Where and how can I obtain grapes and strawberries seeds for planting in tropical climate?

Question

I'm Sarawakian, coastal area. Id like to grow grapes and strawberries for a small scale garden (starter). I need plants that can withstand this hot tropical climate and pest. I like strawberries and grapes, but I can buy them always as the prices are high.

Answer 1

Although I am not an expert – I don’t think you should grow either grape vines or strawberries from seed. I would think you need to do a bit more research, especially on the grapes. You would be able to get a healthy growing vine for your specific area that has been grafted on to a rootstock for the same reason (area soil, disease resistance and yield). If I’m not mistaken most grapes used for specific reasons are cultivated this way. As with all our “manmade” cultivars growing from seed would not give you a plant that has both a strong disease resistant rootstock AND an above ground vine that will meet your needs for flavor, berry size and yield.

I would think the same would apply with the strawberries. Even if you were to buy only one or two plants, of your favorite variety, THAT GREW WELL to YOUR specific AREA – they would soon send out runners and you would have as many strawberry plants as you wished to have.

If it were me who was interested in growing both strawberries and grapes to enjoy in my cereal and/or dessert plate, I’m sure I would check to make sure growing them from seed was the wisest and most surefire direction for success. The seed route just doesn’t sound right to me but I could be completely off base with this one.