The Main Facts Regarding Vitis Vinifera (Grape Tree)

Vitis vinifera (Grape tree), also known as grapevine, is native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe and some parts of Asia. The plant has grown in these parts of the world for over 65 million years. It is classified in the order Vitales and family Vitaceae, the only one found in this order.

Over time, the tree has been spread to many other parts of the world. It can grow in virtually any part other than the Antarctic region. It earns many countries huge economic benefits. The main products for which it is grown include wine, raisin and table berries. Wine production has taken place for as many as 7000 years in some places.

The vines grow to a height of about 35 meters. They give rise to berries whose size vary depending on whether the plants are cultivated or are wild. Wild berries are smaller and measure just about 6mm in diameter compared to the cultivated ones that average 3 cm. A ripe berry may be green, darkish purple or red. Humid conditions and a good water supply are necessary for good yields.

In ancient times, grape trees were used both as medicine and for nutrition. Their sap was believed to cure several eye and skin conditions. The leaves were used to alleviate symptoms associated with inflammatory conditions. Originally, it is the wild varieties that were used but with the onset of the agrarian revolution farmers took up cultivation of the trees. Wine making is a practice that took place throughout ancient Greece. In Egypt wine was mainly drank by Pharaohs, their guests and the priests.

Farmers may choose to either grow the plants from their own roots or they may graft them on old plants. The former option is often preferred as the latter has no known benefits. In fact on some occasions, old roots may have been destroyed by low winter temperatures. Cuttings are collected after pruning and induced to start growing. This is done in the seasons of late winter and early spring.

Cuttings of about 0.8 cm are cut into smaller bud sections (3-6). They are put in bunches and covered with damp, well-drained soil. They stay there till summer when they can be removed and planted. One should ensure that they are well callused and have formed roots. Rooted vines that can be planted immediately are available commercially.

A distance of about 7 feet is required between one cutting and the next. Buds need to be protected from direct sunlight in the early period. Fertilizer is not a requirement during plant. Later, it is applied depending on the nutritional requirements. Pruning is avoided in the growing season as fruit is produced and done in the next dormant season.

The Vitis vinifera (Grape tree) is a plant that grows perennially. Harvest time is variable and depends on what the fruit is to be used for. The fruits that are harvested earliest are those that are to be used for jelly. This helps avoid sugar crystals that are formed as the fruit matures. These crystals usually cloud the product. Table berries are best harvested when their color and taste are at their peak. If the berries are intended for making juice, then it is important that they fully mature.??

Interesting Information On Vitis Vinifera (Grape Tree)

Vitis vinifera (Grape tree) is more popularly referred to as grapevine. It is classified under the order Vitales. This order comprises only one family referred to as Vitaceae. The grapevine is native to central Europe, some parts of Asia and the Mediterranean region. Evidence shows that grapevines existed in these areas more than 65 million years ago.

Due to globalization, the tree has spread to almost every part of the world. It has, for a long time, been an important economic fruit crop for many countries. It is grown principally for wine production but may also be used for raisin and table berries. Production of wine from the grapevine has been around for a long time with some historians claiming that the activity may be as old as 7000 years.

On average, the tree grows to a height of about 35 meters. It produces berries known as grapes. The appearance of the fruit depends on whether the tree is a wild or a cultivated species. Wild grapes are about 6 mm in diameter while those from cultivated grapevines are about 3cm. Ripe fruits range in color from green, purple and red. The vines do well in humid conditions that are accompanied by an adequate water supply.

For many years the vines were greatly valued for their medicinal and nutritional values. Sap was extracted and used in treatment of a number of eye and skin conditions. The leaves were important in arresting bleeding and reducing pain associated with inflammation. Early farmers and foragers relied mainly on the wild types but with time, they learnt that they would get much more by domesticating the plants. Accounts from ancient Egypt show that wine had a special place in the society. It was reserved for the Pharaoh, priests and visitors at state functions.

