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June
2004
This
is the first year our red & green seedless
grape vines are producing fruit, since they are only a few
years old, so the taste of the remains TBD, but leaf and
vine growth over the past 2 years has been tremendous. Right
now, there is fruit bunched all over the vines, and some
are even turning red already. The ripening fruit seems to
be splitting apart in some of the bunches, and definitely
not because they are overripe. Not sure what that's about,
but will be looking into that shortly to see if we can find
out what the deal is with that. I suspect its from irregular
watering, but I guess we could have overwatered too. Some
leaves are yellowing, but very few, and overall the plants
look really healthy. Some of the bunches of fruit seem perfectly
fine and I have to say it is a pretty amazing thing to have
these vines actually bear fruit. We watched the grapes form
and that was interesting and fun, but now watching the red
ones turn red is even more fun because I know that means
they are getting close to "ready"!!
Tip
#1 for Growing Grapes: Run rows north-south so both sides
of the vines get sun as the light shifts from east to west
during the day. We did this accidentally and lucked out,
but it's supposedly recommended and makes sense.
Tip
#2:
Grapevines do not like wet feet, so choose a sloped site with good drainage.
If their roots stand in water, they'll die, or at least they won't produce good-tasting
grapes.
Tip
#3
Basic rule of thumb for pruning grapes: Lose about 90 percent
of the previous year's growth.
Tip
#4
When
grapes are ripe, fruit will be at its sweetest, grape seeds
change from green to brown, the cluster stem turns brownish
and wrinkles slightly.
Tip #5
Watch
your grapes carefully near harvest time, and carefully
regulate water. Excessive rains during harvest may cause
splitting of skins like what's happening to me (but since
I live in So. CA I know it's not the rain's fault if there's
too much water!)
Grapes do not need direct sunlight on the berries to develop
color. The leaves do need sunlight --they
are what produce the sugars in the fruit, which in turn, affects
the color. But to prevent bird pilfering, reduce
weather damage and, in general, get higher quality fruits,
bag the clusters when they are about half grown with brown
kraft bags tied securely to the grape cane. Netting can work
equally well.
PyolaTM
and Soap-Shield®
Save on this Special Spray Combo
Gardeners
should have these two products on hand right from the start
of the season -- Pyola to control insect pests and Soap-Shield
to fight disease. Like the moldy mildew and fungus that can
attack tomato plants under very moist environmental conditions.
Buy combo and pay $5.95 less than if purchased separately!
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