When the temps dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, growth ceases for the grape vines. As a result, I think it might be nice to provide some comparisons, at the end of the growing season, of two of the varietals that I am growing at the apartment in Chicago. My Mars Seedless won't be featured in this bulletin, partly because it is recovering from the roots being hammered by rat baits placed about by the landlord, which I have no protest for or against. But let's begin with the photographic comparisons, the emphasis will be on the leaves of the two varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Cabernet Sauvignon starts it off.
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Cabernet Sauvignon grape vine leaves. (All photos taken on Tues Sept 28 2010)
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Syrah grape vine leaves
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| Syrah grape leaf Tuesday Sept 28 2010 |
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| Lead shoot on Syrah grape vine Tues Sept 28 2010 |
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| Another view of a Syrah grape leaf Tues Sept 28 2010 |
The temperature is currently at 69 degrees Fahrenheit in the city of Chicago. The vines and the rest of the fauna are experiencing at least a 23 degree discrepancy between mid-day temps and late-night/early morning temperatures. Actually, the vine by the red stairs seems to be behind the vine along the side of the apartment with respect to how advanced the periderm is developed as the march toward winter carries on. I am very interested in seeing what the impact of my decision to not crop the vine at 5ft tall will be. As well, I am very interested in learning about the prospect of winter injury to the vines and to see if I can possibly get some viable cuttings from these vines. They won't be this long in length by late Marc 2011. I fully intend to prune these back so that I can begin to develop canes that will provide for the cruciform component most readily seen in anyone else's grape vines.
One final note for today. I feel even more certain that August 15 in Chicago, Illinois is probably the best marker to use as the final time to get any young vines in the ground and expect them to be fully acclimated to the soil before the autumn chill arrives.
Overall, I am learning a tremendous amount, and feeling very proud about progress with all of the vines planted in Chicago, Grayslake, southern Indiana, St. Louis, MO and Glen Ellyn, Illinois, with many, many thanks to friends and family, roommates, and building-mates. More to come....Thanks for reading.
