Merlot have set OK, not over heavy but it's the quality that counts for making a great wine, I'm told.
Have been along each row and leaf plucked the lower leaves. Most seemed to be changing colour, sort of going light to a red tinge, almost as if nature was indicating which ones to pluck, strange that. Oh and their stems seemed to be stiff, so that they snapped off cleanly.
These Merlot a registered clone 347 are on 420A rootstock. This makes them sensitive to Potassium deficiency. Also this root stock is quite shallow rooting, this means that budding happens early as the top layer of soil warms first. Low vigor of growth so the foliage is light. Must put some ash ffrom the fireplace around them next year.
Some bunches are nice and the fruit is starting to swell. Oh if they all looked like this. One day, one day.
Those sun flowers are looking really the part. It's true they follow the sun through the day.
How is it?
Hot and humid as up north at the moment, 29.6 C temp. Have started to water the vines with drippers, should have done this during the flowering stage as well, this helps with the set if the vines aren't stressed!
Will have to do another copper spray soon.
Almost like the day of the triffids
Have lowered the height of the post to shoulder height. The netting was too tight and Moira had troubles reaching the top. Rounded the tops with a spokeshave as the netting catches if too rough. Top wire then runs over the top and is fastened to the post with two staples.
Looking south now back up to the house, in the afternoon, this sunflower seems more content with the sea view.
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