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RECENT ARTICLES | WYNBOER HOME
Wynboer Tips for May
PLANNING
- Re-evaluate overall farm planning.
- Finalise and confirm your vine order from your nursery.
- Plan repair work to trellis systems, implements and equipment.
IN THE VINEYARD
Soil preparation and drainage
- Employ a soil scientist to evaluate the soil so that the correct chemical and physical adjustments can be made.
- Do soil preparation at optimum soil moisture conditions with the correct implements.
- Install drainage systems in wet soils.
Pest control
- Put out snail bait after autumn rains to control snail populations.
- Take soil samples for nematode analyses if required.
- Clearly mark mealybug infested spots for necessary control measures.
- Undertake ant control where necessary.
Pruning
- Do not start pruning until at least 80% leaf drop.
- If possible do initial and clean pruning in one action.
- Pre- and clean pruning should preferably only be applied to vigorously growing vines.
- Cultivars that are sensitive to delayed budding should be pruned in one action without pre-pruning, as late as possible.
- Ensure that pruning shears are in a good condition (sharp).
- Pruning wounds >15 mm diameter should preferably be treated with wound sealer.
- Consult your chemical consultant for cordon directed spraying against wood rotting fungi directly after pruning actions.
Pre-pruning
- Can be done in trellised vineyards so as to distribute labour, not longer than 7 - 12 days prior to final pruniung.
- Cut shoots approximately 50 cm from basis.
Clean pruning
- This is the most important pruning action, therefore use skilled labourers only.
- Remove all shoots except bearers and prune smoothly.
Final pruning
- Cut all bearers to 1 - 2 buds as recommended by your viticulturist for a specific cultivar and/or block.
- General
- Control quick grass and other perennial weeds without contact on the green/yellow vine leaves and shoots.
- Start errecting trellis systems in young vineyards.
FINANCIAL
Contact your agricultural economist for information about:
- Viability and economic studies.
- Presentations on the economics of wine grape cultivation, industry overview, etc.
- Budgets and financial planning in the light of production cost, establishment cost and other industry parameters.
- Participation in the production plan/study groups.
Compiled by: VinPro Consultation Service
For more information contact Annamarie van Onselen at (021) 807-3027.
Value begins in the vineyard...
VinPro Consultation Service
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