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Wynboer Tips for May
PLANNING
- Review overall farm planning – uprooting/new plantings.
- Finalise and confirm vine orders with nurseries.
- Plan repair work to trellis systems, implements, tools and roads.
VINEYARD PROGRAMME
Soil preparation and drainage
- Soil for new vineyard blocks, or blocks that are being replaced, should be mapped by a soil scientist so that the correct chemical and physical adjustments may be done before planting.
- Do preparation at optimum soil moisture conditions using the correct implements.
- Install drainage systems in wet soils.
Pest control
- Put out snail bait after the autumn rains to limit snail populations.
- Take soil samples for nematode analyses if required.
- Mark mealybug infested vines for winter spraying.
Pruning
- Do not start any pruning practices until at least 80% leaf drop.
- If possible it is ideal to prune clean in one action.
- Pre-pruning should preferably be applied to vigorous vines only.
- Cultivars that are susceptible to delayed budding should be pruned in one action as late as possible, without any pre-pruning.
- Ensure that pruning shears are in a good condition (sharp). It is good practice to disinfect shears at the end of each vine row.
- Consult your chemical consultant for wound seal applications to combat wood-rot fungi directly after pruning.
Pre-pruning
- May be done if vines are trellised in order to distribute labour.
- Prune shoots approximately 50 cm from the base.
Clean pruning
- This is the most important pruning action, be sure to use skilled labour.
- Remove all shoots except bearer canes and prune clean.
- Adhere strictly to bearer spacing and pruning back to prevent build-up of bearers.
Final pruning
- Prune all bearer canes back to 1 - 2 buds as recommended by your viticulturist for a specific cultivar and/or block.
General
- This is the ideal time to have soil analyses done for recommendations on maintenance fertilisation.
- Apply top dressing to cover crops at 4 leaf stage for maximum growth and material.
- Control quick grass and other perennial weeds without spraying green/yellow vine leaves and shoots.
- Start installation of trellis systems for young vines.
- When uprooting, remove as much plant material as possible (cordon, trunks, roots) from the soil and keep it away from existing vineyards.
- Indicate which vines in young plantings are infected with leafroll and uproot.
FINANCIAL
Contact Gert van Wyk 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.
Motto: Cutting edge advice for sustainable wine production
Value begins in the vineyard...
VinPro Consultation Service
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