Dormancy

Question 1

What time of the year do vines go into dormancy?

Answer 1

North: November-March (11-3)

South: May-September (5-9)

Question 2

Why does dormancy occur?

Answer 2

Average air temperatures below 10C/50F are too cold for the vine to grow, and therefore in the winter the vine is dormant.

Question 3

How does the vine support itself through dormancy?

Answer 3

Until it has grown new leaves, the vine supports its growth using stores of carbohydrates, mostly starch, accumulated during the previous growing season in the roots, trunk, and branches

Question 4

What low temperatures are damaging to vines?

Answer 4

• temperatures below -20C/-4F
• temperatures below -25C/-13F will kill most vines

-problematic during winter in Canada, New York State, and China

Question 5

Which important vineyard activity is done during dormancy?

Answer 5

Winter pruning