North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Cooper" <JCooper@lewiston.k12.id.us>]

The reason to leave them low may be to protect from freezing. If you need to 
lay them down and cover for the winter. What is your lowest temp.? If in high 
elevations, or very cold low to the ground may benefit.

If not they will be so much better off up off the ground. The mildew will not 
be much of a problem at 6 feet off the ground. I have 25 various vines mostly 
American some French. and all are up but our lowest temps are 0F. So we don't 
have winter kill.

Lon's book is great, read it and read it again, it has all the answers in it! 
Or email him directly, he will reply.

Jim Cooper
Automotive Technology
Lewiston High School
208-748-3213
jcooper@lewiston.k12.id.us


>>> "Mark and Alisha Fehringer" <markandalishafehringer@peetzplace.com> 
>>> 3/13/2009 8:11 AM >>>
Hi all,

Last spring I put in 100 grape plants as rooted cuttings.  They are all 
American or French Hybrids.  I am now getting my trellis up.  I am finding 
lots of conflicting information on the growth habits of particular cultivars. 
 Basically it is a vertical, upright habit VS. a trailing, drooping habit. 
Descriptions from different sources often have very opposite opinions, and 
some cultivars don't have much or any information readily available.  Does 
anyone have some first hand information?  I have Lon's book, The Grape 
Grower.  I just need to know if I should train to the bottom wire and let 
them grow up, or train to the top wire and let them hang down.  We have lots 
of wind, so I think if a variety could go either way, it might do better if 
allowed to droop down rather than trying to stand up against the wind. Would 
that make sense?
Cultivars include DeChaunac, Aurore, St. Pepin, St. Croix, Foch, Frontenac, 
Edelweiss, Esprit, Seyval Blanc, Lucy Kuhlman, Swenson White, Canadice, 
Concord, Reliance.


Thanks,

Mark Fehringer
Colorado