Anybody growing grapes

the mick

Member
I'm new to the grape vine growing, and I'm trying to revive old grape vines from previous owner. I cut down all 5 of the pine trees he had on one side of the vines. I weeded them and composted them. I also sprayed them with some Bonide spray for insects and diseases. Do I need to do any more ? All help greatly appreciated.
 
sounds like you have a good start. I've been at it for several years BUT just so you know--her darn useless goats get let out and the first thing they eat is grapes, then garden plants, then flowers, then any expensive shrubs that the landscaper was paid to install, etc. Grapes will not stand it. They will kill 3/4ths of your vines. You can spray all your stuff with repellant but they just like it all the more.
 
(quoted from post at 15:03:22 06/27/15) I'm new to the grape vine growing, and I'm trying to revive old grape vines from previous owner. I cut down all 5 of the pine trees he had on one side of the vines. I weeded them and composted them. I also sprayed them with some Bonide spray for insects and diseases. Do I need to do any more ? All help greatly appreciated.

Mick, I have not grown any but my son studied viticulture in college. He also has worked at many different vineyards in S. Ill. All I can tell you is that each variety of grapes has its own needs and growing habits so each variety needs to be cared for differently. You need to know what variety of grapes you have and research that type to know how to care for them. GOOD LUCK!!!! Ed
 
Around our area Japanese beetles will eat up all the leaves - any spray I've tried doesn't work. Since I'm not far from a major grape growing area there must be something commercially available to stop them.
 
I grow Concord grapes for Welch's as our "cash" crop, (the corn, beans, hay and beef cows are just a hobby). At this point, we have sprayed four separate times for diseases/mildew and once for insects, much of the best performing tools are restricted use pesticides (must be licensed to buy and apply). While nothing completely eliminates any of the pests, Sevin is usually effective for Jap beetle, readily available, and not super-toxic to others. Many of the proven disease-fighters are zinc or copper based. Timing is usually everything- Grape Berry moth is far more damaging to the commercial vineyards here, but we now understand their growing-degree-day driven reproduction cycle and can spray to disrupt it. With a small patch, you can spray more to respond to observed pests than we can- scouting is important.

Biggest challenge many home-growers face is the dormant pruning of the vines- much more plant growth is removed for top-quality fruit production than you would ever think the plant could want. Many homeowners also seek a specific form to their canopy- trellis/arbor style. Here (SWMI) we retain 150-250 buds per plant in one or two popular trimming styles, which often results in pruning off 400-500 extra buds. Cornell and MSU publish quite a bit of recommended reading for growers, and your local extension agent should have a fruit growers guide for spray suggestions.

Like many other things, careers have been spent learning how to grow good grapes for a variety of end products, way too much for one post!
 
I have a few plants for the family. A lot of people near where I live, grow grapes, and make wine. More of a hobby, and tax write off than anything else. With the water shortage here in California, I am sure some of these will be gone soon. Stan
 
Contact your local office of the Dept. of Agriculture, extension service. They should be able to provide the information you need.
 

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