1. Budburst
What’s happening inside the vine?
As temperatures increase, dormant buds resume growth and new shoots begin to emerge. The vine mobilises carbohydrate reserves stored in the trunk and roots to support early shoot development until the expanding leaves become capable of producing energy through photosynthesis. At the same time, root activity increases, allowing greater uptake of water and nutrients to sustain rapid vegetative growth.
Natural hormonal activity
Budburst is regulated by naturally occurring plant hormones that coordinate the transition from dormancy to active growth. Cytokinins promote bud break and the development of new shoots, gibberellins contribute to shoot elongation, and auxins help regulate the growth of emerging leaves and stems as the canopy begins to develop.
Why are amino acids important?
As the vine resumes active growth, amino acids are required for the synthesis of proteins and enzymes involved in cell division, tissue development and energy metabolism. They contribute to the rapid production of new shoots and leaves during this period of high metabolic activity.
Which key nutrients are important during this stage?
Nitrogen supports early shoot and leaf development while contributing to the proteins required for active growth.
Phosphorus plays an important role in energy transfer and root activity, supporting the mobilisation of reserves and the establishment of vigorous early growth.
Zinc contributes to enzyme activity and the production of growth compounds involved in shoot and leaf development.
Why apply the GrowGreen program?
Applying the GrowGreen program at budburst complements the vine’s transition from dormancy to active growth. By supplying biologically derived amino acids, phytohormones, bioactive compounds and mineral nutrition, the program complements the physiological processes associated with early shoot development, canopy establishment and root activity.
2. Pre-Flowering
What’s happening inside the vine?
During pre-flowering, shoot growth continues rapidly as the canopy expands and flower clusters develop. The vine’s demand for water, nutrients and carbohydrates increases to support both vegetative growth and the formation of reproductive structures. Establishing a healthy canopy during this stage is essential to maximise photosynthesis and provide the energy required for successful flowering and fruit set.
Natural hormonal activity
Gibberellins contribute to shoot elongation and the development of flower clusters, while auxins and cytokinins regulate the growth of new leaves and reproductive tissues. Together, these naturally occurring hormones coordinate the vine’s transition from vegetative growth to the reproductive phase.
Why are amino acids important?
As the vine prepares for flowering, amino acids are required for the continued synthesis of proteins and enzymes involved in cell division, tissue development and metabolic activity. They contribute to the formation of new vegetative and reproductive tissues during this period of rapid growth.
Which key nutrients are important during this stage?
Nitrogen supports continued canopy development and the production of proteins required during active growth.
Boron contributes to the development of flower clusters and supports reproductive processes leading into flowering.
Potassium plays an important role in carbohydrate transport and helps maintain normal plant function during this period of high metabolic activity.
Why apply the GrowGreen program?
Applying the GrowGreen program during pre-flowering complements the vine’s increased physiological activity as it prepares for flowering. By supplying biologically derived amino acids, phytohormones, bioactive compounds and mineral nutrition, the program complements the physiological processes associated with canopy development, flower cluster formation and the transition into reproduction.
3. Fruit Set
What’s happening inside the vine?
Following successful flowering and fertilisation, berries begin to develop as cells divide rapidly within the young fruit. During this stage, the vine directs increasing amounts of carbohydrates, water and nutrients towards the developing berries, establishing the foundation for berry size, cluster development and final yield. The successful retention of young berries is critical to determining the crop’s production potential.
Natural hormonal activity
Following fertilisation, auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins produced within the developing berries regulate fruit retention and early berry growth. These hormones coordinate active cell division and the development of young fruit while supporting the transition from flowering to berry development.
Why are amino acids important?
The rapid formation of new cells during early berry development increases the vine’s demand for amino acids. Amino acids are required for protein synthesis, enzyme production and the metabolic processes that support cell division and the establishment of healthy, developing berries.
Which key nutrients are important during this stage?
Boron supports successful fertilisation and contributes to early berry development.
Calcium is required for the formation and stability of new cells as berries undergo rapid cell division.
Potassium supports the transport of carbohydrates to developing berries, helping meet the vine’s increasing energy demand during early fruit growth.
Why apply the GrowGreen program?
Applying the GrowGreen program during fruit set complements the vine’s increased physiological demand as developing berries become strong sinks for carbohydrates and nutrients. By providing biologically derived amino acids, phytohormones, bioactive compounds and mineral nutrition, the program complements the physiological processes associated with berry establishment and early fruit development.
4. Pea-Sized Berries
What’s happening inside the vine?
Following fruit set, berries enter a period of rapid growth as cell expansion becomes the dominant process. The canopy reaches peak photosynthetic capacity, supplying the carbohydrates required to support berry development. During this stage, the vine allocates increasing amounts of water and nutrients to the developing fruit while continuing to maintain healthy shoot and leaf function. Berry size and cluster uniformity are strongly influenced by the vine’s physiological performance during this period.
