Last year,I received some very useful comments from this Group on how
to control the vigour of my vines in
England(Bacchus,Schonburger,Regent,Rondo).
I was advised by some to regularly put compost on the vines in the
winter,and by others to leave alone.Also some recommended removing
sideshoots from the verticals (Double Guyot ),some not as they help
with grape ripening.
Well,I put compost +balanced fertiliser on 50%,and only peat on the
other 50%,and there is no discernible difference in vigour.
The vines are carrying a good crop this year and I will keep as much
leaf on as possible,consistent with being able to get good penetration
with powdery mildew spray.However,it really is strange that the vines
are flowering now,and the vertical rods are already over the top wire!
My books suggest that the rods should reach the top wires in early
August.This season has slightly above average temperatures,but very
very low rainfall.
I would really like some advice on how to reduce vigour.I should add
that all my vines are from cuttings,and that they all look incredibly
healthy.
Hope you can help
Michael