Grapes Table Crimson Seedless

Vitis ‘Crimson Seedless’

Characteristics

Culture

Crimson Seedless grapes develop later than many other grape vines and is a heavy producer, needing a strong wire trellis system and special care in pruning their vigorous vines. While grapes resent being over-fertilized or watered, they do need careful training in order to produce the high yields for which Crimson Seedless are celebrated. In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 10, grapes may be planted as early as January. Crimson Seedless Grape Vine is self-fertile, but the fruit crop will be larger if planted with a second vine.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Most of the red table grapes you see in the store are Crimson Seedless, thanks to David Ramming and Ron Tarailo of the USDA Fruit Genetics and Breeding Research Unit in Fresno, California. They bred these popular berries and released them to the public in 1989. Essentially, this is the classic grape many of us are used to, and since they have a later growing season you especially see them in the winter. 

Crimson Seedless are firm and sweet with a pleasing tartness and have a long shelf life. It is a high acid variety. The combination of high sugar levels with a background of acidity produces outstanding taste characteristics. The color is usually a pale brick red, sometimes with greenish streaks. Crimson Seedless tolerates rain at harvest. Most other seedless varieties split with rain.

Problems

Moist conditions can lead to Boytritis, Downy Mildew or other fungal attacks. Birds love the fruit while banded fruit weevil can nibble little round holes in the leaves and fruit. For more information about disease issues and pests, click here and click here.

Uses

The flesh inside Crimson Seedless grapes is very light-green and juicy – delicious for light snacks or after-dinner treats. Can be used as an ornamental in your landscape. It can attractively cover an arbor to provide shade or look lovely draped over an unsightly wall.