Hello everyone! From my research on stone fruits, especially nectarines and peaches, it sounds like putting a roofed structure over them can greatly reduce disease issues, especially peach leaf curl.
That got me thinking about doing this for a few grapes. I would start with disease resistant varieties, of course, but we get both black rot and especially phomposis here (which I can finally put a name to; before, I thought it was a nutrient problem). Everything I read says that both diseases are triggered by spring rains, but nowhere can I find if putting a roof over the vines will help prevent the diseases from growing and spreading on the vines. I find information on people in England growing grapes in greenhouses, but even they never mention if it helps prevent disease.
I’m not looking for a magic cure-all, but phomopsis kills my vines every time they reach two years of age, and I have zero confidence in my ability to keep a proper spray regime going. I honestly don’t want to spray as much as I would have to anyway, since diseases tend to become resistant after a while (I know to rotate what to use, but I’m trying to do natural/organic, which limits my options).
Have any of you ever grown grapes under a roof? Did it help with disease? Do you think my idea will work, or would I just be wasting money and effort?
I think it will help provided whatever you erect doesn’t restrict air flow or in any way delay drying of the plant. I’m growing an array of fruits in a greenhouse and have for 20 years. In that time there have been nearly zero issues with diseases of the fruit or the plant.
My plan is to just put a clear roof over them, so airflow will not be restricted. It’s good to know your greenhouse has helped your crops, and congratulations on your success with it!
I hade a grape vine that grew under my roof over hang and that worked great. all my other grapes rotted while green and long from ripening. The animals and birds ate well.
This is the Interlaken at my local nursery. It’s growing under an overhead frame that’s covered with clear corrugated roofing. You’d think the plastic covering would have cooked the grapes but they are doing fine. Taste very sweet!
