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SG Brix

Hi woodwerks:

I've been surfing for information for a month or more on which varieties of vinifera are more fruitful at the basal buds vs. further out on the cane and have come up with zip. I am still trying to figure out which would be better cane pruned vs cordon pruned. My search includes Yahoo, egroups as well.

The best source of ancedotal info is truly here at rcw. Try the archives for rcw, maybe they have what you're looking for. Here's the URL:

Otherwise I would like to see you just ask away. The charter for rcw is broad enough to include growing grapes. So fire away, maybe you'll get the info you need.

Steve noobie Oregon

Anyone know of a newsgroup that would have advice on growing grapes?

I just started at blog on the work that I do in our vineyards at

I do not have any formal qualification on this matter, but have attended courses here in France. As we are appellation controllee, we have to work our vineyards to certain rules. I am including general work that I do, treatments, harvesting, planting and establishing vineyards. It may be of some interest to you.

Arthur Cook

Southern Rhone, France

Newbie,

IMHO, one of the worst things that anyone getting into growing grapevines can do is overanalyze the process too much. Just like wine, I think grapevines are sometimes handled too much and not allowed to do what they do best. New grapegrowers seem to want to start "screwing with" the plants too soon and often. As far as fruitful basal buds , since it should be at least 2-3 years before you allow fruit to hang on your vines, you can do your own research about your specific plants basal nodes and other unique traits they will have at your site.. Because of the many factors involved, you should also make your OWN observations as to what is happening in YOUR vineyard because every situation is different .

Bob

Arthur,

While planting in dry holes might be a "pain", one needs to take care, especially on clay soil, that when digging in wet soil not to make holes that are almost clay pots because of the way pushing into the soil with a digger makes the holes sides smooth therefore preventing roots from spreading easily out of the planting hole. Also , 2 meters between rows seems way to little if your going to use a tractor. I also appreciate you live in Frace but I have sympathy for the constraints you are put under to grow your vines. Thank God we don't have those "rules" here in the US. How else could you foster innovation growing under such ridgid restrictions.

Bob

Hi Bob:

As always thanks for your pointers. I understand paralysis from analysis :-) ... do it all the time!!

Of course I'll evaluate each plant when the time comes, but until then digging and research passes the time, eh?

Take Care, Steve - Newbie Oregon

There's a pretty active website on the subject at

(note the .us domain, not .com or .org).

Bob,

I would not plant vines in heavy clay soils, as the soil would not be classified as A.O.C. here, rules again. All the vineyards in this area are planted at 2 metres apart; you might find the odd one a 2.25. The tractors are smaller; I have put a photo on my blog if you are interested. I did not make the rules or necessarily agree with them, but have to work to them to make a living here. You can innovate a little; I am planting at a higher density.

Arthur