Kentville Research and Development Centre
2024-25 Bud Hardiness Report No. 5 - Nova Scotia
Attached, from Jeff Franklin and Dr. Harrison Wright, is Nova Scotia bud hardiness report #5 for the 2024-25 year. The Nova Scotia wine grape bud hardiness survey generates occasional reports of the low temperature exotherm (LTE) values over the dormant period (roughly from late October to late April).
Note from the research team: All varieties in the current round of the survey have deacclimated significantly since our last report in February with L’Acadie and Marquette showing the greatest change (9.9 and 11.0 °C respectively). The typical separation between hybrid and vinifera LTE50 values has disappeared leaving the hybrid varieties slightly less hardy than vinifera varieties. This is normal in the early spring. The recent LTE50 values are slightly higher (less acclimated) than what we have seen on this date in the past years of the survey, likely due to the above average temperatures experienced in early March. Despite this, there is significant margin between the current bud acclimation and the observed temperatures. The 14-day forecast predicts that temperatures will remain close to seasonal values until mid April.
This is our last survey and report for the 2024/25 season, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank GGANS and all participating growers for their support in this project. We certainly could not do this without all of you.