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GRAP e GR o WI n G Canopy management Suckering the trunk and cordon is much easier when done early. Removing sterile shoots will make shoot positioning sim- pler in VSP systems, especially for variet- ies that tend to have many dormant buds just waiting to pop (like Sauvignon Blanc and Arneis, the variety that I grow). If you wait, you end up spending much more time and money, since the longer the shoot, the tougher it is to remove it from the canopy without damaging adjacent shoots. When it is just big enough to determine that the shoot is sterile, it pops right off. If you have a variety that gives you prob- lems setting too big of a crop with large clusters, you can deal early on with these problems. Viticulture professor Cesare In- trieri from the University of Bologna has done considerable research on Sangiovese in the Emilia Romagna region to help im- prove fruit quality under vigorous growth conditions. He has demonstrated that pre- bloom leaf removal adjacent to the flowers will definitely result in smaller and looser clusters. If you are working with a clone of a variety that produces large clusters such as Sangiovese, Syrah or Zinfandel, you might want to experiment with this technique to reduce crop load early in the growth of the fruit. Other practices include trimming particularly large clusters by half shortly after fruit set. On the other hand, if you are hav- ing problems setting fruit due to excess vigor, another practice used in Italy is to tip the shoots just before bloom. This changes the hormonal balance of the vine, and often it will improve fruit set. This has been used successfully on Pinot Noir and Merlot in vigorous sites. Other use- ful practices include foliar fertilizers that have micronutrients (including boron) as well as potassium for improved fruit set. If nothing else, the sprays may loosen some of the calyptra (the caps on top of the flowers) and other material that might interfere with pollination. A grower's work is never done, it seems, but some hard work up front with timely practices often makes the season run much more smoothly. Glenn McGourty is the UC Cooperative Extension winegrowing and plant science ad- visor for Lake and Mendocino counties. He also tends a 1-acre vineyard of the aromatic Italian winegrape variety Arneis on his prop- erty along the Russian River near Ukiah, Ca- lif. To comment on this column, e-mail edit@ winesandvines.com. ow is the time to make sure your frost-protection system is ready to go. By testing the system well in advance, winegrowers can be sure that all the sprinklers are working, and that pumps have no issues or surprises. For sites that pump from surface water, it is essential to remain up to date on state and local regulations. If possible, run water only for the parts of the vineyard that truly need protection. It saves water, fuel and regula- tory scrutiny. Valved systems allow growers to frost protect only the early blocks that are at risk of damage. Keep frost forecasting telephone numbers on your speed dial. Many reports are up- dated twice daily and well worth monitoring. G.M. Testing frost protection n Certified Lab testing Above State requirements Top Notch Service... Classic wines…and superior vines…don't grow overnight. They must be nurtured slowly and meticulously. It starts from the very beginning with Vintage Nurseries. Our seasoned professionals not only create the perfect growing conditions, but eagerly dispense expert advice and tend to every detail. Whether in our nursery or your vineyard, we answer all of your questions and offer suggestions, so that you can feel confident with the selections you've made. At Vintage Nurseries those selections are, like our service, a cut above. The result? Vintage quality, year after year. 661-758-4777 Wasco Paso Robles 805-237-8914 209-523-8036 Modesto 8 0 0 - 4 9 9 - 9 0 1 9 www.VintageNurseries.com Serving the Wine, Table Grape and Raisin Industries Santa Rosa 707-542-5510 Wines & Vines APRiL 2011 63