Comments for Virginia Vineyards Association

Comment on Jeanette Smith named VVA Grower of the Year by Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:52:58 +0000

Congratulations Jeanette! Well deserved!
More coverage here: http://www.nvdaily.com/news/2012/02/the-doctor-is-in-1.php

Comment on 5PM Today is the End of Special Room Pricing for VVA Winter Technical Meeting by VVA

VVA — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:19:19 +0000

Hello there -

You can click over to the Events Calendar and review the information on the Annual Meeting.
The second item “2012 Winter Tech – Membership Renewal” includes all the information that you need to register. It also includes information on becoming a VVA member.

Thanks very much!

Comment on 5PM Today is the End of Special Room Pricing for VVA Winter Technical Meeting by Chu Nguyen

Chu Nguyen — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:40:27 +0000

My name is Chu Nguyen. I am a civil engineer now practicing real estate profession.
My client and I would like to grow grapes for a vineyard production as a hobby. We have a 20+-ac agricultural parcel in Front Royal and would like to do a feasibility study. We are interested in learning more about the undertakings and we think attending the technical session on February 2 at Charlottesville maybe a good start.

Could you send us instruction on signing up for the session and the associated cost?
Thank you
Chu Nguyen, ph# 202-449-2276
Chu_Realtor@Yahoo.com

Comment on Here is a Clue by Bill Tonkins

Bill Tonkins — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:18:26 +0000

So here is what I think happened and I shall contact John Derr for confirmation. In early June of this year I sprayed an Ester 24D Weed Killer on a steep slope near my vineyard to kill broadleaf weeds – brambles and the like. Silly me! Took great care to spray on day when there was absolutely no wind so as to prevent any drift and was feeling confident because the selected spray was described as Low Volatility and only a danger to neighboring vines at high temperatures above 95 degrees F. Temperatures climbed during the day to the high eighties!
Damage from the spray showed itself very quickly with injury to the leaves over a large area and later with aerial roots on a concentrated area of about 50 vines. Apparently 24D is an Auxin, which promotes root growth. So there you have it. Fortunately new shoots sprouted and the vines were as vigorous as ever.
Lucie Morton and Chris Hill have seen the damage and agree that I should leave the injured vines to see how they fair this winter. The concern is that the rooting caused by the herbicide is “breaching” the cambium in a way and could lead to crown gall expression as vines are more susceptible to cold damage when there is a breach in the cambium as in tractor damage or winter injury. If the vines simply calluses over the breaches then there is no harm done but if crown gall expresses itself then the vascular flow is likely to be cut off.
Only time will tell so I am keeping my fingers crossed and will not do that again. John Saunders tells me, however, that the spray used at the right time and with the right action is very useful. Not sure I will be that brave to try it though.

Comment on 2011 Commercial Grape Survey by Bill Tonkins

Bill Tonkins — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:28:45 +0000

Eric, 50% of the returns are in and it is planned to publish the results in the Spring. Last year the results came out in June. The Marketing Office will give an interim report at our Winter meeting in February. Bill

Comment on 2011 Commercial Grape Survey by Eric Carlson

Eric Carlson — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:31:21 +0000

When is the average grape price for 2011 info going to be announced? Or is it on some other VA site?

Comment on What do you think caused this? by Bill Tonkins

Bill Tonkins — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:38:19 +0000

Chewie’s field is on a good stony soiled slope with 20% gradiant at about 940′ elevation. There is not crown gall yet. Lucie Morton says, and I have redacted her statement so as not to entirely give away the cause, that “There is a lot of chicken and the egg going on with crown gall. It manifests when there is a breach in the cambium as in tractor damage or winter injury.This adventitious rooting caused by XXXXXXXXX is “breaching” the cambium in a way and could lead to crown gall expression. If the vine simply calluses over the breaches then there is no harm no foul. If crown gall expresses itself then the vascular flow is likely to be cut off.
Only time will tell so you are correct in leaving the vines and agrobacterium to sort things out.” More clues to follow.

Comment on What do you think caused this? by Jake Busching

Jake Busching — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:42:25 +0000

I’ve always associated ‘rasta-roots’ with vines recovering from cold damage in a wet year. Sort of a flush of ‘I think I can’ energy. I’d guess this block is down low in a wet zone and your nutrient load is high? But following Jeanette’s lead I’d rename the block Chewie’s Field for sure!!

Comment on What do you think caused this? by Jeanette Smith

Jeanette Smith — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:32:12 +0000

Like Tim and Turtle, I’ve seen aerial roots in wet situations, but never as hairy as this vine. It looks like Chewbacca. Are the symptomatic vines in a low, wet area? Any signs of crown gall?

Comment on What do you think caused this? by Bill Tonkins

Bill Tonkins — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 23:20:08 +0000

There is one area of 28 vines that is heavily infected. This is, however, the worst case. Other vines are also displaying arial roots but these are not grouped together and are spread over say 100 to 150 feet from the cluster of 28 vines.