Long before humans were around, plants grew in all kinds of places on Earth. From oceans to deserts, plants have evolved to thrive in a diverse range of habitats. It is a good rule of thumb to match a plant to the conditions in which it will be planted. To learn more about smart gardening, visit the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program website. Utilize the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide to find UF-recommended plants that are adapted to growing in Florida landscapes. Plants suited to their preferred conditions are typically low-maintenance and require little care once established.
Right Plant, Right Place
Grape cultivation, or viticulture, is an ancient practice. Evidence suggests it began around 6500 B.C. Grapes originated in and around the Middle East before viticulture expanded to Asia and Europe through the Nile Delta of Egypt. Visit this resource to read more about the history of grapes.
Florida’s climate can be challenging for certain plants, especially non-native plants. For example, the common grape adapted to a different climate and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. These grapes generally do not grow well in hot and humid weather. So, it’s safe to say that the common grape does not grow happily in our Sunshine State.
Yet, Florida is the second-highest wine-consuming state in America. Developments in grape variety cultivation and resistance are paving the way for the state to enhance its wine production capabilities. Meaning, Florida may be able to increase its contribution to the grape production side as well as the consumption side.
Resistance – What is It?
‘Resistance’ has become a bit of a buzzword in recent times. In the horticultural world, resistance usually refers to pest/disease resistance in plants, or pest/disease resistance to chemicals. Some plants have a natural resistance to certain pests and diseases, a kind of self-defense that evolved over time to increase survival. In contrast, certain pests – like chinch bugs, can become resistant to chemicals due to overuse and overexposure, reducing their effectiveness and harming the environment. In this case, the type of resistance we’ll be discussing is the good kind – a plant’s natural defenses.
Resistance and Grapes
According to UF researchers at the UF/IFAS Plant Science Research and Education Unit, five types of grape varieties grown in a trial were found to be resistant to a bacterial infection that the vines commonly struggle with when grown in Florida, known as Pierce’s Disease. This disease is caused by a bacterium known as Xylella fastidiosa. This little bacterium obstructs xylem (the structure that transports water in plants), resulting in dehydration and death of the plant. Read more about the first disease-resistant wine grapes in this article.
The Future of Grapes in Florida
Dr. Ali Sarkhosh, Associate Professor and head of the UF Fruit Crops program, led a trial to test grape resistance to the disease, and the results are groundbreaking for the agricultural landscape in Florida. This could mean that growers may have more success cultivating a larger range of grape varieties in Florida. Growers may have the opportunity to produce wines that reflect the region’s unique environmental conditions. This advancement strengthens Florida’s wine industry and agri-tourism overall.
John Choquer, Château Le Coeur owner and biological scientist, teamed up with the department in developing these disease-resistant grapes. John is hopeful for the future of viticulture (grape cultivation) in Florida, saying, “We plan to test more Pierce’s disease-resistant and traditional Vinifera varieties, refine vineyard practices, and build an enduring wine industry here in Florida.”
The Citrus Industry
Florida’s agricultural landscape and agri-tourism have suffered considerable setbacks over the past two decades due to the challenges impacting the citrus industry. While the state is famously associated with citrus, it may surprise you to know that citrus actually isn’t native to Florida. This sector remains a vital component of Florida’s economy and agricultural landscape, which makes the news of disease resistance in wine grapes all the more important. The breakthrough in grape resistance discovered by the UF Fruit Crops program may offer hope and a wider selection of crops to growers.
Challenges for Citrus
Citrus greening (HLB) is a bacterial disease that has affected approximately 90% of the state’s citrus groves, resulting in a significant decline in Florida’s citrus industry production. Growers are struggling to grow fruit and are forced to diversify their crop production. The losses in the citrus industry have severely affected growers and negatively impacted Florida’s tourism and economy. These issues contributed to the loss of 34,000 jobs in Florida’s citrus industry between 2006 and 2016. Read more about How the Asian Citrus Psyllid Brought the Citrus Industry to Its Knees. Experts continue to work on a solution to the problem.
Grow Grapes at Home
While traditionally known for its citrus and tropical agriculture, Florida is now seeing an increased interest in viticulture, driven by both local growers and new technologies. Vitis Vinifera is a species of grape that is often used in the creation of wine, and this species struggles to grow well in Florida.
Luckily, Florida has its own native grape, the muscadine grape (V.rotundifolia). And, yes! Red and white wine varieties are made from these grapes. To learn more about growing these grapes at home, visit this UF/IFAS resource. These grapes are known for having a tart, musky flavor, but they are high in antioxidants (so they’re healthy) and completely safe to consume. Remember when we said plants evolve to thrive in their environments? Well, the muscadine grapes are naturally resistant to Pierce’s disease and are well adapted to Florida’s weather conditions. Visit this UF/IFAS Publication to read more about muscadine grapes.
Florida Natives
Enhance your garden with Florida’s native plants for a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape that supports local wildlife. Read this series to learn more about Florida natives.
Have a question?
If you have any questions about gardening in Central Florida, please contact UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County at 352-518-0156. For more information on UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County Community Gardens, and how you can join one, visit http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco. Supervising Authors: Dr. Whitney Elmore
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