Another season of almost there.  I hopefully will be able to get an earlier start next year and also be able to extend the season.  So hope springs eternal for Black Madeira.  I am building a small lean-to greenhouse where a shed use to be.  I will have the height for a banana plant too.

looks good! Good luck!!

I'm kinda in the same spot as you are.

my paradiso gene is almost there.. few more days. but this weekend, the low will drop below 40 with day time at 60.. god.. i just want to taste one. geesh.. chances are tree rat will get to it before i can. tho, i saw one road kill yesterday in my neighborhood. that was nice.

pete

Speaking of "splitty", I have had several get close to ripe and then split. As you may know, Texas has been in a drought for several years. There was no rain or overhead watering during the ripening periods. Don't think rain is the only culprit.

Yes Good observation,is not only the rain causing splitting,but I suspect the abrupt change in Temperature between day and night.
Some cultivars resist better to splitting than others.

It could be that the common denominator is overwatering during ripening.