Description

Grapes Seedlings

Embark on a rewarding viticulture journey with Organic Farm’s certified grapes seedlings (Vitis vinifera and hybrids), featuring premium table and wine varieties such as Thompson Seedless, Flame Seedless, Red Globe, and Crimson Seedless. These sweet, nutrient-rich berries, high in vitamins A, C, K, and antioxidants, are increasingly popular in Kenya for fresh consumption, wine, juice, and raisins. Organically propagated in Muranga, Kenya, our KEPHIS-certified seedlings are carefully selected for vigor and adaptability, making them ideal for small-scale and commercial farmers aiming to tap into a high-value market.

Benefits of Grapes Farming

• Nutritional Value: Rich in antioxidants, fiber, and minerals like iron and copper, grapes support heart health, digestion, and immunity, with uses in cosmetics and livestock feed.

• Versatile Uses: Enjoy fresh, dry as raisins, or process into wine, juice, jams, and pectin; grape skins yield essential oils.

• High Profitability: Yields 5–15 tonnes per acre, fetching KSh 400–800/kg locally and KSh 1,500/kg for exports, generating KSh 2–9 million per acre annually. Over 90% of Kenya’s grapes are imported, creating a significant local market opportunity.

• Long-Term Investment: Well-maintained vineyards produce for 30–100 years, offering sustainable income.

Favorable Climates for Grapes in Kenya

Grapes thrive in warm, dry climates with temperatures of 20–30°C and 500–700mm annual rainfall, requiring a dry period before harvest to enhance sweetness. They adapt to semi-arid conditions with irrigation.

Suitable Regions in Kenya

• Rift Valley: Naivasha, Nakuru, Baringo

• Eastern Kenya: Makueni, Machakos, Meru

• Central Kenya: Murang’a, Thika, Nanyuki

• Coastal Kenya: Mombasa, Kilifi

• North-Eastern Kenya: Mandera, Kibwezi

Soil Requirements

• Soil Type: Well-drained loamy, sandy loam, or clay soils; deep soils (12–24 inches) support robust root growth.

• Soil pH: 5.5–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral); amend with lime if too acidic.

• Nutrients: Moderate fertility; enrich with organic matter like manure.

• Altitude: 500–1,500 meters above sea level; higher altitudes provide cooler nights for wine grapes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Grapes

Site Preparation

• Choose a sunny site with 6–8 hours of direct sunlight and good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases; avoid frost-prone areas below 0°C.

• Clear weeds, rocks, and debris; plow to loosen soil and ensure gentle slopes for drainage.

• Test soil pH and conduct leaf analysis to guide fertilization.

Hole Preparation

• Dig pits 60cm x 60cm x 60cm (2 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft), spaced 3m between vines and 2.5m between rows (530 vines per acre).

• Mix topsoil with 10kg well-decomposed manure and 125g double superphosphate fertilizer.

Planting Seedlings

• Use KEPHIS-certified seedlings (e.g., Thompson Seedless, Flame Seedless) propagated from cuttings for true-to-type traits and quality, sourced from trusted nurseries like Organic Farm.

• Soak roots in water for 3 hours before planting to enhance establishment.

• Plant dormant, bare-root vines in early spring (September), placing the root collar at soil level; backfill, firm gently, and water thoroughly.

Trellising

• Install a trellis system (e.g., Vertical Shoot Positioning) at planting with 2.7m posts and galvanized wires to support vines, improve air circulation, and bear fruit weight.

Mulching

• Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch (e.g., straw, wood chips) around the base to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and stabilize soil temperature, keeping mulch 5cm from the vine base.

Caring for Grapes Vines

• Irrigation: Provide 500mm water during the cropping season (September–March) via drip irrigation; increase during berry growth, reduce during bud formation and ripening to enhance sweetness.

• Fertilization: Apply farmyard manure or biofertilizers (e.g., NPK 10:10:10) based on soil/leaf analysis; use foliar sprays for micronutrients like zinc and boron.

• Pruning: Prune annually during dormancy (April–August) to remove old wood and promote new fruiting shoots; train vines for 2–3 years to establish a strong structure. Thin clusters to improve berry size.

• Pest and Disease Control: Manage pests (aphids, grape berry moths) with neem oil or pheromone traps; control diseases (powdery mildew, black stem, anthracnose) with orchard hygiene and fungicides like ABSOLUTE STAR 400 SC (10ml/20L) or FASTRUNO 500 SC (20ml/20L).

• Dormancy: Withhold irrigation after long rains (April–August) to induce dormancy, promoting healthy bud formation in August–September.

Plant Population and Spacing

• Spacing: 3m x 2.5m (10 ft x 8 ft) for table grapes; 2m x 3m for wine grapes.

• Population: 500–800 vines per acre, depending on variety and trellis system.

Expected Production

• Per Vine: 8–15 pounds (3.6–6.8 kg) of fruit annually at maturity (4–5 years), producing 30–80 clusters (300–3,000 grapes).

• Per Acre: 5–15 tonnes per acre, yielding KSh 2–9 million at KSh 400–800/kg, with high-yield varieties like Crimson Seedless reaching 15 tonnes under optimal conditions.

• Fruiting Timeline: Begins 3–4 years after planting, with peak production at 5–7 years; one harvest annually (February–March).

Why Choose Organic Farm’s Grapes Seedlings?

Organic Farm is a trusted leader in sustainable agriculture in Kenya, empowering farmers with quality inputs. Our grapes seedlings offer:

• KEPHIS-Certified Quality: Propagated from cuttings of premium varieties (Thompson Seedless, Flame Seedless, Red Globe, Crimson Seedless) for high yields and adaptability, certified by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service.

• Superior Varieties:

  • Thompson Seedless (Sultana): Green, seedless, sweet, ideal for fresh consumption and raisins.

  • Flame Seedless: Red, seedless, juicy, suited for table grapes and exports.

  • Red Globe: Large, red, seeded, mild flavor, popular for fresh markets.

  • Crimson Seedless: Red, seedless, crisp, high-yielding for local and export markets.

• Expert Support: Agronomic guidance on planting, trellising, pruning, and market linkages, including connections to wine companies like Kenyan Wine Agencies.

• Eco-Friendly Practices: Organic propagation preserves soil health and promotes biodiversity, aligned with good agricultural practices (GAP).

• Nationwide Delivery: Reliable shipping across Kenya (e.g., Naivasha, Meru, Nairobi) and East Africa.

Tap into Kenya’s untapped grape market, where over 90% of grapes are imported, and join the growing viticulture movement in Naivasha, Meru, and Baringo. Order your grapes seedlings from Organic Farm to establish a vineyard that delivers sweet, profitable harvests for decades!

Contact: oxfarmorganic@gmail.com