To assess the
kill of dormant fruiting buds from low winter temperatures, gather
10 canes of the same quality that would be retained during pruning.
Store them at room temperature for a minimum of 48 hours, then make
cross-sections of fruiting nodes. Systematically evaluate damage
to buds and alter pruning practices accordingly. Healthy cambium
tissues are green; injured cambium tissues immediately below the
bark or older wood become brownish. Even when these tissues appear
completely dark brown, they may be viable and worth saving to maintain
balanced growth.
Portions of
severely winter-injured vines may begin to grow and then collapse
around the time of bloom or shortly thereafter. |
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A cross-section
with dead primary bud in the middle and live secondary and tertiary
buds on the sides.
Photo: T. Zabadal |
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