It was looking good for me also - although the bunches were not as large as yours, it was the first time in a couple of years that more than just 2-3 had developed.

I had been out looking at them and noticed that 1-2 were starting to color. Two days later, they had all disappeared - despite the vine being completely covered with netting that was secured to the ground with bricks. The netting appears undisturbed: my theory is that a raccoon or possum (I have both around) found that the netting could stretch enough for them to reach the grapes and get them, one by one, through the holes. I will need to build a frame to hold the netting away from the vine - same for my peach tree.

I've tried to use the bags in the past but the critter learned that he can pull fruit and bag together off the stem, then rip the bag open to eat the fruit.

So far this year he/they have cleaned all of the green pears off of 3 trees, all of the peaches (got through the netting there also), all of the plums, and is currently attacking the apples (I found a spot where he got under the chicken wire surround, hopefully I've fixed that.)

Then I have deer attacking any branch they can get to.

I am about to give up.

It's a never-ending struggle to fight the critters for home-grown fruit. People who advocate turning front and backyards into fruit and veggie gardens have probably never had to deal with critters.

Oh, those look luscious - I'm envious! I have two grape vines, but truthfully I'm not sure what the heck I'm doing. I need to dig out the reference books and learn how to deal with them over winter and pruning. No fruit at all this year, but they're still young, so now's the time to learn -- so I'm glad you mentioned they need to put on mass.

Where did you get the bags? That's a great idea!

"It's a never-ending struggle to fight the critters for home-grown fruit."

Ain't that the truth... Although I find it easier to battle the critters than the insects. *Everything* goes after fruit.

Yep, critters, insects, fungi.... it never ends.

"Yep, critters, insects, fungi.... it never ends."

Don't forget the weather. I had late spring frost hit my grapes hard the previous two years. This year was the best since I planted them. By best, I mean I actually got to taste some of them.

I had seen the start of a fungus infection on some of the new grapes and their branches. I cut them off well below the visible signs, then sprayed the remaining well. There have been no further signs on the remaining stems.

I have had issues with late April freezes myself the past 3 years - it is the reason I took out my 2 Manchurian Apricots - bloomed beautifully and set fruit, but far too early to survive the freezes. I will be taking out my Nanking cherry bush for the same reason.