WOW, just WOW.

It’s been 2 weeks since we were in the vineyard, and some of the prolific vines have grown 12-14 inches each. Take a look at some of those pics. Keep in mind the posts are 6 feet tall.

I killed one Japanese beetle, but he must have been a lone survivor kamikaze pilot because there was very little damage.

The Chambourcin are way ahead of the other two. Very strong growth, good sized trunks.

The Chardonnel are also doing very well. The are growing more bushier than the others, with lots of shoots sprouting all over. It’s a shame all that growth will have to be pruned early next year.

The Norton’s continue to have sluggish growth. There is one Norton that just now has peeked outside the grow tube and one that is still below the grow tube. All others have had nowhere near the growth of the Chardonnel and Chambourcin. Considering their reputation as bountiful growers, I am a little disappointed in them and just a little concerned. The soil of that row is of a lower quality than the rest of the vineyard and I hope the roots are not being stifled.

They cannot be fertilized as that would damage the vines. We’ll just wait and hope for a more productive growing season next year. 

Overall, very pleased with the grapevines. Maybe I have a green thumb after all (pale green).