Grape care in Sydney

Discussion in 'Grapes and Grape Vines' started by Wilkieg, May 29, 2007.

  1. Wilkieg

    Wilkieg Member

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    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Re: transplanting mature grape vine

    Hi Ralph et al,
    My brother-in-law recently purchsed a few acres in the central coast region approximately 65 miles north of Sydney Australia. Our bushland is significantly different from British Columbia's, but we grow amazing grapes in the region where I live. I moved here from England 5 years ago, and my wife's family are originally from Malta. This could be a forum diversity first?!!

    He has inherited with his property 7-10 grape vines of approximately 5-10 years in age, but has no passion for them other than letting them continue to grow over his house. I'm looking to transplant one as a hobby vine in to my back yard but have a few questions/challenges.

    Firstly we're moving in to our winter, but bear in mind our winter nights rarely even get down to freezing (typically 4oC is lowest 39.2oF) and rarely at their worst do daytime temperatures get lower than 15oC or 59oF. Summer regularly hits 35oC+ 95oF+.
    - So will it be ok to move the vine now, coming in to winter?

    - Secondly with the root ball, I'm guessing the more I get now, the better the fruit might be in the first year? This is probably more complicated than I realise, because I'm a completely novice viticulturalist!!

    - Thirdly, and probably the most important to me, how on the Lord's good green earth do I sensibly identify the variety of vine/grape I'm about to try and grow? It's so, so, Soooo hard to find a definitive source on this subject!

    Take care my dear and learned friends, and I look forward to your aid and continuing engagement on this subject.

    Many thanks, God's blessing...

    Giles
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 30, 2007
  2. Ralph Walton

    Ralph Walton Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Denman Island,BC
    Re: transplanting mature grape vine

    Try to get to know (even slightly) a grower in your area, and ask when they prune their vines. Prune yours at the same time, then transplant. Treat it like any other transplant: big rootball, loosen the soil around the planting hole, water it in well but don't drown it by keeping it soaked, prune off most of the first year's bunches...

    When it has produced some fruit, take a bunch to your grower friend along with a pruned shoot and ask for help ID'ing it.

    Ralph
     

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