subject: The Five Main Types of Trellis Systems for Growing Grape Vines [print this page] The Five Main Types of Trellis Systems for Growing Grape Vines
When growing grape vines a strong and low maintenance trellis is vital. Its purpose is to support the vines, leaves and fruit; making for easy supervision and good sunlight exposure. Here is an outline of five different trellis systems that are used to support grape vines.1. The 4-Cane (or arm) Kniffin system --- uses (four---thus the name) fruiting canes that are selected and trained to grow along two horizontal upper and lower wires. These wires should be three and six feet above the ground to facilitate good air circulation, sunlight exposure and good disease-prevention spray penetration throughout the vine's canopy.2. The umbrella Kniffen system --- is similar to the 4-cane Kniffin system. It is a system suggested for vigorous grapes where more of the fruiting area is out in the open to sunlight. During planting, vines are managed just as the 4-cane Kniffin. The trunk should be grown about six to twelve inches below the top wire. Select two to six canes, each cane is then bent over the top wire and is trained down to the lower wire, where it is tied.3. Hudson River Umbrella system is also an umbrella-shaped system with the vines/arms stretching along the top wire halfway to the next vine. These arms, now called cordons will settle and bear fruiting spurs. Spurs arise along cordons and shoots develop from buds. The spurs hang down "umbrella-like" and are tied to the lower wire.4. Bilateral Cordons --- is a method of trellising where there are two branches growing parallel from the trunk. The horizontal growth from the trunk in either direction on the trellis is called a cordon. The growing trunk should be headed to encourage branching from the side about four to six inches below the trellis wire. A single shoot should be trained on the wire in each direction from the trunk.5. Geneva Double Curtain --- presents a way to double the cordon length per vine, while sustaining good sunlight exposure throughout the canopy. This system uses two trunks per vine and each trunk is trained on parallel cordon wires. The trunk should be headed to encourage shoot development to each side. One shoot should then be trained in each direction.Once you decide the variety of grapes you are going to grow and the area where you are going to place your vineyard; you are now ready to choose your trellis. You now have a good start on what to look for when choosing a trellis system.
