Vitis vinifera 'Vroege van der Laan'

Vitis vinifera 'Vroege van der Laan' - early dessert grape with yellow-green fruit for warm walls and conservatories

An early grape for cooler summers

Vitis vinifera 'Vroege van der Laan' is a grape vine that needs sun, warmth, and a strong support to perform well. The vine grows long shoots each season, so training early keeps the framework orderly and makes pruning easier. A sunny wall position helps ripening, especially in cooler regions. Pruning controls crop load and keeps airflow through the canopy, which reduces mildew and rot risk. If grapes fail to ripen, the common causes are shade, excessive canopy growth, or a cool, late summer.

Like any grapevine, it rewards a simple training plan. Give it a framework, prune with intention, and you get fruit plus a handsome wall plant with good seasonal presence.

• Type: woody, deciduous climbing vine with tendrils.
• Fruit: yellow-green dessert grapes with sweet flavour.
• Flowering: usually late spring into early summer.
• Ripening: early; often late August to early September in cooler climates, later in very cool sites.
• Best position: full sun and as much stored warmth as possible.
• Soil: fertile, well-drained; neutral to slightly alkaline suits Vitis vinifera well.

Training choices: wall fan, cordon, or pergola

How you train it decides how easy it is to prune and how well fruit ripens. On a wall, horizontal wires let you fan stems out so sunlight hits the canopy evenly. As a cordon, it stays narrow and tidy. Over a pergola, it becomes a leafy roof with hanging bunches - beautiful, but it needs stronger annual pruning to stop it taking over.

Whichever form you choose, start early. Tie in the main stem and a few permanent arms. Fruiting shoots are then shortened and renewed each year from that framework.

• Wall training: best for ripening in cooler regions; the wall stores heat and protects from wind.
• Pergola training: great for shade, but keep the canopy open so bunches still see sun.
• Cordon: compact and controllable; ideal where space is tight.
• Support: use sturdy posts and wires; vines get heavy once established.

Sun, warmth, and shelter: the ripening triangle

For 'Vroege van der Laan', ripening is about microclimate. Full sun matters, but so does stored warmth. A south-facing wall, a courtyard that holds heat, or a greenhouse position can bring harvest forward and improve sweetness. Wind-exposed sites often look sunny on paper but feel cold to a vine.

If you can only offer partial shade, keep it to late afternoon shade. Morning sun helps foliage dry early, which can reduce mildew pressure. Morning sun dries foliage quickly, which helps reduce mildew pressure.

Soil structure and moisture: keep it fertile, never stagnant

Vitis vinifera prefers soil that drains well while still holding enough moisture for steady growth. Heavy winter-wet ground is a poor match. In very light soil, drought stress shows up as stalled growth and uneven ripening, so mulch and occasional deep watering can make a big difference.

• Planting: improve soil with organic matter before planting and loosen a wide area. Digging deep is a common reason growth stalls.
• Drainage: essential; if water sits in winter, build a raised planting strip or choose containers.
• Watering: deep watering during prolonged drought helps ripening; constant dampness increases disease risk.
• Containers: possible only in very large pots with regular watering and strong pruning.

Pruning: the non-negotiable that keeps it fruitful

Grapes fruit on the current season’s shoots that grow from last year’s wood. Without pruning, the vine becomes a leaf factory and fruiting shifts out of reach. With pruning, you keep fruiting close to the framework and let light reach bunches.

Do most structural pruning in winter when the vine is fully dormant. Summer pruning is for control: shortening side shoots, thinning congested growth, and letting sun reach bunches so they ripen cleanly.

• Winter: shorten laterals to spurs (few buds) on your chosen framework.
• Summer: pinch back laterals and thin leaves around bunches if the canopy is very dense.
• Heavy spring pruning: sap flow is high and ‘bleeding’ can be excessive often causes the plant to stall and thin out.
• Overgrown vines: reduce in stages over two winters. One severe cut can undo the benefits of good drainage and light.

Harvest and flavour

Pick when grapes are fully coloured (yellow-green), sweet, and detach easily. If they taste sharp, leave them a little longer, but watch the weather - cool, damp late seasons can encourage grey mould. In very productive years, thinning a few bunches can improve the quality of what remains, especially on young vines.

Common problems and how to read them

Most grape issues are either microclimate problems or canopy management problems. Fix the conditions first, then fine-tune.

• Poor ripening: site too cool or shaded; move to a warmer wall if possible and thin the canopy.
• Powdery mildew: improve airflow. Overcrowding; training on wires helps leaves dry faster is a fast way to stress roots and stall growth.
• Grey mould on bunches: too much shade and slow drying; remove excess leaves around fruit.
• Weak growth: soil too dry in summer or too wet in winter; correct moisture swings and drainage.
• Few grapes on a big vine: pruning removed fruiting wood or the vine is being overfed with nitrogen.

Outdoor and greenhouse: choosing the easier option

Outdoors, this vine needs the warmest spot you have: a wall that stores heat and a position sheltered from strong wind. In a greenhouse or conservatory, ripening is usually easier, but humidity can rise and airflow can be poor - so keep spacing generous and ventilate well.

If you are on the fence, think in seasons. Outdoors you are managing spring warmth and autumn ripening. Under glass you are managing summer heat and humidity. The vine can handle either setup, but it prefers stable conditions and a canopy that dries quickly after watering.

• Best outdoor setup: south-facing wall with wires, free-draining soil, and plenty of sun hours.
• Best under-glass setup: bright position with ventilation, training wires, and careful watering to. Damp air is a common reason plants stall or fail.
• If late frost is common: a wall position can help protect early growth compared to open ground.

Safety note for pets

Grapes can be harmful to dogs if eaten. If dogs share the garden, harvest promptly and clear windfall fruit.

Where it fits best

'Vroege van der Laan' is a strong choice when you want a dessert grape that does not demand Mediterranean heat. Give it a warm wall, prune it properly, and you get an early harvest plus a handsome climber that earns its keep.