Africus Rex seasonal update

Thanks for the update. The site looks great. I've been looking forward to your wine cellar tour. Hope you can find some time to do that soon. I know how hard it is to keep things updated.

Cheers!

Hi Jeff

Very interesting project! I am curious as to the effect on wine quality by growing the grapes in a confined area? Also do you happen to have the plans or sketches for your greenhouse?

thanks

Joe

Joe:

Next season will be first harvest. We'll see what kind of salad dressing I can concoct.

I do have something, actually. I designed the thing myself, using a cute little 3-D design program. I've been thinking of puting them on a page, if there is a lot of interest.

Jeff

Thanks for the update. I have tried to follow you for the past 2-3 years. I also am attempting to grow grapes for wine in a container.

Question: When you remove the plants from the container, have they been exposed to any cold temps, any freezing temps, or frost? If so how much - how long?

Thanks.

Frank Havelock, NC

The vines should have been exposed to a period of cold temperatures above freezing for several weeks. The temps minght not be consistent, but enough to put them in to dormancy and total defoliation. That way you know the vines are asleep.

I don't let my roots freeze. Probably kill them. I unpot my vines on a cold day, (less than 45 F). That way, the roots and vine can be wrapped after being thoroughly wetted and shoved in a cooler at 34 - 40 F until spring.

If the wrapped vines are allowed to remain in temps above 40 there is a risk of mold and/or rot.

Last year, before bringing the vines out of cold storage, their genetic triggering already sent them into bud swell before pulling them out of the bag. Some mold had formed on the roots, but nothing alarming, or rotten. When in cold storage, remember to pull them out when the temperature is steadily above 45 F.

Jeff