Happy Friday Dear Readers!
I hope this
rain has not put a damper on your spirits.
For this
post, I will continue to focus on disease prevention as precipitation will very
likely continue into next week.
Diseases:
Please be vigilant
and stay on the look-out for Downy and Powdery mildew as the inoculum would
still be present from last year. If you have had issues with Black Rot in the
past, please ensure that your spray regime is tight as it will take time to
decrease the inoculum to less severe levels. Pesticide groups 3 and 9 are effective
for Black Rot control; group 7 is weak on Black Rot in high pressure situations
like what we are currently experiencing.
With so much
rain over the last two weeks, please ensure that your spray windows are
tightened- the 8-10 day interval for systemics and 5-7 for protectants can be
narrowed as 200mm of rain will have had a negative effect on product efficacy.
In about 10
days or so, you should also be considering botrytis sprays – just before bunch
closure- to ensure the clusters are protected from inside the cluster and out.
With the onset of ripening come wasps and other pests, so sour rot may also
become an issue.
As always,
please consult the online spray guide tool for products and rates.
As we are
dealing with several diseases, my next installment will explain the life cycles
of these blights, so to give a better understanding as to why we utilize
certain practices at particular times of the year.
Growth
Stages and Vineyard Practices:
In terms of growth
stages- we are getting close to the lag phase- the ideal time for cluster
thinning and leaf removal. To save time, if able, mechanically thin initially,
then at a later date, go back in by hand and remove more if needed. Leaf
removal will help with air movement in the canopy and allows your clusters the
sunlight they need to ripen.
Again, to
ensure a consistent crop load year after year, it is advisable not to over-crop
the vines. Remember that 15-20 leaves are necessary to ripen one cluster on one
shoot.
Pre-Harvest Considerations:
Hedging:
· Tucking, hedging and leaf removal are
to be done now. Please avoid hedging 30 days prior to harvest- the canopy is
needed to ripen the clusters.
Communication:
· Contact your grape buyer and verify
their guideline on the date of the last spray. The products may indicate three
weeks, however, your requirements may be specified otherwise.
Please
note:
As harvest
time approaches, I may be putting out more than one weekly post to keep themes
more concise, timely and not overwhelming.
Please see below for growth stages, GDD and Precipitation as provided by Jeff Franklin at the Kentville Research Station.
|
Month |
25-Year
Average (mm) |
Current
Year (mm) |
|
April |
81.5 |
54.0 |
|
May |
74.0 |
29.8 |
|
June |
95.5 |
83.0 |
|
July |
81.3 |
201.7 ** |
|
August |
94.5 |
|
|
September |
104.1 |
|
|
October |
115.8 |
|
*Up
to July 18, 2024
|
Growing
degree days, base of 10 °C starting on April 1 |
|
|
Current
Year |
10-Year
Average |
|
562.5 |
455.8 |
*Up to July
18, 2024
|
Date of Assessment |
Marquette |
L’Acadie blanc |
New York Muscat |
|
18-July |
50% Berries at pea size, 50% Berry
touch |
75% Pea Size, 25% Berry touch |
Berry touch |
Chardonnay L'Acadie Marquette
These photos
were taken on the 17th July 2024.
In terms of
pests, phylloxera and Erineum Mite are prevalent- Japanese Beatle as well but
to a lesser extent.
Again, please consult the online Pest Management guide and follow label directions for any sprays you may use.
Lastly,
Our Cover
Crop Information Session is on the 24th July 5-7:30pm. To register,
please use the link below:
Thank you
all for your time this week, and I look forward to seeing many of you next
Wednesday.
Cheers!
Katarina
Viticulture Specialist
Perennia Food and Agriculture
Email kvucic@perennia.ca
Office 902-678-7722
Cell 902-599-1390
