But Hope Springs Eternal!  After at least a decade, we actually have green vines in the spring.  We have had consistently warm weather this spring, and the nitrogen uptake from the soil is sufficient to keep the vines green.  The warm weather has also resulted in good pollination, with most clusters pollinating and most berries within a cluster pollinating at the same time.  Our weather now, post bloom, is remaining warm which promises for many more fruitful buds next year.  A good harvest requires two consecutive springs that are consistently, ideally, 75 to 85 degree highs from early May through mid-June, to ensure fruitful buds, year one, for next year’s clusters, and good pollination, year two.

Last year’s spring was far from ideal for fruitful bud formation, so this year’s harvest should be a little better than normal, due to good pollination, but substantially short, once again, on adequate production.  The fruitful buds forming now (post bloom) will determine next year’s harvest.

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