Vitis_Vamvakada
Junior Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2012
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Hello…
I am new to the forum and new to the art of viticulture but am keen to gain knowledge and learn.
I am just getting ready to set up my new vineyard. About 40 000 sq meters or close to 10 acres. It’s not a big plot but rather sizeable for a first attempt.
I live in Cyprus. For those who don’t know it’s a small island in the East pocket of the Mediterranean. The summers here are intense as is the prolonged dry spell through the months of May to October. We have one ‘mellow’ vintage and I use the term lightly, once every 5 – 7 years. There are however some indigenous varieties which you may have heard of (Maratheftiko, Xynisteri) which can withstand these conditions. These are the ones I will be planting.
I do need your help with a few things:
Usually, here on the island, the prunings are buried under ground and dug up again when they are to be planted as cuttings approximately three months later. I want to put them in the ground as soon as they are pruned. I will be using a rooting hormone to help with the formation of the roots. I wont be buying commercial types as they are very expensive and needing to plant 12 000 vines will cost a fortune. I will buy some from a manufacturer. The hormone comes in very pure form at about 98% IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid )and will have to be diluted. Has anyone ever played around with this stuff before? Any hints and tips regarding root promoting and planting of the cuttings will come in very handy. Also input on how long the cutting should be and how much of it should be underground and what should be left above the surface will also help me a lot guys. The dilution of the hormone? Shall I immerse the cuttings in a solution of it and leave them there? If so how long? Would it be wiser to just dip them in the solution and straight in to a hole in the ground?
Secondly: the soil.
Very chalky. Almost pure white. High calcium content. Nearly all wines suffer from chlorosis. I will supplying the vineyard with some Iron chelate 6%. The thing is you get mixed opinions about the quantity for each plant.
When or how soon after planting them into the ground shall I add the chelate? I will be dissolving it in water and will not be made available as powder form.
How much of it is needed? I have read/heard anything from 10 grams per young plant to 50 grams and sometimes 100 grams. Any clues?
Thirdly: fertilizer.
I will fertilise as soon as I can. When will it be most appropriate? How soon after planting? I think I should use fertilizer to promote the root system first then one for the foliage. Would a 15 – 30 – 15 (N,P,K) be good for a first dose? And again please some one that has tried this tell me how much per plant is adequate.
That will be all for now. I think you all realize what I am trying to do. Any suggestions are most welcome. Do not hold back. I will be adding pictures on here shortly so you can see the progress. After all it looks like we may be planting it together
I thank you all for reading and for your input.
I am new to the forum and new to the art of viticulture but am keen to gain knowledge and learn.
I am just getting ready to set up my new vineyard. About 40 000 sq meters or close to 10 acres. It’s not a big plot but rather sizeable for a first attempt.
I live in Cyprus. For those who don’t know it’s a small island in the East pocket of the Mediterranean. The summers here are intense as is the prolonged dry spell through the months of May to October. We have one ‘mellow’ vintage and I use the term lightly, once every 5 – 7 years. There are however some indigenous varieties which you may have heard of (Maratheftiko, Xynisteri) which can withstand these conditions. These are the ones I will be planting.
I do need your help with a few things:
Usually, here on the island, the prunings are buried under ground and dug up again when they are to be planted as cuttings approximately three months later. I want to put them in the ground as soon as they are pruned. I will be using a rooting hormone to help with the formation of the roots. I wont be buying commercial types as they are very expensive and needing to plant 12 000 vines will cost a fortune. I will buy some from a manufacturer. The hormone comes in very pure form at about 98% IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid )and will have to be diluted. Has anyone ever played around with this stuff before? Any hints and tips regarding root promoting and planting of the cuttings will come in very handy. Also input on how long the cutting should be and how much of it should be underground and what should be left above the surface will also help me a lot guys. The dilution of the hormone? Shall I immerse the cuttings in a solution of it and leave them there? If so how long? Would it be wiser to just dip them in the solution and straight in to a hole in the ground?
Secondly: the soil.
Very chalky. Almost pure white. High calcium content. Nearly all wines suffer from chlorosis. I will supplying the vineyard with some Iron chelate 6%. The thing is you get mixed opinions about the quantity for each plant.
When or how soon after planting them into the ground shall I add the chelate? I will be dissolving it in water and will not be made available as powder form.
How much of it is needed? I have read/heard anything from 10 grams per young plant to 50 grams and sometimes 100 grams. Any clues?
Thirdly: fertilizer.
I will fertilise as soon as I can. When will it be most appropriate? How soon after planting? I think I should use fertilizer to promote the root system first then one for the foliage. Would a 15 – 30 – 15 (N,P,K) be good for a first dose? And again please some one that has tried this tell me how much per plant is adequate.
That will be all for now. I think you all realize what I am trying to do. Any suggestions are most welcome. Do not hold back. I will be adding pictures on here shortly so you can see the progress. After all it looks like we may be planting it together
I thank you all for reading and for your input.