Dormant Grape Vines versus Green Growing Vines

February 10th, 2010

In general, most growers prefer a dormant grape vine to a green growing grape vine.  There are advantages to both.  For example, when growing a dormant grape vine, it allows you to plant earlier.  In Kern, Tulare, King and Fresno counties you can plant as early as January.  Although, the soil temperatures are still quite low, it allows you to have a completed and established vineyard without a great deal of root growing activity during this time.

More than half of the table grape community prefers to plant dormant vines. This is especially advantageous when a grower has everything already prepared; fumigation, irrigation system, and trellises  installed.

The advantage of green growing vines allows the grower to make a decision later and complete most of the prep work at a later time as well.  I must mention, that green growing vines in the counties mentioned above cannot be planted before the middle of April due to the concern of a late freeze.  Although, the soil temperatures are higher, there is still a potential for freeze damage.

In the end, both of these planting techniques are very good.  The bottom line is, it comes down to a matter of personal preference and timing.  Below is a quote from a well respected grower from Delano, Ca. He prefers a green growing grape vine over a dormant grape vine.

“I prefer Sunridge greenhouse grown potted bench grafts over any other type of vine. The Superior root system results in higher yields over the life of the Vineyard and the  best quality”
- Jack J, Pandol

Grapevine Rootstocks for Oregon Vineyards

February 10th, 2010

If you are considering a vineyard planting in any of the number of Oregon American Viticultural Areas/Appellations, it is best recommended that a rootstock be considered in your planning.  Rootstocks are one of the most important ways grape growers can better manage for a variety of vineyard problems and improve quality.  Grape rootstocks contribute to pest and disease resistance including phylloxera and resistance to other soil-borne pests, such as nematodes.  Furthermore, the use of rootstocks can help lessen vineyard problems due to soil conditions such as pH extremes, excess salt and nutrients.  They can also improve adaptability to local climatic conditions such as shortened growing seasons, drought and excessively cool or hot growing conditions.

Important Rootstock Considerations

• Phylloxera resistance – Rootstocks are most commonly used to prevent soil pests or diseases, the most important being phylloxera and nematodes.
• Soil Adaption - Rootstocks are selected for their adaptation to particular soil and climate conditions.
• Drought Tolerance – Drought tolerance is an important consideration if irrigation will not be used.
• Modified Vigor –Choosing a rootstock that has the ability to modify the vigor of the scion is an important option.
• Advanced Maturity – The use of rootstocks on fruit ripening is of interest in cool-climate regions such as Oregon.

Rootstock Selections
The following are proven rootstocks in Oregon and perform well under our weather, soil and environmental conditions.

101-14 Mgt

• Vitis Parentage – Riparia x rupestris
• Phylloxera Resistance - High
• Nematode Resistance
  • Root Knot – Medium to High
  • Dagger – Medium to High
  • Ring - High
• Tolerance
  • Drought – Low to Medium
  • Wet Soil - Medium
  • Salinity - High
  • Lime – Low to Medium
• Influence on Scion
  • Vigor – Medium

Comments – Second most used rootstock in Oregon, requires deep soil, moist clay soils, tolerates wet soils, induces low yield-to-pruning ratios, not recommended for dry nonirrigated sites.

3309 C

• Vitis Parentage – Riparia x rupestris
• Phylloxera Resistance - High
• Nematode Resistance
  • Root Knot – Low
  • Dagger – Low
  • Ring – Very Low
• Tolerance
  • Drought – Low to Medium
  • Wet Soil –Low to Medium
  • Salinity – Low to Medium
  • Lime – Low to Medium
• Influence on Scion
  • Vigor – Low to Medium

Comments – Most widely used rootstock in Oregon, prefers deep, well-drained soil with good water-holding capacity, vines on this rootstock tend to over-crop, not recommended for dry nonirrigated sites, sensitive to latent viruses, tolerant of cold injury.

Riparia gloire

• Vitis Parentage – Riparia
• Phylloxera Resistance – Very High
• Nematode Resistance
  • Root Knot – Low
  • Dagger – Low
  • Ring - Low
• Tolerance
  • Drought – Low
  • Wet Soil –Low
  • Salinity – Medium
  • Lime – Low
• Influence on Scion
  • Vigor – Very Low to Medium

Comments – Third most used rootstock in Oregon prefers deep, well-drained, fertile and moist soils, good choice for fertile sites where low yields are desired, not recommended for dry nonirrigated sites, early maturation, scions tend to overbear.