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Grapevine pruning advice please
lennyboy
Posts: 27
Hi, it's late December so I'd like to prune my grapevine. But before I do, I'd be really grapevine for any advice or tips as to where you think I should cut back to please?
Thanks in advance!
0
Posts
I'd cut all the spindly shoots growing from your horizontals back to the first bud.
We cut back the shoots that are very long and that seems to encourage lots of bunches in the summer. We're hoping to get enough to do a bottle of wine next year.
Grape pruning is an art in itself. After viewing your photo I came to the conclusion that your grape vine is probably of the seedless variety and is trellis or fence grown. I would recommend the Rod and Spur System of pruning.
Many people like to prune early in the dormant season but with the Rod and Spur method I would recommend pruning later in the dormant season for 2 reasons. The 1st being heavy snow loads and ice conditions can take a toll on your plants and the second reason is that you take a chance of mold spores or other plant diseases coming in contact with the open cut from pruning. Leaving you with extra work trying to control those diseases. By pruning later you have the opportunity to use all the healthy spurs and not those damaged by the winter weather.
With the Rod and Spur pruning method you try to allow a spur every 6 inches and make sure each spur contains 2 buds. When pruning your spurs only allow 1 inch or less above your 2nd bud. You can allow extra spurs at this time and come back and prune them off later when the vine starts pushing. You may see sap coming out of your pruned cuts but this is ok and will not harm your vine.
Remember, as the growth starts you will have to do more pruning during the year. Make sure your clusters of grape have about 14- 16 leaves to protect them after you finish your summer pruning. Allowing your grapes to have a canopy of leaves to shade them will enhance the flavor of your grapes.
Good luck and happy gardening!