For grapes to mature do they need contact with air and/or sun? or is it leaf exposure that matures the grapes?
The question is intended so that I check whether I can protect the grape clusters from pests without resorting to pesticides or netting. Pests I figure are wasps and birds mainly.
It is the young leaves near the top of the canopy that are providing most of the photosynthesis to ripen the grapes. The leaves near the clusters have already shot their wad and are not contributing all that much. This is why it is important to keep the young, top of the canopy leaves healthy. Some quit spraying around verasion but I think it is important to care for the upper canopy even after verasion.
Pests include BIRDS, ground hogs, RACCOONS and DEER.
Good luck trying to prevent bird dammage without netting. Of course, this depends where your vineyard is located. If you do not have trees surrounding your vineyard then perhaps all you have to worry about is migratory birds, otherwise songbirds that roost in trees can wipe you out. For all critters, the best protection is a physical barrier of some kind.
Thanks.
Actually birds are the only problem. Netting directly on the vines is a tedious task. Especially when it comes to remove them. I gather if you put them late in the season, there will be less stalk growth that might get intertwined with the net.
Maybe I should think about installing a canopy covering the whole area. Then again we'll see!!
Cheers
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