographers out there (I just learned that word!) the leaves are typically over 7" in both directions, with three lobes, and the sinus at the stem is not bounded by naked veins, although they have very tight borders (perhaps 1/32"). There are no hairs on the underside of the leaves, and the undersides are quite pale and veiny, although the top surfaces are very dark with a silky texture.
 
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  • #16
turbo-1 said:
I have found some pictures of grape leaves, and the shape of the leaves resembles some pictures I have seen of Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Frontenac also has similar leaves, but that seems to be a hybrid and is not consistent with the heavy base vines that seem to have come over on the Mayflower. Also, the unripe grapes are already bigger than the the mature Frontenacs that I have seen pictues of. Still no real luck, though, in nailing it down.
Check out this website about http://www.chateau-z.com/wildgrapes.html"

http://www.chateau-z.com/wildgrapes.html
 
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  • #17
Did your grapes stay green or are they turning purple?
 
  • #18
I would suggest asking this question on Wikipedia's Reference Desk for science, they are pretty good at species identification I've found.

Just upload your picture, attribute a license (or link it), and put

==Grape identification==
[[Image:turbo-1'sgrapes.jpg|thumb]]
Blah blah blah, blah blah blah, what kind of grapes are these? --~~~~~

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Science
 

FAQ: Can someone help identify these grapes?

1. What are the characteristics of the grapes?

The characteristics of grapes can vary greatly depending on the variety. Some common characteristics to look for when identifying grapes include color, size, shape, texture, and seedlessness.

2. Where were the grapes found?

Knowing the location where the grapes were found can be helpful in identifying them. Different grape varieties are grown in different regions and climates, so the location can narrow down the possibilities.

3. Are there any distinguishing features on the grape vines?

Examining the leaves, stems, and tendrils on the grape vines can also provide clues for identification. Some grapes have unique leaf shapes or patterns, while others have distinct growth habits.

4. How do the grapes taste?

While not always a foolproof method, tasting the grapes can also aid in identification. Different grape varieties have different flavors, ranging from sweet to tart. However, be cautious as some grapes may be unripe or inedible.

5. Can you provide a photo of the grapes?

A picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, it can be helpful in identifying grapes. Make sure to take clear, well-lit photos of the grapes, both on and off the vine, to provide a comprehensive view for identification.

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