hydroponic viticulture update

Great photos and excellent writing!

Dick

Jrff,

Vines look healthy! Just one concern I have is the spacing. How do you get any air flow through the middle of those vines??? Was last year the same way ??? Did you not have any problem with fungus. If you are mostly fungus free then I have to ask what your using for a spray program. I would assume you'd at least have Downey mildew in the middle .Are you thinking of expanding the spacing as the vines mature???? They just seem to be a little close. JMO.

Bob

jeff wrote:

Bob,

Last year the vines were less than half the size. This years growth is vigorous. Last year I had powdery mildew. this year, nothing. Day time temperatures are averaging 94 F every day. These temperatures have been here since the beginning of June. The hottest summer on record for southern Ontario. There is usually a breeze. Humidity is high--about 50% on average. But very little--if any--rain. Grass is brown and crunchy. This year I also notice very few spider mites or other traditional pests. Could be the heat.

I have purposely avoided a spray program this year, if only to see what happens. Other years I have applied garden sulfur, Safers end-all for certain bugs, and some serious fungicide for other maladies.

some of my bunches, however are showing symtoms of something. I posted this earlier, but I'll post it again here.

There is a pic there of what is happening to a few of my bunches. However this malady is happening to bunches on the outer edges of the vineyard where there is plenty of ventilation and sun. tell me what you think.

My shoots are being trained verticaly. new leaves on the upper canopy is always exposed to sun. I've topped once already to promote some lateral growth.

Trellising is a challenge, yes. But...this is an experiment. Main concerns at this point are nutrient balance, and pH. All things are in a constant state of flux.

Jeff