just planted (store bought) last yr baby vine.. Sprayed with AZ41.......


8+yr old Bird pooed seed vine.. Not sprayed with AZ41...


They are both concord grape vines.. though the wild is only an educated guess as the only grape vine I know of that was near was a concord that was located about 40' from this one.. I have never gotten grapes from it.. so I can not say 100% that is what it is..
Since this is my first year with the store bought ones I can not say they are doing better or worse than this time last year..
But.. I am happy at the VERY vigorous growth!! and think maybe I should not treat the "wild" vine so poorly..

Gina *BabyBlue*

Gina, have you ever pruned the old wild vine, back to 1-3 buds? If the old vine has never been pruned, it is no wonder that it produces few, or no grapes. For good fruit production, you need to prune the vines back every year. In Kansas the best time to prune would be in March - Millet (1,368-)

I just planted Concord table grapes. The bare root vines were on clearance at Lowes and looked pretty shriveled. For a couple bucks I thought it would be worth a try and they started growing a few weeks ago.

Phillip

Dauben, how deep did you dig the hole for your grapes? What type of soil are they growing in? - Millet (1,368-)

Traditionally, to insure a vine with a long life, the hole should be dug 4 feet deep, with the *absolute* bear minimum of 2 feet. Currently I have 52 vines to plant this spring. 2 Seedless Flame (table grape), 25 Seedless Vanessa (table grape), and 25 White Traminette (wine grape). Millet (1,367-)

Tomorrow is Casualty Friday

Millet,
Yes I have cut it back for a couple of yrs now.. I have gotten blooms but no fruit.. But I have neglected the vine.. no fert.. what would you recommend??
I do cut it back to about 4'.. 3 ' up and 1' over it kinda Ts and I cut it about 1' from the T maybe 1 1/2'.. the cut is about 2" out of the photo..
Should I be cutting it back more than that???

Gina *BabyBlue*

I am assuming that this is a very vigorous vine, that produces a tremendous amount of vegetation every year, therefore causing the vine to produce little or no grapes. If my assumption is correct, there are ways to manage vigor. First, start the vines with any training system you think is appropriate. If the vine overruns that trellising system, next year (or this year if you already know from past experience) move to a top wire cordon system with fruiting canes hanging down. If the vine still is running wild, go to a four arm Kniffen or cordon system on double wires. If still to vigorous, go to the Geneva double curtain. Grapes rarely require fertilizer. Management of nitrogen and water also manages vigor. Too much nitrogen creates weak, lush growth in excessive amounts. Too much water can have the same effect. The very best way to manage vigor is to allow more buds to push shoots --- but how is this done without allowing the vine to over crop? Cluster thinning is the answer. Hopefully, I assumed correctly that we are talking about a very vigorous vine. If you do not understand some of the trellising terminology, look on the interned, there is a lot of information. - Millet (1,367-)

Tomorrow is --- Casualty Friday

thanks.. yes.. it does tend to grow super fast.. I cut it back and it will be to the end of the fence before half the season is up.. I will look up the techniques you mentioned.. thanks!!

Gina *BabyBlue*

Does anyone know if Joe is still selling AZ-41? I know some of the government certifications were causing grief, but I'd like to get another bottle.

Phillip

No he is not. These days, unless you are a large corporation, or unless your luck enough to have a lot of capital, the vast amount of EPA requirements and certifications to bring a product to market is financially beyond reach for the average citizen. EPA sure destroys the entrepreneurial spirit that Americans were famous for in the past. = Millet

Anybody try using worm tea from castings before?

I have been using it for 3-4 months now, it appears as if my Tomatoes, Peppers, Australian Finger Lime, Macadamian Nut Seedling, and Kumquats (Nagami and Fukushu) have responded very well. More blooms than regular and larger and pungent fruit, especially with the Tomatoes and Peppers. Will keep doing it through next couple of years to see if its the CA weather this year.