Uh Oh!

Now what?  A simple little patio vineyard and just like that, this:

Brownish Yellow, next to a lovely green.

And then they die and fall off...

Even little ones.  How sad

What to do, what to do. It is one of three things.

• Too much water often makes leaves yellow, maybe on vines, also. 
• The Cab Franc is not liking the soil and/or needs different nutrients. Unlikely? 
• The dreaded and feared Glassy-winged Sharpshooter! 

How do you spell uggg.  Not sure I have enough insecticide detergent.  Good thing I don't do this for a living.  Might have to call this guys. Or at least ask them on Instagram.

And they were doing so well in year-two.  Well, one of the 4 vines was doing well.  Other three... And hear I thought my big disappointment would be no fruit in year two.  I know it is rare, but wishful thinking is okay, too.

It's like watching grass grow

Or Watching Scotty Grow? 

March 21, 2020

Plenty of time to sit and watch this one-of-four take off.  Self isolate has its advantages, I guess. I'm not clever enough to create a viral meme, so I will watch others. And watch my vine grow.  Hope the other three catch up.

April 5, 2020

At this rate, #3 will have grapes by summer. Another week of work-from-home, so may have a chance to update with more photos. Until then, I'll just add one more pic, but this time with a bottle of wine. Adds a little context. Plus, it is a cool label. Oh, and a great wine, too!

New Home

July 20, 2019

And this is where they live.  Well, three of them.  Sometime after this, a late bloomer appeared.  And then there were four.

But for the timeline, this is one month later.

August 17, 2019

They survived the harsh California winter - just kidding.  All went well.  Had some 'fall color' on the patio.  Spent the winter watching more YouTube videos.  And then, due to a very warm and dry February, Bud Break. Good thing I pruned in January.

February 23, 2020.

 A very noble bud, n'est pas?  Now what? Oh, I don't know.  A couple of years from now they may produce bunches of grapes. But don't expect any Larkin Cab Franc from this patio vineyard anytime soon, if ever.  Besides, the name is already in use in Napa.

Feb 29, 2020 From a spark to a flame.

You should see them now, one month later...

Grapes Without A View

For the first time ever, my planted grape seeds germinated. Maybe because they were 'local'?  I doubt it, but I'll never know.
This photo is from May 29, 2019.

2 of 4 eventual seedlings.

Little baby Cab Franc seedlings.  Now, I have tried seeds from Saint-Émilion, British Columbia, Italy, Quebec, and all over California (do the Feds know this - editor).
Nada.

Time to move on.


And then this happened.  How fun.  Now what? Nothing.  Just let 'em grow and enjoy the greenery.

Then two more seedlings pop out (pic is from June 16, 2019) and I start planning my #patiovineyard.

Only 3 here, but a little later a 4th popped out.

Getting serious, now.  Four vines.  Delusions of grandeur start filtering through my head.  Not really, but still fun.  Time to find a vessel to hold these beauties.
Another funny thing occurred while this was happening on our back patio.
{ BTW, I should mention that I have the full support and encouragement of #TheLovelyWife ™ . I think she may have delusions of grandeur :) } 
I had just discovered the joys of podcasts (I have a long work-commute). Read an article in the NY Times by their wine writer, Eric Asimov - yes, he is related to this guy. Unfortunately, it is likely behind a paywall today.
Anyway, it was about Levi Dalton and his podcast. Since then, I am a Wine Podcast junkie. But that is another story.  
Back to my seedlings. I decided that everything I learned listening to Levi and a few guys from Sonoma County, among others, I would put into practice on my #Patiovineyard. 
I drink the stuff, why not see what it is like to grow it. Are you aware of the info available on YouTube about grape-growing? 
 I believe this is one of the earliest pics I have a the seedlings.

May 11, 2019

 

As the 'bumper art' from the old Tonight Show would say, more to come...

While I was away...

Meanwhile.  For as long as I can remember (that's not very long - editor) I have been saving grape seeds.  Anytime I visit a winery and they allow picking a few grapes to taste, I do. I always spit the seeds to my hand and then a pocket, ideally in a Kleenex.
Way back in October, 2018, while on a hike through the Back Bay of Newport beach, we walked by the private estate of Newport Beach Vineyard & Winery. As luck would have it, they were hosting a Brunch / Grape Harvest party.

My sheers and payload.

Being on the outside of the fence where grapes were not accessible to the crew, I had them pass shears through to me.  I cut off those out of reach and handed them back. They offered a small bunch for a snack...
Moments later the foreman waved us over, thanking us for the help. Then invited us in, allowing us to continue the harvest, joining the taco brunch/lunch, AND a glass of wine. Several hours later we left, never finishing our hike ;)

As I always do with the seeds I save, after drying, I plant them.  See next post...