Thank you for that article – what a different perspective. Here in the Puget Sound, we lust after every extra degree-day and try to make the most of ever bit of sunlight. A lot of people are complaining about our hot summer, but it’s going to be a great year for grapes (and tomatoes and peppers …) But after reading that, even I will be a little more careful about leaf pulling.

Thanks too for the link to germplasm repository. For anyone wanting to grow from cuttings, and some of my bonsai vineyard is from cuttings, this is a great resource.

Keep in touch. I’d love to follow the progress of your vines.

Erroll

Here is a nice article you will love: http://www.winebusiness.com/wbm/?go=getArticle&dataId=45457

I’m not familiar with the vines you grow either… Sometimes I get zone jealous! Mostly, I just live in my world and make do!

If you look at UC Davis site, the list is long for wine grapes and the cuttings are free. You pay shipping only. I searched for grapes that are heat craving. You will find a world of cuttings there that may increase your vineyard and enhance your blends.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=12254 I copied and pasted the whole list into excel, and sorted by country. Then I sorted alphabetically so I could research each grape I ordered.

I seem to do OK with cuttings. I pruned some over vigorous green softwood canes from my Mourvedre and I now have 2 nicely growing vines for free. Easy rooters!!
Suzi

I like a vertical cordon, because it makes moving and root pruning easier. I go into more detail about how and why I prune my container grape vines. As I learned with my Swenson Red, sometimes the vine has other ideas. Per-vine yields will be lower in containers, so I thin clusters and pull leaves to get the most out of them. If you read the leaf pulling article, don’t skip the comments. Andrea pointed out that my original thoughts on the tradeoff between pulling a leaf to get sunlight onto a cluster or leaving it in the shade to get more sugar wasn’t quite right. I have since confirmed this with our local extension agent, so it makes for an easier decision.

But it sounds like your climate is so different from mine, that my methods might not apply to your situation. I’m in the Puget Sound region, and I’ve heard growers compare it to Germany, Burgundy, and even southern England. Your climate is like Greece? Where are you?

For a soil mix, I use 50/50 perlite and peat moss – with a handful or two of lime.

I’m not familiar with the vines you have ordered, but I’m excited for you!

Erroll

I know cane aka head training is common for Zinfandel vines, and I think it will work well for Mourvedre, Malbec, Perlette, and Touriga National. Not so sure about Cabernet and Tempranillo. I have on order from UC Davis: Primitivo De Gioia, Cinsaut, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, Charbono, and Mandelaria for reds. Whites I have Daphnata and Assirtico. Assirtico intrigues me because it is the main vine for Santorini, Greece. Our climate is exactly like theirs, and they prune those vines on the ground into a basket shape, winding the canes around and around and up and up. Protects the vines from the sandy wind. I like what you said, “let the vine decide.” But knowing their growth habits ahead of time would sure be great. I’m still researching. Looking forward to seeing some more pictures of your vines!

Also, what kind of soil mix/fertilizer do you use in your containers?
Thanks!
Suzi

I had to look that one up, and it’s sounding like a much better name than “testing acid by CO2,” “the reactor-monometer,” or “Mr Proctor’s gadget.” Don Proctor made the device, and that’s where the last name came from.

Erroll

Jalapeno? That’s one I haven’t tried! Sounds like you’ve got a good group out there.

Erroll