Description
Jupiter is a seedless table grape from the University of Arkansas, bred by John R. Clark and James N. Moore from a 1981 cross and released in 1998. It is also the Jupiter grown in Ukraine, where nurseries sell it as Kishmish Jupiter and a 2026 Ukrainian university study notes that, thanks to its adaptability, it has recently come into active cultivation there. Its oval berries, about 4 to 5 g, are reddish at first and turn blue when fully ripe, with a semi-crisp texture and a mild muscat flavour. In Arkansas trials only Reliance scored higher for flavour.
Characteristics
Blue seedless table grape (reddish before full ripeness); oval berries of about 4 to 5 g; mild muscat flavour; semi-crisp, non-slipskin; medium-large bunches of about 200 to 250 g; early ripening; high yields; resistant to cracking; winter-hardy for a seedless grape; American (Arkansas) variety, now actively grown in Ukraine
Growing Tips
Jupiter is very productive, so thin the bunches, especially on young vines. It has moderate resistance to the common fungal diseases but still needs a spray programme. It is hardier than Venus, Einset Seedless, Himrod and Marquis, though less hardy than Mars or Reliance, which makes it a sound choice where winters are moderately cold.