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It does test at times ...... today being one !!!!

16 comments


Hi All,

Been dry so can not moan at that …

As some of you may know I bought 3 grape vines last year bear root and with the advice from David aka DavidS on here with the varieties.
So I potted up to plant out until now (March) in old clematis pots so nice and deep , all grew very well.

I prepared the planting holes on the back fence for the two outdoor variety’s in October and filled with all sorts including horse manure and I thought I will leave it to settle over the winter.
Kempsey Black
Best black grape to grow in the UK outside, it has big bunches and a rich flavour, so if you want to grow just one or two vines for eating, this is the one to plant.
It also makes a lovely Pink wine, with a strawberry bouquet.
Phoenix
Large fruits which turn yellow when ripe, delicious aroma.
Also a heavy cropping variety, has good mildew resistance.
Picking time Late September

Muscat Bleu
For my greenhouse the lady has advised a black dessert that has a lovely muscat flavour and isn’t vigorous so should be ideal.

So today …..

Tipped the pot upside down and the vine fell out no soil no roots !!! I looked in the soil and thought nooooo as I could spot a white little body and yes vine weevil has eaten all the roots and most of the bark and I checked the other two and the same, one has some roots left so I have potted in fresh compost !!

Robin is happy ….

So out of the three pots over 20 vine weevil

Just gutted , I know worse things go on and happen but it “does test at times”

Gg

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Comments

 

Biddy things they seem to be rife this year Gnarly, think the wet mild winter has helped them and I too hope the robin enjoys his treat and don't feel in the slightest bit guilty at thinking that, I bet you were spitting feathers....

5 Mar, 2016

 

Hi

yes feathers featured very heavy !!! to be honest I quite enjoyed the robin having a feast I just hope he liked the vintage !!! 2015 red and white grapes !!

amazed how many he could eat.

5 Mar, 2016

 

Oh No! What a disaster, I feel for you. For that reason not ticked the 'like' box.

5 Mar, 2016

 

Oh no how dreadfully disappointing after all your thought and planning to say nothing of the work involved.
Don't give up! Someone said the other day that you can discourage the little beasts from laying eggs in pots by putting down a thick layer of gravel.
We ought to have a Sympathy box as well as a Like box!

5 Mar, 2016

 

Oh what a shame! Of all the pests in the garden the Vine Weevil has to be the worst. The eradication isn't cheap, but eoth investing in and apply 3 or 4 times a year to potted plants.

6 Mar, 2016

 

thanks all

the Phoenix is easily found to buy , but the Kempsey Black I will have to have it sent to me.

Hi Waddy I hate using the vine weevil killer as its so toxic to bees.

I have let the garden decide on who can tough it out , I normally have bait pots dotted around the garden filled with tuberous begonias and come the end of the season all the compost gets taken out and thrown away and the begonias tubers washed and air dried, which helps to cut down the amount.

Steragram I normally do the gravel but I didnt realise that grape vines are on the menu as well.

and I remember 2012 winter, minus 5 for 4 days and the vine weevil survived in a pot of fuchsia not that the fuchsia did and the pot was solid so just shows how they can be frozen and still survive.

Worried now about all the begenia I planted in the front garden as only after I had planted them I found out they love them as well ....

Gg

Gg

6 Mar, 2016

 

It seems they like a lot of things, I still haven't emptied my big tiered pot but I have tugged at the Heuchera's and they seem ok, the two I rescued are sprouting new leaves so all is well with them...

6 Mar, 2016

amy
Amy
 

Oh No! What a shame Davids sent me some Kempsey Black grape cuttings last year they took very well they were planted out in the garden last autumn and are approx 4ft tall .. I have wires fixed along a wall to support them ,I'm not at all sure when I can expect grapes I need to read up about it !

6 Mar, 2016

 

It's very annoying when those things attack :( I wonder if it's possible for them to grow new roots.
I have done that successfully with Fuchsias in the past. I don't know about grape vines but I'm just wondering.

6 Mar, 2016

 

Hi Amy ,

How about a couple of hard wood cuttings next winter
" Kempsey", have your choice of a nice daylily , keep your eye open for any of my new photos over the late spring and summer let me know .
I do love a swap makes the plants so more special dont you think.

Hi Hywel

time will tell, but downside they are all in bud I will give them a chance.

But not to be defeated just bought a 5lt pot of Phoenix that will get me off to a good start.

7 Mar, 2016

 

Good luck !

7 Mar, 2016

 

Gnarlygnome, I'm talking about the soil drench type not the spray.

8 Mar, 2016

 

Hi Waddy

they are both the same as the plant absorbs the pesticide be it a spray or a drench and it goes into the pollen and the nectar
If you're buying any kind of pest control check the ingredients – anything that contains acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiacloprid or thiamethoxam should be avoided.

let me know which one you use and I will be able to confirm for you

as you know I keep honey bees.

Hi Hywel

thank you I will take a photo of it during the spring and summer .

Gg

8 Mar, 2016

amy
Amy
 

I'll keep that in mind Gg , do you know the very best time to take grape cuttings ?

9 Mar, 2016

 

Hi Amy

I will PM you the info

Gg

9 Mar, 2016

amy
Amy
 

Thanks Gg !

9 Mar, 2016

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