Thread: Healthy vines
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michael[_3_] michael[_3_] is offline
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Default Healthy vines

I thought that I would try again to further my understanding of
observations on my vines in England this year,based on the very useful
replies and discussion.There will always be disagreement,but as
someone new to growing grapevines,I hope that I can understand the
issues.I apologise to doubi..for my recent comment,and hope that he
can continue to help.
Let me try again to summarise my recently gained knowledge:
1)Using wood chip as a mulch on the surface around the vine can
greatly help in the stabilisation of upper soil moisture content,and
will not affect the nitrogen of the vines-rotovating or digging in
wood chip will rob the soil,and this is my gardening experience.Garden
compost could be even better,as it introduces a living worm population
which may help soil texture.
2)Wasps or other insects are not the source of primary damage to
ripening grapes,but can spread the rot to other grapes in the bunch.A
primary source of damage could be a heavy rain shower,causing
splitting,followed by wasps,etc moving in.I think that this is what
happens with plums after they split when nearing ripeness.My culling
of the majority of the wasp population will still help,I believe.
3)I thought that darker vine leaves to be an indicator of too much
nitrogen.I would like to know what the indicators are for vines
needing more phosphates,or potash,so that I know what fertiliser to
add to my compost.
4)One indisputable fact is that my vines and grapes are sofar much
healthier this year. I believe that probably the main cause is the
long very warm dry spell here in June-but I do not really know.It
could be the compost keeping moisture levels stable.
5)My original post was about pruning of laterals or sideshoots for
vigorous vines in a cool climate.My policy now is to remove most of
them in June and July to prevent a dense canopy developing,thus
encouraging powdery mildew,and then leave them alone after veraison to
have maximum leaf for the ripening period.

I hope that my understanding is improving and welcome your comments

Michael