Alex has been pruning for weeks now. I started with the old vines but then didn't manage to get back to it until yesterday. I started on the Pinot Noir yesterday as the vines finally have a good number of inflorescences. Not flowering yet, but enough growth to need pruning. As I got excited about possibly having Pinot grapes this year, I took to that row with enthusiasm.
The first four vines were really encouraging with many flower bunches and lots of excessive growth. They have very predictable patterns, with two bunches on most fruiting shoots, possibly with a third minor one on a tendril and, if not, then a tendril with a leaf. The tendrils on some were massive. I counted 3-4 leaves past the two bunches and removed the third minor bunch or tendril with leaf. I tried to identify potential new cordons and tie them down.
By the 5th vine, the flowering had subsided, and by the 6th, there were none and parts of the primary cordons were dead. I got as far as the 7th when the vineyard got a bit damp. Strange weather we've been having. The east is having a heat wave -- 25C, while we are having cool drizzly days. Today was quite humid so we have to keep a lookout for mildew.
Alex bought SB Plant Invigorator on Andrew's recommendation. I researched its mechanism of action as I didn't like the idea of spraying with something that kills all the major pests and tackles mildew effectively, plus acts as a foliar nutrient. But it seems legit. The SB Plant Invigorator is a combination of nontoxic biodegradable surfactants that work mechanically to stifle pests. Very effective against mildews. It also strengthens the foliage for max photosynthesis. Sounds fruitful. So I guess we'll try it.
Now I have to make Dolmas, Greek stuffed grape leaves. I have a recipe that I'm already modifying.
We have this week, and then we go to a wedding in Neenagh, after which we have family coming to visit from America. Happy 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
