Author: Aimee Foster. It’s the day before the long Memorial Day weekend, marking the traditional kick-off to summer in Minnesota, and we are out at the Horticultural Research Center in Excelsior, MN, west of the twin cities metro, to check on bud break progress on grapes. We looked at bud progress a few weeks ago, on May 7, and found Itasca and Marquette in bud swell but not quite official bud break.
Overall, it’s been slower than average this spring but we are well on our way now with official bud break on all varieties. Several varieties, like Itasca, Marquette, Frontenac and Frontenac Gris, are expanding multiple leaves and growing shoots while varieties such as La Crescent, Swensen Red, and Edelweiss are still in the early stages of bud break and just beginning to expand leaves.
Itasca is leading the pack by a slight degree while Marquette is not far behind. Bud break has occurred on both varieties: leaves have been expanding and shoots range from 1.5 to 3 inches long.
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| Itasca grape shoot 3 inches long, 4 leaves separated. Photo: Aimee Foster. |
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| Marquette grape shoots 3 inches long, 3 leaves separated. Photo: Aimee Foster. |
These shoots are several inches behind where they were in some previous years, due to cold, cloudy weather. In 2016, Itasca shoots were about 11 inches long on May 23.
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A look back to May 23, 2016 - the vines were much further along by late
May in 2016 compared to this year. Photo: John Thull. |
Frontenac and Frontenac Gris are both progressing similarly but slightly behind Itasca and Marquette.
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| Frontenac progressing on leaf separation and shoot growth; 1 to 3 leaves separated. Photo: Aimee Foster. |
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| Frontenac Gris also showing substantial growth, 1 to 3 leaves separated. Photo: Aimee Foster. |
La Crescent, Swensen Red, and Edelweiss are in the early stages of bud break with the first leaves beginning to separate. Most shoots are still less than an inch long on these varieties.
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| La Crescent in early bud break with first leaves separating. Photo: Aimee Foster. |
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| Swenson Red showing signs of bud break with the first leaves separating. Photo: Aimee Foster. |
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| Edelweiss buds shortly after first bud break. Photo: Aimee Foster. |
Stay tuned for additional updates as the grapevines here at the HRC grow and prepare for summer. We hope you have also prepared to kick-off the summer as we head into the long holiday weekend.
Author: Aimee Foster, Summer Research Assistant - Viticulture and Organic Fruits and Vegetables
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