Upstate NY High temps causing my grape vines to push out early.

Discussion in 'Grapes and Grape Vines' started by twobitbyte, Jan 8, 2007.

  1. twobitbyte

    twobitbyte Member

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    Location:
    New York, USA
    Tempratures here are in the 50's, but will drop to well below zero before spring. What can I do to save my crop?
     
  2. Ralph Walton

    Ralph Walton Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Denman Island,BC
    Not an uncommon concern this year. You could do worse than to join this group:
    http://littlefatwino.com/growwinelist.html
    Lots of discussion, unfortunately not too many suggestions.

    Many of the hybrid vines have genetic backgrounds that key on length of daylight for transition from dormancy, but if yours are budding now they are not likely that sort. You can protect a small number of plants by bending them down and covering with straw or some other mulch (even cardboard or bubble wrap) during short cold spells, but you've got a long way to go to your "normal" last frost.

    If your primary buds or shoots are frozen and die, there are secondary and tertiary buds at each node that can take over and ensure the vine's survival, but your yield for this year would be compromised.

    Ralph
     

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