Friday, September 09, 2016

A red leaf day.

I have spent quite a bit of time in the vineyard the past two days.  I am still playing catch up, but I have also started to do some pre-harvest prepping; some leaf removal, a fair amount of canopy management and a little bit of weeding.  There were several, persistent stands of shortpod mustard (Hirschfeldia incana) and spiny sowthistle (Sonchus asper) to be dealt with.  I tripped over a large mat of sharpoint fluvellin (Kickxia elatine) myself, so I think it made sense to remove any large weeds that may get in the way of those who will harvest Vinoland's grapes.
Even though it was a bit toasty out in the vineyard (especially yesterday afternoon) I had an enjoyable time and was even able to stop and have a look at the fruit, the odd insect (including the really odd insect that unexpectedly jumped on me, but which I reflexively flicked away before I could ID it) and the dark red leaf (in the photograph) with the telltale girdling on its petiole.  Darn insects!

4 comments:

New Hampshire Wineman said...

VG: It is evident that blogging is a source of educational reinforcement as well as an appropriate method used in "Oenol•o•gy - n. : a science that deals with wine and wine making."
I, for more than one, am glad you're finding the time to do it. :)

Thomas said...

Great leaf shot.

Thud said...

Just waiting for my couple of million to fall.

Vinogirl said...

NHW: Thanks. I personally need all the educational reinforcement I can get!

Tomasso: Thank you. If I could only get a photo of the insect that causes this damage.

Thud: You need a giant, outdoor Hoover.