1st Year Grapes - Leaves Tiny and Nodes are close together...

16 years ago

I planted 7 different grape vines this spring with various results (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Tempranillo). On a few of the grapes, the leaves were very small (3/4 inch diameter) and now that they've fallen, the nodes seem extremely close together.

Can someone tell me if this is a characteristic of these varieties? Is there anything I need to be concerned about because of this growth (i.e. is it stunted due to some nutrient deficiency?)?

Grapes are in Richland, WA. My soil is very sandy (QuD) and Alkaline. I planted a little late (April/May) and am training these to a single cordon. The Chardonnay reached the top wire (5 1/2 '), but the others did not. This is Washington Wine Country, so they should grow well here (Richland, WA).

Thanks for the help.

Sangiovese:

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Riesling:

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Comments (4)

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
16 years ago
Why would you plant hot climate vines in Washington?
brian2412
Original Author
16 years ago
I live in Eastern Washington...the epitome of hot climate in the summer. We have temps over 90 for multiple months.
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Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
16 years ago
Just walked out to look at our Tempranillo and Cabernet. They are one year old as well. The node spacing seems the same, but our leaves were lush and both varietals took off like crazy. I even started a green soft wood cutting from the Cabernet (because it was going way past my designated boundaries for it), and it's growing well also.

Our temps are around 110 degrees to 115 degrees days, and 85 to 95 nights.

Ours are on a drip system, and they get a lot of water in the hot summer. We will not allow any clusters to form for at least 2 more years. They will all be pruned lower than the cordon wire after the rains stop for the winter.

All the vineyard experts hang out here:

Here is a link that might be useful: Great Vine Expertise Here
brian2412
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you all for your replies! I really appreciate it.