L SCHEDULE FOR GRAPE PRODUCTION IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

 c J. A. Mortensen and C. F. Balerdil


Many inquiries are received at the Agricultural Research Center,
Leesburg about the proper time to perform the different cultural
practices in the growing of grapes. This mimeograph has been
prepared to inform grape growers about what needs to be done,
and the proper time to do it. We suggest that growers keep the
schedule handy as a reminder of the needs for a particular month.

This schedule is based on central Florida (Leesburg) conditions.
Growers in North, South, and West Florida should make the necessary
time adjustments since there may be one or two weeks difference
in dates of bud burst, bloom, and ripening between these areas
and central Florida.

The importance of proper fertilizing, liming, spraying, watering,
pruning, training, and weed control cannot be overemphasized.
For example, when rotting grapes are observed on the vines it is
too late to control by spraying. A preventive spray schedule
should have been followed as recommended.


January

1. Apply dormant fungicidal spray before new growth starts2.
2. Plant young vines.
3. Tighten all slack wires with a fence stretcher, replace staples
 as needed, and continue pruning dormant bearing vines and tying
 fruiting canes securely to the trellis with twine. The time of
 wire tightening should always precede the time of tying canes
 with twine, but should be after pruning.
4. Make cuttings (12-15 inches long) as needed3.
5. Begin grafting as needed.
6. Plant rooted plants in containers for replanting of skips in
 June.

February

1. When buds are 2 inches long apply first fungicidal spray2.
2. Finish pruning and tying in early February.

1 Associate Geneticist and Assistant Horticulturist, Agricultural
 Research Center, Leesburg, IFAS, University of Florida.
2 See attached spray schedule.
3 See Mimeo Report WGL 70-3 (Dec. 1, 1969.-j ...'n rape
 Cuttings" for further information. HUME LIBRAR


Mimeo Report 71-2, Leesbuirr ARC. JUL 24 1972
June 1, 1971
300 copies