New vines planted in a vineyard can benefit from placement of a grow tube. 

In the vineyard, a bamboo stake or metal pencil rod is installed next to each vine to provide support for the new plant. The tubes are placed over the plant and attached to the stake.  The biggest advantages to grow tubes are the vines do not require any tying the first season, the vines are protected from deer and rabbits and contact herbicides can be used safely in the row for weed control. 

Commonly, about 3 inches of soil is mounded up around the base of the tube in the spring to prevent air flow from beneath the tube, which helps retain heat within the tube. Late in the season, as air temperature increases, the tube is raised above the soil level to facilitate airflow in the tube, preventing excessive heating within the tube. Grow tubes tend to accelerate shoot growth while they are within the confines of the tube. Once the shoot tip emerges from the top of the tube, the growth rate becomes similar to vines without grow tubes.    

OVS carries a proprietary tube manufactured by Polyform. The tubes have a 4” diameter and measure 24” or 30” in height.  They are 20 mil thick translucent green plastic and should last approximately five years under Oregon conditions.