The strong-growing varieties can be grown as cordons if the site is warm and the soil good. The rows have to be 6 feet apart and the cordons 10 feet apart in the rows. The cordons are trained horizontally and thus stakes and wiring must be provided. Under this system a stake with a minimum diameter of 3 inches, and preferably chestnut, should, when 2 feet of its base has been thoroughly treated with Cuprinol, be driven into the ground securely so that the top is 2 feet 3 inches above soil level.

They could also be grown on the ‘Grow as you like’ system, being allowed to scramble over a trellis or cover a fence or wall. Under this system very little pruning is necessary, though it does pay to cut back the fruiting laterals in the summer at two leaves above a bunch.

Once again in January cut back these 3 canes to within two buds of their base. Thus you will see that you are now producing your goblet-shaped bush with 6 branches. Each one of these 6 branches may carry six or seven bunches of grapes and the following January again they will be cut back to within two buds.

Do not, however, allow 12 rods to be produced or you may not be able to ripen the fruit. Stick to 6 or 7 rods tied to strong bamboos or stakes to form a goblet and gradually these shoots will bear more bunches of grapes up to, say, 8 per rod. Do not be tempted to reduce the pruning by cutting say to 5 buds, and do not be tempted either to try and make the vine crop more heavily.

Powdery Mildew causes white patches to appear on the leaves and then the fruit, then the young shoots. Individual grapes that are attacked will either fall or go rotten. Vines that are mulched are seldom attacked with mildew, and when the young laterals are properly spaced out, so that they are not overcrowded, this disease seldom appears. Dusting the plants with a fine sulphur dust largely cures the trouble when seen.

This method is not suitable for varieties producing very thin canes or for those which bear the best fruit at the end of very long canes.

Health problems can ruin a high percentage of vacations, but the right food, drinks and supplements can reduce the risk and help you have a trouble-free holiday.

Adults and children can suffer from travel sickness if the proper precautions are not taken. Before traveling you should avoid eating a big meal, dairy products should also be avoided and certain salads and fruit, as these can be acidic. If you do need to eat, try something dry like crackers or ginger biscuits. Ginger is a natural remedy for nausea and travel sickness.

The air on a plane is much dryer than normal so dehydration is more likely to occur, and this will increase your chances of suffering from jet lag if you’re traveling through a few time zones. Try to drink plenty of water while on the flight, but not too much if you suffer from travel sickness.

Deep vein thrombosis is something else that is reduced if you drink plenty of fluids. It is also a good idea to take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement for a few weeks before traveling. Omega 3 supplement help thin the blood so it’s less likely to clot. A herbal supplement that can be beneficial in the sale way is ginkgo biloba. If you’re taking any blood thinners already you should speak to your doctor first before taking anything else that can thin your blood.

While you’re traveling you should avoid drinking any alcohol or caffeine. Drinking these stimulants can effect your chances of adjusting to a different time zone. Alcohol and caffeine will upset your sleeping patterns and increase your chances of jet lag.

You can reduce your chance of jet lag by eating certain foods pre and post flight. Eating ca carbohydrate rich meal will help you sleep. Any protein rich meal like fish or chicken, will have the opposite effect, and will keep you alert.

Traveling can be stressful for a lot of people so you want it to as pleasant as possible. This will set you up for a much more enjoyable vacation.