Pictures from Bud Analysis

    Here are the pictures I promised from my laboratory analysis of the buds I collected in the vineyard on Wed.  The first picture shows the tools I used to dissect and any like the canes.  The dissecting scope with binocular lenses allows for much easier viewing than with a hand lense.  The second picture is a shot of a primary bud from a Chambourcin plant that shows very good protection and healthy bud development.  The second bud is from our Chardonnay and it shows a healthy looking primary bud (top center) but the secondary bud looks brown and dead.  The 3d bud on the bottom right side of the picture looks fine as well.  Since we still have 2 more weeks of very cold weather I will need to continue to monitor the situation before we begin to prune for the spring.  If a large number of the buds appear to have died back. We will need to leave several alternative canes and buds so that we can maximize our production regardless of what our setbacks for this winter are.