Elmer Swenson
Encyclopedia
Elmer Swenson was a pioneering grape breeder who introduced a number of new cultivars, effectively revolutionizing grape growing in the Upper Midwest of the United States and other cold and short-seasoned regions.
which he had inherited from his maternal grandfather Larson, an immigrant from Sweden
. Swenson began breeding grapes in 1943, starting a program of intercrossing French hybrid grapes with selections of the local wild species, Vitis riparia
. He was inspired by the work of T.V. Munson
, a Texas breeder who had documented the American grape species and heavily utilized them in his breeding. Swenson hoped to generate seedlings capable of producing high quality fruit in his climate, something few if any cultivars could do reliably at that time.
For ten years beginning in 1969, Swenson took a job caring for fruit crops at the University of Minnesota
, and he began to conduct some of his work there, although the bulk of his breeding program remained at his own farm. His first two hybrids, 'Edelweiss
' and 'Swenson Red', were joint releases with the University of Minnesota, but further releases were independently released.
Swenson always maintained a very liberal policy of sharing breeding selections, sending cuttings to just about anyone who asked. Five of his hybrids were patented, but many more were freely distributed, and many cultivars were even named by other people, which has resulted in a degree of confusion.
Co-released with University of Minnesota:
Others:
Biography
Elmer Swenson worked on a 120 acre (0.4856232 km²) farm near Osceola, WisconsinOsceola, Wisconsin
Osceola is a village in Polk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,421 at the 2000 census. The village is located mostly within the Town of Osceola.The downtown features Cascade Falls, a waterfall with a crest, located on Osceola Creek....
which he had inherited from his maternal grandfather Larson, an immigrant from Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Swenson began breeding grapes in 1943, starting a program of intercrossing French hybrid grapes with selections of the local wild species, Vitis riparia
Vitis riparia
Vitis riparia Michx, also commonly known as River Bank Grape or Frost Grape, is a native American climbing or trailing vine, widely distributed from Quebec to Texas, and Montana to New England. It is long-lived and capable of reaching into the upper canopy of the tallest trees...
. He was inspired by the work of T.V. Munson
Thomas Volney Munson
Thomas Volney Munson often referred to simply as T.V. Munson, was a horticulturist and breeder of grapes in Texas.-Background:...
, a Texas breeder who had documented the American grape species and heavily utilized them in his breeding. Swenson hoped to generate seedlings capable of producing high quality fruit in his climate, something few if any cultivars could do reliably at that time.
For ten years beginning in 1969, Swenson took a job caring for fruit crops at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, and he began to conduct some of his work there, although the bulk of his breeding program remained at his own farm. His first two hybrids, 'Edelweiss
Edelweiss (grape)
Edelweiss is a very winter-hardy wine grape variety derived from crossing the Minnesota 78 and Ontario grapes. It was developed by Elmer Swenson in 1980 in cooperation with the University of Minnesota. The clusters are large and rather loose, weighing a pound or more. Early picking of the grape...
' and 'Swenson Red', were joint releases with the University of Minnesota, but further releases were independently released.
Swenson always maintained a very liberal policy of sharing breeding selections, sending cuttings to just about anyone who asked. Five of his hybrids were patented, but many more were freely distributed, and many cultivars were even named by other people, which has resulted in a degree of confusion.
Cultivars Developed By Elmer Swenson
Patented cultivars:- St. Croix
- St. PepinSt. Pepin (grape)St. Pepin is a modern hybrid variety of wine grape, mostly grown in North America. It produces grapes suitable for making fruity white wines similar to Riesling or as a base for blended wines. The grapes also make a good seeded table grape for eating. It has the benefits of early ripening and when...
- La CrosseLa Crosse (grape)La Crosse is a modern hybrid cultivar of wine grape, mostly grown in North America. It produces grapes suitable for making fruity white wines similar to Riesling or as a base for blended wines. The grapes also make a good seeded table grape for eating. It has the benefits of early ripening and when...
- Espirit
- Kay GrayKay GrayKay Gray was developed by the Wisconsin grape breeder Elmer Swenson circa 1980 and is named after a family friend. It is a seedling of Swenson's own ES 217 . Swenson collected open-pollinated seeds from this vine, and one seedling eventually became Kay Gray...
Co-released with University of Minnesota:
- Swenson Red
- EdelweissEdelweiss (grape)Edelweiss is a very winter-hardy wine grape variety derived from crossing the Minnesota 78 and Ontario grapes. It was developed by Elmer Swenson in 1980 in cooperation with the University of Minnesota. The clusters are large and rather loose, weighing a pound or more. Early picking of the grape...
Others:
- KandiyohiKandiyohiKandiyohi can refer to a location in the United States:* Kandiyohi, Minnesota, a small city* Kandiyohi County, Minnesota* Kandiyohi Township, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota...
- Sabrevois
- Norway Red
- AlpenglowAlpenglowAlpenglow is an optical phenomenon. When the Sun is just below the horizon, a horizontal red glowing band can sometimes be observed on the opposite horizon...
- Petit Jewel
- Prairie Star
- Louise Swenson
- Lorelei
- Trollhaugen
- Swenson White
- Summersweet
- Brianna
- Delisle
- Montreal Blue (aka 'St. Theresa' and 'Flambeau')
- Aldemina
- Somerset Seedless
- Laura's Laughter