All the vines are shooting like there is no tomorrow. I bet they grow 3 or 4 inches a week. We have removed the smaller shoots from the main trunk leaving the new growth on the main cordons. Most of the vines have flowers which will eventually turn into grapes if we let them. This Summer however we will not be allowing them to fruit so that all their energy goes into establishing stronger plants.
By the end of this Summer we should have the main cordons fully set on the wires. Vines produce grapes only on new growth, so the main cordons are established to provide the base for that growth and fruit in subsequent years.
We are still spraying against mould and fungus, but the copper and sulphur are not overly serious chemicals as far as pollution is concerned. |