Question
Hello,  Gretings.  I am resident in Cameroon, Central Africa.  I want to grow grapes from seeds that a friend brought to me from the US but I do not know what to do.
I planted some but the seeds all seem to have gotten rotten. They were planted in polythene bags using good soil but the rains here hve been too much and I wonder if it were better for me to wait until the dry season to plant them.  Where can I get good grape seeds that can grow here in Central Africa?  Here in Cameroon the growing of grape vines is NONE EXISTENT!!   So nobody lnows anything about growing them.  I like grapes and really want to grow them.
I will be grateful vor every advise from seeding, transplanting to taking care of them.  Thanks a lot in advance for your kind assistance.  Emmanuel

Answer
Hello Emmanuel,
Thanx for your question.  I don't know how well grapes would grow in a tropical environment as most grapes that I know of require a cold period to go dormant and build up energy for the next growing season.  Grapes are decidous vines.  This may be why you are unable to find information on growing grapes in your country just like I cannot find local information on growing papaya in Kansas because it gets frightfully cold here and snows and a papaya cannot grow in that environment.  With all of that said, you can still try.  Take your grape seed and make sure all of the pulp is off of them and they have dried for a week or so.  Plant the seeds. 1cm deep in rich soil in a pot.  Seal the pot inside a clear plastic bag and place the pot in the refrigerator for 60-90 days.  Grape seeds require an extended cold period in order to break the dormancy of the seeds.  Once the seeds have spent 2-3 months in a cold environment, return the pot to warm temperatures.  Do not place the pot sealed in its bag in direct sunlight because the trapped sun inside the bag will result in temperatures so high, the seeds will be killed.  Just keep the sealed bag indoors.  In am month or so, the seeds should germinate.  When the seeds germinate, remove the bag and place the seedlings in the window so they will get plenty of sunlight.  After they are abou 8-10 cm tall, carefully prick the seedlings out of the pot and pot them up in separate pots.  Place the seedlings in a shaded, shelted area where they will be safe from direct sun, rain, wind, etc. for 10 days.  After that, plant the seedlings in direct sun.  Here is a website from Texas A&M University you may find helpful. http://winegrapes.tamu.edu/resources/grapewebs.shtml
I hope this helps.  
Tom