Grapes

Phomopsis is the first disease on a grower's radar screen. Phomopsis cane lesions are common on spurs on cordons, therefore, as the buds from these spurs grow, the fungus can easily move from last year’s wood (spur) to this years new shoot and perpetuate the disease.

Fall is a critical time for vineyard weed management, especially for controlling pesky perennial weeds and pre-emergence of winter annuals. The following is some “timely” basic information on weeds and some specifics on management considerations in the fall.

It is critical to properly monitor and assess the fruit maturity and characteristics to make the appropriate management, harvest, and winemaking decisions to produce the best quality grapes and wine possible. Previous Timely Viticultures on Crop Development Sampling and Evaluating Samples described how to take a proper sample that best represents the actual ripeness stage of the cultivar in that vineyard.

It is critical to properly monitor and assess the fruit characteristics and maturity to make the appropriate management, harvesting, and winemaking decisions to produce the best quality grapes and wine possible from each specific vintage.

The Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is a small vinegar fly with the potential to damage many fruit crops, particularly thin-skinned fruit. SWD was first detected in the western United States in 2008 and has already become a major pest of many fruit and berry crops in Maryland, with potential to cause significant damage to grapes.

The Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is a small vinegar fly with the potential to damage many fruit crops, especially thin-skinned fruit. SWD, or Drosophila suzukii, is native to eastern Asia. Most species of vinegar flies attack overripe or damaged fruit.

We experience many climatic vagaries in the Mid Atlantic. Hail damage may be the most devastating as it can quickly obliterate a season of meticulous management in the vineyard. Depending on the timing and intensity of the event, as well as canopy density and exposure, damage can range from random tears in leaf blades to defoliation, extensive shoot damage, and crop loss.

Although the Japanese beetle is rapidly moving to the top of the list in many areas of Maryland the grape berry moth (Paralobesia viteana; GBM) has typically been the most significant insect pest in the vineyard due to its direct and indirect damage to the berries and clusters.

Although it is generally accepted that grape and ultimate wine fruit quality is better in relatively “dry” seasons, it is clear that water STRESS or excessive drought is NOT desirable for balances of yields and wine quality. Excessive water is not desirable but adequate water to keep the plant systems active and productive is mandatory!

The goal of most grape growers is to produce the highest possible quality grapes for wine. For making the best wine, the highest quality grapes are typically the most mature and uniformly ripened. In today’s quality driven marketplace, the best fruit will command the greatest demand and the highest prices.