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RECENT ARTICLES | WYNBOER HOME
Wynboer Tips for December
PLANNING
- Do a proper soil survey in uprooted vineyards to analyse soil type and determine preparation plus cultivar/rootstock suitability
- Make arrangements for soil preparation (take soil samples and book contractors) in January/February.
- Make provision for labour requirements during the harvest.
- Check that the mechanical harvester is in good working order.
VINEYARD PROGRAMME
Irrigation
- Monitor soil water status and vineyard growth reaction to irrigation scheduling.
- From pea berry stage – moderate water stress on vigorous vines and large berry/premium red cultivars is beneficial for wine quality
Disease control
- Persist with preventive control programme of oidium and downy mildew in particular late ripening cultivars e.g Cabernet Sauvignon.
Pest control
- Monitor mealy bug and ants and control where necessary.
Vine development
- Complete the development of cordons (green shoot method).
- Crop control of young vines (first crop) is very important – no bunches on weak shoots (<50 cm shoot length).
- Fertilise where growth is not sufficient.
Canopy management
- Regular tipping actions are required to control growth and prevent shoots from falling over.
- It is very important to pick up foliage wires and position shoots timeously.
- If canopy above bunch zone is too dense, leaves should be removed according to the 1/3 leaf-removal principle.
- Remove green and poorly coloured bunches at 80% veraison for high quality wine goal.
- Also remove second crop bunches on side shoots.
FINANCIAL
Contact Gert van Wyk for information about:
- Viability, cost and profitability analyses.
- 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.
Motto: Cutting edge advice for sustainable wine production
Value begins in the vineyard...
VinPro Consultation Service
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Facts, figures, contact details and much more in the 2009/10 Directory
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