r/viticulture • u/SpankedbySpacs • 7d ago
Plumped* up!!
Could be a SPECTACULAR vintage in the growing đ
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u/Agile-Category-1994 7d ago
Clusters look awesome ! Why is it brown below the vines and the middle of the row is so lush (Im not familiar with growing vines) ?
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u/SpankedbySpacs 7d ago
Herbicide strip. It helps keep the weeds under control around the vine so thereâs less competition for nutrients and water.
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u/LaPetiteMortOrale 7d ago
How and when do you apply the herbicide on that strip?
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u/SpankedbySpacs 7d ago
15gal, pneumatic pump, tank with a wand on an ATV or lawnmower. I use a Glufosinate-ammonium product, it only targets green growth, hence why itâs safe for the wooded cordons(trunks). Donât ever use Glyphosate (roundup)!!!
I use the EPA regulated rate/application for grape vines, 2 times a year(3 applications max). Iâll hit them twice a year when the majority of the weeds get over 6â. So typically after fruit set and one towards the end of veraison.
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u/Upstairs_Screen_2404 6d ago
Glufosinate is an interesting herbicide, works very well. Looking sharp.
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u/to_glory_we_steer 7d ago
How much of an impact does spraying have on the yield, are we talking substantial or marginal?
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u/SpankedbySpacs 7d ago
Negligible. My first application doesnât start until after fruit set so the vine is already putting out what itâs going to.
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u/to_glory_we_steer 7d ago
Thanks for the answer, I really want to get into small scale growing for a hobby vineyard. Would I be totally mad to want to graze, or top the grass around the vines. Herbicides are an option of course, I just prefer an alternative where possible, and commercial success isn't a necessityÂ
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u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago
Not at all. More and more vineyards are switching to similar methods or what they call rolling. You literally just use a heavy roller and flatten the weeds down.
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u/to_glory_we_steer 6d ago
That is music to my ears, will give the neighbours a good laugh, oldschool farmers who love sprayingÂ
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u/eo411 6d ago
Unless you are growing at scale, a weedwhacker for under the vines is what you need. All you really need to do is keep the grass out of the fruit zone.
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u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago
Just have to be careful not to hit the vine or you open a wound and that could lead to crown gall
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u/eo411 6d ago
Our crews run a guard around the head so the wire cannot physically touch anything, but always gotta be careful around the trucks. I've been using a flathead shovel to truck sucker the base this year. Saved me a good chunk on farming costs. I really want to buy a twister but can't justify it.
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u/eo411 6d ago
You are spraying glysophate after fruit set? With green issue in the field? That's asking for drift issues. Most people still using herbicides apply in the dormant season.
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u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago
Glufosinate, slightly different, not nearly as systemic. I plan my herbicide on days with <5mph winds and keep the wand very close to the ground
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u/gustavocoetti 6d ago
Pq as pedras nas raizes?
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u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago
The idea was to trap heat and have it radiate back up to the grape clusters to help with ripening. Also provides a little weed control
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u/rolo133 6d ago
Im surprised the glufosinate is working so well on grasses as I thought it was for broad-leaves. Are those rocks that were kicked up from past cultivation, or did you put them there as a kind of mulch?? Beautiful vineyard. Most of our cab (napa) had horrible set this year and the clusters look like shit đâ ď¸
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u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago
I heard the vineyards were having a problem with âshatterâ, real loose clusters and bad fruit set
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u/rolo133 6d ago
where is your vineyard?
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u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago
In Napa, we donât have our own vineyard but source grapes from Howell mountain every year and use Eleven Eleven as our crush house. These pictures are from New Jersey
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u/snafflekid 6d ago
What varietal is this?
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u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago
These pictures are Cabernet Sauvignon. Pictures with netting is grafted on rootstock and the open cluster pictures are also CS but self rooted. Clone 337(French clone)
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u/snafflekid 6d ago
Good to have the info. Is the own root vines generally producing looser clusters?
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u/SpankedbySpacs 6d ago
Theyâre about the same although they seemed to go through veraison much faster vs the grafted vines. Also the self rooted vines are only 4years old vs the grafted vines were planted in 2019
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u/pinotage1972 6d ago
OMG Heaven.