We have been busy weeding with our new Fischer Twister, shoot tucking and shoot positioning. On June 15th, we noticed that the Chardonnay had begun to bloom! I thought that was fast, but I checked on my annual cycle of growth chart and found out that we should have been anticipating bloom. Here is the chart for the last 2 years:
The above dates for bloom for the various varieties are approximate. For example, my friend and I were shoot tucking and shoot positioning the Cabernet Sauvignon on Monday, June 20th and did not see any inflorescence in bloom, but the next day on June 21, when I went to check the Cabernet Sauvignon, it was about 40% flowering!
Last year, we had rain events during flowering which we surmise lead to reduced fruit set and berry size. This year, I am keeping closer check on rain events during flowering. So far, this is what has occurred.
| Date |
June 15 |
June 17 |
June 18 |
June 19 |
June 20 |
June 21 |
June 22 |
| Weather Conditions |
|
Rain 4 am for 15 minutes |
|
Steady rain in am |
|
|
Steady rain in am to 1:30 pm |
| Auxerrois |
|
|
20% |
|
|
|
|
| Chenin Blanc |
|
|
|
30% |
|
|
|
| Chardonnay |
20% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cabernet Sauvignon |
|
|
|
|
|
40% |
|
| Cabernet Franc |
|
10% |
|
|
|
|
|
| Barbera |
|
|
|
|
30% |
|
|
At the moment, it is difficult to discern if the rain has affected fruitset. I will keep on monitoring the various varieties to see what happens.
No comments:
Post a Comment