020: Leaf Removal – Why, When, How with Dr. Cain Hickey & Galen Troxell

Should you be practicing leaf removal in your vineyard? What's the correct timing? How much leaf removal is too much? In this episode, we dive into the why, when, and how of all things leaf removal so you can feel confident in your thinning decisions. Our guests are Extension Viticulturist Dr. Cain Hickey from Penn State University and seasoned grape grower Galen Troxell from Galen Glen Vineyards in Pennsylvania. We talk about the research that's been done on fruit zone leaf removal and their experience with it. We also discuss their individual practices and how they apply to different climates. In this episode, you will hear: What is leaf removal The reasons to practice leaf removal in your vineyard When should you thin your leaves in your climate The research on the effects of fruit quality as a result of leaf removal The effects of methoxypyrazines When and why Galen started implementing mechanical leaf removal in his vineyard Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Resources: If you have questions about today's episode or other grape growing questions, you can visit VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. Learn more about leaf removal with these free Grower Guide videos from Fritz and check out all the grape growing content and resources at VirtualViticultureAcademy.com. Late Season Leaf Removal: Reasons and Precautions: https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/grower-guides/late-season-leaf-removal-reasons-and-precautions/  Leaf Removal is a Snap: https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/grower-guides/leaf-removal-is-a-snap/  Leaf Thinning After Fruit Set: https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/grower-guides/leaf-thinning-after-fruit-set/  Mid-Season Vineyard Strategies: https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/grower-guides/mid-season-vineyard-strategies/  Come grow with Fritz through VirtualViticultureAcademy.com! Save $75 off your first year of membership with the code Underground at checkout. Today's Guests: Cain Hickey is a Viticulture Extension Educator at Penn State. His areas of expertise include applied viticulture, grapevine physiology, pruning and training, and canopy management. Connect with Cain: https://extension.psu.edu/cain-hickey https://extension.psu.edu/education-format?authors= Galen Troxell and his wife Sarah are the owners and founders of the award-winning and highly recognized Galen Glenn Winery in Pennsylvania. They started their highly successful vineyard and winery in 1995 and in 2003 became the first vineyard east of the Rocky Mountains to commercially plant Gruner Veltliner. They have been successfully using mechanical leaf removal since 2012. Connect with Galen: https://www.galenglen.com https://www.instagram.com/galenglenwine/ https://www.facebook.com/GalenGlenWine Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.