subject: Growing a Grape Vine --- Knowing the Right Time to Prune is Critical [print this page] Growing a Grape Vine --- Knowing the Right Time to Prune is Critical
If you've spent any time in an orchard, you know that you need to "thin" your fruit in order to get a nicer sized fruit come harvest time. You also know that you need to cut the excess branches and open the tree for proper sunlight and ventilation. Well, growing a grape vine is no different. A key to successfully growing grapes at home is your pruning knowledge and implementation.Pruning is difficult but necessary work when it comes to growing grapes. The more grape clusters that are on the vine, the more energy is required. Too many clusters mean that the vine can not supply enough energy and the grape is smaller and takes longer to ripen. It is important to know that the fruit for this year will come from the wood left on the vine last year. Too much pruning can result in an abundance of foliage, but very little fruit. If you prune too little, then you will have a large crop of small grapes.That is why careful, knowledgeable pruning of your grapevines is so critical. Pruning can also be called "thinning" and is where you carefully remove parts of the vine; such as branches, buds, root shoots or even clusters. Your pruning will remove deadwood, shape the vine, and help direct the growth of the vine and the fruit.Pruning Cycles:For the first year after planting, allow the grapevine to grow freely. This will allow the vine to produce healthy stems and leaves. It will also help establish a strong root system for your young vines. Bottom-line; do not prune the vine during its first year of growth.During the winter after the first year select the strongest and most vigorous-looking stem/branch. You have just chosen the main trunk of your vine. You now need to remove all other stems. You will now want to have branches/stems grow from this main trunk.In the spring of the second year, carefully select two lateral stems/branches on each side of the trunk that are at your desired height. The height can vary but is usually around three and six feet above the ground. You may decide to alter both of those distances based on your desired look and feel of your vineyard. Once you make your decision then prune all other stems off the trunk. You will need to cut (sometimes called "head") the top of the trunk when it reaches your desired height.By the second winter, you should have the basic framework of the vine - your trunk and four horizontal branches. All you need to do during the third spring and summer is remove all growth that comes from the trunk other than the four lateral stems.Remember the ultimate goal of pruning is to manage your grapevine, enhance the size and the quality of your grapes, and control the growing grape vine so you can manage it. Pruning grapevines can be difficult at first, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
