grapes are sprayed

kcbm

Chambourcin grapes from cuttings

How is it?

October 16th 2010. A sunny day.

Last month gathered up a few cuttings from the Chambourcin grapes.

Cuttings are done with an angled cut at the bottom, and a square cut at the top. This reminds me later which end the roots should come from. Each cutting has 4 nodes. So the length of the cuttings vary.

The bottom node is trimmed with a grafing knife, so it is flush with the stork. Then dipped into rooting hormone. The bottom node being cut flush helps the end form a callous. After this forms then come the roots. The callous swells that much that the end of the cutting splits in some cases and out come the roots.

Fine roots emerging from the split in the stork.

Rooted end placed into pb 5 bag. A small amount of potting mix is put into the bottom of the bag prior to inserting the cutting. The bag is then topped up and watered well. Placed in a shade and watered daily.

The video shows cuttings in the bucket and the roots developing.

Hare for dinner

How is it?

Hare shot in block 3. From standing position, hare out 45 metres. Clean.

On the tree stump out front, waiting to be skinned and dressed and jointed.

Midnight the cat thinks at last we have found her a friend!

Watchful eye from the cat.

Large Hare awaits prep.

In the pot and cooked for 3 hours. Had this with pasta. Tender and gamey . Nice one! Yumm.

15th October Merlot Vines

Merlot vines at Matakohe Wines.

Close up of newly forming grapes.

Looking good so far!

Starting to shoot up the wires. Cleared long grass away from vines last week.

Moira inspecting the future crop.

Note Sunflowers planted by the posts.

Will be interesting to see what these look like later in the season.

Prune well to get the shaped vines.

Good set prior to flowering. Have sprayed with copper 4 times so far this year. At 2 weekly intervals.

Strong south easterly winds this week have wind burnt many of the vine leafs, but bunches of grapes appear to be untouched, I hope.