Growing grapes in Texas PDF
Preview Growing grapes in Texas
Growing Grapes in Texas Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service Series CRAIG NESSLER AND DOUGLAS L. STEELE, General Editors Growing Grapes in Texas From the to the Commercial Backyard Vineyard Vine J I M K A M A S TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY PRESS College Station, Texas Copyright © 2014 by Jim Kamas All rights reserved First edition Manufactured in China by Everbest Printing Co. through FCI Print Group This paper meets the requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48–1992 (Permanence of Paper). Binding materials have been chosen for durability. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Kamas, Jim, 1955– author. Growing grapes in Texas : from the commercial vineyard to the backyard vine / Jim Kamas.—First edition. pages cm—(Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service series) Includes index. ISBN 978–1-62349–180–2 (flexbound : alk. paper)— ISBN 978–1-62349–223–6 (e-book) 1. Viticulture—Texas. 2. Vineyards—Texas. I. Title. II. Series: Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Service series. SB387.76.T4K36 2014 634.809764—dc23 2014015245 “General editors for this series are Craig Nessler, director of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, and Douglas L. Steele, director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.” Unless otherwise credited, all photographs are from the author’s personal collection. To my family— my loving wife Jacy, my grown kids Nicolas and Rebecca, and our new addition, baby Jonah. You all make my life a joy. Contents Foreword, by Larry A. Stein ix Preface xi 1. Why Do You Want to Plant a Vineyard? 1 2. History of Grape Growing in Texas 7 3. Grape-Growing Regions of Texas 12 4. Factors Limiting Grape Production in Texas 19 5. Systematics of the Genus Vitis 35 6. Choosing a Vineyard Site 44 7. Time line for Establishing and Planting the Vineyard 53 8. Vineyard Design 65 9. The Growth Cycle and Grape Maturity 70 10. Grapevine Physiology 82 11. Rootstock Selection 93 12. Selecting Fruiting Varieties 104 13. Choosing a Training System 115 14. Pruning and Training Dormant Vines 123 15. Canopy Management 139 16. Grapevine Nutrition and Vineyard Fertilization 149 17. Diseases Affecting Foliage and Fruit 167 18. Other Diseases Affecting Grapevines 184 19. Vineyard Floor Management 191 20. Grapevine Water Needs and Vineyard Irrigation 202 21. Insects and Mite Pests 210 22. Vertebrate Pest Control 221 23. Vineyard Equipment and Infrastructure Needs 225 24. Vineyard and Winery Relations 235 Glossary 241 Index 245 Foreword What an honor to be able to provide a preview of what will become a “must have” book for every viticulturist in the state, from the beginning grape grower to that experienced grower looking for answers to every- day problems. Jim draws on his broad experiences to answer questions that potential or current growers did not even know they needed to ask. The book is not only comprehensive but realistic and easy to understand, though very technically accurate. Jim not only shares his philosophy but carries you through all the vital steps needed to be successful in growing grapes. From history, to grape regions in Texas, to rootstocks and varie- ties, to training and pruning, to controlling diseases and insects—it is all here. He draws on his own trials and tribulations to help others avoid common pitfalls. Along the way he offers commonsense tips on the hows and whys of what it takes to be a successful grape grower serving the wineries of Texas. I have known Jim since our days as graduate students, and I can as- sure you that he lives and breathes perennial fruit crops in Texas and has always had that special passion for grapes. He thrives on solving the nag- ging problems that seem to crop up from time to time. So hang on for not only an exciting but a worthwhile read that will definitely either inspire you to want to be a grape grower or help you overcome the many chal- lenges of growing grapes in Texas. —Larry A. Stein Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service ix
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