Guidelines for the preparation of table grapes in SA for export 2025/2026_ND

Table-grape cultivation throughout the year

This annual programme aims to provide an overview of table-grape cultivation throughout the season. Grapevines are perennial, deciduous crops grown in diverse climates. Therefore, the year has been divided into 17 phenological stages. Leaf drop (Autumn) The vine enters dormancy for the coming winter. The following can be done after leaf drop: • Start with preliminary pruning. • Control couch grass before winter starts. • Sow cover crops. Sowing from mid-March to mid-May is recommended for the Western Cape, depending on the region and the type of cover crop. Sowing from mid-March is recommended for summer-rainfall areas. These recommendations are linked to the optimal soil temperatures (10–18°C) for seed germination. Sowing too late, when the soil is too cold, is detrimental to the cover crop stand, as germination will be poor. In summer rainfall areas, cover crops must be irrigated. • Remove loose bark for effective girdling and mealy bug control. Winter The vines are dormant. Do the following: • Maintain trellis systems by replacing poles where necessary and tensioning wires. Inspect anchors. • Erect trellis systems for young vineyards. • Assemble cartons when it rains. • Control mealy bugs. Treatments can be repeated for severe infestations. Only treat infested vines. • Control ants with spot applications where nests are observed. • Control snails. • Carry out the final pruning on the appropriate date and with the appropriate method. • Tie canes down. • Treat buds with a rest-breaking agent where applicable. • Train young vineyards that grew sufficiently in the previous season (cordon arm diameter more than 8 mm or thicker than a pencil). Vines that didn’t grow sufficiently should be cut back to two buds above the graft union. • Prune 2 nd leaf vines as late as possible to improve bud break. Young vines have fewer reserves, resulting in poorer bud break. • Follow a weed-control programme later in winter.

SATI GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF TABLE GRAPES IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR EXPORT 21