Recent content by BigH

I let my Marquette hang and eventually harvested ahead of some predicted rain before the TA really moved like I wanted it to. As I harvested, I noticed some soft berries, stem necrosis, and shelling (which I haven't seen in this variety). I didn't lose much, but I don't think the grapes would...

Brianna is commonly harvested with sugars at 16-18 brix, and the pH above 3.2. It is rumored to develop "foxy" flavors if allowed to ripen beyond that. Edelweiss is also harvested early for the same reason. Chaptalization is pretty much required for both. I harvest both in the middle of August...

In my experience, their pea sized brains are sophisticated enough for them to walk and wiggle into the net from the ground, but they are not smart enough to figure out how to get out. I staple my nets to the ground with lawn staples. Perhaps another strategy would work. H

When were these planted? H

Their laughter is short lived around here :) Side note, we adopted a dog last winter. We have seen a significant reduction in coon pressure this year with her around, which is interesting because we don't leave her out at night. Haven't seen any turkeys either, which were a new pest last year. H

I combine netting with bird scare devices. The idea is to keep them away, or scare them away, before they figure out how to compromise the nets. Works well if I get the nets and tape on early. Last year, I was habitually late, and they had learned there was a food source before I got nets on...

I talked to a wine maker who said he uses foliar sprays to apply potassium. I had never heard of such a thing, but if true, it might get you buy until you can get potassium built up in the soil. H

Consider submitting leaves for petiole analysis. I would submit two samples 1. Leaves collected from vines with good vigor 2. Leaves collect from vines with low vigor My hunch is that the discoloration is potassium deficiency H

My vote is wind damage combined with the use of grow tubes. My evidence Some arborists oppose staking young trees because they feel it results in a taller tree with a weaker trunk. The theory is that young trees exposed to wind devote more energy to building a strong trunk. If you remove the...

I am really not qualified to answer your question. My climate is just too different. I recommend that you find a grape grower in your area and try to talk to them. What are they growing, and have they tried growing the varieties that you want to grow? Planting a the wrong variety for a given...

Are you cane pruning or spur pruning? Did the canes harden off completely before the first killing frost? H

Have you measured pH and sugar? Where are they at? Sample both big and little berries. It is difficult to tell from the pics if this is normal evaporation and shrinking, or if it is the beginning of losing a crop to black rot. If it is evaporation, then it is probably time to harvest, which I...

Last I checked, Sevin was not rated for phylloxera, which is kind of hard to believe since it kills almost everything. Assail does list phylloxera. I haven't seen much phylloxera in my vineyard since I added it to my rotation for JB. H

I would stick with the vine you already have. It has way more root mass than a cutting. You could hedge your bets and plant a cutting nearby, but I would expect the existing vine to be fine. H

Guess I should say why I do this. If my pH is low, I use 71B to metabolize some of the malic acid to bring the pH up. The intent is to ensure a successful MLF after primary fermentation. A MLF can fail if the bacteria are stressed by a low pH environment. I like to have the pH around 3.2 or...