Seedless Grapes: Varieties, Propagation, Pros and Cons

In the large grape family, seedless grapes stand out. Gardeners value seedless grape varieties for their ease of care, excellent flavor, and ability to be used for dried fruit. Seedless berries are pleasantly flavorful and aromatic, suitable for desserts, wine, liqueurs, and delicious juices. After drying, the resulting raisins retain most of their vitamins and beneficial microelements.

Properties of seedless grapes

Seedless grapes (kishmish) contain seeds, but their weight varies. Within the group of seedless varieties, there is a classification by category, where the criterion is seed weight:

• up to 6 mg;
• 6.0-10.0 mg;
• 10.0- 14.0 mg;
• from 14.1 and more.

The first category includes seedless sultanas or raisins with small rudiments (primordia). These grapes are considered the most delicious, as even if the seeds are present, they are soft and practically invisible when eaten. Berries from these varieties are higher in calories than others and have a higher sugar content.

Kishmish of the fourth category is not valued among gardeners, since its berries are small, and the pulp contains quite large and noticeable seeds.

Kishmish berries are propagated by cuttings and layering. Ovaries are formed through pollination, but the seeds within the pulp are still embryonic. Breeders are developing varieties that are genetically engineered to be seedless. Propagation is possible even without seeds.

Benefits of Seedless Grape Varieties

Seedless grapes are a favorite among gardeners and consumers. They are chosen for their flavor, simplicity care.

Advantages:

• unpretentiousness;
• frost resistance;
• high yields (100-300 kg per hundred square meters);
• attractive presentation of berries;
• resistance to most diseases;
• pulp sugar content (standard value is 20-22%).

These are the general properties characteristic of raisin varieties. In addition, each variety has its own advantages:

• aroma;
• rich taste;
• suitability for storage in fresh form.

Kishmish grapes (black and white) are used to produce raisins and high-quality wines and cognacs. The fruits of the currant group are seedless and are used for both table and industrial purposes (winemaking). Knowing how seedless grapes reproduce allows us to develop new, more productive varieties.

Popular Seedless Grape Varieties

More than a hundred varieties of sultanas have been developed. Gardeners select those that are suitable for yield and taste.

Radiant

The name is no accident. The berries are pinkish in color, and the flesh is visible through the skin in the sun, giving them a radiant glow. The Radiant grape is a mid-early variety with a robust vine. A single vine yields 10-12 kg of fruit. The bunches weigh 400-900 grams, and the berries are large and slightly elongated. The seedless flesh is sweet and refreshing.

Zaporizhzhya

Renowned for its abundant harvests, with 7-8 kg of berries harvested per bush in late summer. Winter-hardy, it is grown uncovered in temperate climates (withstands temperatures down to -26ºC). It bears fruit consistently, but requires vine thinning to avoid overloading and reduced yields. Bunches weigh 1.2-1.5 kg, with small, dark-purple berries weighing approximately 2-3 grams. The flavor is rich and pleasant, with a distinctive marmalade-like aftertaste. Zaporizhzhya is resistant to major grape diseases and grows best in black soil.

Black

This variety was developed by domestic breeders and is characterized by its early ripening period. The bushes form long arms. The leaves are medium-sized, with slightly curved edges. The color is emerald. The black grapes have firm flesh. The flavor is fruity. The bunches grow to 600-700 grams. It belongs to the table grape group. It makes an excellent dessert grape and is also used for drying.

Jupiter

A US grape variety that ripens early (111-120 days). Seedlessness is high (category 1), with rudiments rarely present. The fruits are large, weighing 4-5 grams. The skin is initially reddish, turning purple-red when fully ripe. The flesh is translucent, juicy, with a hint of labrusca. Advantages: high frost resistance, down to -27ºC, sugar content (20-21%), and versatility.

Neptune

Developed in the USA, this variety is recommended for small plots. It also produces well on balconies and loggias. This early sultana (120 days) bears juicy, off-white berries, each weighing 3-5 grams. The flesh is firm and fruity. The sugar content is 16%. It boasts high commercial qualities and is suitable for long-distance transport.

Mars

An American variety, the parents are Arkansas and Campbell Early. The harvest is ready in 125-130 days. It is characterized by vigorous growth and full ripening of the vines. The clusters weigh 300-400 grams, and the berries are round, dark blue, almost black. The flavor is pleasant, with hints of strawberry. The skin is dense, peeling off like a sack. This seedless grape variety, Mars, is frost-hardy and disease-resistant. It requires mandatory thinning of the bushes.

Kishmish Emerald

A hybrid variety developed by American breeders. It ripens very early (95-105 days). Despite its frost resistance, winter protection is recommended. The clusters are large and densely packed with grapes, each weighing 500-800 grams. The round, massive grapes weigh up to 5 grams and are purple or bluish-black in color. Sugar content is 18%. It is recommended to leave the grapes on the vine until they are fully ripe. Over time, the fruit develop a rich flavor and sugar content.

Arsenievsky

It forms stocky bushes with massive bunches weighing 900-1400 grams. The amber-colored berries are slightly elongated, with fleshy, juicy pulp. They weigh 10-12 grams. A pleasant flavor with distinct notes of Muscat and large berries are the hallmarks of the Arsenyevsky Kishmish. It is used as a table grape.

