Jeff Franklin, from AAFC Kentville, is bringing the weather update in terms of temperature. The first half of the month already passed and brought an important amount of precipitation and heat units. Bloom already finished in most of the vineyards, but there can always be some places with exception. Earliest hybrids, always depending where in the province are located the vineyards, are almost have reached almost pepper-corn side berries. On the other hand, vinifera varieties, which are usually behind the hybrids, are at different stages depending on the variety and location.
The first table shows the temperature base 5⁰ C and 10⁰ C from 2019 until 2022 accumulated from March 1 until July 21. At the
end of each section, it’s possible to see the average of the last 5 and 10
years respectively.
|
Category |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
5 year average |
10 year average |
|
Plant development (Base
5ºC) |
868.6 |
947.2 |
1058.1 |
990.5 |
965.5 |
972.9 |
|
Insect development
(Base 10º) |
455.0 |
550.1 |
605.9 |
542.9 |
543.5 |
547.4 |
Figure 1. Degree day accumulations as of July 21, 2022. All data are taken from the Kentville weather
station, based on a start date of March 1, and calculated using the single sine
method.
Like the previous weather update, the temperatures have diminished and it’s possible to see similarities in the current season with the average of the last 5 and 10 years. 2022 is lower than 2021 base 10⁰ C, this difference has been increasing the last couple of weeks, with 542.9 for 2022 and 605.9 for 2021 base 10⁰ C. Currently it’s possible to similar values to 2020.
In the following
column graph, you can see the values from 2004 until 2021 and at the end the
average of the last 5 and 10 years respectively.
Figure 2. Degree day accumulations as of July 21, 2022
base 10⁰ C. All data are taken from the
Kentville weather station, based on a start date of March 1, and calculated
using the single sine method.
This week the graph shows similarities of temperature in
2022 with almost the same values as the average of the last 5 and 10 years. Similar
pattern as the previous publications, in 2021 the temperatures were higher than
this year until July 21. Compared to the other years, 2022 is slightly lower
than 2017, while 2020 and 2022 are quite similar until this date.
Bloom already
passed, only some exceptions can be finishing this week, now the berries are developing
quite fast. In early hybrids, like Frontenac or Castel, the berries at pepper-corn
size and even close to pea size. On the other hand, the latest European grapevines,
like Riesling or Pinot noir, have reached a nice fruit set and are developing
properly.
Figure 3. On the left Castel and on the right Lucie
Kuhlmann close to pea size.
Figure 4. On the left L’Acadie
at pea size and on the right Chardonnay close to pepper-corn size.
Figure 5. On the left Riesling
and on the right Pinot noir.
Mentioned in the previous publication, Downy Mildew pressure
has been quite high with the current conditions, high moisture, and warm
temperatures. The best is to scout minimum 3 times per week the vineyard, check
the most susceptible varieties and spray according to the situation. Moreover,
it’s necessary to check other diseases as well, differentiate with other fungal
diseases to spray the proper fungicide to keep control in the vineyard. For
this information and to have an access to the Grape
Production guide, please check the previous publication in the following
link about Downy
Mildew management tips.
Finally, on Thursday July 7, we hosted the Best Practices
session 3 of the season 2022. At this opportunity AgroMart presented about
nutrient management products, Jeff Franklin about weather update, Francisco
Diez about vineyard management strategies and the discussion was between
Danielle Graham from Benjamin Bridge vineyards and Steve Ells owner of Ellslea
farm. Did you miss the session? No worries, you can watch it now on the grape
blog or on the YouTube channel.
The agenda is as follows:
- 2:36 Alyson Bremner and Melanie Bent from Agromart
- 37:21 Jeff Franklin from KRDC: Weather Summary
- 54:29 Francisco Diez from Perennia: Vineyard Activities
- 1:06:20 Danielle Graham vineyard manager from Benjamin Bridge and Steve Ells owner of Ellslea farm