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Queensland, Australia

Just read Macivos diary from NZ and I agree with him, I think we plant early.
Where I live is about 27deg south so don,t get the super long days anyway. The general frost free period if from September through to Anzac day or April 25th.
My latest consensus is to either plant August with frost protection or November. Both ways you shouldnt be growing fruit through the hottest period.
What do other growers over here think?
Cheers
Clinton

2/7/2011 1:44:16 AM

Australia

I agree that we shouldnt be growing the fruit during Jan-Feb. The last few weeks of high heat has really taken its toll on the plants.
we were only just thinking about planting Aug/Sept, that way temps should be milder around pollination time and growth all but done before the worst months.
This would mean its ready too early the for Easter weighoffs, but some local growers have tossed around the idea of starting up an alternate weigh site. The idea of altering our planting dates to help beat the heat definatly needs consideration.
Ben

2/7/2011 5:50:23 AM

Queensland, Australia

Hi Ben,
I have an awesome looking plant I didnt plant until mid December, no fruit yet.
Next year I will definetly plant in late August. Then when I do stuff up I will have plenty of time to get going again.
Cheers
Clinton

2/9/2011 5:23:38 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I hope your season of high heat FOLLOWS our season of the same kind of heat. I don't need another season like the last one. However, I AM a bit jealous of all this talk about heat right now.

2/9/2011 10:56:14 PM

New Zealand

hey downunder.
glad someone is reading my diary, i read yours all the time. next season i wont plant till november, then pollinate about now. on my main vine i have a sickly kin which is smaller than my unkept vines, but have just set another kin on the big vine and its growing very nice and still have heaps of time for the easter show. my biggest kin is in semi shade on a different part of the property and with no care at all is doing great.
its all a learning curve.

cheers

2/12/2011 7:42:13 PM