Kesha

A popular grape variety among winegrowers, developed in the Kuban region. It belongs to the arbour variety category and is noted for its vigorous growth and rapid shoot ripening. Clusters average 800-1000 grams, conical or shapeless. Berries are medium-sized, weighing 10-12 grams. The coloring begins as white, then turns greenish-amber. The flesh is firm and translucent.

White Flame

This is a new variety developed by breeders in the United States (California). It's extremely early, with berries ripening in three months. It forms vigorous bushes with bisexual flower stalks. Clusters are large, with densely packed, marbled berries. Cluster weight is 1.5-2 kg. The flavor is excellent, with a distinct floral aroma. Disease-resistant, suitable for long-distance transport.

Black Sultan

Another early grape with a unique name. This hybrid produces medium-sized bunches weighing 300-400 grams. The berries are oval, weighing 2-3 grams. It has a higher sugar content than other varieties (24-25%), and an acidity of 5 g/dm³. It is grown as an uncovered variety. It is suitable for making raisins. In terms of seedlessness, it belongs to the transitional group (2-3).

Red Muscat

This high-yielding grape stands out among the Kishmish grapes with its bright red, crimson berries. Each berry weighs 6-7 grams and has a pleasant, muscat-like flavor. Harvesting begins in 115 days (early variety). The robust Muscat Red vines yield 5-6 kg of berries.

Black currant

An ancient variety, known in Europe since antiquity. The bushes are tall, with bisexual flowers. The berries are harvested in 125-130 days. The berries are small, round, and reddish-blue. The skin is covered with a rich waxy bloom. The flavor is pleasant and aromatic.

Russian Korinka

Domestic grape selection, included in the State Register of Varieties of the Russian Federation.

Peculiarities:

• absence of seeds in the pulp;
• frost resistance;
• the opportunity to get an early harvest;
• sugar content – ​​22%.

The clusters are loose and massive, with numerous berries. The fruit is golden-yellow, sometimes with a pink tint. The flavor is pleasant, without the characteristic grape aroma.

Himrod

Popular in Japan and the United States, this grape is known for its vigorous growth, mid-early harvest, and high yield. White Kishmish produces 6-7 kg of berries per vine. The clusters are loose, 400-500 grams, and cylindrical. The berries are seedless. The flavor is pleasant, with a distinctive fruity aftertaste.

Buffet

A hybrid variety, introduced to the market in 2008. It is distinguished by its tall shoots, large clusters, and berries. The fruits weigh 12-16 grams. The dark blue berries are covered in bloom. The unique flavor is sweet with hints of raisins and mulberries. It is very high in calories and has a high sucrose content.

Long-awaited

A hybrid resulting from crossing Talisman and the Muscat Kishmish Radiant. It belongs to the group of table grapes and is grown in home gardens and commercially. Its name is no coincidence; its development was preceded by long and painstaking breeding work. The berries begin to ripen in early August.middle zone), the harvest is in late summer. Clusters weigh up to 800 grams, and berries weigh 10-12 grams. The pulp is fleshy, sweet and sour, and seedless.

Amur

Several varieties exist under this name. Amur Seedless is an early grape (105-110 days) with small, whitish berries. The clusters weigh 200-300 grams. In Primorye, the berries ripen in late summer. It is distinguished by its high sugar content (22%), unpretentiousness, and frost resistance. A single bush yields 6-7 kg.

The benefits and harms of seedless grapes

Kishmish berries have a pleasant taste and a high vitamin content.

Benefits of grapes:

• helps to improve immunity;
• improves mood, saves from depression;
• removes harmful toxins from the body;
• improves blood counts;
• gives a good effect in the treatment of colds;
• promotes rejuvenation.

Kishmish berries make an excellent dessert and are used to make preserves (raisins, marinades, jams, and preserves). Some varieties are used to make wine, liqueurs, and juices.

Harm:

• Due to the high sugar content, seedless grapes are contraindicated for people with certain diseases (stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, diabetes);
• Excessive consumption of sweet grapes can cause diarrhea, flatulence, and upset stomach;
• grape juice worsens the condition of tooth enamel, so it is recommended to rinse your mouth after eating;
• caloric content – 60-100 kcal per 100 grams, so those who are overweight and prone to obesity are advised to exclude berries from their diet.

There are few contraindications; if the recommendations are followed, there will be no harm to the body.

Conclusion

Delicious seedless kishimishi grapes are cultivated in various regions of the country. A large number of varieties and hybrids have been developed, so any gardener can plant seedless grapes in their garden.

Reviews

Yuri, Nizhny Novgorod

I've been growing Zaporizhzhya sultanas for over eight years. They grow on the south side of my country house, protected by a pine forest. They began producing fruit in the second year after planting. The berries are large and have a wonderful flavor. The 2016 harvest was severely damaged by wasps, so now I'm always vigilant and prepare protection in advance. In all my years of growing them, the variety has never had any problems.

Inna, Crimea

This is the third year that the Jupiter grapevine has been growing. It overwintered well in our region without any cover. It's ungrafted, and bud break is 100%. It can be propagated by cuttings. It's the first to bloom, producing 2-3 inflorescences per shoot. The berries have a strawberry flavor, but the skin is a bit tough. It differs from seeded grapes in its sweetness and good flavor.