Grape Bonsai Care

The grape plant is actually a deciduous woody vine that develops fruit. There are many varieties of grapes across the world, but you can care for them all in a similar way.

Most of the difference in the varities is to do with the fruit that is produced, rather than the vine, which is why you can care for them all same way.

In 2017 I bought a packet of big fat red grapes from the supermarket. They had seeds inside, so I tried to germinate them. Only one grew. I am unsure what species I have, but I have a vague memory that the grapes I ate where from South America, which doesn’t really narrow things down …I just know they where big, red and delicious.

You can follow this trees development in my Grape Bonsai Progression

What Is The Natural Habitat Of A Grape Vine?

Grapes can be found across most temperate regions of the world, normally grown commercially for wine and eating. They are very common in areas such as the Mediterranean where it is warm and sunny and this is the type of climate that they thrive in.

What Soil Do Grape Bonsai Need?

Grape bonsai like a rich, free draining soil. They do not like to be sat in water.

(For more info on soil read – A General Guide To Bonsai Soil)

How Do you Water A Grape Bonsai?

Grape bonsai will take a lot of water when growing, but you must not let it sit in water for too long.

Grapes can handle a little drought so I let my pot nearly dry out (but never fully) in between watering. The loose, free draining soil also helps to keep the moisture levels right, and doesn’t allow for them to become waterlogged.

(For more info you can read –How To Water A Bonsai)

How Much Sun Light Does A Grape Bonsai Need?

Grape bonsai should be given full sun.

As they are from quite warm regions like the Mediterranean, it means they can handle a lot of sun. The more you can give them, the better.

I actually grow my own grape under a grow light so I can try and give it what it likes. You can still grow them without this, but I would try and make sure it gets as much sun as possible.

How Hardy Are Grape Bonsai?

Grapes are hardy, but as I grow mine in a bonsai pot, I protect it in winter from frost by putting it in the shed.

How hardy they are will depend on what exact variety you have, which can be hard to know at times.

I would suggest that you are more cautious with your grapes. If you live in a very cold area I would protect the tree during the harshest times. I would try and protect it from direct frost, or anything below freezing.

While they might be hardy, growing them in a bonsai pot will affect how much cold they can handle. They might be okay if the temperature dips below for a few hours, but I would not want to leave them out all winter in freezing temperatures. I think it would be too risky.

An unheated shed or green house should be more than enough to keep them cold, while also keeping them protected from the harsh extremes that could damage them.

(For more info you can read – Working Out How To Over Winter Bonsai Trees)

How Often Do You Feed A Grape Bonsai?

I feed my grape bonsai monthly during the growing season with an all purpose fertilsier which keeps them healthy and growing happily.

(For more info you can read – Do You Need To Use “Bonsai” Fertiliser?)

How Do Grape Bonsai Respond to Pruning?

Grape bonsai respond well to pruning. They should be pruned hard in the winter. They need to be dormant when you do this, otherwise they will bled sap and become weak.

You can lightly prune throughout the growing season if required.

(For more info you can read- How To Prune A Bonsai Tree)

Repotting A Grape Bonsai

Grape bonsai should be repotted in early spring as the buds are swelling.

I have pruned my roots hard and everything has been fine. I have read grapes can be sensitive to root work, but I assume this is based on the individual varieties and and the trees health.

It is probably better to be more cautious, and go slow. This is often the best approach with bonsai.

(For more info you can read – How To Repot A Bonsai Tree)

Wiring A Grape Bonsai

Grape bonsai will need wired. As it is a vine it does not take a natural tree form, so it will need wired into shape.

Even in commercial vineyards, young grape vines are staked to get them to grow upwards.

(For more info read – Why Do We Wire Bonsai?)

What Is The Leaf Pattern Of A Grape Bonsai?

Grape bonsai have an alternate leaf pattern.

What Pests Does A Grape Bonsai Suffer From?

Grape bonsai most commonly suffer from mold on their leaves. It is best to water at the base and keep the leaves dry. This should stop any problems happening.

They can also suffer from scale which can make everything sticky, The ridges of the bark are also a good place for these to hide, so you will need to make sure you use something that can kill them all easily.

Can You Propagate A Grape Bonsai?

Grape bonsai can be propagated through cuttings and they are commercially grown through grafting.

You can also grow them form seed like I did, but this is not a very successful mission. I probably had 20-30 seeds and only 1 germinated.

What Is The Growth Rate Of A Grape Bonsai?

As grape bonsai are a vine, they can grow fast, especially in spring.

The growth can be so rapid that it causes micro tears in the new stems. This can be seen in the form of ‘grape pearls’ they are little clear balls that appear on the stems and underside of the leaves.

They are often mistaken for insect eggs, but are in fact harmless.

Should You Get A Grape Bonsai?

Grape bonsai are not suitable for a beginner. They grow fast, but not in a way that is helpful for bonsai.

They need to also be styled a lot as they will not naturally grow in a tree form. They are also hard to germinate from seed, so they are not an easy tree to start growing.

You can read more about – Are Grapes A Good Tree For Bonsai?