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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] table grapes

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  • From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] table grapes
  • Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2004 15:05:00 -0500

We've had a trial of grape cultivars at our Research Center in St Charles, IL (west of Chicago) since 1998. It includes 6 seedless table grape cultivars, including Reliance, Canadice, Einset, Marquis, Vanessa and Glenora. I think the first 2 could be grown commercially here, the middle 2 would be marginal for hardiness and the last 2 are too tender for our Winters. The fruit quality is very good though. I've tried them out on quite a few people. They don't always agree which is best but they all seem to think they like them better than the grapes in the grocery stores. I think that's largely because we ripen them fully but the shipping industry does not.
 
I wouldn't recommend investing in them commercially unless you had some experience with them. They demand a lot of attention to grow and train them. They cost a lot of money to get established and don't produce well until the 4th year. And they have plenty of disease and insect problems. Once you understand these issues and have practical solutions to them, perhaps they have commercial potential. I happen to think they do. Perhaps a pick-your-own patch, if that system works in your area.
 
Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops
Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center
Does anyone on the list grow table grapes in the mid-west or further east



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