Natural hormonal activity
Auxins and gibberellins continue to regulate berry growth by promoting normal cell expansion, while cytokinins support ongoing cellular activity within the developing fruit. Together, these naturally occurring hormones coordinate berry enlargement and the continued development of grape clusters.
Why are amino acids important?
As berries expand rapidly, amino acids are required to sustain protein synthesis, enzyme production and the metabolic processes associated with active fruit growth. They also contribute to maintaining normal physiological activity within both the developing berries and the vine canopy.
Which key nutrients are important during this stage?
Potassium plays a major role in the transport of carbohydrates and the regulation of water movement, supporting rapid berry growth.
Calcium contributes to cell wall development and the structural integrity of expanding berry tissues.
Magnesium supports chlorophyll production and photosynthesis, helping maintain the carbohydrate supply required during this period of active fruit growth.
Why apply the GrowGreen program?
Applying the GrowGreen program during the pea-sized berry stage complements the vine’s increased physiological demand as berries undergo rapid expansion. By supplying biologically derived amino acids, phytohormones, bioactive compounds and mineral nutrition, the program complements the physiological processes associated with berry growth, canopy function and the continued development of uniform, healthy grape clusters.
5. Veraison
What’s happening inside the vine?
Veraison marks the onset of berry ripening and is one of the most significant physiological transitions in the grapevine’s annual cycle. Berries begin to soften and, in coloured cultivars, pigments start to accumulate as the fruit changes colour. At the same time, sugars are actively transported into the berries, organic acid concentrations begin to decline and flavour and aroma compounds start to develop. The vine shifts its priority from berry growth to berry ripening, with the developing fruit becoming the dominant sink for carbohydrates produced by the canopy.
Natural hormonal activity
Veraison is characterised by a shift in hormonal regulation. Abscisic acid (ABA) becomes the dominant hormone associated with the onset of ripening, coordinating berry softening, sugar accumulation and colour development. Auxins and gibberellins become less influential as berry growth slows, allowing the vine to transition from fruit development to fruit maturation.
Why are amino acids important?
As ripening progresses, amino acids continue to support protein synthesis and enzyme production associated with the biochemical changes occurring within the berries. They also contribute to the metabolic processes involved in the formation of compounds that influence berry composition during maturation.
Which key nutrients are important during this stage?
Potassium plays an important role in transporting sugars into the berries and contributes to the physiological processes associated with berry ripening.
Magnesium supports continued photosynthesis, helping maintain the supply of carbohydrates required as berries become the vine’s primary sink.
Calcium contributes to maintaining cell membrane integrity and the structural stability of berry tissues throughout the ripening process.
Why apply the GrowGreen program?
Applying the GrowGreen program at veraison complements the vine’s changing physiological priorities as berry development transitions into ripening. By providing biologically derived amino acids, phytohormones, bioactive compounds and mineral nutrition, the program complements the physiological processes associated with sugar accumulation, berry maturation and the continued function of a healthy, photosynthetically active canopy.
6. Pre-harvest
What’s happening inside the vine?
As harvest approaches, berries complete their ripening process and reach their final composition. Sugar accumulation nears completion, organic acid concentrations stabilise, and flavour and aroma compounds continue to develop. During this stage, maintaining a healthy and functional canopy remains essential to sustain photosynthesis and ensure the continued supply of carbohydrates to the berries until harvest.
Natural hormonal activity
Abscisic acid continues to play a central role during the final stages of berry maturation, coordinating the physiological processes associated with ripening. Hormonal activity is primarily directed towards completing berry development and preparing both the fruit and the vine for the transition into post-harvest physiology.
Why are amino acids important?
Amino acids continue to contribute to protein synthesis and enzyme activity associated with the final biochemical processes of berry maturation. They also support normal metabolic activity within the canopy, helping maintain leaf function until harvest.
Which key nutrients are important during this stage?
Potassium continues to support carbohydrate transport and the physiological processes associated with final berry maturation.
Magnesium helps maintain photosynthetic activity, allowing the canopy to continue supplying carbohydrates until harvest.
Calcium contributes to maintaining cell membrane integrity and the structural stability of berry tissues during the final stages of ripening.
Why apply the GrowGreen program?
Applying the GrowGreen program prior to harvest complements the vine’s continued physiological activity as berries complete their maturation. By providing biologically derived amino acids, phytohormones, bioactive compounds and mineral nutrition, the program complements the physiological processes that support canopy function and final berry development before harvest.
7. Conclusion
Successful vineyard nutrition is achieved by aligning management practices with the vine’s natural pattern of growth and development. Understanding the changing physiological and nutritional requirements throughout the season enables growers to make informed decisions that complement normal vine function and support consistent crop performance.
The GrowGreen grapevine program has been developed around these physiological principles, integrating Fish Emulsion, Microbe Plus Kelp and Xtend® into a practical nutrition program that provides biological and mineral nutrition throughout the growing season. By applying the program at key stages of vine development, growers can adopt a consistent, science-based approach to vineyard nutrition while supporting healthy vines and high-quality fruit production.