Over 130 of Delicata’s grape-growing farmers have attended three seminars, two in Malta and one in Gozo, organised by the winemaking company to teach best practices relating to green pruning.

Over 100 farmers from Maltese vineyards and more than 30 from Gozo attended the seminars which were conducted by Matthew Delicata and Jonathan Falzon.

The seminars were divided in two parts. The first one covered the benefits of green pruning, which requires the physical selection of shoots by eliminating (by hand) those that are not deemed appropriate.

The advantages of this practice are that, once done, it allows better light and wind penetration, which reduces disease pressure and minimises the use of pesticide through natural methods.

This both reduces costs for the growers and results in more environment-friendly fruit. It also increases the size and quality of the individual bunches, since all the vines’ energy is channelled into the fruit and not the useless shoots.

It also lessens the vines’ water consumption, since shaded leaves which are non-functional stilllose water.

Removing them, therefore, reduces the water loss and the overall irrigation requirements, once again helping the farmer reduce his costs.

Another benefit is that the remaining shoots grow better and develop a better quality wood for the following year’s pruning and growing season.

The second part of the seminars focused on the management of the grape berry moth, using environment-friendly pheromones and traps to better manage any sprayings. This way, very few sprays are required.

Also, when possible, organic sprays are encouraged over conventional insecticides.