Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/116287
WineEast begin to push, we have vines transition from bud swelling to shoot growth very quickly. The same vines outside the tunnel lag by days. For the grapes used in the trial at Tamanend Winery in Pennsylvania, we established a Double Guyot cordon-training system, where one cordon from each side of last year's growth is removed during pruning and a new cordon is chosen to replace it out of the current year's growth. Then the remaining cordon on each side is used for the current crop. This system has been determined to minimize buildup of diseases by having the cordons regularly replaced. Preparation of the tunnel for the growing season requires getting the plastic skin on the hoops. The time to do this should be based upon when you want the grapes to ripen and the risk tolerance for a heavy spring snow event. Up to several inches of snow is tolerable, provided there is enough personnel to knock off the snow before it accumulates on top of the tunnel to any degree. During this time of year it is best to keep the doors closed in order to trap the heat within the tunnel. It is also recommended that the sides of the tunnel remain fully down. The orientation of the vines into a traditional VSP system is straightforward. The canopy fills in quickly, making it necessary to begin hedging much earlier than vines grown outside. After bud push, the plastic sides should remain down until after the latest date for a spring freeze. After that date, the plastic sides should be rolled up to get as much air and diffuse light into the tunnel as possible. Avoid rolling upAM Page skin during cold H&W_Dec10.qxp 10/12/10 10:59 the top's 1 weather and when water avoidance is necessary. Grapegrowing Basic Hoop Layout 20 feet 24 feet 28 feet This diagram shows the various hoop designs for different tunnel widths. Each square represents 50 centimeters, or about 2 feet. Spraying: Tunnels do not require as many sprays or even the same sprays. For example, a grower will not have to spray for Japanese beetles. The beetles don't like the diffused light within the tunnel and won't enter. Downy mildew is much less of a problem in tunnels, but powdery mildew can be a problem. There is virtually no weed control necessary. Many growers use an airblast sprayer set up at one end of the tunnel. All you need to do is turn it on and calculate the time it would take to get to about half way down the tunnel and let the As good As it gets. Natural Corks Champagne Corks Twinline Corks Bartops VISION® Wine Stopper G-Cap® Screw Cap 90 W in e s & V i ne s APR I L 2 013 Sales Representatives Chris & Liz Stamp info@lakewoodcork.com Lakewood Cork 4024 State Route 14 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 lakewoodcork.com 607-535-9252 607-535-6656 Fax