Photo by VIVC - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Description
Cardinal is a very early red table grape bred by Elmer Snyder and Frank Harmon at the US Horticultural Field Station in Fresno, California. It was crossed in 1939 and introduced in 1946. DNA testing showed its parents are Ribier (Alphonse Lavallée) and Queen of the Vineyards (Reine des Vignes). The bunches are large and loose, and the very large berries have firm flesh and a clean, simple flavour. Their colour can be patchy.
Characteristics
Red table grape; very large seeded berries; firm flesh; moderately thick skin; large loose bunches; very early ripening; strong vigour; berries prone to splitting
Growing Tips
Cardinal is very vigorous and should be trained on a trellis, but it can be spur-pruned short. It is prone to poor fruit set (coulure and hen-and-chicken berries) and its berries can split, so avoid heavy watering as the fruit ripens. Protect it against downy mildew and phomopsis, to which it is susceptible.