Various grape varieties in December
In 2023, the seasons were not typical. The rainy season was mostly dry, but when it did rain, it was very wet. The weather was warm to hot most of the year, even during winter. This made pruning difficult because the grape vines did not go dormant and grew many leaves to compensate for being pruned. We prevented fungal infections by picking grape leaves regularly, but unfortunately, this resulted in the vines growing more leaves rather than bearing fruit. We struggled to find the grape bunches as they were often hidden from birds and us, and by the time we saw them, they were no longer suitable for harvesting.
Harvesting grapes in the rainy season
Harvesting grapes at the right time is crucial as some varieties are prone to rotting and souring after rain. Additionally, without clear weather patterns, grape varieties may ripen at different times of the year. While grapes ripen in December and were exceptionally sweet, varieties with tight clusters should be monitored closely to avoid spoilage during the hot, rainy season. It’s essential to keep an eye on the grape’s ripeness and harvest them at the optimal time to ensure their quality and avoid waste.
Unpredictable fruit set
Other varieties started flowing and bearing fruit after the rains began. They may be far apart but quite heavy. It was suggested that adequate water may impact grape fruit set and yields more than the temperature. Late fruit-bearing will prolong our grape harvesting season, making pruning challenging for the varieties that would not have ripened by winter. The grapes may be pruned, or the plants may have to be left unpruned. The muscadine grapes were behind schedule by a few months but fruited as heavily as usual.
Grape maintenance this season
Grape vines did not follow the usual fruiting pattern last year. Some did not fruit, while others were productive and generated delicious grapes. This season, controlling fungal infections is critical. Alternating fungal prevention methods is vital to prevent resistance. It is best to avoid growing grape varieties with tightly packed grape clusters during the rainy season. Adding compost to the fruit-bearing varieties will help them grow better. Reducing nitrogen-containing soil supplements for varieties that produce excess leaves without fruits is a good idea.