michael wrote:

> 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

You can't control the rains and therefore vigor control is very difficult.
You could experiment by trying to grow some on a high wire. downward
growing shoots are less vigorous.

You will get a LOT more fedback by going to

Winepress.us and joining (its free)

Paul