Photo by VIVC - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Description
Reliance is a seedless table grape bred by James N. Moore at the University of Arkansas from a 1964 cross of Ontario and Suffolk Red, and released in 1982. Its pinkish-red berries are very sweet, with a delicate labrusca flavour, tender skin and melting flesh, carried in medium bunches of around 300 g. It is one of the hardiest seedless grapes available: in Wisconsin it survived and fruited for eight winters with lows of about −34 °C (around −30 °F).
Characteristics
Pink-red seedless table grape; very sweet, mild labrusca flavour; tender skin; medium bunches about 300 g; early ripening; very cold hardy to about −34 °C
Growing Tips
Reliance is moderately vigorous and adapts to a wide range of climates, from hot Texas to cold Wisconsin, which makes it a reliable choice in harsh-winter gardens. The thin skins crack if heavy rain arrives as the fruit ripens, so pick promptly in wet spells. It has only moderate resistance to fungal diseases and is rated very susceptible to black rot, downy mildew and anthracnose, so a regular spray schedule is needed in humid areas.