Grower Services
what we offer
Table Grape Vine Maturing Facility
The Kleinberg vine maturing facility receives newly grafted, dormant vines from nurseries, stores them, treats them, grows and matures them, and in the growing process, shapes them into mature-stemmed, trained vines to enable simultaneous planting and trellising on behalf of growers and nurseries.
In general, the vines remain the property of the client throughout the process. They are stored, treated, matured, and delivered on behalf of the client. This close attention ensures quality assurance and early detection of issues. Stem length and growing point split are shaped according to client specifications.
COLD STORAGE OF DORMANT VINES
On arrival at the facility, newly grafted vines are immediately placed in cold storage to maintain dormancy. Conditions in the storage rooms are carefully regulated to protect the vines. Humidifiers and an ozone filtration system prevent drying and kill airborne pathogens.
HOT WATER TREATMENT TO ELIMINATE POSSIBLE PATHOGENS
The prevention and elimination of endogenous pathogens in the maturation facility is crucial for Hex Grapes Mature Vines. Hot water treatment at 50°C is the standard practice in South Africa for eliminating vine pathogens like Bacterial Blight and Crown Gall.
Administering hot water treatment requires specialized expertise and must be done when vines are dormant. Hex Vines specializes in hot water treatment and offers it as a separate service. Scion variety and rootstock plant material undergo hot water treatment at the supplying nurseries before grafting. They are then placed in callusing bins for the development of the callusing process at the joint between the two parts of the vine before the vines become dormant.
Vines received at Hex Vines in callusing bins are planted directly in Ellepots using a sterile substrate, free of pathogens. Dormant vines rooted in soil are subjected to hot water treatment outside the facility before planting into planting bags for maturing.
PLANTING
Vine planting in Ellepots.
Ellepots consist of a thin, biodegradable paper membrane filled with a non-soil sterile substrate planting medium, which is clean and free of pathogens and diseases. The Ellepot technology prevents the potted vines from becoming rootbound. As the covering membrane is biodegradable and water-permeable, the entire pot can be planted without removing the covering or disturbing the roots.
Vine planting in bags.
Following the warm water treatment, the vines are planted into planting bags. The bags are filled with coco hair planting medium, which is clean and free of pathogens and diseases.
MATURING AND FORMING
The homogenous nature of the growing substrates assists with the uniform growth of the vines. During the growing process, leaf samples are analysed weekly, and the required adjustments are made to ensure optimal and uniform growth. The stem length and splitting of the growth point into two shoots are implemented according to client specifications.
DELIVERY OF MATURED VINE TO THE GROWER
When the grower is ready to plant the mature trained vines, Hex Vines carefully loads the vines onto an enclosed truck and transports the vines to the grower, delivering the delicate vines directly next to where the vineyard is to be planted.
OPTIMISING VINE ESTABLISHMENT
To ensure that the vines continue to receive optimal care during the planting and establishment process, Hex Vines works closely with clients prior to and during the planting process. Based on the results of pre-planting soil sample test results, the facility will provide growers with soil and planting hole chemical correction advice. They will also assist the client in checking the integrity of the planting holes and irrigation system at the vineyard site.
NURSERY SERVICES
Maturation and forming of vines on behalf of nurseries.
Several nurseries have shown an interest in using the facility to mature the extra vines, which are required for replacing vine losses incurred during the establishment process, on behalf of their clients in the area.
