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Regarding grass and weeds having a negative impact on vines in this instance. There is a phenomena known as allelopathy. Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon by which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that influence the germination, growth, survival, and reproduction of other...

Minnesota had extended periods of minus 40 degrees actual temperatures. For those reading this in months or years to come, note that Verona seemed to be unphased by the low temperatures. I think the potential catch with Verona is how far North it will ripen properly. I like it horticulturally...

If some of the vines are pencil size or bigger you can keep them and prune the smaller diameter off. Keep two buds on each at the top. Otherwise cut to the ground to two buds. Since you will have two trunks, bend one one way and the other, the other.

Just recently I read of someone growing citrus in Oklahoma in the following way. He places two layers of anti frost fabric, he has thermostats in place, and uses Christmas tree lights to heat the little tents. When real cold spells come he throws lightweight tarps over the top as well. Something...

Another thought I've had on all this: Since the vsp wire is much lower to the ground than the twc that many of us use in the US, it should be easier, in theory, to reach the lower wire earlier on. Perhaps that would justify the forced growth pattern of first year pruning in a commercial...

I on the other hand would suggest to let the plant just go rampant this year and not try to train it other than keep it off the ground. The idea being that maximum foliage will develop maximum root growth and put the plant in good position for next year. Next year cut it back to two buds and...

Here is a second study. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/dont_let_bunch_rots_ruin_your_grapes

If I'm reading this study correctly, you need to be doing leaf pulling, using Sevin, and Serenade max in your regimen. https://www.michiganwines.com/docs/Research/08schilder2.pdf

Here is what Dell had to say about Verona. "After brutal winter our Verona are doing well also. Many other varieties got severe damage in MN. Some vineyards hit -40F during the polar vortex".

The vines show up with the preblossoms very early. Then they grow the leaves and shoots. They aren't going to fruit for you this year. If the shoots get adequate sun, water, fertilizer, and disease protection they will fruit next year

I can't answer all these technical questions. I have read that in temperate regions grape growers get two harvests per year. Also if there is a dry and a rainy season, entering into the dry season the grapes are pruned and foliage is removed to trigger a winter type and fruiting cycle.

I'm fortunate to have red tailed hawks, coyotes, and foxes here to keep the rabbits and squirrel populations down.

The picture is out of focus.

Yesterday I started off the day with shorts and tee shirt, then went for my stocking hat, then went back for a sweatshirt and zipped it up. 50 degrees at 7:30 am.

Rice_Guy mentioned Verona. I have Verona, this is their third year, first fruiting year. They have grown very nicely for me, handled minus 32 last winter with no problems. The vines are tidy, easy to train, downward trailing and vigorous, but not overly so. Dell Schott said they handled minus 40...

The second year vines look a little wild. Because purposely I let all the sprouts and side shoots grow to build roots and plant strength, But the 'action' is in guiding the vine in the second year to where you want it to go. the third spring one prunes off the previous years excess, and you end...

One final thought or observation I had. I have read that vineyards that have tourists and weddings etc., will plant vertical shoot positioning where the vines will be seen, because it's tidier. Note that it is a shoot positioning system. If an individual has a natural desire for order, vsp...

Most of us can't identify these diseases very well, because we use various sprays and have never had these problems.

I hear what you are saying. I have Petite Pearl, which are supposed to be downward trailing. The truth is they go anywhere they want to. Ultimately we are growing fancy weeds. Tests have been done to decide which trellis produces the most tonnage per acre, not which trellis most politely...

This is a vine in it's third year, fruiting for the first time.