I have two Red Flames that have been in the ground for 3 years on "T" shaped wood/wire frame. I've pruned the vines back to the main stem at the top of the upright post each year and selected one or two main leaders from each plant. Yield has been rather disappointing - maybe 10 small bunches from both plants combined, a couple of pounds at most, and even less this year than last.
I see a few scanty flowering bunches each Spring and not all of those form fruit.
Any ideas?
Frank
Assuming that you have them in full sun, I would suggest you try scattering one teaspoon of Borax laundry adjunct around each of their rootzones sometime this winter, letting the rain rinse it into the ground. PNW ground is commonly boron deficient. But a little too much can also be toxic, the reason for the one teaspoon. Probably safe to do this every year unless plant starts looking toxic.
Frank - Sometimes being in the shade of a large tree may also mean your plants are in a very nutrient competitive area with the tree & most times large wins - also sod grass sucks up a lot of food.
See the post I sent in on the Table Grape Field Seminar - you are close enough to run over there Sat. - heard they are holding registration open until tomorrow afternoon - imagine if you call them you can probably even make arrangements to register Sat morn at the event - let me know if you have any difficulty.
There are Red Flame growing there to absolute perfection and with record yields - I know you will be impressed and will change over your training and pruning method - a lot of it is learning how to manage growing sinks - this year was a bumper year for table grapes - as you have surmised; something is amiss with your guys - measure the height of your trunks and diameter at mid height before you go - take care.
Have a Day - Dave
About 8 years ago, I crossed the 'Flame Seedless' with another grape from Elmer Swenson's breeding stock.
I named the cross, "Richard Walden".
Richard Walden tastes very much like Flame Seedless, but w/o the powdery mildew or botrytis problem.
The fruit is also seedless.
The vine is quite vigorous and a bit over productive, so you need to thin it to two clusters/shoot for best quality.
There is a slight bloom on the berries like a 'concord'.
Season here is late, but in Oregon would be several days sooner.
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
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