Grapes may either be grown from their own roots or grafted onto old rootstocks. The latter option is not, however, associated with any benefits. On the contrary the old roots may have been destroyed by low winter temperatures and so new roots should be used as much as possible. Cuttings are collected after pruning has been done and induced to grow.

A good cutting should be just about as wide as a pencil (0.8 cm). Cuttings are divided into 3-bud to 6-bud sections and bundled up in groups of about 10. They are then placed in damp soils that should be well drained. This is done in late winter or early spring. When the weather warms up (in April and May) they are dug up and checked. Those that have callused well are picked and can be planted. An alternative is to use commercially available rooted vines.

Cuttings are planted with shoots facing upwards at a distance of about 7 feet. The buds usually require protection for the first few days. There is no need for fertilization at the start. Its use during growth is limited and is determined by presence of symptoms in the foliage. In the growing season, pruning is not done to allow for bearing of fruit. It is done in the next dormant season.

The Vitis vinifera (Grape tree) grows perennially. The timing of harvests largely depend on the purpose of the berries. If they are being grown for jelly, then they are harvested early. This is done to avoid formation of sugar crystals which usually cloud the product. Table berries are harvested when their flavor and color reaches the peak. Juice berries too have to be harvested when fully mature.

Important Facts On Vitis Vinifera (Grape Tree)

Vitis vinifera (Grape tree) or more popularly, grapevine, is member of the order Vitales. There is only one family in this order known as Vitaceae. The tree is native to Europe and some parts of Central and South Western Asia and the Mediterranean region where it has existed for what is estimated to be more than 65 million years.

Today, the grapevine is grown all over the world and has become one of the most economically important fruit crops in the world. It is mainly planted for production of wine, table berries and raisin. Wine production is believed to have been taking place as far back as 7000 years ago.

The tree grows to be 35 meters tall. The fruit, a berry, is referred to as a grape. Grapes from wild species measure about 6mm in diameter. When ripe, they are darkish purple and have a pale wax bloom. The fruits are much larger in cultivated plants. They measure up to 3 cm in length and may be purple, red or green. Grapevines thrive in humid conditions where there is good water supply.

Historically, grapes were used for both medicinal and nutritional value. For example, the sap was used to cure a number of skin and eye conditions while the leaves were important in management of bleeding and inflammatory disorders. At first, they were harvested from the wild by foragers and the early farmers but over time, they became domesticated. There is evidence that wine was very popular among ancient Greeks. In Egypt, it was reserved for the Pharaohs, priests and guests at state functionaries.

Grapes are usually grown from their own roots. There are no benefits gained from grafting on a preexisting rootstock. It is also wise to grow the new root as an old may have suffered the effects of extremely low winter temperatures. Suckers emerging from the root can also be replanted elsewhere as new plants. Most people simply gather a number of cuttings and induce them to grow. This is usually done during either late winter or in spring when vineyards are being pruned.

An ideal cutting is about 0.8 cm in diameter (approximately the thickness of a pencil). The cuttings are cut into 3 to 6-bud sections and tied in bunches of about 10. They are then put in damp, well-drained soil. They are retrieved in the months of April or May when the weather has warmed up. Well callused cuttings from the bunch are selected. Rooted grapevines are available for individuals who do not wish to prepare their own.

Cuttings are planted 6-8 feet apart. Buds need to be protected from sunlight for a few days. Fertilizer is not necessary during planting but thereafter, it may be done depending on the nutritional needs which can be worked out using foliage symptoms. The grape plant is not pruned and is allowed to bear fruit during the following growing season. The next pruning is done late in the second dormant season.

The Vitis vinifera (Grape tree) is grown perennially. Timing of the harvest depends on the intended use for the fruit. Fruits grown for jelly are harvested early. This is done to prevent formation of sugar crystals that would otherwise cloud the product. For those that are to be used as table berries, one has to wait until the color and the flavor are at their peak (just before the fruit drops from the bunch). Juice berries are harvested when fully mature.