Key Characteristics of Canadice Grapes:
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Origin: 'Canadice' is a seedless red table grape cultivar (Vitis hybrid) developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York. It resulted from a cross between 'Bath' and 'Himrod' made in 1954 and was released in 1977. It was named after Canadice Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in New York. It was bred for its seedlessness, early ripening, good flavor, and improved cold hardiness compared to earlier seedless releases from the program.
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Patent Status: 'Canadice' was developed and released in 1977 by a public agricultural research institution. It is not patented and is considered a public domain variety. It can be freely propagated and distributed.
Key Characteristics:
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Berry Production: Produces compact clusters of small to medium-sized, round, red seedless grapes. The berries have a sweet flavor with a distinctive spicy or "labrusca" hint, often compared to 'Delaware' grapes. The skin is tender and edible. It is known for being very productive, often bearing fruit from a young age.
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Ripening Time: 'Canadice' is an early-ripening seedless grape, typically maturing in mid to late August or early September, making it well-suited for regions with shorter growing seasons.
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Plant Size and Appearance: 'Canadice' is a vigorous grapevine with a growth habit typical of table grapes, requiring trellising or other support systems. It is considered more winter hardy than many other seedless grape varieties.
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Flowers: Grapevines produce small, greenish-white, fragrant flowers borne in clusters. 'Canadice' is self-pollinating.
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Hardiness: 'Canadice' is considered quite cold hardy, generally adapted to USDA Zones 5 through 8, and can withstand winter temperatures down to -20°F (-29°C).
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Pollination: 'Canadice' is self-pollinating and will set fruit without the need for cross-pollination.
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Growing Conditions:
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Sunlight: Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) for optimal growth, fruit production, and sweetness.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained soil but is adaptable to various soil types.
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Watering: Requires adequate moisture, especially during establishment and fruit development.
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Pruning: Requires annual pruning during the dormant season to manage growth and maximize fruit yield. Spur pruning is often recommended.
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Uses: Primarily used as a fresh-eating table grape due to its appealing red color, seedlessness, and sweet, slightly spicy flavor. It is also suitable for making jams, jellies, and juice.
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Wildlife Value: Grapevines provide cover, and the fruit is a food source for birds and other wildlife.
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Ornamental Value: Grapevines can add ornamental value with their foliage and fruit clusters, especially when trained on arbors or trellises.
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Disease and Pest Resistance: 'Canadice' has good resistance to several common grape diseases, including downy mildew and powdery mildew, and is considered more disease-resistant than many other seedless grapes. However, it can be susceptible to black rot.
