Culture
Best grown in deep, loamy, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, including average garden soils, but must have good drainage. Best sited in a location sheltered from winter winds (preferably a southern facing slope) and well removed from frost pockets. Self-pollinating. Grapes need a support system, training, regular spraying and regular pruning to maximize fruit production.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Vitis is a genus of about 65 species of woody vines. Hybrid grapes are grown for a variety of purposes, primarily for making wine, but also as fresh fruit from the vine or dried as currants, raisins or sultanas. Vines are infrequently grown for ornamental purposes only.
Genus name is the Latin name for the old world vineyard grape (Vitis vinifera).
'Beta' is a small, seeded American grape variety. A woody, deciduous, tendril climbing vine which typically grows 15-20' long unless pruned shorter. Panicles of fragrant, greenish flowers in spring are followed by clusters of small, tart-flavored, blue-black, seeded grapes which ripen in early-mid season (late August in USDA Zone 5). Considered to be a good grape for juices and jellies. Large, shallowly three-lobed, green foliage. Flowers are attractive to bees. Ripe fruit is attractive to some hornets and wasps.
Problems
Grapes are high maintenance plants that require regular chemical spraying and pruning. Grapes are susceptible to a large number of diseases, particularly in humid summer climates such as Missouri, including anthracnose, black rot, downy and powdery mildew, crown gall and botrytis bunch rot. Insect pests include phylloxera, grape berry moth, Japanese beetle, leaf hopper, leaf roller, mealy bugs, spotted wing drosophila and flea beetles. Grapes are not typically bothered by rabbits and deer.
Uses
Grapes are primarily grown for fruit production in home fruit gardens where they provide little ornamental value to the landscape. However, grapes do in fact have good ornamental value: bold summer foliage, showy fruit, some fall color and shaggy, twisted trunking and branching often best seen in winter. When grown on fences, walls, trellises, arbors or other structures, grapes can be quite attractive year-round and can provide good cover, screening, or shade to areas around the home.