Anthony,
We have very little problem with mites, there are predatory
mites that will control the bud mites etc. Interesting to note that using CT in
preferance to sulphur will tend to encourage predatory mite populations as the
sulphur will kill most of these organisms (the exception is Typhlodromus
doreenae).
The predatory mite Amblyseius
victoria is susceptible to sulphur
sprays.
Lace wings and lady birds also predate mites
so eliminating pesticides will encourage natural control of these
organisms. As you would know as you get plant sap brix to a true brix of 12 or
above and pH nearer 6.4 pests such as these become negligible.
Interesting to note that the folia analysis for the CT treated
vines showed good levels of Ca and we were able to use folia sprays (phos acid
and humics) that raised brix by up to 2 degrees. It may be that the CT was
helping to improve Ca levels and thus folia sprays were more effective?? No data
to prove or disprove just a theory at the moment.
Glad to hear you are monitoring using Reams approach have you
been able to measure brix improvements using CT? I have measured small movements
upwards using CT in other crops but have not measured it in grapes after using
CT?
Once mineral balance occurs in the vines
everything becomes easy and yes it will affect CT performance.
However you can have all the right minerals in the soil in the right ratio and
balance etc but if the biology is out of balance (bacterial to fungal etc) then
it will not work. So we need both soil chemistry and biology (and physics) to be
functioning as they were designed to in the soil.
Regards Mike Harvey
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