Flowering Season
Fiona Shiner, Founder
Summer has finally started in earnest and that is good news for the vines!
In England, the all important flowering period can start any time from mid June to early July. It usually coincides with the grass court season, and true to form as the tennis is basking in the current heat wave, flowering is well underway in our Stonehouse vineyard and has started in Woodchester.
Flowering is essential for fruit but it is a very understated affair in vines. There is a whiff of a musky scent in the air but not the showy blossom we enjoy from apple and cherry trees.
Our vines are hermaphrodite and self pollinate, so we do not need bees although they are always welcome. It is a very delicate stage and for a successful flowering and pollination we like sunshine, warmth and dry conditions. Heavy rain, a big drop in temperature and windy conditions can impact the flowering process and this will impact our yields. It has happened before, 2020 being an example of a very low yielding year due to unfavourable weather in June and July.
Fruit set swiftly follows flowering and ideal conditions would favour a short flowering period and a quick and even fruit set so the grapes ripen at the same time. The current hot spell is good news.
