Grape Bud Survival in the Midwest Following the Winter of 1993-1994

Abstract

The winter of 1993-1994 was one of the coldest on record across much of the midwestern U.S. Minimum winter temperatures in January 1994 ranged from −16°F (−27°C) to −39°F (−39°C) across Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Temperatures remained below 0°F (−18°C) in most areas for several days during January preceding the coldest temperature events. Primary bud survival was rated on 69 American, French-American hybrid, and Vitis viniferagrape cultivars and advanced breeding selections in research blocks and commercial vineyards in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Results generally are in agreement with previous reports in that American cultivars were the most hardy, French-American hybrids were somewhat less hardy, and the Vitis viniferacultivars were the least hardy. However, some French-American hybrids including ‘Foch,’ ‘DeChaunac,’ ‘Frontenac,’ ‘LaCrosse,’ and ‘Ventura’ were more hardy than the American cultivars. Many cultivars had better bud survival than expected for the minimum temperatures experienced. These ratings represent a good measure of the maximum winter hardiness of the cultivars surveyed because conditions for winter hardening in the fall of 1993 were ideal, and there were no winter temperature fluctuations or sharp temperature drops leading to the January 1994 episode.