Vitis 'Muscat Bleu'

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water in dry periods

Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Feed grape vines

Grape vines are hungry plants. For the maximum fruit yield, feed a general fertiliser in early spring. Then feed with a high potassium feed every 3 weeks from a month after growth has started in spring, until the fruits start to ripen.

Spring-Autumn · Planting

Trim and train grape vines

Train the fruiting branches and fix to supports as required. After fruit has formed, thin the bunches of grapes to remove any damaged bunches, reduce overcrowding and maximise the size of the fruits.

Winter · Planting

Prune grape vines

Prune grape vines in winter when the plant is dormant (this prevents the vine bleeding sap). Prune according to the "Guyot system" when growing in open ground outdoors. Prune according to the "rod and spur" system when training against a wall.

Outdoor planting · Planting

Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole

Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.