Pruning Grapevine

Any one any information to provide in respect of pruning a grapevine. I received a message, on this, and unfortunately I'm an ignoramus on grape vines.

[ 20. October 2005, 07:45 PM: Message edited by: Fran ]

 

It depends on how the owner wants to grow it Fran, or how much room they have

I grew one in a greenhouse and had it growing up to the eaves from a corner then in a circle back to the start and kept it to that shape...in a greenhouse by the way they do better planted outside and led in through a hole or gap as they like the roots to be cool

If grown outside then there doesn't have to be any restriction other than pruning to help fruiting spurs form...alternatively if you notice in fields abroad..they just grow them on one leg about 4 or 5 foot high and let it grow branches out from the knuckle at the top of that, after which it is pruned back to the knuckle again

main idea is to form a main rod and have fruiting side shoots say every 9 inches or so along the length (this allows air in and prevents too many bunches forming) pruning the side shoots back to the main rod every year after fruiting eventually forms the knuckle from which further side shoots grow each year, allow one good side shoot per knuckle, pinching out any weaker ones and also pinch out any side shoots apearing on the rod in places in between the knuckles

pruning is best done from now until winter, sap starts rising early spring and pruning then will tend to cause bleeding

when bunches are forming, if you want nice big juicy grapes then its best to do some thinning out....howzat

 

I read so many articles on how it should be done, and didn't understand any of them so I decided to do it my way.

Last year I kept one branch and tied it straight up 6 feet, then this year I rubbed off buds letting one grow every foot and tied it in to run horizontally along the wall.

I cut out any side shoots.

Now I have one vertical branch with five horizontal branches growing from onw end of the wall to the other.

Quite a nice shape, but whether it will produce grepes: who knows?

 

that should work fine

 

I used to grow mine like Rich, but I would cut the sideshoots back to one bud on the mainstem in December.
Over the years that builds up spurs on the main stem which fruit, and you cut them back each year after the leaves drop. Otherwise they can get massive.

 

Thanks guys, I knew I could rely on you. I hope the messager has seen the thread.