Bud rubbing

LEGO® Grower’s just finished bud rubbing with the contractors.  It’s been windy and showery, one of the tractors was in the workshop, so he had a couple of days break from spraying and mowing. 

Let me describe a bit more.  Latent buds burst from the older parts of the trunk, and if left, grow into shoots.  These shoots grow up, get tangled in the carefully managed canopy, and it ends up a bit of a jungle.   These shoots don’t produce bunches, so LEGO® Grower needs to remove these buds when they first burst.  He puts on leather gloves, runs his hand quickly down the trunk, and the buds break off.  Simple and quick, but try this: crouch down, stand up, walk two paces, crouch down, stand up, walk two, crouch down, stand up, walk two….. thousands of times.  LEGO® Grower’s back gets sore, his knees ache and his thighs burn.  But bud rubbing means he’s up close and personal with every vine, can do a quick health check, and also spot any irrigation leaks.  He also loves working with the Thai contractors, talking and sharing meals.

Bud rubbing’s finished for the season, the tractor’s finally repaired and flowering is around the corner.