August Update
The summer has been pretty good so far. A few hot spells followed by some cooler spells. I think overall it has been hotter this summer than last. Below are some pictures taken on the 16 of August. I think the only disappointment this year so far has been the La Crescent vines not taking and the destruction the Japanese beetles are causing. I am not talking about the ones that look like lady buts these are green and eat a plant dead.
I put panty hoes on top of the Marquette tubes, the result no bug issues and they breathe and grow just fine still.
The Marquette vine just starting to poke through the top, Note the Japanese beetle damage at the top of the tube.
Here is the row of Marechal Foch that I propogated from cuttings
This is the NY Muscat grapes doing just great no Japanese beatle damage.
Here is a Marechal Foch vine with beetle damage I didn;t spray for 1 week due to a vacation and see all the holes.
Planting the last of the vines for this year 6/8/10
This is the last of the vines that made it through propagation being planted. not as many took as I wanted but it was a learning experience and I now have all the supplies and knowledge to do it again next year.
Below are some pictures of the planting process. Note the black containers I planted the newly rooted vines in until they where ready for the vineyard. The Nursery supply company (Stuewe and Sons) I got them from was great. I will add a link to them on my links page. They where fast and willing to help in any way and answered all my questions.
Rows are laid out and placed where vines will be planted are marked.
Hole dug for for the vines they where about 8x8 by 12 inches deep
A vine that I rooted awaits planting in the vineyard
Notice the nice healthy roots on the bottom of the vine not to bad of growth for about 3 months considering it started with nothing
Freshly planted NY Muscat vines
43 Vines Planted 6/1/10
Well we started to plant on the left is Marquette and right is LaCressent. Both are breeds that came out of the university of Minnesota. Note: we have also purchased grow tubes and I used scrap wood left overs for the stakes to support the grow tubes. We still have 4 more rows to plant with Concord, Niagara, NY Muscat, and Marchel foch
Using Grow tubes
Though I cannot say that they work or they provide any advantage, they do prevent mice and rabbits from damaging the crop. And according to the manufacturer they are supposed to increase growth and train the vine better. The company I went with, Blue-X claims the blue light is supposed to be the best type of light for the grape vines or any plant to excel. Time will provide us the answer to that. But at a cost of under 88 cents a piece I think its a wise investment to protect the vines. Note how the tube is attached 2 zip ties and a wood stake.
A look inside the tube, notice the first buds have burst and we have some growth.
This is row #1, all Marquette
This is row #6, all are Lacressent
Summer is here! 5/31/10
All the trees and plants are now green and I have been cutting the grass at least 2 times a week and even then its long. Note the dead grass on the lawn. The rows are all tilled just waiting a break in the rain.
