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June 27, 2009
Grapevine Fires
Quick grape report. As you may have read here, I've been cultivating a Suffolk Red grapevine and after several years, I finally have actual grapes growing. As of last weekend, there were dozens of bunches. Today, there aren't that many. And not because of birds.
The grapevine is suffering from something called "black rot" which is a common fungus that eats the grapes and turns them into shriveled "mummies." So for the last couple of days, I've been pruning away any infected grapes and leaves. I'm hesitant to use a fungicide because I'm all green and organic like that, so I'm hoping the pruning will do the trick. I've also thinned the vine a little bit to allow more air and sunlight to the lower-hanging fruit.
At this point, I would guess there are about ten or twelve bunches left that appear healthy.
My next problem, should the grapes survive to maturity, will be to keep the birds away. Netting and perhaps a rubber snake might do the trick.
Filed under: Food || Grapes
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Posted By Bob Cesca | June 27, 2009 10:58 AM
Comments
Bummer!!
I think you're on the right track- containment of the fungus, and opening it up to some fresh air- but I'm thinking you'll get to the grapes well before the birds do, they generally wait til the fruit is over-ripe..
Posted by: Dan in DE ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.bobcesca.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 27, 2009 12:16 PM
I like the grapevine reports.
Good luck, Bob.
Posted by: MrBrink at June 27, 2009 2:48 PM
Containment may be enough, but you might want to contact your county's ag extension office—if anyone knows how to deal with the problem, they will.
Good luck and let us know how things turn out.
Posted by: alopecia at June 27, 2009 2:55 PM
Buy a fake crow or two. That should do the trick.
Posted by: ConstanceRifle at June 27, 2009 11:14 PM
We have an issue with a fungus that attacks our tomato plants. We use a copper sulfate powder (slurry it and spray it with a bug spray.) It's considered organic and won't harm the plants. Works pretty well, too. You have to reapply after it rains.
Posted by: Eclectablog at June 29, 2009 5:48 PM
