Vitis vinifera 'Zinfandel'
Light: Full sun; in Phoenix, favor morning sun with protection from intense western afternoon exposure. Maintain foliage around fruit to reduce sunburn.
Water: Deep, regular irrigation during active growth and fruit development; water more frequently during extreme Phoenix heat. Allow the upper few inches of soil to dry between irrigations. Reduce watering substantially during winter dormancy.
Soil: Well-drained loam or sandy loam preferred. Avoid waterlogged soil and excessive fertilizer; Phoenix’s alkaline soils may require management of iron deficiency.
Mature size: 15–20 feet long or more if unrestrained; typically trained and pruned to fit a trellis or arbor.
Bloom: Small flower clusters appear in spring; grapes generally ripen in summer, with timing dependent on heat, exposure, and pruning.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Fast once established.