People would ask me about the roses that you find at the end of a vine and what they are for. Well, over the years I have heard quite a few answers:
Back in olden days when they still harvested by means of horse and carriage. They were afraid that the horse will take the turn at the end of the row, which will cause the cart to be damaged or the anchor trellising system which is planted at the end of the row will be pulled out or even hurt the horse. So roses were planted which will deter the horse from the end of the vines, via its thorns and big visible flowers. Well today we make use of man and machine. The driver in his tractor can judge when the turns from the row.
DOOM!
Second reason why roses are planted at the end of the row is to help with pollination of the flowers on the vines, so that they will in the end bare the fruit. Lets think about that one… Consider the amount of grapes/bunches on a vine. If you want bees and other insects to pollinate them you will have one helluva insect problem.
Thirdly, roses are used as an early warning system against diseases. Since the plants are also as sturdy as vines, but are also susceptible to similar types of diseases. SO if you see the leaves on the rose bushes change colour or if the bush dies, you know that there is a problem in the vineyards that is not quite visible yet. Almost like your canary in the mine theory. Today, better technology is available to the farmer to monitor the health of the vines and better ways to ensure that the vines stay healthy.
Ahh.... Romantic
Also quite interesting; if farmers relied on roses at the end of vines, why is that, that only certain vines have the roses and if you go further on the farm there are none?
So it just looks pretty then?… Yes. As a hopeless romantic in Franschhoek once told me “Consider the French Flag, the Tricolour of blue, white and red. Now look at the vineyards and its roses. You will see the blue of the sky the white and the red of the roses.”
For me it has a bit of a traditional feel to it. These days you find all kinds of strange things in the vineyards. From funky art pieces to classical music. Roses are definitely more natural and it is pretty at that.
[...] People would ask me about the roses that you find at the end of a vine and what they are for. Well, over the years I have heard quite a few answers: Back in olden days when they still harvested by means of horse and carriage. They were afraid that the horse will take the turn at the end of the row, which will cause the cart to be damaged or the anchor trellising system which is planted at the end of the row will be pulled out or even hurt the horse. (WineOnTheBlog) [...]
I don’t understand the connection you make between the roses and pollination of the grape flowers. Most grape varieties are hermaphroditic, meaning they are able to self-pollinate. Otherwise pollination is aided by wind. This is why grape production has not been adversely affected in those regions where colony collapse disorder has affected bee populations.
Hi,
Indeed! You are 100% correct (error on my part in not including the reason as to how vines are in fact pollinated)
The 3 “reasons” are theories that I have heard from clients or tourists, when I ask them what THEY think the reason is for planting roses at the end of a vine.
Hat tip to you sir! Thanks for sharing with us the point!!
Cheers!