Growing your own Red Globe grapes from seed is a rewarding project for any patient gardener. While most commercial grapes are grown from cuttings to ensure exact clones, starting from seed is a fun way to experiment and see a plant’s entire life cycle.
Here is your guide to turning those supermarket seeds into a thriving vine.
1. Seed Preparation: The Secret to Germination
You can’t just toss a seed in the dirt and expect a vine. Grape seeds require stratification—a cold period that mimics winter—to “wake up.”
- Selection: Eat your Red Globe grapes and save the seeds from the largest, healthiest fruits.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly wash the seeds in lukewarm water to remove any pulp or sugar, which can cause mold.
- The Sink Test: Drop the seeds in a bowl of water. Seeds that sink are viable; those that float are usually hollow and won’t grow.
- Cold Treatment: Place viable seeds in a damp paper towel inside a zip-lock bag. Store them in your refrigerator (around 3°C to 5°C) for 2 to 3 months. ( I’d left ours in the fridge for maybe 3 weeks, though that may not work everytime. I’m just impatient at times.)
2. Planting and Early Care
Once the “winter” period is over, it’s time for spring planting.
- Timing: Take the seeds out in early spring.
- Soil: Use a well-draining seed-starting mix in small pots.
- Depth: Plant the seeds about 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) deep.
- Conditions: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Place the pots in a warm, sunny spot. Germination can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months—don’t give up!
3. Transplanting Your Vines
When your seedlings are about 3 inches tall and have at least two sets of leaves, they are ready for a bigger home.
- Moving Outdoors: Gradually acclimate them to the sun (hardening off) before planting them in the ground.
- Support: Red Globe vines are vigorous climbers. Ensure you have a trellis, fence, or arbor ready for them to grab onto.
- Spacing: If planting multiple vines, space them at least 8 feet apart to allow for airflow and root expansion.
Quick Facts for Success
A Note on Genetics: > Grapes grown from seed are “heterozygous,” meaning the offspring won’t be an exact replica of the parent. Your grapes might be slightly smaller, thicker-skinned, or even sweeter than the original Red Globe!
Maintenance Tips
- Pruning: Once the vine is established, heavy pruning in the winter is essential to encourage fruit production.
- Patience: Growing from seed is a long game. Enjoy the lush green foliage while you wait for those first clusters to appear.
If you decide to try this, I wish you the best of luck!
Slocum's Creak 